School groups warn Senate committee that mandated master-key lockboxes would strain budgets and administration

At a third hearing on Senate Bill 290, the committee adopted AM 13 11, which would exempt the location of an exterior secure master-key lockbox on school premises from public records law. Dan Dodd, representing the Ohio Alliance of Independent Schools, testified that OAIS members support safety but have concerns about SB 290’s costs and administrative impact.

Dodd said the school safety grant program is anticipated to be fully allocated even without the SB 290 mandate and that statutory language requiring a box "on each building" or in strategic locations will leave many schools unable to fund installation from the grant. He noted examples of campuses with dozens of buildings and cautioned that requiring schools to notify law enforcement every time a door or window is modified will create an administrative burden. Dodd suggested allowing charter and nonpublic schools to use auxiliary services funding or consult locally with law enforcement rather than imposing a costly mandate.

Committee members thanked Dodd and asked follow-up questions about existing emergency plans and whether first responders currently have access and contact procedures; Dodd said schools are required to have safety plans and consult with local law enforcement, and that plans are uploaded to the Department of Public Safety. The committee accepted AM 13 11 into the bill and concluded the third hearing.