To amend sections 3314.02, 5705.192, 5705.21, 5705.212, 5705.218, 5705.251, and 5705.261 and to enact sections 3311.60 and 3311.61 of the Revised Code to authorize school districts with an average daily membership greater than 60,000 and located in a city with a population greater than 700,000 to levy property taxes, the revenue from which may be shared with partnering community schools; to require such districts to place such a levy on the ballot at the next general or special election; to prescribe the creation of the position of independent auditor for such a school district, subject to voter approval; to authorize the mayor of the city in which such a school district is located to sponsor community schools; and to declare an emergency.

SECTION 1.  That sections 3314.02, 5705.192, 5705.21, 5705.212, 5705.218, 5705.251, and 5705.261 be amended and sections 3311.60 and 3311.61 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 3311.60. This section applies to any school district that has an average daily membership, as reported under division (A) of section 3317.03 of the Revised Code, greater than sixty thousand and of which the majority of the district's territory is located in a city with a population greater than seven hundred thousand according to the most recent federal decennial census.

(A) Subject to approval by the electors under section 3311.61 of the Revised Code, the board of education of a school district to which this section applies shall create the position of independent auditor to be responsible for all internal auditing functions of the district. The independent auditor shall be selected by the selection committee prescribed by division (B) of this section. Upon selection of the independent auditor, the district board shall execute a written contract of employment with the independent auditor. The district board shall appropriate funds to support the operations and functions of the independent auditor and shall grant the independent auditor access to all district personnel, equipment, and records necessary to perform the duties prescribed by divisions (C) and (D) of this section. The term of office for the independent auditor shall be for five years and may be renewed for additional terms by the selection committee.

(B)(1) The independent auditor selection committee shall consist of the mayor, council president, and auditor of the city in which a majority of the territory of the district is located; the president of the school district board of education; and the probate court judge of the county in which a majority of the territory of the district is located. Members of the selection committee shall serve without compensation.

(2) The selection committee shall do the following:

(a) Establish qualifications for the position of independent auditor;

(b) Select, by majority vote, an individual to serve as the independent auditor;

(c) Recommend to the district board of education the compensation for the position of independent auditor and the necessary additional funds to finance operations and functions of the independent auditor;

(d) Reappoint the independent auditor for an additional term, by a majority vote of the selection committee members;

(e) Appoint a successor, if the current independent auditor is not reappointed, by a majority vote of the committee members;

(f) In the event of a vacancy in the office of independent auditor, appoint a successor to the balance of the unexpired term, by a majority vote of the selection committee members;

(g) Remove the independent auditor from office, by a two-thirds vote of the selection committee members.

(C) The independent auditor shall do the following:

(1) Recommend to the district board of education the employment of personnel necessary to carry out the activities of the independent auditor;

(2) Prescribe duties and qualifications for staff of the independent auditor;

(3) Serve as the district's public records officer and oversee the maintenance and availability of the school district's public documents;

(4) Prior to certification by the school district superintendent, review reports and data that must be submitted to the department of education and the state board of education;

(5) Receive any complaints of alleged wrongful or illegal acts regarding the district's operations, finances, and data reported under the education management information system prescribed under section 3301.0714 of the Revised Code and supervise the internal investigation of those complaints. At the independent auditor's discretion, the independent auditor may initiate investigations.

(6) Report the results of investigations of such wrongful or illegal acts, whether criminal in nature or otherwise, to the appropriate authorities or agencies, including the school district board of education, the city attorney of the city in which a majority of the territory of the district is located, the prosecuting attorney of the county in which a majority of the territory of the district is located, the auditor of state, the department of education, and the Ohio ethics commission;

(7) Propose to the selection committee a budget to support the independent auditor's operations and functions;

(8) Audit funds a partnering community school receives from the district's partnering community schools fund established under section 5705.21 of the Revised Code;

(9) Submit, not later than the first day of September of each year, a report on the activities of the independent auditor to the selection committee, the board of education of the school district, and the general assembly in accordance with section 101.68 of the Revised Code. The report required under division (C)(8) of this section is a public record under section 149.43 of the Revised Code.

If sufficient funds are available, the independent auditor may obtain the services of certified public accountants, qualified management consultants, or other professional experts necessary to perform the duties prescribed under divisions (C) and (D) of this section.

(D) In cooperation with the school district board of education and in coordination with the auditor of state, the independent auditor may conduct or initiate financial and performance audits and analyses of the school district to ensure the following:

(1) School district activities and programs comply with all applicable laws and district policies, procedures, and appropriations;

(2) Student performance and enrollment data are accurately and clearly reported;

(3) Ballot requests to levy a tax are based on accurate analysis and the needs of the district;

(4) Individual contracts of the district are consistent with the policies, procedures, budgets, and financial plans adopted by the district board;

(5) Incentive-based distributions and plans are consistent with the objectives adopted by the district board;

(6) District operations are executed in a cost-effective and efficient manner consistent with the objectives of and appropriations made by the district board;

(7) Accuracy of district financial statements and reports;

(8) Recommendations for improvement that have been adopted by the district board are implemented;

(9) Operating units or departments have necessary and appropriate operating and administrative policies, procedures, internal controls, and data quality protocols;

(10) Proper evaluation of district programs and activities, including a full accounting of all funds.

Sec. 3311.61.  (A) The creation of the position of independent auditor for any school district to which section 3311.60 of the Revised Code applies on the effective date of this section shall be subject to an affirmative vote of the electors of the district. The question of whether to create the position of independent auditor for such a school district shall be submitted to the electors of the district at the general election occurring at least ninety days after the effective date of this section. The board of education of the school district shall notify the board of elections of each county containing territory of the school district of the election required by this section by such time that the question may be placed on the ballot at that election.

The following question shall be submitted to the electors residing in the school district:

"Shall the position of independent auditor of . . . . (here insert name of the school district) school district be created in accordance with section 3311.60 of the Revised Code and shall a selection committee consisting of the mayor of the city of . . . . (here insert name of the applicable city), president of the school district board of education, council president of the city of . . . . (here insert name of the applicable city), auditor of the city of . . . . (here insert name of the applicable city), and probate court judge of the county of . . . . (here insert name of the applicable county) select an individual to fill that position for an initial term of five years, subject to reappointment or succession, with the compensation for the independent auditor and the cost of the operations and functions of the independent auditor to be paid by the school district?"

(B) The board of elections of the county in which the majority of the school district's territory is located shall make all necessary arrangements for the submission of the question to the electors, and the election shall be conducted, canvassed, and certified in the same manner as regular elections in the district for the election of county officers, provided that in any such election in which only part of the electors of a precinct are qualified to vote, the board of elections may assign voters in such part to an adjoining precinct. Such an assignment may be made to an adjoining precinct in another county with the consent and approval of the board of elections of such other county. Notice of the election shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the school district once a week for two consecutive weeks, or as provided in section 7.16 of the Revised Code, prior to the election. If the board of elections operates and maintains a web site, the board of elections shall post notice of the election on its web site for thirty days prior to the election. The notice shall state the question on which the election is being held. The ballot shall be in the form prescribed by the secretary of state. Costs of submitting the question to the electors shall be charged to the school district in accordance with section 3501.17 of the Revised Code.

(C) If a majority of electors voting on the issue proposed in division (A) of this section approve the question, the selection committee prescribed by division (B) of section 3311.60 of the Revised Code and the district board of education shall forthwith initiate proceedings to select an independent auditor so that the position is filled not later than the thirty-first day of March of the calendar year immediately following the general election at which the question was approved.

(D) If a majority of electors voting on the issue proposed in division (A) of this section disapprove the question, no action shall be taken to create the position of independent auditor.

Sec. 3314.02.  (A) As used in this chapter:

(1) "Sponsor" means the board of education of a school district or the governing board of an educational service center that agrees to the conversion of all or part of a school or building under division (B) of this section, or an entity listed in division (C)(1) of this section, which either has been approved by the department of education to sponsor community schools or is exempted by section 3314.021 or 3314.027 of the Revised Code from obtaining approval, and with which the governing authority of a community school enters into a contract under section 3314.03 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Pilot project area" means the school districts included in the territory of the former community school pilot project established by former Section 50.52 of Am. Sub. H.B. No. 215 of the 122nd general assembly.

