HLS 10RS-1549 ORIGINAL
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE BILL NO. 1049
BY REPRESENTATIVE HARRISON
SCHOOLS/BOARDS: Provides relative to public/private partnerships between school
boards and the private sector
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 17:81(T), relative to school boards; to authorize city, parish, and2
other local public school boards to enter into certain partnerships with private entities3
for the provision of certain services; to provide for the use of savings derived from4
such partnerships and for employees affected by such partnerships; to provide for5
legislative findings; to provide for definitions; and to provide for related matters.6
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:7
Section 1. R.S. 17:81(T) is hereby enacted to read as follows: 8
ยง81. General powers of city, parish, and other local public school boards9
* * *10
T.(1) This Subsection shall be known as the School Board Freedom to11
Contract Act.12
(2)(a) The legislature finds that educators spend an enormous amount of time13
and money on operating ancillary services in city, parish, and other local public14
schools. This distraction takes valuable time and funds from the core competency15
of schools, which is the education of students. Allowing educators to focus more on16
this core competency and less on ancillary services would improve and enhance the17
academic performance of students.18 HLS 10RS-1549 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 1049
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(b) Many of the functions currently under the direction of city, parish, and1
other local public school boards should be considered for public/private partnerships2
to improve operational efficiencies.3
(c) Through partnering with the private sector and competitive bidding for4
ancillary functions, services may be performed more efficiently and cost effectively.5
(3) For the purposes of this Section, the following terms shall have the6
following meanings:7
(a) "Ancillary services" means those support services not directly related to8
educating students, including but not limited to cafeteria, custodial, facilities9
maintenance and management, transportation, and technology services, which are10
necessary for the operation of a school.11
(b) "Public/private partnership" means an agreement between a city, parish,12
or other local public school board and a private person, firm, corporation,13
organization, or association to perform ancillary services.14
(4)(a) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary and except for15
direct instruction and administration, each city, parish, and other local public school16
board may enter into a contract with a private person, firm, corporation, organization,17
or association to provide ancillary services, in whole or in part.18
(b) Cost savings derived from these public/private partnerships shall be used19
to improve instructional and technological services for the benefit of students'20
academic achievements.21
(c) City, parish, and other local public school boards entering into22
public/private partnerships, barring extenuating circumstances, shall ensure that23
affected employees of the school board be given first option of employment.24 HLS 10RS-1549 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 1049
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Harrison HB No. 1049
Abstract: Authorizes public school boards to enter into public/private partnerships for the
provision of ancillary services.
Present law provides for the powers and duties of public school boards. Proposed law
("School Board Freedom to Contract Act") additionally authorizes public school boards to
enter into public/private partnerships to provide ancillary services. Provides that cost
savings derived from these partnerships be used to improve instructional and technological
services for the benefit of students' academic achievements and requires school boards,
barring extenuating circumstances, to ensure that their affected employees be given first
option of employment when entering into such partnerships. Provides for the following
definitions:
(1)"Ancillary services" means support services not directly related to educating
students, including but not limited to cafeteria, custodial, facilities maintenance and
management, transportation, and technology services, which are necessary for the
operation of a school.
(2) "Public/private partnership" means an agreement between the school board and a
private person, firm, corporation, organization, or association to perform ancillary
services.
(Adds R.S. 17:81(T))