November 2019 Committee of the Full Board Item 10

Discussion Regarding Special-Purpose School Districts

November 13, 2019

COMMITTEE OF THE FULL BOARD: DISCUSSION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: NO ACTION

SUMMARY: This item provides the opportunity for the board to discuss special-purpose school districts operated by Texas Tech University and The University of Texas at Austin and authorization in House Bill 3, 86th Texas Legislature, for these districts to receive state funding.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §11.351.

TEC, §11.351, permits the State Board of Education (SBOE) to establish a special-purpose school district for the education of students in special situations whose educational needs are not adequately met by regular school districts. The board is also permitted to impose duties or limitations on the school district as necessary for the special purpose of the district.  

The full text of statutory citations can be found in the statutory authority section of this agenda.

FUTURE ACTION EXPECTED: At the request of the board, proposed new rules regarding duties or limitations to be imposed on the special-purpose school districts will be presented for consideration at a future SBOE meeting.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: The 86th Texas Legislature, 2019, passed House Bill 3, which entitles a special-purpose school district operated by Texas Tech University or The University of Texas at Austin to funding under TEC, Chapter 48. If Texas Tech University or The University of Texas at Austin receives state funding for a school year, the special purpose-district may not charge tuition or fees to students enrolled in the district who are residents of Texas for that school year, other than fees authorized under the Texas Education Code.

This item provides the opportunity for the board to discuss rules regarding duties or limitations to be imposed on the special-purpose school districts if they opt to receive state funding.

Staff Member Responsible:    
Monica Martinez, Associate Commissioner, Standards and Support Services