GREEN SHEET REDIGEST
HB 253 2021 Regular Session McKnight
SCHOOLS. Provides relative to the governance and funding of the Special School
District, which provides special education services through its schools and programs.
DIGEST
Special School District, generally
Present law provides that the Special School District (SSD) includes the La. special schools
(the La. School for the Deaf and the La. School for the Visually Impaired) and Special
School Programs, which provide services to students in state-operated facilities.
Proposed law creates the Special School District and retains present law.
Governance
Present law provides that the SSD is an educational service agency administered by the Dept.
of Education and governed by the state superintendent of education.
Proposed law instead provides for the district to be an independent agency governed by a
newly created board of directors with 12 members (one member of the State Board of
Elementary and Secondary Education appointed by the state board president and 11 members
appointed by the governor, all who are confirmed by the Senate). Provides for officers of the
board and for the board's powers and duties with respect to district governance.
Administration
Present law provides for the SSD to be under the administration of a district superintendent
appointed by the state superintendent of education (subject to confirmation by the Senate),
who shall set his salary and oversee his duties and functions.
Proposed law transfers such authorities from the state superintendent to the board of
directors.
Funding
Proposed law requires the board to adopt an annual budget to adequately fund the district and
that the district shall be considered a public school for purposes of receiving funding through
the minimum foundation program (MFP). Provides that the district is also eligible to receive
such other funding as may be appropriated by the legislature.
Enrollment
Present law requires the special schools to establish an annual enrollment deadline for
admission. Provides that after a school's deadline, any other children with hearing, visual, or
orthopedic impairments may enroll if the school determines it has sufficient resources.
Proposed law revises enrollment procedures by requiring these schools, upon parental
request, to enroll students with low incidence disabilities and students eligible under the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requiring special education services upon their
admission into state facilities in which the SSD provides special education services.
Transition
Proposed law provides for the transition to begin on July 1, 2021, for the governor to appoint
the board members by July 15, 2021, and for the board to resume responsibility for providing
for the education of students on Aug. 1, 2021.
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Prepared by Cheryl Serrett. Proposed law provides that the district superintendent serving upon the effective date of
proposed law may continue to serve unless removed by the board.
Effective July 1, 2021.
(Amends R.S. 17:43(A) and (B)(1), 1945(A) and (B)(2), and 1946(A) and R.S. 36:642(C)(1),
643(A), and 648.1; adds R.S. 17:1945.1 and 1945.2 and R.S. 36:651(D)(11))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the
original bill:
1. Increase board membership from 9 to 11 by adding a member of BESE appointed
by the BESE president and an additional member appointed by the governor.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Education to the
reengrossed bill
1. Creates the Special School District.
2. Provides that members of the board of directors are subject to Senate
confirmation.
3. Adds an additional parent member to the board.
4. Provides for officers of the board.
5. Clarifies the funding language.
6. Amends the organizational structure of the state Department of Education to
remove the Special School District and the employees of the district.
7. Makes technical changes.
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Prepared by Cheryl Serrett.