ADULT HIGH SCHOOLS

For a school to meet the definition of "adult high school" under current law, the school must offer on-site childcare for children of enrolled students, in addition to other requirements provided in current law. This act repeals the on-site requirement for such childcare.

Current law prohibits adult high schools from offering a majority of instruction online or remotely. This act provides that synchronous instruction connecting students to a live class at an adult high school shall be treated as in-person instruction.

Current law prohibits any person from establishing, operating, maintaining, or advertising a child-care facility without a license, with an exception for any private, elementary, or secondary school system providing childcare to children under school age. This act provides that adult high schools shall be deemed a "secondary school system" for purposes of such exception. (Sections 160.2700 & 160.2705)

These provisions are identical to provisions in HB 624 (2021).

SCHOOL INNOVATION WAIVERS

Under this act, school innovation teams, which are groups representing one or more schools or school districts, may submit a plan to the State Board of Education to improve student career and job training, increase the compensation of teachers, or improve the profession of teaching as described in the act in order to secure a school innovation waiver. School innovation waivers exempt the schools or school districts from requirements under Chapters 160, 161, 162, 167, 170, and 171, or any regulations promulgated by the Board under such chapters.

The innovation waiver plan shall identify the specific provisions of law for which a waiver is being requested, how the provision inhibits the goals of the schools or school districts, proposed innovations to satisfy the intent of the provisions to be waived, stakeholder support and engagement, and the approval of a minimum number of innovation team members.

The Board shall evaluate each plan by considering whether the plan will improve student readiness for postsecondary life, increase teacher salaries, or increase the attractiveness of the teaching profession. The Board may approve a plan upon determining that the plan can address the intent of the provisions to be waived in a more effective, efficient, or economical manner; that the waivers are necessary to further the goals considered by the Board; that there is sufficient participation of the school stakeholders listed in the act; and that the plan is based on sound educational practices, does not endanger health or safety, and does not compromise equal opportunity for learning. The Board may propose modifications to the plan in cooperation with the school innovation team.

Waivers shall be effective for no more than three school years following the school year in which a plan is approved, but waivers may be renewed thereafter. No more than one waiver shall be in effect for any single school.

Waivers shall not be granted for requirements related to school start dates, teacher certification, teacher tenure, or any federal law.

(Section 161.214)

These provisions are substantially similar to provisions in SB 265 (2021) and SB 285 (2021) and are similar to SB 830 (2020) and HB 2174 (2020).

SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS

Beginning July 1, 2022, subject to appropriation, any school district which has entered into an agreement with another district to share a superintendent shall receive an additional $30,000 in state aid. The school district shall provide proof to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education that the additional state aid and at least half of the amount saved by sharing a superintendent will be used to compensate teachers or provide counseling services. No school district shall receive such funding for more than five years.

These provisions are substantially similar to HB 1903 (2020) and are similar to provisions in HB 260 (2021).

(Section 168.205)

No school district employee who exercises supervisory duties shall directly or indirectly receive compensation from a district benefit plan or agency contracted to provide benefits for two years after the individual's employment ends. (Section 168.212)

MATT KIMMINAU