(3) "Challenged school district" means any of the following:

(a) A school district that is part of the pilot project area;

(b) A school district that meets one of the following conditions:

(i) On the effective date of this amendment March 22, 2013, the district was in a state of academic emergency or in a state of academic watch under section 3302.03 of the Revised Code, as that section existed prior to the effective date of this amendment March 22, 2013;

(ii) For two of the 2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2014-2015 school years, the district received a grade of "D" or "F" for the performance index score and a grade of "F" for the value-added progress dimension under section 3302.03 of the Revised Code;

(iii) For the 2015-2016 school year and for any school year thereafter, the district has received an overall grade of "D" or "F" under division (C)(3) of section 3302.03 of the Revised Code, or, for at least two of the three most recent school years, the district received a grade of "F" for the value-added progress dimension under division (C)(1)(e) of that section.

(c) A big eight school district;

(d) A school district ranked in the lowest five per cent of school districts according to performance index score under section 3302.21 of the Revised Code.

(4) "Big eight school district" means a school district that for fiscal year 1997 had both of the following:

(a) A percentage of children residing in the district and participating in the predecessor of Ohio works first greater than thirty per cent, as reported pursuant to section 3317.10 of the Revised Code;

(b) An average daily membership greater than twelve thousand, as reported pursuant to former division (A) of section 3317.03 of the Revised Code.

(5) "New start-up school" means a community school other than one created by converting all or part of an existing public school or educational service center building, as designated in the school's contract pursuant to division (A)(17) of section 3314.03 of the Revised Code.

(6) "Urban school district" means one of the state's twenty-one urban school districts as defined in division (O) of section 3317.02 of the Revised Code as that section existed prior to July 1, 1998.

(7) "Internet- or computer-based community school" means a community school established under this chapter in which the enrolled students work primarily from their residences on assignments in nonclassroom-based learning opportunities provided via an internet- or other computer-based instructional method that does not rely on regular classroom instruction or via comprehensive instructional methods that include internet-based, other computer-based, and noncomputer-based learning opportunities.

(8) "Operator" means either of the following:

(a) An individual or organization that manages the daily operations of a community school pursuant to a contract between the operator and the school's governing authority;

(b) A nonprofit organization that provides programmatic oversight and support to a community school under a contract with the school's governing authority and that retains the right to terminate its affiliation with the school if the school fails to meet the organization's quality standards.

(B) Any person or group of individuals may initially propose under this division the conversion of all or a portion of a public school or a building operated by an educational service center to a community school. The proposal shall be made to the board of education of the city, local, exempted village, or joint vocational school district in which the public school is proposed to be converted or, in the case of the conversion of a building operated by an educational service center, to the governing board of the service center. Upon receipt of a proposal, a board may enter into a preliminary agreement with the person or group proposing the conversion of the public school or service center building, indicating the intention of the board to support the conversion to a community school. A proposing person or group that has a preliminary agreement under this division may proceed to finalize plans for the school, establish a governing authority for the school, and negotiate a contract with the board. Provided the proposing person or group adheres to the preliminary agreement and all provisions of this chapter, the board shall negotiate in good faith to enter into a contract in accordance with section 3314.03 of the Revised Code and division (C) of this section.

(C)(1) Any person or group of individuals may propose under this division the establishment of a new start-up school to be located in a challenged school district. The proposal may be made to any of the following entities:

(a) The board of education of the district in which the school is proposed to be located;

(b) The board of education of any joint vocational school district with territory in the county in which is located the majority of the territory of the district in which the school is proposed to be located;

(c) The board of education of any other city, local, or exempted village school district having territory in the same county where the district in which the school is proposed to be located has the major portion of its territory;

(d) The governing board of any educational service center, as long as the proposed school will be located in a county within the territory of the service center or in a county contiguous to such county. However, the governing board of an educational service center may sponsor a new start-up school in any challenged school district in the state if all of the following are satisfied:

(i) If applicable, it satisfies the requirements of division (E) of section 3311.86 of the Revised Code;

(ii) It is approved to do so by the department;

(iii) It enters into an agreement with the department under section 3314.015 of the Revised Code.

(e) A sponsoring authority designated by the board of trustees of any of the thirteen state universities listed in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code or the board of trustees itself as long as a mission of the proposed school to be specified in the contract under division (A)(2) of section 3314.03 of the Revised Code and as approved by the department under division (B)(2) of section 3314.015 of the Revised Code will be the practical demonstration of teaching methods, educational technology, or other teaching practices that are included in the curriculum of the university's teacher preparation program approved by the state board of education;

(f) Any qualified tax-exempt entity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code as long as all of the following conditions are satisfied:

(i) The entity has been in operation for at least five years prior to applying to be a community school sponsor.

(ii) The entity has assets of at least five hundred thousand dollars and a demonstrated record of financial responsibility.

(iii) The department has determined that the entity is an education-oriented entity under division (B)(3) of section 3314.015 of the Revised Code and the entity has a demonstrated record of successful implementation of educational programs.

(iv) The entity is not a community school.

(g) The mayor of a city in which the majority of the territory of a school district to which section 3311.60 of the Revised Code applies is located, regardless of whether that district has created the position of independent auditor as prescribed by that section. The mayor's sponsorship authority under this division is limited to community schools that are located in that school district. Such mayor may sponsor community schools only with the approval of the city council of that city, after establishing standards with which community schools sponsored by the mayor must comply, and after entering into a sponsor agreement with the department as prescribed under section 3314.015 of the Revised Code. The mayor shall establish the standards for community schools sponsored by the mayor not later than one hundred eighty days after the effective date of this amendment and shall submit them to the department upon their establishment. The department shall approve the mayor to sponsor community schools in the district, upon receipt of an application by the mayor to do so. Not later than ninety days after the department's approval of the mayor as a community school sponsor, the department shall enter into the sponsor agreement with the mayor.

Any entity described in division (C)(1) of this section may enter into a preliminary agreement pursuant to division (C)(2) of this section with the proposing person or group.

(2) A preliminary agreement indicates the intention of an entity described in division (C)(1) of this section to sponsor the community school. A proposing person or group that has such a preliminary agreement may proceed to finalize plans for the school, establish a governing authority as described in division (E) of this section for the school, and negotiate a contract with the entity. Provided the proposing person or group adheres to the preliminary agreement and all provisions of this chapter, the entity shall negotiate in good faith to enter into a contract in accordance with section 3314.03 of the Revised Code.

(3) A new start-up school that is established in a school district described in either division (A)(3)(b) or (d) of this section may continue in existence once the school district no longer meets the conditions described in either division, provided there is a valid contract between the school and a sponsor.

(4) A copy of every preliminary agreement entered into under this division shall be filed with the superintendent of public instruction.

(D) A majority vote of the board of a sponsoring entity and a majority vote of the members of the governing authority of a community school shall be required to adopt a contract and convert the public school or educational service center building to a community school or establish the new start-up school. Beginning September 29, 2005, adoption of the contract shall occur not later than the fifteenth day of March, and signing of the contract shall occur not later than the fifteenth day of May, prior to the school year in which the school will open. The governing authority shall notify the department of education when the contract has been signed. Subject to sections 3314.013 and 3314.016 of the Revised Code, an unlimited number of community schools may be established in any school district provided that a contract is entered into for each community school pursuant to this chapter.

(E)(1) As used in this division, "immediate relatives" are limited to spouses, children, parents, grandparents, siblings, and in-laws.

Each new start-up community school established under this chapter shall be under the direction of a governing authority which shall consist of a board of not less than five individuals.

No person shall serve on the governing authority or operate the community school under contract with the governing authority so long as the person owes the state any money or is in a dispute over whether the person owes the state any money concerning the operation of a community school that has closed.

(2) No person shall serve on the governing authorities of more than five start-up community schools at the same time.

(3) No present or former member, or immediate relative of a present or former member, of the governing authority of any community school established under this chapter shall be an owner, employee, or consultant of any sponsor or operator of a community school, unless at least one year has elapsed since the conclusion of the person's membership.

(4) The governing authority of a start-up community school may provide by resolution for the compensation of its members. However, no individual who serves on the governing authority of a start-up community school shall be compensated more than four hundred twenty-five dollars per meeting of that governing authority and no such individual shall be compensated more than a total amount of five thousand dollars per year for all governing authorities upon which the individual serves.

(F)(1) A new start-up school that is established prior to August 15, 2003, in an urban school district that is not also a big-eight school district may continue to operate after that date and the contract between the school's governing authority and the school's sponsor may be renewed, as provided under this chapter, after that date, but no additional new start-up schools may be established in such a district unless the district is a challenged school district as defined in this section as it exists on and after that date.

