HLS 15RS-3654 ENGROSSED
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 201
BY REPRESENTATIVE OURSO
SCHOOLS/DISTRICTS: Creates a task force to study the feasibility of establishing
independent school districts in Louisiana
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To create a task force to study the feasibility of establishing independent school districts for
3 elementary and secondary education in Louisiana, to submit a preliminary written
4 report on the status of the study proceedings by not later than March 1, 2016, and to
5 submit a final written report of study findings, conclusions, and recommendations
6 to the House Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Education not
7 later than sixty days prior to the beginning of the 2017 Regular Session of the
8 Legislature of Louisiana.
9 WHEREAS, the Constitution of Louisiana provides that it is the goal of the public
10educational system "to provide learning environments and experiences, at all stages of
11human development, that are humane, just, and designed to promote excellence in order that
12every individual may be afforded an equal opportunity to develop to his full potential"; and
13 WHEREAS, in keeping with this goal, the state's public educational system provides
14learning environments and experiences to the children of this state through public elementary
15and secondary schools administered by the various parishes, cities, and other local public
16school districts throughout the state; and
17 WHEREAS, Louisiana's public educational system does not include independent
18school districts; and
19 WHEREAS, an independent school district is a type of school district used in some
20states for elementary and secondary education which operates as an entity that is
21independent and separate from any municipality, county, or state; and
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HCR NO. 201
1 WHEREAS, independent school districts have the authority to establish and manage
2diverse educational opportunities within their set geographical boundaries and may include
3such benefits as increased school choice for parents and students and increased school
4efficiency and teacher pay through healthy competition among schools; and
5 WHEREAS, other advantages of independent school districts may include better
6serving student needs and priorities and positive impacts on the local economy and
7taxpayers; and
8 WHEREAS, in order to fulfill the state's constitutional duty of affording every
9student an equal opportunity to develop to his full potential, it is imperative that a balanced
10group of experts thoroughly study the feasibility of establishing independent school districts
11for elementary and secondary education in Louisiana.
12 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
13create a task force to study the feasibility of establishing independent school districts for
14elementary and secondary education in Louisiana, to submit a preliminary written report on
15the status of the study proceedings by not later than March 1, 2016, and to submit a final
16written report of study findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the House Committee
17on Education and the Senate Committee on Education not later than sixty days prior to the
18beginning of the 2017 Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.
19 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall be composed of the
20following members:
21 (1) The state superintendent of education or his designee.
22 (2) The president of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education or his
23designee.
24 (3) The chairman of the House Committee on Education or his designee.
25 (4) The chairman of the Senate Committee on Education or his designee.
26 (5) A member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, selected by the speaker
27of the House.
28 (6) A member of the Louisiana Senate, selected by the president of the Senate.
29 (7) A representative from each of the following organizations selected by the
30presiding officer of the organization:
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HCR NO. 201
1 (a) The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana.
2 (b) The Council for a Better Louisiana.
3 (c) The Louisiana School Boards Association.
4 (d) The Louisiana Association of School Superintendents.
5 (e) The Louisiana Association of Principals.
6 (f) The Louisiana Association of Educators.
7 (g) The Louisiana Federation of Teachers.
8 (h) The Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana.
9 (i) The Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools.
10 (j) The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.
11 (k) The Louisiana Parent Teacher Organization.
12 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in conducting the study the task force shall
13consider all of the following:
14 (1) The basic process for establishing independent school districts.
15 (2) The financial, economical, demographic, legal, and geographic implications and
16effects of the establishment of independent school districts including but not limited to any
17projected sales tax and property tax revenue streams for such districts and how state funding
18will be provided to the districts.
19 (3) The enrollment capacity of such newly created districts relative to the demand
20for public school services.
21 (4) The degree to which the existing capital infrastructures can accommodate such
22enrollment and the extent to which future capital expansion may be required.
23 (5) Compliance with all federal desegregation orders as may be applicable.
24 (6) Any other information that the task force determines necessary or proper to fully
25complete the study.
26 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state superintendent of education or his
27designee shall be responsible for designating staff to assist the task force in performing its
28duties and, by September 1, 2015, convening the task force for its first meeting, at which the
29task force shall adopt rules of procedure, a work schedule, and any additional measures that
30it deems necessary for the timely performance of its duties.
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HCR NO. 201
1 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members of the task force shall serve without
2compensation.
3 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the
4president of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and to the state
5superintendent of education who shall be responsible for transmitting a copy to each of the
6organizations from which the members of the task force are being selected or designated.
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)]
HCR 201 Engrossed 2015 Regular Session Ourso
Creates a task force to study the feasibility of establishing independent school districts for
elementary and secondary education in La., to submit a preliminary written report on the
status of the study proceedings by March 1, 2016, and to submit a final written report of
study findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the House and Senate education
committees prior to the 2017 R.S. Provides for task force membership, duties, and matters
for consideration.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the
original concurrent resolution:
1. Add that the task force shall submit a preliminary written report on the status of
the study proceedings by March 1, 2016, and provide for a final written report
prior to the 2017 R.S. instead of the 2016 R.S.
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