Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for SB2340

Amends the School Code. Makes changes concerning State Board of Education actions for schools or school districts that remain on academic watch status for 3 years following their placement on academic watch status. Removes current provisions governing the removal of school board members and the appointment of an Independent Authority. Provides that the State Board has the power to direct the State Superintendent of Education to remove school board members in a district having a population of not more than 500,000. Provides that a district may petition the State Board for the establishment of an Independent Authority for the district or the State Board may establish an Independent Authority without a petition from the district following the removal of all school board members. Provides that, upon establishment of an Independent Authority to operate the district, the State Superintendent shall appoint members to serve on the Independent Authority. Provides that the Independent Authority shall have all of the powers and duties of a school board and all other powers necessary to meet its responsibilities and to carry out its purposes and that may be requisite or proper for the maintenance, operation, and development of any school or schools under the jurisdiction of the Independent Authority. Sets forth provisions concerning emergency financial assistance, the suspension of school board elections, reports, assistance, the abolition of an Independent Authority, and indemnification and protection from suit. Effective immediately.

Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code. Makes changes concerning State Board of Education actions for schools or school districts that remain on academic watch status for 3 years following their placement on academic watch status. Removes current provisions governing the removal of school board members and the appointment of an Independent Authority. Provides that the State Board has the power to direct the State Superintendent of Education to remove a school board in a district having a population of not more than 500,000. Provides that the State Board shall require districts that have been on academic watch status for 3 years or more and that are within the lowest 5% in terms of performance in this State to seek accreditation through a national accreditation organization chosen by the State Board and paid for by the State. Allows the State Board to direct the State Superintendent to remove school board members in any district in which the district is unable to obtain accreditation in whole or in part due to reasons related to school board governance. Provides that upon removal of the school board, the State Superintendent shall establish an Independent Authority. Provides that, upon establishment of an Independent Authority to operate the district, the State Superintendent shall appoint members to serve on the Independent Authority. Provides that the Independent Authority shall have all of the powers and duties of a school board and all other powers necessary to meet its responsibilities and to carry out its purposes and that may be requisite or proper for the maintenance, operation, and development of any school or schools under the jurisdiction of the Independent Authority. Sets forth provisions concerning emergency financial assistance, general State aid payments, the suspension of school board elections, reports, assistance, the abolition of an Independent Authority, and indemnification and protection from suit. Effective immediately.

Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the bill as amended by Senate Amendment No. 1, but makes changes concerning findings of the General Assembly, the removal of school board members, requiring certain school districts to seek accreditation, the appointment of members to an Independent Authority, member qualifications, member reimbursement for travel, general State aid payments to districts with Independent Authorities, the election of school board members, a person's eligibility for school board membership, reports submitted to the State Superintendent of Education by Independent Authorities, the abolishment of an Independent Authority, and rulemaking authority. Makes technical corrections. Effective immediately.

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