(2) A community school that was established prior to June 29, 1999, and is located in a county contiguous to the pilot project area and in a school district that is not a challenged school district may continue to operate after that date, provided the school complies with all provisions of this chapter. The contract between the school's governing authority and the school's sponsor may be renewed, but no additional start-up community school may be established in that district unless the district is a challenged school district.

(3) Any educational service center that, on June 30, 2007, sponsors a community school that is not located in a county within the territory of the service center or in a county contiguous to such county may continue to sponsor that community school on and after June 30, 2007, and may renew its contract with the school. However, the educational service center shall not enter into a contract with any additional community school, unless the school is located in a county within the territory of the service center or in a county contiguous to such county, or unless the governing board of the service center has entered into an agreement with the department authorizing the service center to sponsor a community school in any challenged school district in the state.

Sec. 5705.192.  (A) For the purposes of this section only, "taxing authority" includes a township board of park commissioners appointed under section 511.18 of the Revised Code.

(B) A taxing authority may propose to replace an existing levy that the taxing authority is authorized to levy, regardless of the section of the Revised Code under which the authority is granted, except a school district emergency levy proposed pursuant to sections 5705.194 to 5705.197 of the Revised Code. The taxing authority may propose to replace the existing levy in its entirety at the rate at which it is authorized to be levied; may propose to replace a portion of the existing levy at a lesser rate; or may propose to replace the existing levy in its entirety and increase the rate at which it is levied. If the taxing authority proposes to replace an existing levy, the proposed levy shall be called a replacement levy and shall be so designated on the ballot. Except as otherwise provided in this division, a replacement levy shall be limited to the purpose of the existing levy, and shall appear separately on the ballot from, and shall not be conjoined with, the renewal of any other existing levy. In the case of an existing school district levy imposed under section 5705.21 of the Revised Code for the purpose specified in division (F) of section 5705.19 of the Revised Code, the replacement for that existing levy may be for the same purpose or for the purpose of general permanent improvements as defined in section 5705.21 of the Revised Code.

The resolution proposing a replacement levy shall specify the purpose of the levy; its proposed rate expressed in mills; whether the proposed rate is the same as the rate of the existing levy, a reduction, or an increase; the extent of any reduction or increase expressed in mills; the first calendar year in which the levy will be due; and the term of the levy, expressed in years or, if applicable, that it will be levied for a continuing period of time.

The sections of the Revised Code governing the maximum rate and term of the existing levy, the contents of the resolution that proposed the levy, the adoption of the resolution, the arrangements for the submission of the question of the levy, and notice of the election also govern the respective provisions of the proposal to replace the existing levy, except as provided in divisions (B)(1) to (3) of this section:

(1) In the case of an existing school district levy imposed under section 5705.21 of the Revised Code for the purpose specified in division (F) of section 5705.19 of the Revised Code that is to be replaced by a levy for general permanent improvements, the maximum term of the replacement levy is not limited to the term of the existing levy and may be for a continuing period of time.

(2) The date on which the election is held shall be as follows:

(a) For the replacement of a levy with a fixed term of years, the date of the general election held during the last year the existing levy may be extended on the real and public utility property tax list and duplicate, or the date of any election held in the ensuing year;

(b) For the replacement of a levy imposed for a continuing period of time, the date of any election held in any year after the year the levy to be replaced is first approved by the electors, except that only one election on the question of replacing the levy may be held during any calendar year.

The failure by the electors to approve a proposal to replace a levy imposed for a continuing period of time does not terminate the existing continuing levy.

(3) In the case of an existing school district levy imposed under division (B) of section 5705.21, division (C) of section 5705.212, or division (J) of section 5705.218 of the Revised Code, the rates allocated to the municipal qualifying school district and to partnering community schools each may be increased or decreased or remain the same, and the total rate may be increased, decreased, or remain the same.

(C) The form of the ballot at the election on the question of a replacement levy shall be as follows:

"A replacement of a tax for the benefit of .......... (name of subdivision or public library) for the purpose of .......... (the purpose stated in the resolution) at a rate not exceeding .......... mills for each one dollar of valuation, which amounts to .......... (rate expressed in dollars and cents) for each one hundred dollars in valuation, for .......... (number of years levy is to run, or that it will be levied for a continuous period of time)

If the replacement levy is proposed by a municipal qualifying school district to replace an existing tax levied under division (B) of section 5705.21, division (C)(1) of section 5705.212, or division (J) of section 5705.218 of the Revised Code, the form of the ballot shall be modified by adding, after the phrase "each one dollar of valuation," the following: "(of which ...... mills is to be allocated to partnering community schools)."

If the proposal is to replace an existing levy and increase the rate of the existing levy, the form of the ballot shall be changed by adding the words ".......... mills of an existing levy and an increase of .......... mills, to constitute" after the words "a replacement of." If the proposal is to replace only a portion of an existing levy, the form of the ballot shall be changed by adding the words "a portion of an existing levy, being a reduction of .......... mills, to constitute" after the words "a replacement of." If the existing levy is imposed under division (B) of section 5705.21, division (C)(1) of section 5705.212, or division (J) of section 5705.218 of the Revised Code, the form of the ballot also shall state the portion of the total increased rate or of the total rate as reduced that is to be allocated to partnering community schools.

If the tax is to be placed on the tax list of the current tax year, the form of the ballot shall be modified by adding at the end of the form the phrase ", commencing in .......... (first year the replacement tax is to be levied), first due in calendar year .......... (first calendar year in which the tax shall be due)."

The question covered by the resolution shall be submitted as a separate proposition, but may be printed on the same ballot with any other proposition submitted at the same election, other than the election of officers. More than one such question may be submitted at the same election.

(D) Two existing levies, or any portion of those levies, may be combined into one replacement levy, so long as both of the existing levies are for the same purpose and either both are due to expire the same year or both are for a continuing period of time. The question of combining all or portions of the two existing levies into the replacement levy shall appear as one ballot proposition before the electors. If the electors approve the ballot proposition, all or the stated portions of the two existing levies are replaced by one replacement levy.

(E) A levy approved in excess of the ten-mill limitation under this section shall be certified to the tax commissioner. In the first year of a levy approved under this section, the levy shall be extended on the tax lists after the February settlement succeeding the election at which the levy was approved. If the levy is to be placed on the tax lists of the current year, as specified in the resolution providing for its submission, the result of the election shall be certified immediately after the canvass by the board of elections to the taxing authority, which shall forthwith make the necessary levy and certify it to the county auditor, who shall extend it on the tax lists for collection. After the first year, the levy shall be included in the annual tax budget that is certified to the county budget commission.

If notes are authorized to be issued in anticipation of the proceeds of the existing levy, notes may be issued in anticipation of the proceeds of the replacement levy, and such issuance is subject to the terms and limitations governing the issuance of notes in anticipation of the proceeds of the existing levy.

(F) This section does not authorize a tax to be levied in any year after the year in which revenue is not needed for the purpose for which the tax is levied.

Sec. 5705.21.  (A) At any time, the board of education of any city, local, exempted village, cooperative education, or joint vocational school district, by a vote of two-thirds of all its members, may declare by resolution that the amount of taxes which may be raised within the ten-mill limitation by levies on the current tax duplicate will be insufficient to provide an adequate amount for the necessary requirements of the school district, that it is necessary to levy a tax in excess of such limitation for one of the purposes specified in division (A), (D), (F), (H), or (DD) of section 5705.19 of the Revised Code, for general permanent improvements, for the purpose of operating a cultural center, or for the purpose of providing education technology, and that the question of such additional tax levy shall be submitted to the electors of the school district at a special election on a day to be specified in the resolution. In the case of a qualifying library levy for the support of a library association or private corporation, the question shall be submitted to the electors of the association library district. If the resolution states that the levy is for the purpose of operating a cultural center, the ballot shall state that the levy is "for the purpose of operating the .......... (name of cultural center)."

As used in this division, "cultural center" means a freestanding building, separate from a public school building, that is open to the public for educational, musical, artistic, and cultural purposes; "education technology" means, but is not limited to, computer hardware, equipment, materials, and accessories, equipment used for two-way audio or video, and software; and "general permanent improvements" means permanent improvements without regard to the limitation of division (F) of section 5705.19 of the Revised Code that the improvements be a specific improvement or a class of improvements that may be included in a single bond issue.

