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SB 677 – This act modifies the law regarding school accreditation for failing school districts. This act removes the two-year waiting period that exists between the classification of a school district as unaccredited and the lapse of the district's corporate organization. Instead, when the State Board of Education classifies a district as unaccredited, it may determine the date of the district's lapse. At such time, the State Board may establish the district's governance conditions or determine an alternative governance structure. This act changes the timing and purpose of the hearing that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must conduct. The hearing will be regarding the accreditation status of the district. If the State Board appoints a special administrative board to oversee the district, it may determine the number of members and specify the board's duties. If the State Board determines an alternative governing structure, it must provide a rationale for its decision and review and recertify the alternative form of governance every three years. In addition, the State Board must create a public comment method, establish expectations for academic progress by creating a time line for full accreditation, and provide annual reports to the General Assembly and Governor on the district's progress, as described in the act. This act repeals the requirement that provisionally accredited and unaccredited districts develop a plan to divide up the district if the district cannot regain accreditation within three years of the loss of accreditation. This act is identical to HB 1174 (2012). MICHAEL RUFF
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