Bill Text: MI HB5855 | 2021-2022 | 101st Legislature | Introduced

Michigan House Bill 5855 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Education: public school academies; contracts with educational management organization; require certain provisions. Amends secs. 503, 507, 523, 528, 553, 561, 1311e & 1311l of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.503 et seq.).

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 35-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-03-01 - Bill Electronically Reproduced 02/24/2022 [HB5855 Detail]

Download: Michigan-2021-HB5855-Introduced.html

HOUSE BILL NO. 5855

A bill to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled

"The revised school code,"

by amending sections 503, 507, 523, 528, 553, 561, 1311e, and 1311l (MCL 380.503, 380.507, 380.523, 380.528, 380.553, 380.561, 380.1311e, and 380.1311l), sections 503, 507, 528, and 561 as amended by 2018 PA 601, sections 523 and 553 as amended by 2011 PA 277, section 1311e as amended by 2009 PA 205, and section 1311l as added by 1999 PA 23.

the people of the state of michigan enact:

Sec. 503. (1) An authorizing body is not required to issue a contract to any person or entity. Subject to subsection (2), public school academy contracts shall must be issued on a competitive basis. In deciding whether to issue a contract for a proposed public school academy, an authorizing body shall consider all of the following:

(a) The resources available for the proposed public school academy.

(b) The population to be served by the proposed public school academy.

(d) The applicant's track record, if any, in organizing public school academies or other public schools.

(e) The graduation rate of a school district in which the proposed public school academy is proposed to be located.

(f) The population of a county in which the proposed public school academy is proposed to be located.

(g) The number of schools in the proximity of a proposed location of the proposed public school academy that are on the list under former section 1280c(1) or section 1280g(3), as applicable, of the public schools in this state determined to be among the lowest achieving public schools in this state.

(h) The number of pupils on waiting lists of public school academies in the proximity of a proposed location of the proposed public school academy.

(2) An authorizing body may give priority to a proposed public school academy that is intended to replace a public school academy that has been closed pursuant to section 507(5), 507(6), that will operate all of the same grade levels as the public school academy that has been closed, and that will work toward operating all of grades 9 to 12 within 6 years after it begins operations unless a matriculation agreement has been entered into with another public school that provides grades 9 to 12.

(3) If a person or entity applies to the board of a school district for a contract to organize and operate 1 or more public school academies within the boundaries of the school district and the board does not issue the contract, the person or entity may petition the board to place the question of issuing the contract on the ballot to be decided by the school electors of the school district. The petition shall must contain all of the information required to be in the contract application under section 502 and shall must be signed by a number of school electors of the school district equal to at least 5% of the total number of school electors of that school district. The petition shall must be filed with the school district filing official. If the board receives a petition meeting the requirements of this subsection, the board shall have the question of issuing the contract placed on the ballot at its next regular school election held at least 60 days after receiving the petition. If a majority of the school electors of the school district voting on the question vote to issue the contract, the board shall issue the contract.

(4) Within 10 days after issuing a contract for a public school academy, the authorizing body shall submit to the superintendent of public instruction a copy of the contract.

(5) An authorizing body shall adopt a resolution establishing the method of selection, length of term, and number of members of the board of directors of each public school academy subject to its jurisdiction. The resolution shall must be written or amended as necessary to include a requirement that each member of the board of directors must be a citizen of the United States.

(6) A contract issued to organize and administer a public school academy shall contain at least all of the following:

(a) The educational goals the public school academy is to achieve and the methods by which it will be held accountable. The educational goals shall must include demonstrated improved pupil academic achievement for all groups of pupils. To the extent applicable, the pupil performance of a public school academy shall be assessed using at least the Michigan student test of educational progress (M-STEP) or the Michigan merit examination under section 1279g, as applicable.

(b) A description of the method to be used to monitor the public school academy's compliance with applicable law and its performance in meeting its targeted educational objectives.

(d) All of the matters set forth in the application for the contract.

(e) Procedures for revoking the contract and grounds for revoking the contract, including at least the grounds listed in section 507.

(f) A description of and address for the proposed physical plant in which the public school academy will be located. An authorizing body may include a provision in the contract allowing the board of directors of the public school academy to operate the same configuration of age or grade levels at more than 1 site if each configuration of age or grade levels and each site identified in the contract are under the direction and control of the board of directors.

(g) Requirements and procedures for financial audits. The financial audits shall must be conducted at least annually by a certified public accountant in accordance with generally accepted governmental auditing principles.

(h) The term of the contract and a description of the process and standards for renewal of the contract at the end of the term. The standards for renewal shall must include increases in academic achievement for all groups of pupils as measured by assessments and other objective criteria as the most important factor in the decision of whether or not to renew the contract.

(i) A certification, signed by an authorized member of the board of directors of the public school academy, that the public school academy will comply with the contract and all applicable law.

