Superintendent urges $1M annual boost for Ohio Technical Centers and fixes to OTC Plus eligibility

Jamie Nash, superintendent of Buckeye Hills Career Center, told the committee Ohio Technical Centers (OTCs) are a high‑value investment and asked the legislature to increase their state funding by $1 million per fiscal year.

Nash described OTCs as 51 centers statewide that deliver career and adult education, highlighted job placement rates (reported at 97% for his center), and detailed programs that allow high‑school students to enroll in adult‑education pathways such as LPN training. He asked lawmakers to clarify OTC Plus language so HEI funding can apply to eligible high‑school students and to protect HEI eligibility from administrative reinterpretation.

Nash said a bureaucratic change this year made some high‑school students ineligible for HEI dollars; his center projects a $50,000–$75,000 HEI shortfall this year as a result. He also stressed non‑duplication with other programs, saying career centers lead local workforce planning through career tech planning districts and that better interagency coordination is needed to minimize overlap.

Members asked about IMAP grants, workforce task force findings and whether OTCs receive IMAP dollars (Nash said his district had received IMAP funds). Representatives encouraged submission of draft amendment language to the chair and committee staff so the committee could consider budget language changes.

No formal committee vote occurred on Nash's request during the hearing; members requested language and additional data to evaluate funding and eligibility changes.