July Newsletter | Community Schools
Community School Deferrals
For community school sponsors that are rated exemplary, new schools that have not yet begun operations should not be suspended; instead, the opening of the school should be deferred. To facilitate this process, an Epicenter submission task has been created to notify the Department of a school's deferral, titled “Notice of Deferral”.
Community Schools with Preschools
Preschools are licensed through the Department of Children and Youth (DCY). As a sponsor, your role is to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and rules; however, this responsibility does not extend to third-party arrangements in which an independent organization leases space within your building to operate a preschool program. While preschool licensing remains the responsibility of DCY, the Office of Community Schools will verify eligibility in accordance with ORC 3301.52(N). Sponsors should also be aware that a change in sponsor rating could affect the continued operation of their preschool programs if the sponsor is no longer rated exemplary. Additionally, preschool funding is separate from state foundation funding.
Community School Release from Suspension
When a community school is being released from suspension and re-opening, sponsors should submit the required documentation to Epicenter. Previously, this was done so under the submission type “Notice of Suspension – Additional Documentation”. For any schools suspending after August 1st, a new submission type has been created titled “Notice of Release of Suspension”. Going forward, please upload any release notices to this new submission. Additionally, if the school is closing, please ensure a closure notice is submitted.
As a reminder, within ten business days of a sponsor’s notification to the Department that a school has been suspended, the sponsor shall provide additional information specifying the nature of the problem and a proposed plan for resolution.
Fraudulent Billing: Medicaid Summer Camps
Out of concern for students and to protect program integrity, the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) is alerting schools to fraudulent billing schemes involving certain summer camps, afterschool programs, and similar recreational activities marketed as free or low cost for students enrolled in Medicaid. Some of these programs, many of which use ODM’s logo in their marketing, are improperly billing Medicaid for mental health services simply based on a child’s daily participation. Please be advised that ODM does not endorse, promote, partner or collaborate with any summer camp or recreational programs. These programs have been diagnosing children with a mental health condition solely to bill for these services – often without the knowledge of the child or their parent or guardian. This practice is unlawful. In some cases, activities organized or promoted by schools have been billed by an outside individual who enrolled as a Medicaid provider – often without the school’s knowledge.
ODM urges school administrators to ensure that any social, recreational, or athletic activities connected to their school are not being misrepresented as reimbursable Medicaid services. If you have concerns about any program hosted or promoted by your school, please report it by calling 614-466-0722 or though the Ohio Attorney General’s “Report Medicaid Fraud” website.
Documents Required for All Interim Licenses
Interim license candidates (Interim Resident Educator and Interim Principal) must submit a position verification letter from their employing superintendent or human resources director verifying their assignment for the upcoming school year in an Ohio school with each licensure application (new and renewal). Note that educators renewing their interim license must also submit a screen shot of their final holistic annual evaluation through their CORE Dashboard with their renewal application. Review the details on the Interim Resident Educator and Interim Principal licensure webpages.
Background Check Reminders
Candidates applying for their first license, or after a gap in licensure, should plan to complete all background check requirements before or at the same time they submit their licensure application. Getting full background check results, including rap sheets or other BCI documentation stemming from failed or rejected fingerprints, can take up to 60 days or more. Additionally, the State Board of Education team cannot review submitted applications until the agency has received required background checks.
Updated Age Requirements for Kindergarten and First Grade Entrance
Starting with the 2026-2027 school year, under House Bill 114, each school district board of education shall admit to kindergarten any student who is five or, for a student who has not completed first grade, six years of age by the first day of instruction of the school year of admittance. Direct general inquiries to AcademicSuccess@education.ohio.gov. Contact gifted@education.ohio.gov with inquiries related to early entrance or acceleration.
- If a child turns five or six on or before the first day of school, they can start kindergarten or first grade.
- If a child’s fifth birthday is after the first day of instruction but prior to the first day of January, they can wait and begin kindergarten the next year. Alternatively, families may contact the local school district to refer the child for kindergarten entrance to be admitted in accordance with district policy.
- If a child will turn five or six on or after the first day of January of the school year, the family can make a referral, and the child shall be evaluated for early admittance in accordance with the district’s acceleration policy adopted under ORC 3324.10.
Medical Reporting Deadlines
Ohio law requires schools to report medical information annually regarding diabetes, overdose reversal drugs, and procurement of stock medications (epinephrine, glucagon, and inhalers). Schools should include the number of students with diabetes enrolled, number of diabetic medication errors, number of doses of overdose reversal drug administered, and the doses of stock emergency medications procured and administered.
The board of education or governing authority of each city, local, or exempted village, Joint Vocational School District, STEM, and community school must report medical information for the 2025-2026 school year in the Education Management Information System (EMIS) by July 15. Schools can contact their district’s EMIS coordinator for reporting instructions.
DPIA Wellness
Ohio laws for Disadvantaged Pupil Impact Aid and Student Wellness and Success Funds require schools and districts to complete a report detailing planning, use of funds, and expenditures for the 2025-2026 school year (fiscal year 2026). Schools and districts are required to complete a report by July 17, even if they did not spend funds during the current fiscal year.
Individuals identified as FORMS Data Entry users, superintendents, superintendent designees, and treasurers in the Ohio Educational Directory System (OEDS) can access the survey in the Data Collection application within the OH|ID portal. Only superintendents or superintendent designees can complete questions 5-7 of the acknowledgement section of the report and submit the tool for review.
Student Wellness and Success Funds received in FY25 must be spent by June 30 or be repaid to the Department. Visit Student Wellness and Success and Disadvantaged Pupil Impact Aid and DPIA and SWSF Reporting Tool Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
Contact Christina May at wellnessandsuccess@education.ohio.gov with any questions.
Team Tressel Fitness Challenge
The Team Tressel Fitness Challenge is giving students in Ohio the chance to prioritize their health through fitness, nutrition, sleep, and goal setting — while also building confidence, teamwork, and a sense of accomplishment along the way.
SUN Meals Program
This summer, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is sponsoring SUN Meals, a summer food program where Kids Eat Free! All children ages 1 through 18 are eligible to receive free meals during the summer months at participating program sites.
Some students may qualify for SUN Bucks or Summer EBT. The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children provides a one-time grocery benefits to low-income families with school-aged children to use during the summer. Families can use the money to buy food at participating grocery stores, farmers markets, and other authorized retailers. Families who qualify will receive a one-time benefit of $120 for each eligible child. For more information on whether or not a household would qualify and how to apply, visit the Summer EBT webpage.
School Supply Grant Opportunity for Educators
LifeChanger of the Year is a national recognition program that honors K-12 educators and school employees making a difference in the lives of students.
This summer, $750 Back-to-School Supply Grants will be awarded to 10 public, private, and charter school employees in K-12 schools across the country. These grants are designed to help cover the out-of-pocket costs educators often spend on classroom supplies.
Applications close on August 15th.
Ohio Means Jobs K-12 Survey
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is collecting information about how educators across Ohio utilize the tools and resources provided by the OhioMeansJobs K-12 website. Participate in this Department survey to contribute to ongoing student resource development. Take the survey through Aug. 3. Send questions to careerconnections@education.ohio.gov.
July Sponsor Update
The July Sponsor Update will be canceled. The next meeting is scheduled for August 27.
Upcoming Dates and Deadlines
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