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)]
Alfred Williams HB No. 948
Abstract: Provides with respect to the removal of certain schools from the jurisdiction of the
Recovery School District and the return of such schools to their local districts.
Present law provides with respect to school accountability. Further provides that an elementary
or secondary school operating under the jurisdiction of any city, parish, or local public school
board or any other public entity which is academically unacceptable under a uniform statewide
program of school accountability shall be designated as a failed school. Further provides that
such a school shall be removed from the jurisdiction of the city, parish, or other local public
board or other public entity and transferred to the jurisdiction of the Recovery School District
established in present law (R.S. 17:1990) under certain conditions.
Present law provides that the Recovery School District shall retain the jurisdiction of any school
transferred it pursuant to present law for a period of not less than five years, not including the
school year if the transfer occurred during a school year. Further provides that, no later than five
months prior to the expiration of the five-year period, the Recovery School District shall make a
report to the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) which shall contain
certain elements. Also provides that, no later than six months prior to the expiration of the five-
year period, BESE shall take action on the recommendations of the Recovery School District.
Any action that results in an affirmative agreement to retain the school in the Recovery School
District shall retain the school in the district for an additional five-year period, unless a lesser
time is adopted by the state board. The report required by present law and the action required in
present law shall occur no later than six months prior to each period of continuation.
Present law provides that, notwithstanding the provisions of present law, a school that is directly
operated by the Recovery School District and that has not been identified for conversion to a
charter school pursuant to a charter contract between BESE and a nonprofit charter organization
shall be removed from the jurisdiction of the Recovery School District and returned to the
administration and management of the school system from which it was transferred if the return
is requested by a petition of parents and such return is approved by BESE and the respective local
school board and certain other conditions are met.
Proposed law removes provisions that except schools identified for conversion to charter schools
from being removed from the jurisdiction of the Recovery School District and returned to the
administration and management of the school system from which they were transferred.
Present law provides as one of the conditions that the school has received a letter grade of "D" or "F" pursuant to the La. School and District Accountability System, for five consecutive years
while under the jurisdiction of the Recovery School District. Proposed law changes five
consecutive years to three consecutive years; otherwise retains present law.
(Amends R.S. 17:10.5(G)(1)(intro. para.) and (b))