Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB1566 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	S.B. No. 1566
	1	+	By: Kolkhorst S.B. No. 1566
	2	+	(King of Hemphill)
2	3
3	4
	5	+	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
4	6		AN ACT
5	7		relating to certain powers and duties of the board of trustees of an
6	8		independent school district and the governing body of an
7		-	open-enrollment charter school and to abolishing certain county
8		-	boards of education, boards of county school trustees, and offices
9		-	of county school superintendent.
	9	+	open-enrollment charter school.
10	10		BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
11		-	SECTION 1. Section 11.151, Education Code, is amending by
12		-	adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:
13		-	(f) For purposes of this section, a county board of
14		-	education, as defined by a board of county school trustees, and
15		-	office of county school superintendent in a county with a
16		-	population of 2.2 million or more and that is adjacent to a county
17		-	with a population of more than 800,000 are included within the
18		-	definition of a school district and subject to the oversight of the
19		-	agency.
20		-	SECTION 2. Section 11.1511, Education Code, is amended by
	11	+	SECTION 1. Section 11.1511, Education Code, is amended by
21	12		adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
22	13		(d) The board may require a school district's chief business
23	14		official or curriculum director or a person holding an equivalent
24	15		position to appear at an executive session of the board or to
25	16		testify at a public hearing held by the board. A superintendent may
26	17		not interfere with an appearance or testimony required by the board
27	18		under this subsection.
28		-	SECTION 3. Section 11.1512, Education Code, is amended by
29		-	amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsections (c-1), (c-2), (c-3),
30		-	and (g) to read as follows:
31		-	(c) A member of the board of trustees of the district, when
32		-	acting in the member's official capacity, has an inherent right of
33		-	access to information, documents, and records maintained by the
34		-	district, and the district shall provide the information,
35		-	documents, and records to the member without requiring the member
36		-	to submit a public information request under Chapter 552,
37		-	Government Code. The district shall provide the information,
38		-	documents, and records to the member without regard to whether the
39		-	requested items are the subject of or relate to an item listed on an
40		-	agenda for an upcoming meeting. The district may withhold or redact
41		-	information, a document, or a record requested by a member of the
42		-	board to the extent that the item is excepted from disclosure or is
43		-	confidential under Chapter 552, Government Code, or other law.
44		-	[This subsection does not require the district to provide
45		-	information, documents, and records that are not subject to
46		-	disclosure under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of
47		-	1974 (20 U.S.C. Section 1232g).]
	19	+	SECTION 2. Section 11.1512, Education Code, is amended by
	20	+	adding Subsections (c-1) and (g) to read as follows:
48	21		(c-1) Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, a
49	22		district shall provide a member of the board of trustees with
50	23		information, documents, and records requested under Subsection (c)
51	24		not later than the 20th business day after the date the district
52	25		receives the request. The district may take a reasonable
53	26		additional period of time, not to exceed the 30th business day after
54	27		the date the district receives the request, to respond to a request
55	28		if compliance by the 20th business day would be unduly burdensome
56	29		given the amount, age, or location of the requested information.
57	30		The district shall inform the trustee of the reason for the delay in
58	31		providing the requested information and the date by which the
59	32		information will be provided.
60		-	(c-2) If a district does not provide requested information
61		-	to a member of the board of trustees in the time required under
62		-	Subsection (c-1), the member may bring suit against the district
63		-	for appropriate injunctive relief. A member who prevails in a suit
64		-	under this subsection is entitled to recover court costs and
65		-	reasonable attorney's fees. The district shall pay the costs and
66		-	fees from the budget of the superintendent's office.
67		-	(c-3) A board member shall maintain the confidentiality of
68		-	information, documents, and records received under Subsection (c)
69		-	as required by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974
70		-	(20 U.S.C. Section 1232g) and any other applicable privacy laws.
71	33		(g) A district shall create a policy on visits to a district
72	34		campus or other facility by a member of the board of trustees of the
73	35		district.
74		-	SECTION 4. Subchapter D, Chapter 11, Education Code, is
	36	+	SECTION 3. Subchapter D, Chapter 11, Education Code, is
75	37		amended by adding Sections 11.1515 and 11.1516 to read as follows:
76	38		Sec. 11.1515. OVERSIGHT OF ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT. The board
77	39		of trustees of an independent school district or the governing body
78	40		of an open-enrollment charter school shall provide oversight
79	41		regarding student academic achievement and strategic leadership
80	42		for maximizing student performance.