(j) A requirement that the board of directors of the public school academy shall ensure compliance with the requirements of 1968 PA 317, MCL 15.321 to 15.330.

(k) A requirement that the board of directors of the public school academy shall prohibit specifically identified family relationships between members of the board of directors, individuals who have an ownership interest in or who are officers or employees of an educational management organization involved in the operation of the public school academy, and employees of the public school academy. The contract shall must identify the specific prohibited relationships consistent with applicable law.

(l) A requirement that the board of directors of the public school academy shall make information concerning its operation and management available to the public and to the authorizing body in the same manner as is required by state law for school districts.

(m) A requirement that the board of directors of the public school academy shall collect, maintain, and make available to the public and the authorizing body, in accordance with applicable law and the contract, at least all of the following information concerning the operation and management of the public school academy:

(i) A copy of the contract issued by the authorizing body for the public school academy.

(ii) A list of currently serving members of the board of directors of the public school academy, including name, address, and term of office; copies of policies approved by the board of directors; board meeting agendas and minutes; a copy of the budget approved by the board of directors and of any amendments to the budget; and copies of bills paid for amounts of $10,000.00 or more as they were submitted to the board of directors.

(iii) Quarterly financial reports submitted to the authorizing body.

(iv) A current list of teachers and school administrators working at the public school academy that includes their individual salaries as submitted to the registry of educational personnel; copies of the teaching or school administrator's certificates or permits of current teaching and administrative staff; and evidence of compliance with the criminal background and records checks and unprofessional conduct check required under sections 1230, 1230a, and 1230b for all teachers and administrators working at the public school academy.

(v) Curriculum documents and materials given to the authorizing body.

(vi) Proof of insurance as required by the contract.

(vii) Copies of facility leases or deeds, or both, and of any equipment leases.

(viii) Copies of any management contracts or services contracts approved by the board of directors.

(ix) All health and safety reports and certificates, including those relating to fire safety, environmental matters, asbestos inspection, boiler inspection, and food service.

(x) Any management letters issued as part of the annual financial audit under subdivision (g).

(xi) Any other information specifically required under this act.

(n) A requirement that the authorizing body must review and may disapprove any agreement between the board of directors of the public school academy and an educational management organization before the agreement is final and valid. An authorizing body may disapprove an agreement described in this subdivision only if the agreement is contrary to the contract or applicable law.

(o) A requirement that the board of directors of the public school academy shall demonstrate all of the following to the satisfaction of the authorizing body with regard to its pupil admission process:

(i) That the public school academy has made a reasonable effort to advertise its enrollment openings.

(ii) That the open enrollment period for the public school academy is for a duration of at least 2 weeks and that the enrollment times include some evening and weekend times.

(p) A requirement that the board of directors of the public school academy shall prohibit any individual from being employed by the public school academy in more than 1 full-time position and simultaneously being compensated at a full-time rate for each of those positions.

(q) A requirement that the board of directors of the public school academy shall not contract with an educational management organization that has any business affiliation with a charter school developer, with a person with an ownership interest in or responsible for the overall operation of a charter school developer, or with a relative of a charter school developer, and a requirement that any agreement with an educational management organization must prohibit the educational management organization from doing business with a charter school developer, with a person with an ownership interest in or responsible for the overall operation of a charter school developer, or with a relative of a charter school developer, or with a business entity owned or controlled by a charter school developer, by a person with an ownership interest in or responsible for the overall operation of a charter school developer, or by a relative of a charter school developer. As used in this subdivision:

(i) "Educational management organization" means that term as defined in section 503c.

(ii) "Charter school developer" means an individual or entity that submitted the application for the contract to organize and operate the public school academy under section 502(3) or that caused the application to be submitted through an agent.

(r) A requirement that the public school academy must not enter into or maintain a management agreement with an educational management organization if an owner, member, officer, or employee of the educational management organization has served on the board of directors of a public school academy under this part, urban high school academy under part 6c, school of excellence under part 6e, or strict discipline academy under sections 1311b to 1311m at any time during the immediately preceding 2-year period. As used in this subdivision, "educational management organization" and "management agreement" mean those terms as defined in section 503c.

(7) A public school academy shall comply with all applicable law, including all of the following:

(a) The open meetings act, 1976 PA 267, MCL 15.261 to 15.275.

(b) The freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246.

(d) Sections 1134, 1135, 1146, 1153, 1263(3), 1267, and 1274.

(e) Laws concerning participation in state assessments, data collection systems, state level student growth models, state accountability and accreditation systems, and other public comparative data collection required for public schools.

(8) A public school academy and its incorporators, board members, officers, employees, and volunteers have governmental immunity as provided in section 7 of 1964 PA 170, MCL 691.1407. An authorizing body and its board members, officers, and employees are immune from civil liability, both personally and professionally, for an act or omission in authorizing a public school academy if the authorizing body or the person acted or reasonably believed he or she acted within the authorizing body's or the person's scope of authority.

