Section 3318.051. Alternative funding for state-assisted classroom projects

(A) Any city, exempted village, or local school district that commences a project under sections 3318.01 to 3318.20, 3318.36, 3318.37, or 3318.38 of the Revised Code on or after September 5, 2006, need not levy the tax otherwise required under division (B) of section 3318.05 of the Revised Code, if the district board of education adopts a resolution petitioning the Ohio school facilities commission to approve the transfer of money in accordance with this section and the commission approves that transfer. If so approved, the commission and the district board shall enter into an agreement under which the board, in each of twenty-three consecutive years beginning in the year in which the board and the commission enter into the project agreement under section 3318.08 of the Revised Code, shall transfer into the maintenance fund required by division (D) of section 3318.05 of the Revised Code not less than an amount equal to one-half mill for each dollar of the district's valuation unless and until the agreement to make those transfers is rescinded by the district board pursuant to division (F) of this section.

(B) On the first day of July each year, or on an alternative date prescribed by the commission, the district treasurer shall certify to the commission and the auditor of state that the amount required for the year has been transferred. The auditor of state shall include verification of the transfer as part of any audit of the district under section 117.11 of the Revised Code. If the auditor of state finds that less than the required amount has been deposited into a district's maintenance fund, the auditor of state shall notify the district board of education in writing of that fact and require the board to deposit into the fund, within ninety days after the date of the notice, the amount by which the fund is deficient for the year. If the district board fails to demonstrate to the auditor of state's satisfaction that the board has made the deposit required in the notice, the auditor of state shall notify the department of education. At that time, the department shall withhold an amount equal to ten per cent of the district's funds calculated for the current fiscal year under Chapter 3317. of the Revised Code until the auditor of state notifies the department that the auditor of state is satisfied that the board has made the required transfer.

(C) Money transferred to the maintenance fund shall be used for the maintenance of the facilities acquired under the district's project.

(D) The transfers to the maintenance fund under this section does not affect a district's obligation to establish and maintain a capital and maintenance fund under section 3315.18 of the Revised Code.

(E) Any decision by the commission to approve or not approve the transfer of money under this section is final and not subject to appeal. The commission shall not be responsible for errors or miscalculations made in deciding whether to approve a petition to make transfers under this section.

(F) If the district board determines that it no longer can continue making the transfers agreed to under this section, the board may rescind the agreement only so long as the electors of the district have approved, in accordance with section 3318.063 of the Revised Code, the levy of a tax for the maintenance of the classroom facilities acquired under the district's project and that levy continues to be collected as approved by the electors. That levy shall be for a number of years that is equal to the difference between twenty-three years and the number of years that the district made transfers under this section and shall be at the rate of not less than one-half mill for each dollar of the district's valuation. The district board shall continue to make the transfers agreed to under this section until that levy has been approved by the electors.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.28, HB 153, §101.01, eff. 6/30/2011.

Amended by 128th General AssemblyFile No.9, HB 1, §101.01, eff. 7/17/2009.

Effective Date: 09-05-2006