Ohio Rep. Gayle Manning appointed chair of education committee

State Rep. Gayle Manning was named the chair of the House Primary and Secondary Education Committee.

 Manning, R-North Ridgeville, has been a member of the committee during her tenure, but this is her first time chairing it. She was appointed by Ohio House Speaker Bob Cupp, R-Lima.

Manning said that she was excited about the appointment, and looking forward to starting the work. She said she wants to focus on getting kids safely back in school, and address mental health issues that have increased during the pandemic for students.

Although school funding probably will go through the Finance Education Committee, Manning said she also wants to work on a solution. She said she found out Friday that Cupp had appointed her to the position, and she was honored.

“As a former educator, I’m happy to bring my decades of experience in the classroom and make that effective in managing this critical committee down at the Statehouse,” Manning said in a news release. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in providing solutions on important education issues.”

Prior to her time in the House and Senate, Manning spent 37 years as an elementary school teacher.

Manning also will serve on the Commerce and Labor and Higher Education and Career Readiness committees.