Signed by Governor Janet Napolitano

Highlights:

-States that if at least fifty percent of schools in a district are under state academic standards with at least one school considered to be failing, the State Board of Education can appoint a new school district superintendent (Sec. 1). -Prohibits a replaced superintendent from receiving any severance or buyout packages (Sec. 1). -Allows the new superintendent to hire new personnel, replace old personnel, and terminate existing employment contracts (Sec. 1). -Allows the State Board of Education to remove the superintendent they appointed if they determine that adequate academic progress has been made in the school district (Sec. 1). -Requires the appointed superintendent to provide an educational improvement plan and to submit quarterly progress reports to the state board of education (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Highlights:

-States that if at least fifty percent of schools in a district are under state academic standards with at least one school considered to be failing, the State Board of Education can appoint a new school district superintendent (Sec. 1). -Prohibits a replaced superintendent from receiving any severance or buyout packages (Sec. 1). -Allows the new superintendent to hire new personnel, replace old personnel, and terminate existing employment contracts (Sec. 1). -Allows the State Board of Education to remove the superintendent they appointed if they determine that adequate academic progress has been made in the school district (Sec. 1). -Requires the appointed superintendent to provide an educational improvement plan and to submit quarterly progress reports to the state board of education (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that allows the state to appoint its own superintendent to oversee school districts that have systematic educational mismanagement according to the State Board of Education (SBE).

Highlights:

- Authorizes the Department of Education to investigate a school district for systemic educational mismanagement if 50 percent or more of the district's schools are classified as either under-performing or failing based on the annual achievement profile for public schools, and at least one school is classified as failing (Sec. 1). - Specifies that once the SBE determines that a school district has systemic mismanagement, the Department of Education shall appoint a superintendent, who is approved by the SBE, to oversee the school district for a three year term (Sec. 1). - Requires the superintendent to immediately begin a full investigation of the school district's educational affairs and submit a detailed report to the SBE within 120 days of their appointment that includes an improvement plan with a time-line to raise the level of academic achievement (Sec. 1). - Authorizes the superintendent to override any decisions made by the school district's governing board, hire and terminate personnel, and cancel any existing employment contracts (Sec. 1). - Requires the school district to pay the salaries and benefits for the superintendent and the superintendent's staff (Sec. 1). - Authorizes the SBE to remove the superintendent if, based on their quarterly progress reports submitted to the SBE, the superintendent's progress is insufficient or if the school district is no longer classified as mismanaged (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text