A resolution adopted under this division shall be confined to a single purpose and shall specify the amount of the increase in rate that it is necessary to levy, the purpose of the levy, and the number of years during which the increase in rate shall be in effect. The number of years may be any number not exceeding five or, if the levy is for current expenses of the district or for general permanent improvements, for a continuing period of time.

(B)(1) The board of education of a municipal qualifying school district, by resolution, may declare that it is necessary to levy a tax in excess of the ten-mill limitation for the purpose of paying the current expenses of the district and of partnering community schools and that the question of the additional tax levy shall be submitted to the electors of the school district at a special election on a day to be specified in the resolution. The resolution shall state the purpose of the levy, the rate of the tax expressed in mills per dollar of taxable value, the number of such mills to be levied for the current expenses of the partnering community schools and the number of such mills to be levied for the current expenses of the school district, the number of years the tax will be levied, and the first year the tax will be levied. The number of years the tax may be levied may be any number not exceeding ten years, or for a continuing period of time.

The levy of a tax for the current expenses of a partnering community school under this section and the distribution of proceeds from the tax by a municipal qualifying school district to partnering community schools is hereby determined to be a proper public purpose.

(2) The form of the ballot at an election held pursuant to division (B) of this section shall be as follows:

"Shall a levy be imposed by the ......... (insert the name of the municipal qualifying school district) for the purpose of current expenses of the school district and of partnering community schools at a rate not exceeding ...... (insert the number of mills) mills for each one dollar of valuation (of which ...... (insert the number of mills to be allocated to partnering community schools) mills is to be allocated to partnering community schools), which amounts to ....... (insert the rate expressed in dollars and cents) for each one hundred dollars of valuation, for ...... (insert the number of years the levy is to be imposed, or that it will be levied for a continuing period of time), beginning ...... (insert first year the tax is to be levied), which will first be payable in calendar year ...... (insert the first calendar year in which the tax would be payable)?

(3) Upon each receipt of a tax distribution by the municipal qualifying school district, the board of education shall credit the portion allocated to partnering community schools to the partnering community schools fund. All income from the investment of money in the partnering community schools fund shall be credited to that fund.

Not more than forty-five days after (a) If the municipal qualifying school district receives and deposits each tax distribution is a municipal school district, the board of education shall distribute the partnering community schools amount among the then qualifying community schools not more than forty-five days after the school district receives and deposits each tax distribution. From each tax distribution, each such partnering community school shall receive a portion of the partnering community schools amount in the proportion that the number of its resident students bears to the aggregate number of resident students of all such partnering community schools as of the date of receipt and deposit of the tax distribution. For

(b) If the qualifying school district is not a municipal school district, the board of education may distribute all or a portion of the amount in the partnering community schools fund during a fiscal year to partnering community schools that were either sponsored by the district or entered into an agreement pursuant to division (B)(6)(b) of this section on or before the first day of June of the preceding fiscal year. Each such partnering community school shall receive a portion of the amount distributed by the board from the partnering community schools fund during the fiscal year in the proportion that the number of its resident students bears to the aggregate number of resident students of all such partnering community schools as of the date the school district received and deposited the most recent tax distribution. On or before the fifteenth day of June of each fiscal year, the board of education shall announce an estimated allocation to partnering community schools for the ensuing fiscal year. The board is not required to allocate to partnering community schools the entire partnering community schools amount in the fiscal year in which a tax distribution is received and deposited in the partnering community schools fund. The estimated allocation shall be published on the web site of the school district and expressed as a dollar amount per resident student. The actual allocation to community schools in a fiscal year need not conform to the estimate published by the school district so long if the estimate was made in good faith.

Distributions by a school district under division (B)(3)(b) of this section shall be made in accordance with distribution agreements entered into by the board of education and each partnering community school eligible for distributions under this division. The distribution agreements shall be certified to the department of education each fiscal year before the thirtieth day of July. Each agreement shall provide for at least three distributions by the school district to the partnering community school during the fiscal year and shall require the initial distribution be made on or before the thirtieth day of July.

(c) For the purposes of this division (B) of this section, the number of resident students shall be the number of such students reported under section 3317.03 of the Revised Code and established by the department of education as of the date of receipt and deposit of the tax distribution.

(4) To the extent an agreement whereby the municipal qualifying school district and a community school endorse each other's programs is necessary for the community school to qualify as a partnering community school under division (B)(6)(b) of this section, the board of education of the school district shall certify to the department of education the agreement along with the determination that such agreement satisfies the requirements of that division. The board's determination is conclusive.

(5) For the purposes of Chapter 3317. of the Revised Code or other laws referring to the "taxes charged and payable" for a school district, the taxes charged and payable for a municipal qualifying school district that levies a tax under division (B) of this section includes only the taxes charged and payable under that levy for the current expenses of the school district, and does not include the taxes charged and payable for the current expenses of partnering community schools. The taxes charged and payable for the current expenses of partnering community schools shall not affect the calculation of "state education aid" as defined in section 5751.20 of the Revised Code.

(6) As used in division (B) of this section:

(a) "Municipal Qualifying school district" has the same meaning means a municipal school district, as defined in section 3311.71 of the Revised Code or a school district that has an average daily membership, as reported under division (A) of section 3317.03 of the Revised Code, greater than sixty thousand and the majority of the territory of which district is located in a city with a population greater than seven hundred thousand according to the most recent federal decennial census.

(b) "Partnering community school" means a community school established under Chapter 3314. of the Revised Code that is located within the territory of the municipal qualifying school district and that either is sponsored by the district or is a party to an agreement with the district whereby the district and the community school endorse each other's programs.

(c) "Partnering community schools amount" means the product obtained, as of the receipt and deposit of the tax distribution, by multiplying the amount of a tax distribution by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of mills per dollar of taxable value of the property tax to be allocated to partnering community schools, and the denominator of which is the total number of mills per dollar of taxable value authorized by the electors in the election held under division (B) of this section, each as set forth in the resolution levying the tax.

(d) "Partnering community schools fund" means a separate fund established by the board of education of a municipal qualifying school district for the deposit of partnering community school amounts under this section.

(e) "Resident student" means a student enrolled in a partnering community school who is entitled to attend school in the municipal qualifying school district under section 3313.64 or 3313.65 of the Revised Code.

(f) "Tax distribution" means a distribution of proceeds of the tax authorized by division (B) of this section under section 321.24 of the Revised Code and distributions that are attributable to that tax under sections 323.156 and 4503.068 of the Revised Code or other applicable law.

(C) A resolution adopted under this section shall specify the date of holding the election, which shall not be earlier than ninety days after the adoption and certification of the resolution and which shall be consistent with the requirements of section 3501.01 of the Revised Code.

A resolution adopted under this section may propose to renew one or more existing levies imposed under division (A) or (B) of this section or to increase or decrease a single levy imposed under either such division.

If the board of education imposes one or more existing levies for the purpose specified in division (F) of section 5705.19 of the Revised Code, the resolution may propose to renew one or more of those existing levies, or to increase or decrease a single such existing levy, for the purpose of general permanent improvements.

If the resolution proposes to renew two or more existing levies, the levies shall be levied for the same purpose. The resolution shall identify those levies and the rates at which they are levied. The resolution also shall specify that the existing levies shall not be extended on the tax lists after the year preceding the year in which the renewal levy is first imposed, regardless of the years for which those levies originally were authorized to be levied.

If the resolution proposes to renew an existing levy imposed under division (B) of this section, the rates allocated to the municipal qualifying school district and to partnering community schools each may be increased or decreased or remain the same, and the total rate may be increased, decreased, or remain the same. The resolution and notice of election shall specify the number of the mills to be levied for the current expenses of the partnering community schools and the number of the mills to be levied for the current expenses of the municipal qualifying school district.

A resolution adopted under this section shall go into immediate effect upon its passage, and no publication of the resolution shall be necessary other than that provided for in the notice of election. A copy of the resolution shall immediately after its passing be certified to the board of elections of the proper county in the manner provided by section 5705.25 of the Revised Code. That section shall govern the arrangements for the submission of such question and other matters concerning the election to which that section refers, including publication of notice of the election, except that the election shall be held on the date specified in the resolution. In the case of a resolution adopted under division (B) of this section, the publication of notice of that election shall state the number of the mills to be levied for the current expenses of partnering community schools and the number of the mills to be levied for the current expenses of the municipal qualifying school district. If a majority of the electors voting on the question so submitted in an election vote in favor of the levy, the board of education may make the necessary levy within the school district or, in the case of a qualifying library levy for the support of a library association or private corporation, within the association library district, at the additional rate, or at any lesser rate in excess of the ten-mill limitation on the tax list, for the purpose stated in the resolution. A levy for a continuing period of time may be reduced pursuant to section 5705.261 of the Revised Code. The tax levy shall be included in the next tax budget that is certified to the county budget commission.