81	43		Sec. 11.1516. DISTRICT DATA ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT.
82	44		(a) On request by the board of trustees of an independent school
83	45		district, the agency shall create an Internet website that members
84	46		of the board may use to review campus and district academic
85	47		achievement data. The website must also be made available to
86	48		campuses in a similar manner that access is provided to the board.
87	49		(b) The Internet website must:
88	50		(1) include district information, disaggregated by
89	51		campus, grade, sex, race, academic quarter or semester, as
90	52		applicable, and school year, regarding the following:
91	53		(A) student academic achievement and growth;
92	54		(B) teacher and student attendance; and
93	55		(C) student discipline records; and
94	56		(2) be updated at least once each quarter of the school
95	57		year.
96	58		(c) The commissioner shall provide information that permits
97	59		a board member to compare the district's academic performance with
98	60		the academic performance of other districts of similar size and
99	61		racial and economic demographics.
100	62		(d) A district must provide requested information to the
101	63		commissioner for the creation of an Internet website under this
102	64		section.
103	65		(e) Confidential information received by the commissioner
104	66		under this section from a district remains confidential. The
105	67		commissioner shall design the Internet website to ensure that:
106	68		(1) public information is made available to the
107	69		public; and
108	70		(2) information submitted by districts noted as
109	71		confidential is not made available to the public.
110	72		(f) A request for public information under this section
111	73		shall be submitted to the district that provides the agency with the
112	74		information. The agency may not release information submitted by a
113	75		district that is noted as confidential information.
114	76		(g) The agency may contract with a private entity as
115	77		necessary to implement this section.
116	78		(h) The commissioner may adopt rules for the implementation
117	79		of this section.
118		-	SECTION 5. Section 11.159, Education Code, is amended by
	80	+	SECTION 4. Section 11.159, Education Code, is amended by
119	81		amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read
120	82		as follows:
121	83		(b) A trustee must complete any training required by the
122	84		State Board of Education. The minutes of the last regular meeting
123	85		of the board of trustees held before an election of trustees [during
124	86		a calendar year] must reflect whether each trustee has met or is
125	87		deficient [delinquent] in meeting the training required for the
126	88		trustee [to be completed] as of the first anniversary of the date of
127	89		the trustee's election or appointment [date of the meeting]. If the
128	90		minutes reflect that a trustee is deficient, the district shall
129	91		post the minutes on the district's Internet website within 10
130	92		business days of the meeting and maintain the posting until the
131	93		trustee meets the requirements.
132	94		(c) The State Board of Education shall require a trustee to
133	95		complete at least three hours of training every two years on
134	96		evaluating student academic performance. The training must be
135	97		research-based and designed to support the oversight role of the
136	98		board of trustees under Section 11.1515. A candidate for trustee
137	99		may complete the training up to one year before the candidate is
138	100		elected. A new trustee shall complete the training within 120 days
139	101		after the date of the trustee's election or appointment. A
140	102		returning trustee shall complete the training by the second
141	103		anniversary of the completion of the trustee's previous training.
142	104		(d) A trustee or candidate for trustee may complete training
143	105		required under Subsection (c) at a regional education service
144	106		center or through another authorized provider. A provider must
145	107		certify the completion of the training by a trustee or candidate.
146		-	SECTION 6. Subchapter D, Chapter 11, Education Code, is
	108	+	SECTION 5. Subchapter D, Chapter 11, Education Code, is
147	109		amended by adding Section 11.182 to read as follows:
148	110		Sec. 11.182. BOARD IMPROVEMENT AND EVALUATION TOOL.
149	111		(a) The commissioner shall develop a board of trustees improvement
150	112		and evaluation tool. The evaluation tool must be research-based
151	113		and designed to assist a school district in improving board
152	114		oversight and academic achievement.
153	115		(b) A board of trustees may determine whether to use the
154	116		evaluation tool, except as required by Section 39.102(a).
155		-	SECTION 7. Chapter 12A, Education Code, is amended by
156		-	adding Section 12A.0071 to read as follows:
157		-	Sec. 12A.0071. POSTING OF LOCAL INNOVATION PLAN. (a) A
158		-	school district designated as a district of innovation shall ensure
159		-	that a copy of the district's current local innovation plan is
160		-	available to the public by posting and maintaining the plan in a
161		-	prominent location on the district's Internet website.