(9) A public school academy is exempt from all taxation on its earnings and property. Instruments of conveyance to or from a public school academy are exempt from all taxation including taxes imposed by 1966 PA 134, MCL 207.501 to 207.513. Unless the property is already fully exempt from real and personal property taxes under the general property tax act, 1893 PA 206, MCL 211.1 to 211.155, property occupied by a public school academy and used exclusively for educational purposes is exempt from real and personal property taxes levied for school operating purposes under section 1211, to the extent exempted under that section, and from real and personal property taxes levied under the state education tax act, 1993 PA 331, MCL 211.901 to 211.906. A public school academy may not levy ad valorem property taxes or another tax for any purpose. However, operation of 1 or more public school academies by a school district or intermediate school district does not affect the ability of the school district or intermediate school district to levy ad valorem property taxes or another tax.

(10) A public school academy may acquire by purchase, gift, devise, lease, sublease, installment purchase agreement, land contract, option, or by any other means, hold and own in its own name buildings and other property for school purposes, and interests therein, and other real and personal property, including, but not limited to, interests in property subject to mortgages, security interests, or other liens, necessary or convenient to fulfill its purposes. For the purposes of condemnation, a public school academy may proceed under the uniform condemnation procedures act, 1980 PA 87, MCL 213.51 to 213.75, excluding sections 6 to 9 of that act, the uniform condemnation procedures act, 1980 PA 87, MCL 213.56 to 213.59, or other applicable statutes, but only with the express, written permission of the authorizing body in each instance of condemnation and only after just compensation has been determined and paid.

(11) A member of the board of directors of a public school academy is a public officer and shall, before entering upon the duties of the office, take the constitutional oath of office for public officers under section 1 of article XI of the state constitution of 1963.

Sec. 507. (1) An authorizing body that issues a contract for a public school academy under this part shall do all of the following:

(a) Ensure that the contract and the application for the contract comply with the requirements of this part.

(b) Within 10 days after issuing the contract, submit to the department a copy of the contract.

(c) Establish the method of selection, length of term, and number of members of the board of directors of each public school academy that it authorizes. The authorizing body shall ensure that the board of directors includes representation from the local community.

(d) Oversee each public school academy operating under a contract issued by the authorizing body. The oversight shall must be sufficient to ensure that the board of directors is in compliance with the terms of the contract and with applicable law.

(e) Develop and implement a process for holding a public school academy accountable for meeting applicable academic performance standards set forth in the contract and for implementing corrective action for a public school academy that does not meet those standards.

(f) Take necessary measures to ensure that the board of directors of a public school academy operates independently of any educational management company involved in the operations of the public school academy.

(g) Oversee and ensure that the pupil admission process used by the public school academy is operated in a fair and open manner and is in compliance with the contract and this part.

(h) Ensure that the board of directors of the public school academy maintains and releases information as necessary to comply with applicable law.

(2) An authorizing body may enter into an agreement with 1 or more other authorizing bodies to carry out any function of an authorizing body under this act.

(3) The authorizing body for a public school academy is the fiscal agent for the public school academy. A state school aid payment for a public school academy shall must be paid to the authorizing body that is the fiscal agent for that public school academy, and the authorizing body shall then forward the payment to the public school academy. Within 30 days after a contract is submitted to the department by an authorizing body under subsection (1), the department shall issue a district code to the public school academy for which the contract was issued. If the department does not issue a district code within 30 days after a contract is filed, the state treasurer shall assign a temporary district code in order for the public school academy to receive funding under the state school aid act of 1979.

(4) A contract issued under this part may be revoked by the authorizing body if the authorizing body determines that 1 or more of the following have occurred:

(a) Failure of the public school academy to demonstrate improved pupil academic achievement for all groups of pupils or meet the educational goals set forth in the contract.

(b) Failure of the public school academy to comply with all applicable law.

(c) Failure of the public school academy to meet generally accepted public sector accounting principles and demonstrate sound fiscal stewardship.

(d) The existence of 1 or more other grounds for revocation as specified in the contract.

(5) If an authorizing body determines that a public school academy has failed to comply with a term of its contract that is required under section 503(6)(q) or (r), the authorizing body shall provide written notice to the public school academy of the violation and order the public school academy to comply with that contract term within 30 days after the issuance of the written notice and order. If the public school academy does not comply with that contract term within 30 days after the issuance of the written notice and order, the authorizing body shall revoke the public school academy's contract, effective at the end of the current school year.

(6) (5) Except for a public school academy that is an alternative school serving a special student population, if the department determines that a public school academy site that has been operating for at least 4 years is among the lowest achieving public schools in this state for the immediately preceding 3 school years, as determined under former section 1280c or section 1280g, as applicable, not to include any individualized education plan subgroup, the department shall notify the public school academy's authorizing body. Subject to subsection (6), (7), if an authorizing body receives notice from the department under this subsection, the authorizing body shall notify the public school academy and amend the public school academy's contract to eliminate the public school academy's authority to operate the existing age and grade levels at the site and the public school academy shall cease operating the existing age and grade levels at the site, effective at the end of the current school year. Subject to subsection (6), (7), if the public school academy operates at only 1 site, and the authorizing body receives notice from the department under this subsection, the authorizing body shall notify the public school academy and revoke the public school academy's contract, effective at the end of the current school year.

