Miller praises school construction funding increase

State Rep. Joe Miller (D-Amherst) today applauded the committee passage of Senate Bill (SB) 4, legislation to increase the state’s capacity to assist local school districts with facility renovations and construction. Rep. Miller, a former teacher and member of the House Primary and Secondary Education Committee, joined in unanimous approval of the measure.

“This is an issue I know about firsthand from my time in the classroom, but the idea behind it is simple. No student should be held back from fulfilling their potential by an unsafe school building or classroom that isn’t equipped to prepare them for the modern economy,” said Miller. “This bill is an essential component of our state living up to the promise of a quality education for each and every child.”

SB 4 permits the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) to issue $100 million in new general obligation bonds that can be used to pay for the state share of construction costs. The new funds would allow many districts waiting on the release of state support to move forward with their projects.

The bill now awaits a vote on the House floor.