SSHB253 224 3500
HOUSE SUMMARY OF SENATE AMENDMENTS
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
Synopsis of Senate Amendments
1.Provide for creation of the Special School District.
2.Relative to the board, increase board membership from 11 to 12 by adding a
parent of a child enrolled in a La. Special School, specify that all board
members are subject to Senate confirmation, and provide for election of
officers.
3.Remove the district and its superintendent from the organizational structure of
the Dept. of Education.
Digest of Bill as Finally Passed by Senate
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 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 creates
the district as an independent agency governed by a newly created board of directors with 12
members subject to Senate confirmation (one member of the State Board of Elementary and
Secondary Education appointed by the state board president and 11 members appointed by
the governor). Provides for election of officers and 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 and be included in the minimum
foundation program (MFP) Formula. Provides that funding shall be provided both through
the MFP via fund allocation by the state Dept. of Education and through direct appropriations
to the district.
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,
Page 1 of 2 SSHB253 224 3500
or orthopedic impairments may enroll if the school determines it has sufficient resources.
Proposed law revises enrollment procedures by requiring the Schools for the Deaf and
Visually Impaired, 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.
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))
Page 2 of 2