(7) (6) For a public school academy or site that is subject to a notice to its authorizing body under subsection (5), (6), the department shall consider other public school options available to pupils in the grade levels offered by the public school academy or site who reside in the geographic area served by the public school academy or site. If the department determines that closure of the public school academy or site would result in an unreasonable hardship to these pupils because there are insufficient other public school options reasonably available for these pupils, the department may rescind the notice. If the department rescinds a notice subjecting a public school academy or site to closure, the department shall do so before the end of the school year. If the department rescinds a notice subjecting a public school academy or site to closure, the department shall require the public school academy or site to implement a school improvement plan that includes measures to increase pupil growth and improve pupil proficiency, with growth and proficiency measured by performance on state assessments.

(8) (7) Except as otherwise provided in section 502 or 503, the decision of an authorizing body to issue, not issue, or reconstitute a contract under this part, or to terminate or revoke a contract under this section, is solely within the discretion of the authorizing body, is final, and is not subject to review by a court or any state agency. An authorizing body that issues, does not issue, or reconstitutes a contract under this part, or that terminates or revokes a contract under this section, is not liable for that action to the public school academy, the public school academy corporation, a pupil of the public school academy, the parent or guardian of a pupil of the public school academy, or any other person.

(9) (8) Except as otherwise provided in this section, before an authorizing body revokes a contract, the authorizing body may consider and take corrective measures to avoid revocation. An authorizing body may reconstitute the public school academy in a final attempt to improve student educational performance or to avoid interruption of the educational process. An authorizing body shall include a reconstituting provision in the contract that identifies these corrective measures, including, but not limited to, canceling a contract with an educational management organization, if any, withdrawing approval of a contract under section 506, or appointing a new board of directors or a trustee to take over operation of the public school academy.

(10) (9) If an authorizing body revokes a contract, the authorizing body shall work with a school district or another public school, or with a combination of these entities, to ensure a smooth transition for the affected pupils. If the revocation occurs during the school year, the authorizing body, as the fiscal agent for the public school academy under this part, shall return any school aid funds held by the authorizing body that are attributable to the affected pupils to the state treasurer for deposit into the state school aid fund. The state treasurer shall distribute funds to the public school in which the pupils enroll after the revocation pursuant to a methodology established by the department and the center for educational performance and information.

(11) (10) Not more than 10 days after a public school academy's contract terminates or is revoked, the authorizing body shall notify the superintendent of public instruction in writing of the name of the public school academy whose contract has terminated or been revoked and the date of contract termination or revocation.

Sec. 523. (1) An authorizing body is not required to issue a contract to any entity. Urban high school academy contracts shall must be issued on a competitive basis taking into consideration the resources available for the proposed urban high school academy, the population to be served by the proposed urban high school academy, and the educational goals to be achieved by the proposed urban high school academy. In evaluating if an applicant is qualified, the authorizing body shall examine the proposed performance standards, proposed academic program, financial viability of the applicant, and the ability of the proposed board of directors to meet the contract goals and objectives. An authorizing body shall give priority to applicants that demonstrate all of the following:

(a) The proposed school will operate at least all of grades 9 through 12 within 5 years after beginning operation.

(b) The proposed school will occupy a building or buildings that are newly constructed or renovated after January 1, 2003.

(d) The proposed school has received commitments for financial and educational support from the entity applying for the contract.

(e) The entity that submits the application for a contract has net assets of at least $50,000,000.00.

(2) A contract issued to organize and administer an urban high school academy shall must contain at least all of the following:

(a) The educational goals the urban high school academy is to achieve and the methods by which it will be held accountable. The educational goals shall must include demonstrated improved pupil academic achievement for all groups of pupils. To the extent applicable, the pupil performance of an urban high school academy shall must be assessed using at least a Michigan education assessment program (MEAP) test student test of educational progress (M-STEP) or the Michigan merit examination developed under section 1279g, as applicable.

(b) A description of the method to be used to monitor the urban high school academy's compliance with applicable law and its performance in meeting its targeted educational objectives.

(c) A description of the process for amending the contract during the term of the contract. An authorizing body may approve amendment of the contract with respect to any provision contained in the contract.

(d) A certification, signed by an authorized member of the urban high school academy board of directors, that the urban high school academy will comply with the contract and all applicable law.

(e) Procedures for revoking the contract and grounds for revoking the contract.

(f) A description of and address for the proposed building or buildings in which the urban high school academy will be located.

(g) Requirements and procedures for financial audits. The financial audits shall must be conducted at least annually by an independent certified public accountant in accordance with generally accepted governmental auditing principles.

