Driehaus' bipartisan Community Learning Center bill clears House panel

The Ohio House Education Committee today favorably passed Rep. Denise Driehaus’ (D-Cincinnati) bipartisan legislation, House Bill 70, unanimously. Based on Cincinnati’s Community Learning Centers (CLC), the model would allow any Ohio school to work with parents and community members to provide supplemental services for students such as on-site healthcare, dental care, tutoring, recreation and mental health services.

“I am thrilled by the bipartisan support for this legislation,” said Rep. Driehaus. “This was an important step in the process of allowing our schools to transform their buildings beyond the traditional place of providing only education. Many other states have come to visit Cincinnati’s model and now all of Ohio will have the opportunity to be on the forefront of twenty-first century education.”

HB 70 brings families, residents, students, educators and business leaders together to review the strengths and needs of their individual communities to decide how best to support students and their families. Together, the group decides which services are important for children in the neighborhood. Public-private partnerships are a key element to the CLCs. The partners use their own dollars to provide services so that no additional education funding is necessary.

Core principles in forming a CLC commonly include fostering strong partnerships, sharing accountability for better results, setting high expectations for all, building on the community’s strength and embracing diversity while avoiding a “one-size-fits-all” approach.

HB 70 now goes to the Ohio House for further consideration.