April 2021 Committee on School Initiatives Item 2
Proposed New 19 TAC Chapter 61, School Districts, Subchapter B, Special Purpose School Districts, §61.111, Applicability of State Law to Boys Ranch Independent School District
(Second Reading and Final Adoption)
April 16, 2021
COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL INITIATIVES: ACTION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: ACTION
SUMMARY: This item presents for second reading and final adoption proposed new 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 61, School Districts, Subchapter B, Special Purpose School Districts, §61.111, Applicability of State Law to Boys Ranch Independent School District. The proposed new rule would identify provisions of the Texas Education Code (TEC) that are not applicable to Boys Ranch Independent School District. No changes are recommended since approved for first reading.
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE: The proposed effective date of the proposed new section is 20 days after filing as adopted with the Texas Register. Under TEC, §7.102(f), the SBOE must approve the rule action at second reading and final adoption by a vote of two-thirds of its members to specify an effective date earlier than the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year. The earlier effective date would allow Boys Ranch Independent School District to begin planning for implementation before the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: A discussion item regarding the special-purpose district was presented to the committee at its November 2020 meeting.
At its January 2021 meeting, the SBOE approved proposed new §61.111 for first reading and filing authorization.
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 is a special purpose school district operated by Cal Farley's Boys Ranch. It is a public school of this state fulfilling the mission of the Texas public education system to ensure that Texas students receive a quality education that enables them to achieve their potential and fully participate now and in the future in the social, economic, and educational opportunities of our state and nation.
Boys Ranch Independent School District has requested that the SBOE waive specific provisions of the TEC related to district governance and operation.
The attachment to this item presents the text of proposed new §61.111 for consideration by the SBOE for second reading and final adoption. The proposed new section would establish the section's applicability only to Boys Ranch Independent School District and identify the provisions of the TEC that would not apply to the special purpose school district.
No changes are recommended since approved for first reading.
FISCAL IMPACT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has determined that there are no additional costs to state or local government required to comply with the proposal.
LOCAL EMPLOYMENT IMPACT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
The proposal has no effect on local economy; therefore, no local employment impact statement is required under Texas Government Code, §2001.022.
SMALL BUSINESS, MICROBUSINESS, AND RURAL COMMUNITY IMPACT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
The proposal has no direct adverse economic impact for small businesses, microbusinesses, or rural communities; therefore, no regulatory flexibility analysis specified in Texas Government Code, §2006.002, is required.
COST INCREASE TO REGULATED PERSONS: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
The proposal does not impose a cost on regulated persons, another state agency, a special district, or a local government and, therefore, is not subject to Texas Government Code, §2001.0045.
TAKINGS IMPACT ASSESSMENT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
The proposal does not impose a burden on private real property and, therefore, does not constitute a taking under Texas Government Code, §2007.043.
GOVERNMENT GROWTH IMPACT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
TEA staff prepared a Government Growth Impact Statement assessment for this proposed rulemaking. During the first five years the proposed rulemaking would be in effect, it would create a new regulation. The new rule would identify provisions of the TEC that are not applicable to the special-purpose school district Boys Ranch Independent School District.
The proposed rulemaking would not create or eliminate a government program; would not require the creation of new employee positions or elimination of existing employee positions; would not require an increase or decrease in future legislative appropriations to the agency; would not require an increase or decrease in fees paid to the agency; would not expand, limit, or repeal an existing regulation; would not increase or decrease the number of individuals subject to its applicability; and would not positively or adversely affect the state's economy.
PUBLIC BENEFIT AND COST TO PERSONS: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
The proposal would clarify which provisions of the TEC are not applicable to the special-purpose school district Boys Ranch Independent School District. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the proposal.
DATA AND REPORTING IMPACT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
The proposal would have no data and reporting impact.
PRINCIPAL AND CLASSROOM TEACHER PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
TEA has determined that the proposal would not require a written report or other paperwork to be completed by a principal or classroom teacher.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Following the January 2021 SBOE meeting, notice of proposed new §61.111 was filed with the Texas Register, initiating the public comment period. The public comment period on the proposal began March 5, 2021, and ended at 5:00 p.m. on April 9, 2021. No comments had been received at the time this item was prepared. A summary of any public comments received regarding the proposal will be provided to the SBOE during the April 2021 meeting. The SBOE will take registered oral and written comments on the proposal at the appropriate committee meeting in April 2021 in accordance with the SBOE board operating policies and procedures.
MOTION TO BE CONSIDERED: The State Board of Education:
Approve for second reading and final adoption proposed new 19 TAC Chapter 61, School Districts, Subchapter B, Special Purpose School Districts, §61.111, Applicability of State Law to Boys Ranch Independent School District; and
Make an affirmative finding that immediate adoption of proposed new 19 TAC Chapter 61, School Districts, Subchapter B, Special Purpose School Districts, §61.111, Applicability of State Law to Boys Ranch Independent School District, is necessary and shall have an effective date of 20 days after filing as adopted with the Texas Register. (Per TEC, §7.102(f), a vote of two-thirds of the members of the board is necessary for an earlier effective date.)
Staff Members Responsible:
Jeff Cottrill, Deputy Commissioner, Governance and Accountability
Morris Lyon, Senior Governance Advisor, Governance-Field Support
Attachment:
Text of Proposed New 19 TAC Chapter 61, School Districts, Subchapter B, Special Purpose School Districts, §61.111, Applicability of State Law to Boys Ranch Independent School District