(h) A requirement that the board of directors shall ensure compliance with the requirements of 1968 PA 317, MCL 15.321 to 15.330.

(i) A requirement that the board of directors shall prohibit specifically identified family relationships between members of the board of directors, individuals who have an ownership interest in or who are officers or employees of an educational management company involved in the operation of the urban high school academy, and employees of the urban high school academy. The contract shall must identify the specific prohibited relationships consistent with applicable law.

(j) A requirement that the board of directors of the urban high school academy shall make information concerning its operation and management available to the public and to the authorizing body in the same manner as is required by state law for school districts.

(k) A requirement that the board of directors of the urban high school academy shall collect, maintain, and make available to the public and the authorizing body, in accordance with applicable law and the contract, at least all of the following information concerning the operation and management of the urban high school academy:

(i) A copy of the contract issued by the authorizing body for the urban high school academy.

(ii) A list of currently serving members of the board of directors of the urban high school academy, including name, address, and term of office; copies of policies approved by the board of directors; board meeting agendas and minutes; copy of the budget approved by the board of directors and of any amendments to the budget; and copies of bills paid for amounts of $10,000.00 or more as they were submitted to the board of directors.

(iii) Quarterly financial reports submitted to the authorizing body.

(iv) A current list of teachers working at the urban high school academy that includes their individual salaries as submitted to the registry of educational personnel; copies of the teaching certificates or permits of current teaching staff; and evidence of compliance with the criminal background and records checks and unprofessional conduct check required under sections 1230, 1230a, and 1230b for all teachers and administrators working at the urban high school academy.

(v) Curriculum documents and materials given to the authorizing body.

(vi) Proof of insurance as required by the contract.

(vii) Copies of facility leases or deeds, or both, and of any equipment leases.

(viii) Copies of any management contracts or services contracts approved by the board of directors.

(ix) All health and safety reports and certificates, including those relating to fire safety, environmental matters, asbestos inspection, boiler inspection, and food service.

(x) Any management letters issued as part of the annual financial audit under subdivision (g).

(xi) Any other information specifically required under this act.

(l) A requirement that the authorizing body must review and may disapprove any agreement between the board of directors and an educational management company before the agreement is final and valid. An authorizing body may disapprove an agreement described in this subdivision only if the agreement is contrary to the contract or applicable law.

(m) A requirement that the board of directors shall demonstrate all of the following to the satisfaction of the authorizing body with regard to its pupil admission process:

(i) That the urban high school academy has made a reasonable effort to advertise its enrollment openings.

(ii) That the urban high school academy has made the following additional efforts to recruit pupils who are eligible for special education programs and services to apply for admission:

(A) Reasonable efforts to advertise all enrollment openings to organizations and media that regularly serve and advocate for individuals with disabilities within the boundaries of the intermediate school district in which the urban high school academy is located.

(B) Inclusion in all pupil recruitment materials of a statement that appropriate special education services will be made available to pupils attending the school as required by law.

(iii) That the open enrollment period for the urban high school academy is for a duration of at least 2 weeks and that the enrollment times include some evening and weekend times.

(n) A requirement that the board of directors shall prohibit any individual from being employed by the urban high school academy in more than 1 full-time position and simultaneously being compensated at a full-time rate for each of those positions.

(o) A requirement that, if requested, the board of directors shall report to the authorizing body the total compensation for each individual working at the urban high school academy.

(p) The term of the contract and a description of the process and standards for renewal of the contract at the end of the term. The standards for renewal shall must include increases in academic achievement for all groups of pupils as measured by assessments and other objective criteria as the most important factor in the decision of whether or not to renew the contract.

(q) A requirement that the board of directors of the urban high school academy shall not contract with an educational management organization that has any business affiliation with a charter school developer, with a person with an ownership interest in or responsible for the overall operation of a charter school developer, or with a relative of a charter school developer, and a requirement that any agreement with an educational management organization must prohibit the educational management organization from doing business with a charter school developer, with a person with an ownership interest in or responsible for the overall operation of a charter school developer, or with a relative of a charter school developer, or with a business entity owned or controlled by a charter school developer, by a person with an ownership interest in or responsible for the overall operation of a charter school developer, or by a relative of a charter school developer. As used in this subdivision:

(i) "Educational management organization" means that term as defined in section 523c.

(ii) "Charter school developer" means an individual or entity that submitted the application for the contract to organize and operate the urban high school academy under section 522(4) or that caused the application to be submitted through an agent.

(r) A requirement that the urban high school academy must not enter into or maintain a management agreement with an educational management organization if an owner, member, officer, or employee of the educational management organization has served on the board of directors of a public school academy under part 6a, urban high school academy under this part, school of excellence under part 6e, or strict discipline academy under sections 1311b to 1311m at any time during the immediately preceding 2-year period. As used in this subdivision, "educational management organization" and "management agreement" mean those terms as defined in section 523c.