(D)(1) After the approval of a levy on the current tax list and duplicate for current expenses, for recreational purposes, for community centers provided for in section 755.16 of the Revised Code, or for a public library of the district under division (A) of this section, and prior to the time when the first tax collection from the levy can be made, the board of education may anticipate a fraction of the proceeds of the levy and issue anticipation notes in a principal amount not exceeding fifty per cent of the total estimated proceeds of the levy to be collected during the first year of the levy.

(2) After the approval of a levy for general permanent improvements for a specified number of years or for permanent improvements having the purpose specified in division (F) of section 5705.19 of the Revised Code, the board of education may anticipate a fraction of the proceeds of the levy and issue anticipation notes in a principal amount not exceeding fifty per cent of the total estimated proceeds of the levy remaining to be collected in each year over a period of five years after the issuance of the notes.

The notes shall be issued as provided in section 133.24 of the Revised Code, shall have principal payments during each year after the year of their issuance over a period not to exceed five years, and may have a principal payment in the year of their issuance.

(3) After approval of a levy for general permanent improvements for a continuing period of time, the board of education may anticipate a fraction of the proceeds of the levy and issue anticipation notes in a principal amount not exceeding fifty per cent of the total estimated proceeds of the levy to be collected in each year over a specified period of years, not exceeding ten, after the issuance of the notes.

The notes shall be issued as provided in section 133.24 of the Revised Code, shall have principal payments during each year after the year of their issuance over a period not to exceed ten years, and may have a principal payment in the year of their issuance.

(4) After the approval of a levy on the current tax list and duplicate under division (B) of this section, and prior to the time when the first tax collection from the levy can be made, the board of education may anticipate a fraction of the proceeds of the levy for the current expenses of the school district and issue anticipation notes in a principal amount not exceeding fifty per cent of the estimated proceeds of the levy to be collected during the first year of the levy and allocated to the school district. The portion of the levy proceeds to be allocated to partnering community schools under that division shall not be included in the estimated proceeds anticipated under this division and shall not be used to pay debt charges on any anticipation notes.

The notes shall be issued as provided in section 133.24 of the Revised Code, shall have principal payments during each year after the year of their issuance over a period not to exceed five years, and may have a principal payment in the year of their issuance.

(E) The submission of questions to the electors under this section is subject to the limitation on the number of election dates established by section 5705.214 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 5705.212.  (A)(1) The board of education of any school district, at any time and by a vote of two-thirds of all of its members, may declare by resolution that the amount of taxes that may be raised within the ten-mill limitation will be insufficient to provide an adequate amount for the present and future requirements of the school district, that it is necessary to levy not more than five taxes in excess of that limitation for current expenses, and that each of the proposed taxes first will be levied in a different year, over a specified period of time. The board shall identify the taxes proposed under this section as follows: the first tax to be levied shall be called the "original tax." Each tax subsequently levied shall be called an "incremental tax." The rate of each incremental tax shall be identical, but the rates of such incremental taxes need not be the same as the rate of the original tax. The resolution also shall state that the question of these additional taxes shall be submitted to the electors of the school district at a special election. The resolution shall specify separately for each tax proposed: the amount of the increase in rate that it is necessary to levy, expressed separately for the original tax and each incremental tax; that the purpose of the levy is for current expenses; the number of years during which the original tax shall be in effect; a specification that the last year in which the original tax is in effect shall also be the last year in which each incremental tax shall be in effect; and the year in which each tax first is proposed to be levied. The original tax may be levied for any number of years not exceeding ten, or for a continuing period of time. The resolution shall specify the date of holding the special election, which shall not be earlier than ninety days after the adoption and certification of the resolution and shall be consistent with the requirements of section 3501.01 of the Revised Code.

(2) The board of education, by a vote of two-thirds of all of its members, may adopt a resolution proposing to renew taxes levied other than for a continuing period of time under division (A)(1) of this section. Such a resolution shall provide for levying a tax and specify all of the following:

(a) That the tax shall be called and designated on the ballot as a renewal levy;

(b) The rate of the renewal tax, which shall be a single rate that combines the rate of the original tax and each incremental tax into a single rate. The rate of the renewal tax shall not exceed the aggregate rate of the original and incremental taxes.

(c) The number of years, not to exceed ten, that the renewal tax will be levied, or that it will be levied for a continuing period of time;

(d) That the purpose of the renewal levy is for current expenses;

(e) Subject to the certification and notification requirements of section 5705.251 of the Revised Code, that the question of the renewal levy shall be submitted to the electors of the school district at the general election held during the last year the original tax may be extended on the real and public utility property tax list and duplicate or at a special election held during the ensuing year.

(3) A resolution adopted under division (A)(1) or (2) of this section shall go into immediate effect upon its adoption and no publication of the resolution is necessary other than that provided for in the notice of election. Immediately after its adoption, a copy of the resolution shall be certified to the board of elections of the proper county in the manner provided by division (A) of section 5705.251 of the Revised Code, and that division shall govern the arrangements for the submission of the question and other matters concerning the election to which that section refers. The election shall be held on the date specified in the resolution. If a majority of the electors voting on the question so submitted in an election vote in favor of the taxes or a renewal tax, the board of education, if the original or a renewal tax is authorized to be levied for the current year, immediately may make the necessary levy within the school district at the authorized rate, or at any lesser rate in excess of the ten-mill limitation, for the purpose stated in the resolution. No tax shall be imposed prior to the year specified in the resolution as the year in which it is first proposed to be levied. The rate of the original tax and the rate of each incremental tax shall be cumulative, so that the aggregate rate levied in any year is the sum of the rates of both the original tax and all incremental taxes levied in or prior to that year under the same proposal. A tax levied for a continuing period of time under this section may be reduced pursuant to section 5705.261 of the Revised Code.

(B) Notwithstanding section 133.30 of the Revised Code, after the approval of a tax to be levied in the current or the succeeding year and prior to the time when the first tax collection from that levy can be made, the board of education may anticipate a fraction of the proceeds of the levy and issue anticipation notes in an amount not to exceed fifty per cent of the total estimated proceeds of the levy to be collected during the first year of the levy. The notes shall be sold as provided in Chapter 133. of the Revised Code. If anticipation notes are issued, they shall mature serially and in substantially equal amounts during each year over a period not to exceed five years; and the amount necessary to pay the interest and principal as the anticipation notes mature shall be deemed appropriated for those purposes from the levy, and appropriations from the levy by the board of education shall be limited each fiscal year to the balance available in excess of that amount.

If the auditor of state has certified a deficit pursuant to section 3313.483 of the Revised Code, the notes authorized under this section may be sold in accordance with Chapter 133. of the Revised Code, except that the board may sell the notes after providing a reasonable opportunity for competitive bidding.

(C)(1) The board of education of a municipal qualifying school district, at any time and by a vote of two-thirds of all its members, may declare by resolution that it is necessary to levy not more than five taxes in excess of the ten-mill limitation for the current expenses of the school district and of partnering community schools, and that each of the proposed taxes first will be levied in a different year, over a specified period of time. The board shall identify the taxes proposed under this division in the same manner as in division (A)(1) of this section. The rate of each incremental tax shall be identical, but the rates of such incremental taxes need not be the same as the rate of the original tax. In addition to the specifications required of the resolution in division (A) of this section, the resolution shall state the number of the mills to be levied each year for the current expenses of the partnering community schools and the number of the mills to be levied each year for the current expenses of the school district. The number of mills for the current expenses of partnering community schools shall be the same for each of the incremental taxes, and the number of mills for the current expenses of the municipal qualifying school district shall be the same for each of the incremental taxes.

The levy of taxes for the current expenses of a partnering community school under division (C) of this section and the distribution of proceeds from the tax by a municipal qualifying school district to partnering community schools is hereby determined to be a proper public purpose.

(2) The board of education, by a vote of two-thirds of all of its members, may adopt a resolution proposing to renew taxes levied other than for a continuing period of time under division (C)(1) of this section. In such a renewal levy, the rates allocated to the municipal qualifying school district and to partnering community schools each may be increased or decreased or remain the same, and the total rate may be increased, decreased, or remain the same. In addition to the requirements of division (A)(2) of this section, the resolution shall state the number of the mills to be levied for the current expenses of the partnering community schools and the number of the mills to be levied for the current expenses of the school district.

