HB 937 -- Pilot Project Scholarship Program

Co-Sponsors:  Chrismer, Kennedy

This bill establishes the pilot project scholarship program in
school districts that are or have been under a federal court
desegregation order.  Scholarships would permit students in
these districts to attend either private schools that register
and are accepted for the program or public schools in an
adjacent district.  Scholarships are at 2 levels of
reimbursement, 75 or 90%, based on family income, and will be
increased for handicapped students.  Political subdivisions,
private nonprofit or for-profit entities, or individuals must
make up the remaining 10 or 25%.  An equal number of
scholarships would provide tutorial assistance to students
attending the district's public schools.  The program limits the
number of students who were attending a nonpublic school when
they applied for the scholarship.  If the program is
discontinued, students may continue through the highest grade
level in the school they are attending.  If the program causes a
sufficient decrease in enrollment in the district, the district
may enter agreements with teachers for severance pay or early
retirement benefits if collective bargaining agreements permit.

The bill establishes private school registration standards and
notification procedures for public schools in adjacent districts
wishing to participate.  Applications for tutorial assistance
are made directly to the Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education.  Admission priorities are established for private
schools, and private schools may elect to admit students of one
gender only and may deny admission to any handicapped student
whose education plan requires spending at least half the day in
a separate educational setting.  The department must notify
districts of the number of scholarships awarded by November 1 of
each year and notify scholarship recipients by January 15.