SB 491 – This act modifies procedures for the lapse of a school district that has been classified as unaccredited by the State Board of Education for two successive school years. Current law provides that the corporate organization of a school district classified as unaccredited will lapse on June 30 of the second full school year of unaccredited classification. This act allows the State Board of Education to set a date for a school district's lapse. However, the school district cannot lapse prior to June 30 of the second full school year of unaccredited classification. When a school district lapses, current law requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to conduct a public hearing in the school district to review the district's plans to return to accredited status or to offer technical assistance to the district. This act changes the focus of the public hearing to be the accreditation status of the school district in general.
When a school district lapses, the State Board of Education may allow the school board to continue governing the district under terms and conditions established by the State Board of Education.
This act is substantially similar to SCS/HB 488 (2009).
MICHAEL RUFF