Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the Opportunity School District, effective January 1, 2017.

Highlights:

• Establishes a statewide Opportunity School District (OSD) and authorizes it to assume the supervision, management and operation of “qualifying schools” (Sec. 1).
• Defines a “qualifying school” as a public elementary or secondary school that receives an F rating for a minimum of three consecutive years (Sec. 1).
• Requires the Office of Student Achievement to annually determine a rating of A, B, C, D or F for each elementary or secondary school in the state (Sec. 1).
• Specifies these ratings will be based off the state accountability system approved by the Board of Education (Sec. 1).
• Authorizes the Governor to appoint a Senate confirmed Superintendent to serve as executive of the OSD and specifies that he or she will report directly to the Governor (Sec. 1).
• Specifies that the Superintendent has responsibilities and powers which include, but are not limited to, the following powers (Sec. 1):
• Power of “sole discretion” over final school selection process;
• Power of “sole discretion” in determining the timing and sequencing of transition to the OSD;
• Power to waive “specifically identified” State Board of Education rules, regulations, policies and procedures, and provisions; and
• Reasonability to select and hire the principle of an OSD school.
• Authorizes the OSD to decide whether any leader, teacher or staff member assigned by the local board of education to the qualifying school shall continue as an employee after transitioning to the OSD (Sec. 1).
• Prohibits the OSD from supervising more than 100 schools at any one time and limits the OSD to adding 20 qualifying schools to the OSD in any single school year (Sec. 1).
• Specifies that a non-charter school will remain under the supervision of the OSD for a minimum of 5 consecutive years and a maximum of 10 years, except in the case where an OSD school receives a rating above an F for 3 consecutive years, in which case it will be removed from OSD (Sec. 1).
• Specifies that this act will only come into law if an amendment to the State constitution allowing the General Assembly to authorize the establishment of the OSD is ratified at the November 1, 2016 general election (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text