162		-	(b) Not later than the 15th day after the date on which the
163		-	board of trustees adopts a proposed local innovation plan, adopts a
164		-	proposed amendment of a local innovation plan, or renews a local
165		-	innovation plan, the district shall provide a copy of the current
166		-	local innovation plan to the agency. The agency shall promptly post
167		-	the current local innovation plan on the agency's Internet website.
168		-	SECTION 8. Subchapter C, Chapter 25, Education Code, is
169		-	amended by adding Section 25.0822 to read as follows:
170		-	Sec. 25.0822. PATRIOTIC SOCIETY ACCESS TO STUDENTS.
171		-	(a) In this section, "patriotic society" means a youth membership
172		-	organization listed in Title 36 of the United States Code with an
173		-	educational purpose that promotes patriotism and civic
174		-	involvement.
175		-	(b) At the beginning of each school year, the board of
176		-	trustees of an independent school district shall adopt a policy to
177		-	allow the principal of a public school campus to provide
178		-	representatives of a patriotic society with the opportunity to
179		-	speak to students during regular school hours about membership in
180		-	the society and the ways in which membership may promote a student's
181		-	educational interest and level of civic involvement, leading to the
182		-	student's increased potential for self-improvement and ability to
183		-	contribute to improving the student's school and community.
184		-	(c) The board policy shall give a principal complete
185		-	discretion over the specific date and time of the opportunity
186		-	required to be provided under this section, except that the policy
187		-	shall allow the principal to limit:
188		-	(1) the opportunity provided to a patriotic society to
189		-	a single school day; and
190		-	(2) any presentation made to students as a result of
191		-	the opportunity to 10 minutes in length.
192		-	SECTION 9. Section 26.011, Education Code, is amended to
	117	+	SECTION 6. Section 39.102(a), Education Code, is amended to
193	118		read as follows:
194		-	Sec. 26.011. COMPLAINTS. (a) The board of trustees of
195		-	each school district shall adopt a grievance procedure under which
196		-	the board shall address each complaint that the board receives
197		-	concerning violation of a right guaranteed by this chapter.
198		-	(b) The board of trustees of a school district is not
199		-	required by Subsection (a) or Section 11.1511(b)(13) to address a
200		-	complaint that the board receives concerning a student's
201		-	participation in an extracurricular activity that does not involve
202		-	a violation of a right guaranteed by this chapter. This subsection
203		-	does not affect a claim brought by a parent under the Individuals
204		-	with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Section 1400 et seq.) or
205		-	a successor federal statute addressing special education services
206		-	for a child with a disability.
207		-	SECTION 10. Section 29.918, Education Code, is amended by
208		-	adding Subsections (d), (e), and (f) to read as follows:
209		-	(d) A school district or open-enrollment charter school to
210		-	which this section applies shall, in its plan submitted under
211		-	Subsection (a):
212		-	(1) design a dropout recovery plan that includes
213		-	career and technology education courses or technology applications
214		-	courses that lead to industry or career certification;
215		-	(2) integrate into the dropout recovery plan
216		-	research-based strategies to assist students in becoming able
217		-	academically to pursue postsecondary education, including:
218		-	(A) high-quality, college readiness instruction
219		-	with strong academic and social supports;
220		-	(B) secondary to postsecondary bridging that
221		-	builds college readiness skills, provides a plan for college
222		-	completion, and ensures transition counseling; and
223		-	(C) information concerning appropriate supports
224		-	available in the first year of postsecondary enrollment to ensure
225		-	postsecondary persistence and success, to the extent funds are
226		-	available for the purpose; and
227		-	(3) plan to offer advanced academic and transition
228		-	opportunities, including dual credit courses and college
229		-	preparatory courses, such as advanced placement courses.
230		-	(e) A school district to which this section applies may
231		-	enter into a partnership with a public junior college in accordance
232		-	with Section 29.402 in order to fulfill a plan submitted under
233		-	Subsection (a).
234		-	(f) Any program designed to fulfill a plan submitted under
235		-	Subsection (a) must comply with the requirements of Sections
236		-	29.081(e) and (f).
237		-	SECTION 11. Subchapter Z, Chapter 33, Education Code, is
238		-	amended by adding Section 33.9031 to read as follows:
239		-	Sec. 33.9031. BEFORE-SCHOOL AND AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS.
