HCS/SB 925 – This act requires twins, or other higher order multiple birth children, to be placed in the same elementary school classroom if the children's parent or legal guardian requests the placement within fourteen days of the beginning of the school year or the children's enrollment. The administration may place the students in separate classrooms if it determines that such a placement is disruptive or detrimental. (Section 160.072) This act allows school districts to maintain permanent records in a digital or electronic format. School districts must follow the manufacturer's guidelines, suggestions, and recommendations when using digital or electronic storage media and must not use them beyond the manufacturer suggested or recommended period of time. (Section 162.204)
This act prohibits school districts, administrators, teachers, or other school personnel from using school funds to purchase alcoholic beverages. Public schools cannot reimburse any person for the purchase of alcoholic beverages. (Section 163.400)
Current law requires an unaccredited school district to pay the tuition of a resident student who attends an accredited school in a district in the same or an adjoining county. This act provides that a school district that receives a student from an unaccredited school district may request that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education withhold from the sending district's state aid an amount equal to any delinquent tuition until the matter is settled. In addition, by the 2009-2010 school year, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must establish criteria for the admission or rejection of nonresident students from unaccredited school districts who seek admission into adjoining accredited school districts. Individual school districts will be allowed to set their own class size guidelines as long as they are applied consistently throughout the district. A district may refuse admission to a particular student if there is documented evidence that the student poses a serious safety threat. A district cannot refuse admission to a student from an unaccredited district unless the criteria are met. A district or parent may appeal to the state board of education. (Section 167.131)
This act contains provisions similar to HB 1726 (2008), HB 2547 (2008), HCS/HB 1676 (2008) and HB 1875 (2008).
MICHAEL RUFF