CPS consultants outline 24 state bills they are tracking, warn of measures on DEI, school closures and parental consent

Consultants from DSD Advisors told the Cincinnati Public Schools Policy & Equity Committee on April 25 that they are tracking two dozen state bills they judge could affect the district, and outlined a four-part strategy of building champions, sharing CPS expertise, monitoring bills and maintaining regular contact with lawmakers.

The update, led by Eric Kearney, government-relations advisor for the district, and Libby O'Neil of DSD Advisors, explained how the firm researches sponsors and committee assignments, produces weekly and monthly bill-tracking reports, and arranges events such as a planned legislative breakfast to connect CPS leaders with state lawmakers.

Why it matters: Several bills under active tracking would change operations or funding for public schools. The consultants singled out bills that would prohibit DEI programs in K'12 schools, change the statutory test for closing low-performing schools, and require parental consent for certain mental-health services for minors. The presence of Republican supermajorities in both Ohio chambers means some measures could advance quickly once committee calendars open after the budget cycle.

What DSD described and recommended

- DSD said it uses a four-part approach: identify legislative and administrative champions; emphasize CPS' strengths; systematically track introduced bills; and maintain routine check-ins with legislators and the district leadership. Kearney noted the firm provides both weekly alerts and monthly summary reports to district leaders.

- The consultants reported they tracked 24 bills of interest: roughly 12 in the Ohio House, nine in the Senate, with one bill reported as signed into law, one having passed the House and one having passed the Senate as of the briefing. They recommended targeted outreach to key committee members where bills are assigned.

Bills highlighted in the briefing

- A Senate measure (discussed as SB 113 in the presentation) would bar public schools from adopting DEI offices or contracting with consultants whose role is to promote hiring or advancement on the basis of race, sex, gender identity or sexual orientation, and would require districts to create a complaint process to enforce the ban. The consultants said the bill sits in the House Education Committee and that the sponsor chairs the Senate education committee, increasing its chance of movement after the budget work concludes.

- A bill described as seeking to limit school closure reviews (presented as SB/HB 127) would change how the Department of Education counts prior-year report cards when deciding whether a school qualifies for closure or remedial action and would become effective July 1, 2025, if enacted.

- A bill described in the briefing would require parental consent for some minors to receive mental-health services; consultants said it had co-sponsors and some momentum but had not yet had a hearing in the House committee at the time of the briefing.

District-level context and suggested next steps

Committee members asked for clarifications about the most consequential bills and for guidance on when the board should take public positions or organize advocacy. DSD recommended selective, sustained engagement with legislative champions rather than blanket opposition to all proposals, and previewed plans for a legislator breakfast to be scheduled after lawmakers return from recess.

Committee Chair Phyllis (name on the record) and board members said they want clear guidelines about when the board should speak publicly about proposed state laws and how the district will coordinate messages with the superintendent and community.

Ending

DSD Advisors said it will continue routine bill tracking and provide the committee with summaries and recommended action steps; the committee agreed to consider targeted outreach and to watch the budget timeline closely before mounting large-scale public campaigns.