240		-	(a) The board of trustees of a school district may establish
241		-	before-school or after-school programs for students enrolled in
242		-	elementary or middle school grades. A program established under
243		-	this section may operate before, after, or before and after school
244		-	hours.
245		-	(b) A student is eligible to participate in a school
246		-	district's before-school or after-school program if the student:
247		-	(1) is enrolled in a public or private school; or
248		-	(2) resides within the boundaries of the school
249		-	district.
250		-	(c) A school district shall conduct a request for proposals
251		-	procurement process to enable the district to determine if
252		-	contracting with a child-care facility that provides a
253		-	before-school or after-school program, as defined by Section
254		-	42.002, Human Resources Code, to provide the district's
255		-	before-school or after-school program would serve the district's
256		-	best interests. Following the request for proposals procurement
257		-	process, the district may enter into a contract with a child-care
258		-	facility or implement a before-school or after-school program
259		-	operated by the district. If the district enters into a contract
260		-	with a child-care facility, the contract must comply with the
261		-	requirements of Section 44.031 and may not exceed a term of three
262		-	years.
263		-	(d) The board of trustees of a school district may adopt
264		-	rules in accordance with Section 11.165 to provide access to school
265		-	campuses before or after school hours for the purpose of providing a
266		-	before-school or after-school program.
267		-	SECTION 12. Section 33.908, Education Code, is amended to
268		-	read as follows:
269		-	Sec. 33.908. GRACE PERIOD POLICY FOR EXHAUSTED OR
270		-	INSUFFICIENT MEAL CARD OR ACCOUNT BALANCE. The board of trustees of
271		-	a [A] school district that allows students to use a prepaid meal
272		-	card or account to purchase meals served at schools in the district
273		-	[the school] shall adopt a grace period policy regarding the use of
274		-	the cards or accounts. The policy:
275		-	(1) must allow a student whose meal card or account
276		-	balance is exhausted or insufficient to continue, for a period
277		-	determined by the board [district], to purchase meals by:
278		-	(A) accumulating a negative balance on the
279		-	student's card or account; or
280		-	(B) otherwise receiving an extension of credit
281		-	from the district;
282		-	(2) must require the district to notify the parent of
283		-	or person standing in parental relation to the student that the
284		-	student's meal card or account balance is exhausted;
285		-	(3) may not permit the district to charge a fee or
286		-	interest in connection with meals purchased under Subdivision (1);
287		-	and
288		-	(4) may permit the district to set a schedule for
289		-	repayment on the account balance as part of the notice to the parent
290		-	or person standing in parental relation to the student.
291		-	SECTION 13. Subchapter C, Chapter 37, Education Code, is
292		-	amended by adding Section 37.0815 to read as follows:
293		-	Sec. 37.0815. TRANSPORTATION OR STORAGE OF FIREARM AND
294		-	AMMUNITION BY LICENSE HOLDER IN SCHOOL PARKING AREA. (a) A school
295		-	district or open-enrollment charter school may not prohibit a
296		-	person, including a school employee, who holds a license to carry a
297		-	handgun under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, from
298		-	transporting or storing a handgun or other firearm or ammunition in
299		-	a locked, privately owned or leased motor vehicle in a parking lot,
300		-	parking garage, or other parking area provided by the district or
301		-	charter school, provided that the handgun, firearm, or ammunition
302		-	is not in plain view.
303		-	(b) This section does not authorize a person to possess,
304		-	transport, or store a handgun, a firearm, or ammunition in
305		-	violation of Section 37.125 of this code, Section 46.03 or 46.035,
306		-	Penal Code, or other law.
307		-	SECTION 14. Subchapter A, Chapter 38, Education Code, is
308		-	amended by adding Section 38.031 to read as follows:
309		-	Sec. 38.031. NOTICE OF LICE. (a) The board of trustees of
310		-	an independent school district shall adopt a policy requiring a
311		-	school nurse of a public elementary school who determines or
312		-	otherwise becomes aware that a child enrolled in the school has lice
313		-	shall provide written or electronic notice of that fact to:
314		-	(1) the parent of the child with lice as soon as
315		-	practicable but not later than 48 hours after the administrator or
316		-	nurse, as applicable, determines or becomes aware of that fact; and
317		-	(2) the parent of each child assigned to the same
318		-	classroom as the child with lice not later than the fifth school day
319		-	after the date on which the administrator or nurse, as applicable,
320		-	determines or becomes aware of that fact.
