(A) As used in this section, "child with a disability" has the same meaning as in section 3323.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) Each city, exempted village, local, and joint vocational school district shall continue to comply with all requirements of federal statutes and regulations, the Revised Code, and rules adopted by the state board of education governing education of children with disabilities, including, but not limited to, requirements that children with disabilities be served by appropriately licensed or certificated education personnel.

(C) Each city, exempted village, local, and joint vocational school district shall consult with the educational service center serving the county in which the school district is located and, if it elects to participate pursuant to section 5126.04 of the Revised Code, the county board of developmental disabilities of that county, in providing services that serve the best interests of children with disabilities.

(D) Each school district shall annually provide documentation to the department of education that it employs the appropriate number of licensed or certificated personnel to serve the district's students with disabilities.

(E) The department annually shall audit a sample of school districts to ensure that children with disabilities are being appropriately reported.

(F) Each school district shall provide speech-language pathology services at a ratio of one speech-language pathologist per two thousand students receiving any educational services from the district other than adult education. Each district shall provide school psychological services at a ratio of one school psychologist per two thousand five hundred students receiving any educational services from the district other than adult education. A district may obtain the services of speech-language pathologists and school psychologists by any means permitted by law, including contracting with an educational service center. If, however, a district is unable to obtain the services of the required number of speech-language pathologists or school psychologists, the district may request from the superintendent of public instruction, and the superintendent may grant, a waiver of this provision for a period of time established by the superintendent.

Amended by 131st General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 158, §1, eff. 10/12/2016.

Amended by 128th General Assemblych.28, SB 79, §1, eff. 10/6/2009.

Effective Date: 07-01-1998; 2007 HB119 09-29-2007