November 2020 Committee on School Initiatives Item 4

Discussion of Proposed Revision to 19 TAC Chapter 61, School Districts, Subchapter B, Special Purpose School Districts

November 19, 2020

COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL INITIATIVES: DISCUSSION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: NO ACTION

SUMMARY: This item provides the opportunity for the committee to discuss a potential new rule in 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 61, School Districts, Subchapter B, Special Purpose School Districts, that would identify provisions of the Texas Education Code (TEC) that are not applicable to Boys Ranch Independent School District.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §11.351 and §11.352.

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.

TEC, §11.352, permits the SBOE to adopt rules for the governance of a special-purpose district.

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

FUTURE ACTION EXPECTED: A proposed new rule regarding governance of the special-purpose district may be presented for consideration at a future SBOE meeting.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND JUSTIFICATION: TEC, §11.352, permits the SBOE to adopt rules for the governance of a special-purpose district.

Boys Ranch Independent School District has requested that the SBOE waive specific provisions of the TEC related to district governance and operation.

This item allows the committee to discuss the request.

Staff Members Responsible:
Jeff Cottrill, Deputy Commissioner, Governance and Accountability
Morris Lyon, Senior Governance Advisor, Governance