Ohio Revised Code Title XXXIII. Education Libraries § 3309.10

(A) No member of the school employees retirement board shall be subject to disciplinary action by an employer for absence from the member's regular employment for service to the board.

Members of the board shall serve without compensation from the retirement system, but an employer shall be reimbursed from the expense fund for any compensation paid to an employee member of the board or a retirant member employed by a public employer in accordance with section 3309.341 of the Revised Code for service to the board.

(B) The members of the board shall be reimbursed from the expense fund for all actual necessary expenses incurred while serving on the board.

(C) The board may secure insurance coverage designed to indemnify board members and employees for their actions or conduct in the performance of official duties, and may pay required premiums for such coverage from the expense fund.

(D) The board shall adopt rules in accordance with section 111.15 of the Revised Code establishing a policy for reimbursement of travel expenses incurred by board members in the performance of their official duties.  As part of any audit performed under Chapter 117. of the Revised Code, an inquiry shall be made into whether board members have complied with these rules.

(E) No board member shall accept payment or reimbursement for travel expenses, other than for meals and other food and beverages provided to the member, from any source other than the expense fund.  Except in the case of an emergency, no out-of-state travel expenses shall be reimbursed unless approved in advance by a majority of the board at a regular board meeting.