(3) A resolution adopted under division (C)(1) or (2) of this section is subject to the rules and procedures prescribed by division (A)(3) of this section.

(4) The proceeds of each tax levied under division (C)(1) or (2) of this section shall be credited and distributed in the manner prescribed by division (B)(3) of section 5705.21 of the Revised Code, and divisions (B)(4), (5), and (6) of that section apply to taxes levied under division (C) of this section.

(5) Notwithstanding section 133.30 of the Revised Code, after the approval of a tax to be levied under division (C)(1) or (2) of this section, in the current or succeeding year and prior to the time when the first tax collection from that levy can be made, the board of education may anticipate a fraction of the proceeds of the levy for the current expenses of the municipal qualifying school district and issue anticipation notes in a principal amount not exceeding fifty per cent of the estimated proceeds of the levy to be collected during the first year of the levy and allocated to the school district. The portion of levy proceeds to be allocated to partnering community schools shall not be included in the estimated proceeds anticipated under this division and shall not be used to pay debt charges on any anticipation notes.

The notes shall be sold as provided in Chapter 133. of the Revised Code. If anticipation notes are issued, they shall mature serially and in substantially equal amounts during each year over a period not to exceed five years. The amount necessary to pay the interest and principal as the anticipation notes mature shall be deemed appropriated for those purposes from the levy, and appropriations from the levy by the board of education shall be limited each fiscal year to the balance available in excess of that amount.

If the auditor of state has certified a deficit pursuant to section 3313.483 of the Revised Code, the notes authorized under this section may be sold in accordance with Chapter 133. of the Revised Code, except that the board may sell the notes after providing a reasonable opportunity for competitive bidding.

As used in division (C) of this section, "municipal qualifying school district" and "partnering community schools" have the same meanings as in section 5705.21 of the Revised Code.

(D) The submission of questions to the electors under this section is subject to the limitation on the number of election dates established by section 5705.214 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 5705.218.  (A) The board of education of a city, local, or exempted village school district, at any time by a vote of two-thirds of all its members, may declare by resolution that it may be necessary for the school district to issue general obligation bonds for permanent improvements. The resolution shall state all of the following:

(1) The necessity and purpose of the bond issue;

(2) The date of the special election at which the question shall be submitted to the electors;

(3) The amount, approximate date, estimated rate of interest, and maximum number of years over which the principal of the bonds may be paid;

(4) The necessity of levying a tax outside the ten-mill limitation to pay debt charges on the bonds and any anticipatory securities.

On adoption of the resolution, the board shall certify a copy of it to the county auditor. The county auditor promptly shall estimate and certify to the board the average annual property tax rate required throughout the stated maturity of the bonds to pay debt charges on the bonds, in the same manner as under division (C) of section 133.18 of the Revised Code.

(B) After receiving the county auditor's certification under division (A) of this section, the board of education of the city, local, or exempted village school district, by a vote of two-thirds of all its members, may declare by resolution that the amount of taxes that can be raised within the ten-mill limitation will be insufficient to provide an adequate amount for the present and future requirements of the school district; that it is necessary to issue general obligation bonds of the school district for permanent improvements and to levy an additional tax in excess of the ten-mill limitation to pay debt charges on the bonds and any anticipatory securities; that it is necessary for a specified number of years or for a continuing period of time to levy additional taxes in excess of the ten-mill limitation to provide funds for the acquisition, construction, enlargement, renovation, and financing of permanent improvements or to pay for current operating expenses, or both; and that the question of the bonds and taxes shall be submitted to the electors of the school district at a special election, which shall not be earlier than ninety days after certification of the resolution to the board of elections, and the date of which shall be consistent with section 3501.01 of the Revised Code. The resolution shall specify all of the following:

(1) The county auditor's estimate of the average annual property tax rate required throughout the stated maturity of the bonds to pay debt charges on the bonds;

(2) The proposed rate of the tax, if any, for current operating expenses, the first year the tax will be levied, and the number of years it will be levied, or that it will be levied for a continuing period of time;

(3) The proposed rate of the tax, if any, for permanent improvements, the first year the tax will be levied, and the number of years it will be levied, or that it will be levied for a continuing period of time.

The resolution shall apportion the annual rate of the tax between current operating expenses and permanent improvements, if both taxes are proposed. The apportionment may but need not be the same for each year of the tax, but the respective portions of the rate actually levied each year for current operating expenses and permanent improvements shall be limited by the apportionment. The resolution shall go into immediate effect upon its passage, and no publication of it is necessary other than that provided in the notice of election. The board of education shall certify a copy of the resolution, along with copies of the auditor's estimate and its resolution under division (A) of this section, to the board of elections immediately after its adoption.

(C) The board of elections shall make the arrangements for the submission to the electors of the school district of the question proposed under division (B) or (J) of this section, and the election shall be conducted, canvassed, and certified in the same manner as regular elections in the district for the election of county officers. The resolution shall be put before the electors as one ballot question, with a favorable vote indicating approval of the bond issue, the levy to pay debt charges on the bonds and any anticipatory securities, the current operating expenses levy, the permanent improvements levy, and the levy for the current expenses of a municipal qualifying school district and of partnering community schools, as those levies may be proposed. The board of elections shall publish notice of the election in a newspaper of general circulation in the school district once a week for two consecutive weeks, or as provided in section 7.16 of the Revised Code, prior to the election. If a board of elections operates and maintains a web site, that board also shall post notice of the election on its web site for thirty days prior to the election. The notice of election shall state all of the following:

(1) The principal amount of the proposed bond issue;

(2) The permanent improvements for which the bonds are to be issued;

(3) The maximum number of years over which the principal of the bonds may be paid;

(4) The estimated additional average annual property tax rate to pay the debt charges on the bonds, as certified by the county auditor;

(5) The proposed rate of the additional tax, if any, for current operating expenses and, if the question is proposed under division (J) of this section, the portion of the rate to be allocated to the school district and the portion to be allocated to partnering community schools;

(6) The number of years the current operating expenses tax will be in effect, or that it will be in effect for a continuing period of time;

(7) The proposed rate of the additional tax, if any, for permanent improvements;

(8) The number of years the permanent improvements tax will be in effect, or that it will be in effect for a continuing period of time;

(9) The time and place of the special election.

(D) The form of the ballot for an election under this section is as follows:

"Shall the .......... school district be authorized to do the following:

(1) Issue bonds for the purpose of .......... in the principal amount of $......, to be repaid annually over a maximum period of ...... years, and levy a property tax outside the ten-mill limitation, estimated by the county auditor to average over the bond repayment period ...... mills for each one dollar of tax valuation, which amounts to ...... (rate expressed in cents or dollars and cents, such as "36 cents" or "$1.41") for each $100 of tax valuation, to pay the annual debt charges on the bonds, and to pay debt charges on any notes issued in anticipation of those bonds?"

If either a levy for permanent improvements or a levy for current operating expenses is proposed, or both are proposed, the ballot also shall contain the following language, as appropriate:

"(2) Levy an additional property tax to provide funds for the acquisition, construction, enlargement, renovation, and financing of permanent improvements at a rate not exceeding ....... mills for each one dollar of tax valuation, which amounts to ....... (rate expressed in cents or dollars and cents) for each $100 of tax valuation, for ...... (number of years of the levy, or a continuing period of time)?

(3) Levy an additional property tax to pay current operating expenses at a rate not exceeding ....... mills for each one dollar of tax valuation, which amounts to ....... (rate expressed in cents or dollars and cents) for each $100 of tax valuation, for ....... (number of years of the levy, or a continuing period of time)?

If the question is proposed under division (J) of this section, the form of the ballot shall be modified as prescribed by division (J)(4) of this section.

(E) The board of elections promptly shall certify the results of the election to the tax commissioner and the county auditor of the county in which the school district is located. If a majority of the electors voting on the question vote for it, the board of education may proceed with issuance of the bonds and with the levy and collection of the property tax or taxes at the additional rate or any lesser rate in excess of the ten-mill limitation. Any securities issued by the board of education under this section are Chapter 133. securities, as that term is defined in section 133.01 of the Revised Code.