321		-	(b) The notice provided under Subsection (a):
322		-	(1) must include the recommendations of the Centers
323		-	for Disease Control and Prevention for the treatment and prevention
324		-	of lice; and
325		-	(2) if the notice is provided under Subsection (a)(2),
326		-	may not identify the child with lice.
327		-	(c) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to
328		-	implement this section in a manner that complies with federal law
329		-	regarding confidentiality of student medical or educational
330		-	information, including the Health Insurance Portability and
331		-	Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. Section 1320d et seq.) and the
332		-	Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C.
333		-	Section 1232g), and any state law relating to the privacy of student
334		-	information.
335		-	SECTION 15. Section 39.102(a), Education Code, is amended
336		-	to read as follows:
337	119		(a) If a school district does not satisfy the accreditation
338	120		criteria under Section 39.052, the academic performance standards
339	121		under Section 39.053 or 39.054, or any financial accountability
340	122		standard as determined by commissioner rule, or if considered
341	123		appropriate by the commissioner on the basis of a special
342	124		accreditation investigation under Section 39.057, the commissioner
343	125		shall take any of the following actions to the extent the
344	126		commissioner determines necessary:
345	127		(1) issue public notice of the deficiency to the board
346	128		of trustees;
347	129		(2) order a hearing conducted by the board of trustees
348	130		of the district for the purpose of notifying the public of the
349	131		insufficient performance, the improvements in performance expected
350	132		by the agency, and the interventions and sanctions that may be
351	133		imposed under this section if the performance does not improve;
352	134		(3) order the preparation of a student achievement
353	135		improvement plan that addresses each academic achievement
354	136		indicator under Section 39.053(c) for which the district's
355	137		performance is insufficient, the submission of the plan to the
356	138		commissioner for approval, and implementation of the plan;
357	139		(4) order a hearing to be held before the commissioner
358	140		or the commissioner's designee at which the president of the board
359	141		of trustees of the district and the superintendent shall appear and
360	142		explain the district's low performance, lack of improvement, and
361	143		plans for improvement;
362	144		(5) arrange a monitoring review of the district;
363	145		(6) appoint an agency monitor to participate in and
364	146		report to the agency on the activities of the board of trustees or
365	147		the superintendent;
366	148		(7) appoint a conservator to oversee the operations of
367	149		the district;
368	150		(8) appoint a management team to direct the operations
369	151		of the district in areas of insufficient performance or require the
370	152		district to obtain certain services under a contract with another
371	153		person;
372	154		(9) if a district has a current accreditation status
373	155		of accredited-warned or accredited-probation, fails to satisfy any
374	156		standard under Section 39.054(e), or fails to satisfy financial
375	157		accountability standards as determined by commissioner rule,
376	158		appoint a board of managers to exercise the powers and duties of the
377	159		board of trustees;
378	160		(10) if for two consecutive school years, including
379	161		the current school year, a district has received an accreditation
380	162		status of accredited-warned or accredited-probation, has failed to
381	163		satisfy any standard under Section 39.054(e), or has failed to
382	164		satisfy financial accountability standards as determined by
383	165		commissioner rule, revoke the district's accreditation and:
384	166		(A) order closure of the district and annex the
385	167		district to one or more adjoining districts under Section 13.054;
386	168		or
387	169		(B) in the case of a home-rule school district or
388	170		open-enrollment charter school, order closure of all programs
389	171		operated under the district's or school's charter; [or]
390	172		(11) if a district has failed to satisfy any standard
391	173		under Section 39.054(e) due to the district's dropout rates, impose
392	174		sanctions designed to improve high school completion rates,
393	175		including:
394	176		(A) ordering the development of a dropout
395	177		prevention plan for approval by the commissioner;
396	178		(B) restructuring the district or appropriate
397	179		school campuses to improve identification of and service to
398	180		students who are at risk of dropping out of school, as defined by
399	181		Section 29.081;
400	182		(C) ordering lower student-to-counselor ratios
401	183		on school campuses with high dropout rates; and
402	184		(D) ordering the use of any other intervention
403	185		strategy effective in reducing dropout rates, including mentor
404	186		programs and flexible class scheduling; or
405	187		(12) order the use of the board improvement and
406	188		evaluation tool as provided by Section 11.182.
