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)]
James HB No. 115
Abstract: Allows parents to submit petitions to BESE for the return to the local school system
of certain schools that were transferred to the RSD.
Present law (R.S. 17:10.5) provides for the transfer to the Recovery School District (RSD),
subject to approval by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), of
schools that have been labeled academically unacceptable for four consecutive years or failed
schools for which the local school board has failed to present or implement an acceptable
reconstitution plan under the school accountability program. Provides that the RSD shall retain
jurisdiction of any school transferred to it for not less than five school years. Requires the RSD to
report to BESE at least nine months prior to the expiration of the transfer period as to whether the
school should continue in the RSD under certain conditions, close, or be returned to the
transferring school system. Provides that the RSD shall retain the school for an additional
five-year period upon BESE approval unless a lesser time is adopted by BESE.
Proposed law retains present law and adds that parents of students attending a school in the RSD
that is directly operated by the RSD and has not been identified for conversion to a charter school
pursuant to a charter contract between BESE and a non-profit charter organization and had a
letter grade of "D" or "F" for five consecutive years while in the RSD may submit a petition to
BESE requesting that the school be returned to the local school system from which it was
transferred. Requires approval of BESE and the respective local school board for such transfer
to occur. Requires signatures of parents representing at least a majority of the students attending
the school. Requires BESE to adopt rules and regulations for implementation of the petition
process, including a petition format and submission process, signature validation procedures,
time lines, and student transfer procedures. Prohibits the use of local school and school district
resources to support or oppose any effort by parents to gather signatures or sign petitions.
(Adds R.S. 17:10.5(G))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the original bill.
1. Adds a condition that to be eligible for return, a school shall be directly operated by
the RSD and not identified for conversion to a charter school.
2. Adds that in addition to BESE approval, a transfer requires the approval of the respective local school board.
3. Requires that a school must have had a letter grade of "D" or "F" for five consecutive
years while in the RSD instead of for three consecutive years.
4. Adds requirement that BESE rules and regulations include time lines for submitting
petitions.