To enact section 3317.018 of the Revised Code to establish a committee to study the actual per pupil cost of educating students in public schools and make recommendations regarding the funding of public schools.

Section 1. That section 3317.018 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 3317.018. (A) A committee to study the actual per pupil cost of educating students enrolled in the public schools of this state is hereby created. The committee shall examine evidence and take testimony as necessary to develop a method to determine the actual per pupil cost of educating public school students, including the variances in that cost among urban, suburban, and rural school districts and community schools and among regions of the state. The committee shall use that method to derive a per pupil cost figure for computing state aid to public schools. The committee shall report its findings in a written document, which shall be distributed to each member of the general assembly and to the governor not later than December 31, 2008.

The general assembly shall use the method and per pupil cost figure to determine state aid to public schools in fiscal year 2010 and in each fiscal year thereafter.

(B) The committee required by division (A) of this section shall consist of the following members:

(1) Two members of the house of representatives, each from a different political party, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

(2) Two members of the senate, each from a different political party, appointed by the president of the senate;

(3) The superintendent of public instruction or the superintendent's designee;

(4) One representative of the governor's office appointed by the governor;

(5) One representative of business, appointed by the governor from among recommendations of the Ohio chamber of commerce;

(6) One representative of the Ohio education association, appointed by the governor from among recommendations of the association;

(7) One representative of the Ohio federation of teachers, appointed by the governor from among recommendations of the federation;

(8) Two classroom teachers, appointed by the governor;

(9) Two parents of children enrolled in the public schools of this state, appointed by the governor.

The speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, and the governor shall make their appointments not later than thirty days after the effective date of this section.

The members appointed under divisions (B)(1), (2), and (4) to (9) of this section shall serve at the pleasure of their appointing authorities. Vacancies on the committee shall be filled in the manner of the initial appointments.

The members of the committee shall serve without compensation, but the members appointed under divisions (B)(5) to (9) of this section shall be paid by the department of education their necessary and actual expenses incurred while engaged in the business of the committee.

The first meeting of the committee shall be convened by the governor's representative appointed under division (B)(4) of this section. At the first meeting, the chairperson of the committee shall be selected by and from among the members of the committee. Thereafter, the committee shall convene at the discretion of the chairperson.

(C) The department of education shall provide staff to assist the committee in carrying out the committee's duties under this section.

(D) The committee created under this section shall cease to exist upon submission of the report required by division (A) of this section.