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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ADOPTED AND AMENDED
March 28, 2019
S. 203
S. Printed 3/28/19--S.
Read the first time January 8, 2019.
TO AMEND CHAPTER 17, TITLE 59 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS, BY ADDING SECTION 59-17-45, TO PROVIDE CRITERIA FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT CONSOLIDATION, AND TO PROVIDE FOR AN EXCEPTION.
Amend Title To Conform
Whereas, the General Assembly established the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate as the standard by which all high school students should be measured to ensure college and career readiness; and
Whereas, all high school students should receive an equal opportunity to achieve the goals of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate; and
Whereas, the General Assembly finds that there are disparities between communities within the State that create barriers that make it difficult for economically distressed rural areas to provide high quality opportunities to students and to recruit and retain highly qualified educators; and
Whereas, 2017 efficiency studies reveal that rural districts would benefit from receiving a series of one-time investments, combined with collaboration with other districts to maximize resources and identify potential savings for taxpayers; and
Whereas, the General Assembly finds that consolidating smaller school districts in economically distressed rural areas will provide certain benefits, including shared leadership, expanded educational opportunities, and potential taxpayer savings; and
Whereas, the General Assembly finds that a combination of targeted collaboration and consolidation will modernize school facilities, technology, career and technology equipment, academic planning, and professional development that will support higher rates of student achievement. Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Chapter 17, Title 59 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 59-17-45. (A)(1) On or before August 1, 2022, any local school district meeting the following characteristics shall be eligible to receive appropriated funds for the purpose of consolidating with other districts within its county:
(a) based on the forty-five day average daily student membership count received by the Department of Education for the 2018-19 school year, maintains an average daily membership that is less than one thousand five hundred; and
(b) is located within a county ranked as Tier IV in the 2018 tax year pursuant to Section 12-6-3360(B).
(2) The funds must be used to support costs directly related to the consolidation, including, but not limited to, salary adjustments, facilities, debt mitigation, millage rate adjustments, transportation, technology, and other factors that the district demonstrates are necessary to complete consolidation. The Department of Education is eligible to carry forward these funds from one fiscal year to the next and use them for the same purpose.
(3) On or before August 1, 2020, eligible districts must submit a preliminary consolidation plan and timeline to the Department of Education for review and approval and must include the proposed use of funds. Upon approval by the Department of Education, the districts shall forward the consolidation plan to their local legislative delegation for action. Upon approval of a consolidation plan by the Department of Education, the Department of Education shall make an initial allocation to the impacted districts. The Department of Education shall allocate the remaining funds following any legislative action formally consolidating the districts.
(B)(1) After August 1, 2022, any local school district satisfying the characteristics of subsection (A)(1) that has not implemented consolidation pursuant to subsection (A) shall be merged with one or more districts in the same county and is not eligible for appropriated funds. The Department of Education will direct the merger and shall report to the General Assembly any legislative actions necessary to accomplish the merger.
(2) If a district began consolidation and received funding pursuant to subsection (A) but did not fully implement the consolidation, then the district shall be consolidated pursuant to this subsection. The Department of Education shall direct the district to remit payment in an amount equal to the funds allocated pursuant to subsection (A). The Department of Education shall work with the districts involved to identify services that will be consolidated and to enhance educational services and the programs available to students.
(C) After August 1, 2020, a local school district eligible for consolidation pursuant to subsection (A) may not incur new bonded indebtedness, spend existing district reserves, dispose of district assets, or increase the salary of any district employee without prior approval by the Department of Education unless otherwise directed by the General Assembly.
(D) If sufficient funds are not appropriated to support subsection (A), then the Department of Education is directed to submit a report to the General Assembly by January 10, 2020. outlining the districts that meet the criteria of subsection (A)(1). School districts included in the report required by this subsection are subject to the consolidation process in subsection (B). The report shall include information on shared services, district efficiency reviews, and other relevant information related to school district consolidation."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
This web page was last updated on March 28, 2019 at 12:08 PM