HB 488 -- RESTRUCTURING OF UNACCREDITED SCHOOL DISTRICTS

SPONSOR:  Schad

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Elementary and Secondary Education by a vote of 14 to 0.

Currently, an unaccredited school district lapses on June 30 of
the second full school year after it is declared unaccredited.
This bill allows the State Board of Education to determine a date
not prior to June 30 of the second full year on which an
unaccredited school district will lapse.  The bill also changes
the purpose of the hearing, which the Department of Elementary
and Secondary Education is required to hold, from reviewing the
district's plan for regaining accredited status to discussing the
district's accreditation status.  An additional option is created
to allow continued governance of a lapsed district by its
existing local school board under conditions established by the
state board.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2010, FY 2011, and
FY 2012.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill allows the State Board
of Education more flexibility in dealing with unaccredited school
districts to meet an individual district's situation and in
providing continuity of governance.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Schad; and Department
of Elementary and Secondary Education.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated November 17, 2009 at 9:24 am