Reps. Miller, Lepore-Hagan and Smith introduce legislation to audit Academic Distress Commission districts

COLUMBUS- State Reps. Joe Miller (D-Amherst), Michele Lepore-Hagan (D-Youngstown) and Kent Smith (D-Euclid) today announced legislation that would require one-time performance audits of school districts with a current Academic Distress Commission (ADC). 

“Taxpayers deserve to know how their money is being spent, especially when it comes to their children’s education,” said Miller. “We’ve heard a lot about the need for accountability for these school districts. It’s time the state-imposed district leadership be held to the same standard.”

“We are introducing this legislation because the unelected, unaccountable Academic Distress Commissions and appointed CEOs in Youngstown, Lorain and East Cleveland exercise unilateral control over tens of millions of taxpayer dollars. The performance audits mandated by the bill will enable parents, teachers, residents, elected officials and the public at large to evaluate whether those dollars are being used effectively. Most importantly, we will be able to determine if our teachers and kids are receiving the resources and support they need to achieve and succeed. The time to impose transparency and scrutiny on this failed system has arrived,” said Lepore-Hagan.

“Since the state took over their school district, East Cleveland residents no longer have any oversight abilities. Therefore, the state needs to conduct a performance audit to ensure dollars are not being wasted in their unaccountable system,” said Smith.

The bill will now be sent to the House Rules and Reference Committee, where it will receive a committee assignment and bill number.