(3) An urban high school academy shall comply with all applicable law, including all of the following:

(a) The open meetings act, 1976 PA 267, MCL 15.261 to 15.275.

(b) The freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246.

(d) 1965 PA 166, MCL 408.551 to 408.558.

(d) (e) 1978 PA 566, MCL 15.181 to 15.185.

(e) (f) 1968 PA 317, MCL 15.321 to 15.330.

(f) (g) The uniform budgeting and accounting act, 1968 PA 2, MCL 141.421 to 141.440a.

(g) (h) The revised municipal finance act, 2001 PA 34, MCL 141.2101 to 141.2821.

(h) (i) The federal no child left behind act of 2001, Public Law 107-110. , 115 Stat. 1425.

(i) (j) Sections 1134, 1135, 1146, 1153, 1263(3), 1267, 1274, and 1280.

(j) (k) Laws concerning participation in state assessments, data collection systems, state level student growth models, state accountability and accreditation systems, and other public comparative data collection required for public schools.

(4) An urban high school academy and its incorporators, board members, officers, employees, and volunteers have governmental immunity as provided in section 7 of 1964 PA 170, MCL 691.1407. An authorizing body and its board members, officers, and employees are immune from civil liability, both personally and professionally, for any acts or omissions in authorizing or oversight of an urban high school academy if the authorizing body or the person acted or reasonably believed he or she acted within the authorizing body's or the person's scope of authority.

(5) An urban high school academy is exempt from all taxation on its earnings and property. Unless the property is already fully exempt from real and personal property taxes under the general property tax act, 1893 PA 206, MCL 211.1 to 211.155, property occupied by an urban high school academy and used exclusively for educational purposes is exempt from real and personal property taxes levied for school operating purposes under section 1211, to the extent exempted under that section, and from real and personal property taxes levied under the state education tax act, 1993 PA 331, MCL 211.901 to 211.906. Instruments of conveyance to or from an urban high school academy are exempt from all taxation, including taxes imposed by 1966 PA 134, MCL 207.501 to 207.513. An urban high school academy may not levy ad valorem property taxes or any other tax for any purpose.

(6) An urban high school academy may acquire by purchase, gift, devise, lease, sublease, installment purchase agreement, land contract, option, or any other means, hold, and own in its own name buildings and other property for school purposes, and interests therein, and other real and personal property, including, but not limited to, interests in property subject to mortgages, security interests, or other liens, necessary or convenient to fulfill its purposes. For the purposes of condemnation, an urban high school academy may proceed under the uniform condemnation procedures act, 1980 PA 87, MCL 213.51 to 213.75, excluding sections 6 to 9 of that act, the uniform condemnation procedures act, 1980 PA 87, MCL 213.56 to 213.59, or other applicable statutes, but only with the express, written permission of the authorizing body in each instance of condemnation and only after just compensation has been determined and paid.

Sec. 528. (1) An authorizing body that issues a contract for an urban high school academy under this part shall do all of the following:

(a) Ensure that the contract and the application for the contract comply with the requirements of this part.

(b) Within 10 days after issuing the contract, submit to the department a copy of the contract.

(c) Adopt a resolution establishing the method of selection, length of term, and number of members of the board of directors of each urban high school academy that it authorizes. The resolution shall must be written or amended as necessary to include a requirement that each member of the board of directors must be a citizen of the United States.

(d) Oversee the operations of each urban high school academy operating under a contract issued by the authorizing body. The oversight shall must be sufficient to ensure that the urban high school academy is in compliance with the terms of the contract and with applicable law. An authorizing body may enter into an agreement with 1 or more other authorizing bodies to oversee an urban high school academy operating under a contract issued by the authorizing body.

(e) Develop and implement a process for holding an urban high school academy board of directors accountable for meeting applicable academic performance standards set forth in the contract and for implementing corrective action for an urban high school academy that does not meet those standards.

(f) Take necessary measures to ensure that an urban high school academy board of directors operates independently of any educational management company involved in the operations of the urban high school academy.

(g) Oversee and ensure that the pupil admission process used by the urban high school academy is operated in a fair and open manner and is in compliance with the contract and this part.

(h) Ensure that the board of directors of the urban high school academy maintains and releases information as necessary to comply with applicable law.

(2) An authorizing body may enter into an agreement with 1 or more other authorizing bodies to carry out any function of an authorizing body under this act.

(3) The authorizing body for an urban high school academy is the fiscal agent for the urban high school academy. A state school aid payment for an urban high school academy shall must be paid to the authorizing body that is the fiscal agent for that urban high school academy, which shall then forward the payment to the urban high school academy. Within 30 days after a contract is submitted to the department by an authorizing body under subsection (1), the department shall issue a district code to the urban high school academy for which the contract was issued. If the department does not issue a district code within 30 days after a contract is filed, the state treasurer shall assign a temporary district code in order for the urban high school academy to receive funding under the state school aid act of 1979.