407		-	SECTION 16. Section 39.107(b-1), Education Code, is amended
	189	+	SECTION 7. Section 39.107(b-1), Education Code, is amended
408	190		to read as follows:
409	191		(b-1) A campus turnaround plan must include:
410	192		(1) a detailed description of the academic programs to
411	193		be offered at the campus, including instructional methods, length
412	194		of school day and school year, academic credit and promotion
413	195		criteria, and programs to serve special student populations;
414	196		(2) the term of the charter, if a district charter is
415	197		to be granted for the campus under Section 12.0522;
416	198		(3) written comments from the campus-level committee
417	199		established under Section 11.251, if applicable, parents, and
418	200		teachers at the campus; [and]
419	201		(4) a detailed description of the budget, staffing,
420	202		and financial resources required to implement the plan, including
421	203		any supplemental resources to be provided by the district or other
422	204		identified sources; and
423	205		(5) a detailed description for developing and
424	206		supporting the oversight of academic achievement and student
425	207		performance by the board of trustees under Section 11.1515.
426		-	SECTION 17. A person serving on the board of trustees of a
	208	+	SECTION 8. A person serving on the board of trustees of a
427	209		school district on the effective date of this Act must complete the
428	210		training required by Section 11.159(c), Education Code, as added by
429	211		this Act, not later than September 1, 2018.
430		-	SECTION 18. (a) Each county board of education, board of
431		-	county school trustees, and office of county school superintendent
432		-	in a county with a population of 2.2 million or more and that is
433		-	adjacent to a county with a population of more than 800,000 is
434		-	abolished effective November 15, 2017, unless the continuation of
435		-	the county board of education, board of county school trustees, and
436		-	office of county school superintendent is approved by a majority of
437		-	voters at an election held on the November 2017 uniform election
438		-	date in the county in which the county board of education, board of
439		-	county school trustees, and office of county school superintendent
440		-	are located. Subsections (b)-(q) of this section do not take effect
441		-	in a county if the continuation of the county board of education,
442		-	board of county school trustees, and office of county school
443		-	superintendent is approved at the election held in the county under
444		-	this subsection.
445		-	(a-1) In an election held in a county under Subsection (a)
446		-	of this section, the ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or
447		-	against the proposition: "Authorizing the continued operation of
448		-	the county board of education, board of county school trustees, and
449		-	office of the county school superintendent in ____ County and the
450		-	collection of the ____ County school equalization ad valorem tax."
451		-	(b) Not later than November 15, 2017, a dissolution
452		-	committee shall be formed for each county board of education or
453		-	board of county school trustees to be abolished as provided by
454		-	Subsection (a) of this section. The dissolution committee is
455		-	responsible for all financial decisions for each county board of
456		-	education or board of county school trustees abolished by this Act,
457		-	including asset distribution and payment of all debt obligations.
458		-	(c) A dissolution committee required by this Act shall be
459		-	appointed by the comptroller and include:
460		-	(1) one financial advisor;
461		-	(2) the superintendent or the superintendent's
462		-	designee of each participating component school district that
463		-	chooses to participate in the dissolution committee;
464		-	(3) one certified public accountant;
465		-	(4) one auditor who holds a license or other
466		-	professional credential;
467		-	(5) one bond counsel who holds a license or other
468		-	professional credential; and
469		-	(6) one additional representative appointed by the
470		-	commissioner of education.
471		-	(d) A dissolution committee created under this Act is
472		-	subject to the open meetings requirements under Chapter 551,
473		-	Government Code, and public information requirements under Chapter
474		-	552, Government Code.
475		-	(e) Members of a dissolution committee may not receive
476		-	compensation but are entitled to reimbursement for actual and
477		-	necessary expenses incurred in performing the functions of the
478		-	dissolution committee.
479		-	(f) Subject to the other requirements of this Act, the
480		-	dissolution committee shall determine the manner in which all
481		-	assets, liabilities, contracts, and services of the county board of
482		-	education or board of county school trustees abolished by this Act
483		-	are divided, transferred, or discontinued. The dissolution
484		-	committee shall create a sinking fund to deposit all money received
485		-	in the abolishment of each county board of education or board of
486		-	county school trustees for the payment of all debts of the county
487		-	board of education or board of county school trustees.
488		-	(g) The dissolution committee shall continue providing
489		-	transportation services to participating component school
490		-	districts for the 2017-2018 school year. The dissolution committee
491		-	shall maintain current operations and personnel needed to provide
492		-	the transportation services.
