When Ohio taxpayers approve a new levy for construction work or renovation on their public schools, they want to know that their money is spent responsibly and with careful planning. Responsible Contracting ensures exactly that.

By considering only the most affordable bids from the best construction personnel available, school districts that adopt well-crafted Responsible Contractor policies make sure Ohio taxpayers’ money is not handed over to cheap, low-quality contractors with a poor work record.

A Responsible Contractor Policy is a series of reasonable predetermined qualifications that contractors and subcontractors must possess before they can build or renovate Ohio’s public schools. Before being awarded a project, contractors must prove they meet all the standards defined in a school district's Responsible Contractor Policy. If they fail to meet the qualifications they cannot build or renovate Ohio’s public schools.

A policy must be enacted in writing by a school district’s governing body (usually the school board) before the bidding process on construction contracts begins. The bidders must know ahead of time what qualifications a school district requires.