(4) A contract issued under this part may be revoked by the authorizing body that issued the contract if the authorizing body determines that 1 or more of the following have occurred:

(a) Failure of the urban high school academy to demonstrate improved pupil academic achievement for all groups of pupils or meet the educational goals set forth in the contract.

(b) Failure of the urban high school academy to comply with all applicable law.

(c) Failure of the urban high school academy to meet generally accepted public sector accounting principles and demonstrate sound fiscal stewardship.

(d) The existence of 1 or more other grounds for revocation as specified in the contract.

(5) If an authorizing body determines that an urban high school academy has failed to comply with a term of its contract that is required under section 523(2)(q) or (r), the authorizing body shall provide written notice to the urban high school academy of the violation and order the urban high school academy to comply with that contract term within 30 days after the issuance of the written notice and order. If the urban high school academy does not comply with that contract term within 30 days after the issuance of the written notice and order, the authorizing body shall revoke the urban high school academy's contract, effective at the end of the current school year.

(6) (5) Except for an urban high school academy that is an alternative school serving a special student population, if the department determines that an urban high school academy site that has been operating for at least 4 years is among the lowest achieving public schools in this state for the immediately preceding 3 school years, as determined under former section 1280c or section 1280g, as applicable, not to include any individualized education plan subgroup, the department shall notify the urban high school academy's authorizing body. Subject to subsection (6), (7), if an authorizing body receives notice from the department under this subsection, the authorizing body shall notify the urban high school academy and amend the urban high school academy's contract to eliminate the urban high school academy's authority to operate the existing age and grade levels at the site and the urban high school academy shall cease operating the existing age and grade levels at the site, effective at the end of the current school year. Subject to subsection (6), (7), if the urban high school academy operates at only 1 site, and the authorizing body receives notice from the department under this subsection, the authorizing body shall notify the urban high school academy and revoke the urban high school academy's contract, effective at the end of the current school year.

(7) (6) For an urban high school academy or site that is subject to a notice to its authorizing body under subsection (5), (6), the department shall consider other public school options available to pupils in the grade levels offered by the urban high school academy or site who reside in the geographic area served by the urban high school academy or site. If the department determines that closure of the urban high school academy or site would result in an unreasonable hardship to these pupils because there are insufficient other public school options reasonably available for these pupils, the department may rescind the notice. If the department rescinds a notice subjecting an urban high school academy or site to closure, the department shall do so before the end of the school year. If the department rescinds a notice subjecting an urban high school academy or site to closure, the department shall require the urban high school academy or site to implement a school improvement plan that includes measures to increase pupil growth and improve pupil proficiency, with growth and proficiency measured by performance on state assessments.

(8) (7) Except as otherwise provided in section 522, the decision of an authorizing body to issue, not issue, or reconstitute a contract under this part, or to terminate or revoke a contract under this section, is solely within the discretion of the authorizing body, is final, and is not subject to review by a court or any state agency. An authorizing body that issues, does not issue, or reconstitutes a contract under this part, or that terminates or revokes a contract under this section, is not liable for that action to the urban high school academy, the urban high school academy corporation, a pupil of the urban high school academy, the parent or guardian of a pupil of the urban high school academy, or any other person.

(9) (8) Except as otherwise provided in this section, before an authorizing body revokes a contract, the authorizing body may consider and take corrective measures to avoid revocation. An authorizing body may reconstitute the urban high school academy in a final attempt to improve student educational performance or to avoid interruption of the educational process. An authorizing body shall include a reconstituting provision in the contract that identifies these corrective measures, including, but not limited to, removing 1 or more members of the board of directors, withdrawing approval to contract under section 527, or appointing a new board of directors or a trustee to take over operation of the urban high school academy.

(10) (9) If an authorizing body revokes a contract, the authorizing body shall work with a school district or another public school, or with a combination of these entities, to ensure a smooth transition for the affected pupils. If the revocation occurs during the school year, the authorizing body, as the fiscal agent for the urban high school academy under this part, shall return any school aid funds held by the authorizing body that are attributable to the affected pupils to the state treasurer for deposit into the state school aid fund. The state treasurer shall distribute funds to the public school in which the pupils enroll after the revocation pursuant to a methodology established by the department and the center for educational performance and information.

(11) (10) Not more than 10 days after an urban high school academy's contract terminates or is revoked, the authorizing body shall notify the superintendent of public instruction in writing of the name of the urban high school academy whose contract has terminated or been revoked and the date of contract termination or revocation.

(12) (11) If an urban high school academy's contract terminates or is revoked, title to all real and personal property, interest in real or personal property, and other assets owned by the urban high school academy shall revert to the state. This property shall must be distributed in accordance with the following:

(a) Within 30 days following the termination or revocation, the board of directors of an urban high school academy shall hold a public meeting to adopt a plan of distribution of assets and to approve the dissolution of the urban high school academy corporation, all in accordance with chapter 8 of the nonprofit corporation act, 1982 PA 162, MCL 450.2801 to 450.2864.

