Trustee Training

What is continuing education? Why should I do it?

Continuing education is a vital part of any leader's efforts to be effective in their position. As elected officials, you are tasked to steward tax-payer dollars and serve the interests of the people when the laws are constantly changing.

What continuing education is required?

There are different requirements depending on your position. Each elected official (trustees and fiscal officer) is required to complete public records training for each term held in office. Fiscal officers must also complete 24 or 12 hours of additional training depending on if they are newly elected or re-elected.

What is public records training?

All officials elected to statewide or local office are required to receive three (3) hours of certified public records training for each term of office. The training is designed to enhance the elected officials’ knowledge of the duty to provide access to public records. This training is provided at no cost by the Attorney General or Auditor of State. (R.C. §149.43(E)(1))

What is ethics training?

Fiscal officers are required to complete two hours of ethics training per term of office per the Fiscal Officer Integrity Act (FIA). While trustees are not required to take ethics training, the OTA encourages all township officials and employees take the training.

What is the Fiscal Integrity Act (FIA)?

Pursuant to R.C. §507.12, a newly elected or appointed township fiscal officer shall complete 24 hours of continuing education during their first term in office. At least six (6) hours of the 24 hours of education shall occur before or during the first year of office. A township fiscal officer who is elected to a subsequent term of office shall complete 12 hours of continuing education courses in each subsequent term of office. Appointed fiscal officers training hours will be based on the amount of time left in the unexpired term.

A newly elected or appointed fiscal officer who participates in the Auditor of State’s training program under R.C. §117.44 may apply those hours taken to the six hours of initial education programs required.

Additionally, fiscal officers may apply the hours taken for public records training and any training certified by the Treasurer of State as part of the Center for Public Investment Management (CPIM) program.

Learn more about FIA here.

How do I report FIA credit?

Fiscal Integrity Act (FIA) credit is given by the Ohio Auditor of State for continuing education courses. To receive FIA credit from the Auditor of State, you must self-report your training hours by logging onto the Auditor of State's Fiscal Integrity Portal.

What is Center for Public Investment Management (CPIM) credit?

As outlined in Ohio Revised Code 135.22, any person who makes decisions regarding the deposit or investment of moneys of a subdivision must comply with the Center for Public Investment Management (CPIM) training requirement. Complying with CPIM requires a person to earn six (6) hours of CPIM training and pay an annual $100 CPIM fee.

To receive CPIM credit from the Treasurer of State, you must self-report your training hours by logging onto the Treasurer of State's MyCPIM website.

Learn more about CPIM here.