(A)(1) Sections 3318.40 to 3318.45 of the Revised Code apply only to joint vocational school districts.

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(2) As used in sections 3318.40 to 3318.45 of the Revised Code:

(a) “Ohio facilities construction commission,” “classroom facilities,” “project,” and “basic project cost” have the same meanings as in section 3318.01 of the Revised Code.

(b) “Acquisition of classroom facilities” means constructing, reconstructing, repairing, or making additions to classroom facilities.

(B) There is hereby established the vocational school facilities assistance program. Under the program, the Ohio facilities construction commission shall provide assistance to joint vocational school districts for the acquisition of classroom facilities suitable to the vocational education programs of the districts in accordance with sections 3318.40 to 3318.45 of the Revised Code. For purposes of the program, beginning July 1, 2003, the commission annually may set aside up to two per cent of the aggregate amount appropriated to it for classroom facilities assistance projects in the public school building fund, established under section 3318.15 of the Revised Code, and the school building program assistance fund, established under section 3318.25 of the Revised Code.

(C) The commission shall not provide assistance for any distinct part of a project under sections 3318.40 to 3318.45 of the Revised Code that when completed will be used exclusively for an adult education program or exclusively for operation of a driver training school for instruction leading to the issuance of a commercial driver’s license under Chapter 4506 of the Revised Code, except for life safety items and basic building components necessary for complete and continuous construction or renovation of a classroom facility as determined by the commission.

(D) The commission shall not provide assistance under sections 3318.40 to 3318.45 of the Revised Code to acquire classroom facilities for vocational educational instruction at a location under the control of a school district that is a member of a joint vocational school district. Any assistance to acquire classroom facilities for vocational educational instruction at such location shall be provided to the school district that is a member of the joint vocational school district through other provisions of this chapter when that member school district is eligible for assistance under those provisions.

(E) By September 1, 2003, the commission shall assess the classroom facilities needs of at least five joint vocational school districts, according to the order of priority prescribed in division (B) of section 3318.42 of the Revised Code, and based on the results of those assessments shall determine the extent to which amendments to the specifications adopted under section 3318.311 of the Revised Code are warranted. The commission, thereafter, may amend the specifications as provided in that section.

(F) After the commission has conducted the assessments prescribed in division (E) of this section, the commission shall establish, by rule adopted in accordance with section 111.15 of the Revised Code, guidelines for the commission to use in deciding whether to waive compliance with the design specifications adopted under section 3318.311 of the Revised Code when determining the number of facilities and the basic project cost of projects as prescribed in division (A)(1)(a) of section 3318.41 of the Revised Code. The guidelines shall address the following situations:

(1) Under what circumstances, if any, particular classroom facilities are adequate to meet the needs of the school district even though the facilities do not comply with the specifications adopted under section 3318.311 of the Revised Code;

(2) Under what circumstances, if any, particular classroom facilities will be renovated or repaired rather than replaced by construction of new facilities.