493		-	(h) At the end of the 2017-2018 school year all school
494		-	buses, vehicles, and bus service centers shall be transferred to
495		-	participating component school districts in proportionate shares
496		-	equal to the amount of buses currently assigned to each district.
497		-	The dissolution committee shall audit and confirm assignment of
498		-	buses by vehicle identification numbers or some other agreed upon
499		-	means assigned to applicable districts. Final distribution and
500		-	assignment of these assets will be not later than September 1, 2018,
501		-	at no cost to the districts.
502		-	(i) The dissolution committee may employ for the 2017-2018
503		-	school year one person to assist in the abolishment of the county
504		-	board of education or board of county school trustees.
505		-	(j) On November 15, 2017, the participating component
506		-	school district with the largest number of students in average
507		-	daily attendance has the right of first refusal to buy, at fair
508		-	market value, the administrative building of the county board of
509		-	education or board of county school trustees.
510		-	(k) An ad valorem tax assessed by a county board of
511		-	education or board of county school trustees shall continue to be
512		-	assessed by the county on behalf of the board for the purpose of
513		-	paying the principal of and interest on any bonds issued by the
514		-	county board of education or board of county school trustees until
515		-	all bonds are paid in full. This subsection applies only to a bond
516		-	issued before the effective date of this Act for which the tax
517		-	receipts were obligated. On payment of all bonds issued by the
518		-	county board of education or board of county school trustees the ad
519		-	valorem tax may not be assessed.
520		-	(l) In the manner provided by rule of the commissioner of
521		-	education, the county shall collect and use any delinquent taxes
522		-	imposed by or on behalf of the county board of education or board of
523		-	county school trustees.
524		-	(m) The dissolution committee shall distribute the assets
525		-	remaining after discharge of the liabilities of the county board of
526		-	education or board of county school trustees to the component
527		-	school districts in the county in proportionate shares equal to the
528		-	proportion that the amount of money a district has submitted to the
529		-	county board of education or board of county school trustees has to
530		-	the total amount of money submitted by all districts. The
531		-	dissolution committee shall liquidate board assets as necessary to
532		-	discharge board liabilities and facilitate the distribution of
533		-	assets. A person authorized by the dissolution committee shall
534		-	execute any documents necessary to complete the transfer of assets,
535		-	liabilities, or contracts.
536		-	(n) The dissolution committee shall encourage the component
537		-	school districts to:
538		-	(1) continue sharing services received through the
539		-	county board of education or board of county school trustees; and
540		-	(2) give preference to private sector contractors to
541		-	continue services provided by the county board of education or
542		-	board of county school trustees.
543		-	(o) The chief financial officer and financial advisor for
544		-	the county board of education or board of county school trustees
545		-	shall provide assistance to the dissolution committee in abolishing
546		-	the county board of education or board of county school trustees.
547		-	(p) The Texas Education Agency shall provide assistance to a
548		-	dissolution committee in the distribution of assets, liabilities,
549		-	contracts, and services of a county board of education or board of
550		-	county school trustees abolished by this Act.
551		-	(q) Any dissolution committee created as provided by this
552		-	Act is abolished on the date all debt obligations of the county
553		-	board of education or board of county school trustees are paid in
554		-	full and all assets distributed to component school districts.
555		-	SECTION 19. Chapter 266 (S.B. 394), Acts of the 40th
556		-	Legislature, Regular Session, 1927 (Article 2700a, Vernon's Texas
557		-	Civil Statutes), is repealed.
558		-	SECTION 20. Section 25.0822, Education Code, as added by
559		-	this Act, applies beginning with the 2017-2018 school year.
560		-	SECTION 21. Section 38.031, Education Code, as added by
561		-	this Act, applies beginning with the 2017-2018 school year.
562		-	SECTION 22. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
563		-	______________________________ ______________________________
564		-	President of the Senate Speaker of the House
565		-	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1566 passed the Senate on
566		-	April 26, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 2; and that
567		-	the Senate concurred in House amendments on May 27, 2017, by the
568		-	following vote: Yeas 26, Nays 5.
569		-	______________________________
570		-	Secretary of the Senate
571		-	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1566 passed the House, with
572		-	amendments, on May 24, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 138,
573		-	Nays 4, one present not voting.
574		-	______________________________
575		-	Chief Clerk of the House
576		-	Approved:
577		-	______________________________
578		-	Date
579		-	______________________________
580		-	Governor
	212	+	SECTION 9. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.