(F)(1) After the approval of a tax for current operating expenses under this section and prior to the time the first collection and distribution from the levy can be made, the board of education may anticipate a fraction of the proceeds of such levy and issue anticipation notes in a principal amount not exceeding fifty per cent of the total estimated proceeds of the tax to be collected during the first year of the levy.

(2) After the approval of a tax under this section for permanent improvements having a specific purpose, the board of education may anticipate a fraction of the proceeds of such tax and issue anticipation notes in a principal amount not exceeding fifty per cent of the total estimated proceeds of the tax remaining to be collected in each year over a period of five years after issuance of the notes.

(3) After the approval of a tax for general, on-going permanent improvements under this section, the board of education may anticipate a fraction of the proceeds of such tax and issue anticipation notes in a principal amount not exceeding fifty per cent of the total estimated proceeds of the tax to be collected in each year over a specified period of years, not exceeding ten, after issuance of the notes.

Anticipation notes under this section shall be issued as provided in section 133.24 of the Revised Code. Notes issued under division (F)(1) or (2) of this section shall have principal payments during each year after the year of their issuance over a period not to exceed five years, and may have a principal payment in the year of their issuance. Notes issued under division (F)(3) of this section shall have principal payments during each year after the year of their issuance over a period not to exceed ten years, and may have a principal payment in the year of their issuance.

(G) A tax for current operating expenses or for permanent improvements levied under this section for a specified number of years may be renewed or replaced in the same manner as a tax for current operating expenses or for permanent improvements levied under section 5705.21 of the Revised Code. A tax for current operating expenses or for permanent improvements levied under this section for a continuing period of time may be decreased in accordance with section 5705.261 of the Revised Code.

(H) The submission of a question to the electors under this section is subject to the limitation on the number of elections that can be held in a year under section 5705.214 of the Revised Code.

(I) A school district board of education proposing a ballot measure under this section to generate local resources for a project under the school building assistance expedited local partnership program under section 3318.36 of the Revised Code may combine the questions under division (D) of this section with a question for the levy of a property tax to generate moneys for maintenance of the classroom facilities acquired under that project as prescribed in section 3318.361 of the Revised Code.

(J)(1) After receiving the county auditor's certification under division (A) of this section, the board of education of a municipal qualifying school district, by a vote of two-thirds of all its members, may declare by resolution that it is necessary to levy a tax in excess of the ten-mill limitation for the purpose of paying the current expenses of the school district and of partnering community schools, as defined in section 5705.21 of the Revised Code; that it is necessary to issue general obligation bonds of the school district for permanent improvements of the district and to levy an additional tax in excess of the ten-mill limitation to pay debt charges on the bonds and any anticipatory securities; and that the question of the bonds and taxes shall be submitted to the electors of the school district at a special election, which shall not be earlier than ninety days after certification of the resolution to the board of elections, and the date of which shall be consistent with section 3505.01 of the Revised Code.

The levy of taxes for the current expenses of a partnering community school under division (J) of this section and the distribution of proceeds from the tax by a municipal qualifying school district to partnering community schools is hereby determined to be a proper public purpose.

(2) The tax for the current expenses of the school district and of partnering community schools is subject to the requirements of divisions (B)(3), (4), and (5) of section 5705.21 of the Revised Code.

(3) In addition to the required specifications of the resolution under division (B) of this section, the resolution shall express the rate of the tax in mills per dollar of taxable value, state the number of the mills to be levied for the current expenses of the partnering community schools and the number of the mills to be levied for the current expenses of the school district, specify the number of years (not exceeding ten) the tax will be levied or that it will be levied for a continuing period of time, and state the first year the tax will be levied.

The resolution shall go into immediate effect upon its passage, and no publication of it is necessary other than that provided in the notice of election. The board of education shall certify a copy of the resolution, along with copies of the auditor's estimate and its resolution under division (A) of this section, to the board of elections immediately after its adoption.

(4) The form of the ballot shall be modified by replacing the ballot form set forth in division (D)(3) of this section with the following:

"Levy an additional property tax for the purpose of the current expenses of the school district and of partnering community schools at a rate not exceeding ...... (insert the number of mills) mills for each one dollar of valuation (of which ...... (insert the number of mills to be allocated to partnering community schools) mills is to be allocated to partnering community schools), which amounts to ...... (insert the rate expressed in dollars and cents) for each one hundred dollars of valuation, for ...... (insert the number of years the levy is to be imposed, or that it will be levied for a continuing period of time)?

(5) After the approval of a tax for the current expenses of the school district and of partnering community schools under division (J) of this section, and prior to the time the first collection and distribution from the levy can be made, the board of education may anticipate a fraction of the proceeds of the levy for the current expenses of the school district and issue anticipation notes in a principal amount not exceeding fifty per cent of the estimated proceeds of the levy to be collected during the first year of the levy and allocated to the school district. The portion of levy proceeds to be allocated to partnering community schools shall not be included in the estimated proceeds anticipated under this division and shall not be used to pay debt charges on any anticipation notes.

The notes shall be issued as provided in section 133.24 of the Revised Code, shall have principal payments during each year after the year of their issuance over a period not to exceed five years, and may have a principal payment in the year of their issuance.

(6) A tax for the current expenses of the school district and of partnering community schools levied under division (J) of this section for a specified number of years may be renewed or replaced in the same manner as a tax for the current expenses of a school district and of partnering community schools levied under division (B) of section 5705.21 of the Revised Code. A tax for the current expenses of the school district and of partnering community schools levied under this division for a continuing period of time may be decreased in accordance with section 5705.261 of the Revised Code.

(7) The proceeds from the issuance of the general obligation bonds under division (J) of this section shall be used solely to pay for permanent improvements of the school district and not for permanent improvements of partnering community schools.

Sec. 5705.251.  (A) A copy of a resolution adopted under section 5705.212 or 5705.213 of the Revised Code shall be certified by the board of education to the board of elections of the proper county not less than ninety days before the date of the election specified in the resolution, and the board of elections shall submit the proposal to the electors of the school district at a special election to be held on that date. The board of elections shall make the necessary arrangements for the submission of the question or questions to the electors of the school district, and the election shall be conducted, canvassed, and certified in the same manner as regular elections in the school district for the election of county officers. Notice of the election shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the subdivision once a week for two consecutive weeks, or as provided in section 7.16 of the Revised Code, prior to the election. If the board of elections operates and maintains a web site, the board of elections shall post notice of the election on its web site for thirty days prior to the election.

(1) In the case of a resolution adopted under section 5705.212 of the Revised Code, the notice shall state separately, for each tax being proposed, the purpose; the proposed increase in rate, expressed in dollars and cents for each one hundred dollars of valuation as well as in mills for each one dollar of valuation; the number of years during which the increase will be in effect; and the first calendar year in which the tax will be due. For an election on the question of a renewal levy, the notice shall state the purpose; the proposed rate, expressed in dollars and cents for each one hundred dollars of valuation as well as in mills for each one dollar of valuation; and the number of years the tax will be in effect. If the resolution is adopted under division (C) of that section, the rate of each tax being proposed shall be expressed as both the total rate and the portion of the total rate to be allocated to the municipal qualifying school district and the portion to be allocated to partnering community schools.

(2) In the case of a resolution adopted under section 5705.213 of the Revised Code, the notice shall state the purpose; the amount proposed to be raised by the tax in the first year it is levied; the estimated average additional tax rate for the first year it is proposed to be levied, expressed in mills for each one dollar of valuation and in dollars and cents for each one hundred dollars of valuation; the number of years during which the increase will be in effect; and the first calendar year in which the tax will be due. The notice also shall state the amount by which the amount to be raised by the tax may be increased in each year after the first year. The amount of the allowable increase may be expressed in terms of a dollar increase over, or a percentage of, the amount raised by the tax in the immediately preceding year. For an election on the question of a renewal levy, the notice shall state the purpose; the amount proposed to be raised by the tax; the estimated tax rate, expressed in mills for each one dollar of valuation and in dollars and cents for each one hundred dollars of valuation; and the number of years the tax will be in effect.

In any case, the notice also shall state the time and place of the election.

