HCS/HB 941 - Currently, no restrictions exist concerning the amount of time a school district that has attained provisional accreditation after having been declared unaccredited may remain provisionally accredited.

This act requires a cap of no less than one and no more than two full school years on these districts to regain full accreditation or face lapse of district corporate structure. The act also alters procedures regarding the hearing that is required to be held after a district is declared unaccredited, by:

- Stating that the hearing must be held no more than 60 days after the date the district is declared unaccredited;

- Clarifying the purposes of the hearing; and

- Prescribing the hearing location, timing, and notice procedures.

A special administrative board, which may be appointed by the state board to monitor unaccredited districts, is also given standing to enjoin school board actions that might result in inefficient use of assets. The state board is given the option of permitting a lapsed district to continue to operate under its existing governance structure pursuant to the terms and conditions the board establishes.
DONALD THALHUBER