School policies on Artificial Intelligence, phone policy and graduation requirements, as well as funding, have been impacted by House Bill 96, passed by the Ohio Senate and signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine Sept. 30.
The bill requires multiple changes to school policy regarding technology. Ohio school districts must adopt a phone policy by Jan. 1, according to section 3313.753 of the bill. The only exceptions to the policy are if a personalized education program requires a student to have access to their phone or if a student needs to use a device to monitor their health.
Districts are also required to enact an AI policy by July 1. Schools may use the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s model policy, which will be fully developed by Dec. 31, but they may also choose to adopt their own policies.
“Our Board of Education does an incredible job of reviewing these things,” Director of Technology Brad Pettit said. “They take a great look at how these things affect Bexley.”
Additionally, the bill changed the Governor’s Merit Scholarship eligibility requirements from the top 5% of a graduating class to the top 2%. Recipients of the scholarship are also now required to stay in Ohio for three years post-graduation.
The bill also changes how school funding is calculated. Districts with a rating of four or more stars from the Department of Education and Workforce as of the 2023-24 school year are given a “performance supplement” of additional funds based on the number of stars they receive.
According to section 122.09, a new flat rate income tax will take effect in the 2026 tax year. The highest bracket will see a tax reduction. Everyone earning at least $26,050 will pay a flat tax, and those making less will pay nothing.
Certain aspects of the bill, like budget cuts for homeless shelters helping transgender youth, were vetoed, according to DeWine’s veto message.
However, the Assembly has overridden vetoes on items 55, 65 and 66. These items will eliminate replacement property tax levies, emergency levies and substitute levies, respectively.
Superintendent Jason Fine said other vetoed items in the bill could have affected Bexley if put in place.
“One amendment considered by the legislature would have forced schools to either spend down voter-approved savings or risk losing state funding, an approach we believe isn’t smart or sustainable,” he explained. “Early versions included proposals that could have created financial challenges for districts like ours.”
Despite his worries, Fine believes the district is safe from any major changes to funding.
“Our district remains in a stable financial position, and we will continue to be proactive and transparent, keeping our community informed and safeguarding the programs and opportunities our students deserve,” Fine said.
Published and digitized October 2025.