(B)(1) The form of the ballot in an election on taxes proposed under section 5705.212 of the Revised Code shall be as follows:

"Shall the .......... school district be authorized to levy taxes for current expenses, the aggregate rate of which may increase in ...... (number) increment(s) of not more than ...... mill(s) for each dollar of valuation, from an original rate of ...... mill(s) for each dollar of valuation, which amounts to ...... (rate expressed in dollars and cents) for each one hundred dollars of valuation, to a maximum rate of ...... mill(s) for each dollar of valuation, which amounts to ...... (rate expressed in dollars and cents) for each one hundred dollars of valuation? The original tax is first proposed to be levied in ...... (the first year of the tax), and the incremental tax in ...... (the first year of the increment) (if more than one incremental tax is proposed in the resolution, the first year that each incremental tax is proposed to be levied shall be stated in the preceding format, and the increments shall be referred to as the first, second, third, or fourth increment, depending on their number). The aggregate rate of tax so authorized will .......... (insert either, "expire with the original rate of tax which shall be in effect for ...... years" or "be in effect for a continuing period of time").

If the tax is proposed by a municipal qualifying school district under division (C)(1) of section 5705.212 of the Revised Code, the form of the ballot shall be modified by adding, after the phrase "each dollar of valuation," the following: "(of which ...... mills is to be allocated to partnering community schools)."

(2) The form of the ballot in an election on the question of a renewal levy under section 5705.212 of the Revised Code shall be as follows:

"Shall the ......... school district be authorized to renew a tax for current expenses at a rate not exceeding ......... mills for each dollar of valuation, which amounts to ......... (rate expressed in dollars and cents) for each one hundred dollars of valuation, for .......... (number of years the levy shall be in effect, or a continuing period of time)?

If the tax is proposed by a municipal qualifying school district under division (C)(2) of section 5705.212 of the Revised Code and the total rate and the rates allocated to the school district and partnering community schools are to remain the same as those of the levy being renewed, the form of the ballot shall be modified by adding, after the phrase "each dollar of valuation," the following: "(of which ...... mills is to be allocated to partnering community schools)." If the total rate is to be increased, the form of the ballot shall state that the proposal is to renew the existing tax with an increase in rate and shall state the increase in rate, the total rate resulting from the increase, and, of that rate, the portion of the rate to be allocated to partnering community schools. If the total rate is to be decreased, the form of the ballot shall state that the proposal is to renew a part of the existing tax and shall state the reduction in rate, the total rate resulting from the decrease, and, of that rate, the portion of the rate to be allocated to partnering community schools.

(3) If a tax proposed by a ballot form prescribed in division (B)(1) or (2) of this section is to be placed on the current tax list, the form of the ballot shall be modified by adding, after the statement of the number of years the levy is to be in effect, the phrase ", commencing in .......... (first year the tax is to be levied), first due in calendar year .......... (first calendar year in which the tax shall be due)."

(C) The form of the ballot in an election on a tax proposed under section 5705.213 of the Revised Code shall be as follows:

"Shall the ........ school district be authorized to levy the following tax for current expenses? The tax will first be levied in ...... (year) to raise ...... (dollars). In the ...... (number of years) following years, the tax will increase by not more than ...... (per cent or dollar amount of increase) each year, so that, during ...... (last year of the tax), the tax will raise approximately ...... (dollars). The county auditor estimates that the rate of the tax per dollar of valuation will be ...... mill(s), which amounts to $..... per one hundred dollars of valuation, both during ...... (first year of the tax) and ...... mill(s), which amounts to $...... per one hundred dollars of valuation, during ...... (last year of the tax). The tax will not be levied after ...... (year).

The form of the ballot in an election on the question of a renewal levy under section 5705.213 of the Revised Code shall be as follows:

"Shall the ......... school district be authorized to renew a tax for current expenses which will raise ......... (dollars), estimated by the county auditor to be ......... mills for each dollar of valuation, which amounts to ......... (rate expressed in dollars and cents) for each one hundred dollars of valuation? The tax shall be in effect for ......... (the number of years the levy shall be in effect, or a continuing period of time).

If the tax is to be placed on the current tax list, the form of the ballot shall be modified by adding, after the statement of the number of years the levy is to be in effect, the phrase ", commencing in .......... (first year the tax is to be levied), first due in calendar year .......... (first calendar year in which the tax shall be due)."

(D) The question covered by a resolution adopted under section 5705.212 or 5705.213 of the Revised Code shall be submitted as a separate question, but may be printed on the same ballot with any other question submitted at the same election, other than the election of officers. More than one question may be submitted at the same election.

(E) Taxes voted in excess of the ten-mill limitation under division (B) or (C) of this section shall be certified to the tax commissioner. If an additional tax is to be placed upon the tax list of the current year, as specified in the resolution providing for its submission, the result of the election shall be certified immediately after the canvass by the board of elections to the board of education. The board of education immediately shall make the necessary levy and certify it to the county auditor, who shall extend it on the tax list for collection. After the first year, the levy shall be included in the annual tax budget that is certified to the county budget commission.

Sec. 5705.261.  The question of decrease of an increased rate of levy approved for a continuing period of time by the voters of a subdivision or, in the case of a qualifying library levy, the voters of the library district or association library district, may be initiated by the filing of a petition with the board of elections of the proper county not less than ninety days before the general election in any year requesting that an election be held on such question. Such petition shall state the amount of the proposed decrease in the rate of levy and shall be signed by qualified electors residing in the subdivision, library district, or association library district equal in number to at least ten per cent of the total number of votes cast in the subdivision, library district, or association library district for the office of governor at the most recent general election for that office. Only one such petition may be filed during each five-year period following the election at which the voters approved the increased rate for a continuing period of time.

After determination by it that such petition is valid, the board of elections shall submit the question to the electors of the subdivision, library district, or association library district at the succeeding general election. The election shall be conducted, canvassed, and certified in the same manner as regular elections in such subdivision, library district, or association library district for county offices. Notice of the election shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the district once a week for two consecutive weeks, or as provided in section 7.16 of the Revised Code, prior to the election. If the board of elections operates and maintains a web site, the board of elections shall post notice of the election on its web site for thirty days prior to the election. The notice shall state the purpose, the amount of the proposed decrease in rate, and the time and place of the election. The form of the ballot cast at such election shall be prescribed by the secretary of state. The question covered by such petition shall be submitted as a separate proposition but it may be printed on the same ballot with any other propositions submitted at the same election other than the election of officers. If a majority of the qualified electors voting on the question of a decrease at such election approve the proposed decrease in rate, the result of the election shall be certified immediately after the canvass by the board of elections to the appropriate taxing authority, which shall thereupon, after the current year, cease to levy such increased rate or levy such tax at such reduced rate upon the duplicate of the subdivision, library district, or association library district. If notes have been issued in anticipation of the collection of such levy, the taxing authority shall continue to levy and collect under authority of the election authorizing the original levy such amounts as will be sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on such anticipation notes as the same fall due.

In the case of a levy for the current expenses of a municipal qualifying school district and of partnering community schools imposed under section 5705.192, division (B) of section 5705.21, division (C) of section 5705.212, or division (J) of section 5705.218 of the Revised Code for a continuing period of time, the rate allocated to the school district and to partnering community schools shall each be decreased by a number of mills per dollar that is proportionate to the decrease in the rate of the levy in proportion to the rate at which the levy was imposed before the decrease.

SECTION 2. That existing sections 3314.02, 5705.192, 5705.21, 5705.212, 5705.218, 5705.251, and 5705.261 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.

SECTION 3. The board of education of a school district that, on the effective date of this section, has an average daily membership, as reported under division (A) of section 3317.03 of the Revised Code, greater than 60,000 and the majority of the territory of which is located in a city with a population greater than 700,000 according to the most recent federal decennial census, shall, by resolution adopted within thirty days after that effective date, submit to the electors of the school district the question of a levy for the purpose of paying the current expenses of the district and of partnering community schools, as defined in section 5709.21 of the Revised Code, as authorized under division (B) of section 5705.21, division (C) of section 5705.212, or division (J) of section 5705.218 of the Revised Code. The question shall be submitted to the electors of the school district at the next general or special election occurring at least ninety days after the effective date of this section.

SECTION 4.  Sections 5705.21 and 5705.261 of the Revised Code are presented in this act as composites of the sections as amended by both Sub. H.B. 525 and Am. S.B. 321 of the 129th General Assembly. The General Assembly, applying the principle stated in division (B) of section 1.52 of the Revised Code that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation, finds that the composites are the resulting versions of the sections in effect prior to the effective date of the sections as presented in this act.

SECTION 5.  This act is hereby declared to be an emergency measure necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety. The reason for such necessity is to provide for timely creation of the position of independent auditor, authorization of revenue-sharing taxes, and new community sponsor authorization for a qualifying large urban school district. Therefore, this act shall go into immediate effect.