(b) The urban high school academy shall file a certificate of dissolution with the department of licensing and regulatory affairs within 10 business days following board approval.

(c) Simultaneously with the filing of the certificate of dissolution under subdivision (b), the urban high school academy board of directors shall provide a copy of the board of directors' plan of distribution of assets to the state treasurer for approval. Within 30 days, the state treasurer, or his or her designee, shall review and approve the board of directors' plan of distribution of assets. If the proposed plan of distribution of assets is not approved within 30 days, the state treasurer, or his or her designee, shall provide the board of directors with an acceptable plan of distribution of assets.

(d) The state treasurer, or his or her designee, shall monitor the urban high school academy's winding up of the dissolved corporation in accordance with the plan of distribution of assets approved or provided under subdivision (c).

(e) As part of the plan of distribution of assets, the urban high school academy board of directors shall designate the director of the department of technology, management, and budget, or his or her designee, to dispose of all real property of the urban high school academy corporation in accordance with the directives developed for disposition of surplus land and facilities under section 251 of the management and budget act, 1984 PA 431, MCL 18.1251.

(f) If the board of directors of an urban high school academy fails to take any necessary action under this section, the state treasurer, or his or her designee, may suspend the urban high school academy board of directors and appoint a trustee to carry out the board's plan of distribution of assets. Upon appointment, the trustee shall have has all the rights, powers, and privileges under law that the urban high school academy board of directors had before being suspended.

(g) Following the sale of the real or personal property or interests in the real or personal property, and after payment of any urban high school academy debt secured by the property or interest in property, whether real or personal, the urban high school academy board of directors, or a trustee appointed under this section, shall forward any remaining money to the state treasurer. Following receipt, the state treasurer, or his or her designee, shall deposit this remaining money in the state school aid fund.

Sec. 553. (1) An authorizing body is not required to issue a contract to any person or entity. Schools of excellence contracts shall must be issued on a competitive basis taking into consideration the resources available for the proposed school of excellence, the population to be served by the proposed school of excellence, the educational goals to be achieved by the proposed school of excellence, and the applicant's track record, if any, in operating public school academies or other public schools.

(2) If a person or entity applies to the board of a school district for a contract to organize and operate 1 or more schools of excellence within the boundaries of the school district and the board does not issue the contract, the person or entity may petition the board to place the question of issuing the contract on the ballot to be decided by the school electors of the school district. The petition shall must contain all of the information required to be in the contract application under section 552 and shall must be signed by a number of school electors of the school district equal to at least 5% of the total number of school electors of that school district. The petition shall must be filed with the school district filing official. If the board receives a petition meeting the requirements of this subsection, the board shall have the question of issuing the contract placed on the ballot at its next regular school election held at least 60 days after receiving the petition. If a majority of the school electors of the school district voting on the question vote to issue the contract, the board shall issue the contract.

(3) Within 10 days after issuing a contract for a school of excellence, the authorizing body shall submit to the superintendent of public instruction a copy of the contract.

(4) An authorizing body shall adopt a resolution establishing the method of selection, length of term, and number of members of the board of directors of each school of excellence subject to its jurisdiction. The resolution shall must be written or amended as necessary to include a requirement that each member of the board of directors must be a citizen of the United States.

(5) A contract issued to organize and administer a school of excellence shall must contain at least all of the following:

(a) The educational goals the school of excellence is to achieve and the methods by which it will be held accountable. The educational goals shall must include demonstrated improved pupil academic achievement for all groups of pupils. To the extent applicable, the pupil performance of a school of excellence shall must be assessed using at least a Michigan education assessment program (MEAP) test student test of educational progress (M-STEP) or the Michigan merit examination under section 1279g, as applicable.

(b) A description of the method to be used to monitor the school of excellence's compliance with applicable law and its performance in meeting its targeted educational objectives.

(d) All of the matters set forth in the application for the contract.

(e) Procedures for revoking the contract and grounds for revoking the contract, including at least the grounds listed in section 561.

(f) A description of and address for the proposed physical plant in which the school of excellence will be located. An authorizing body may include a provision in the contract allowing the board of directors of the school of excellence to operate the same configuration of age or grade levels at more than 1 site if each configuration of age or grade levels and each site identified in the contract are under the direction and control of the board of directors.

(h) A certification, signed by an authorized member of the school of excellence board of directors, that the school of excellence will comply with the contract and all applicable law.

(i) A requirement that the board of directors shall ensure compliance with the requirements of 1968 PA 317, MCL 15.321 to 15.330.

(j) A requirement that the board of directors shall prohibit specifically identified family relationships between members of the board of directors, individuals who have an ownership interest in or who are officers or employees of an educational management organization involved in the operation of the school of excellence, and employees of the school of excellence. The contract shall must identify the specific prohibited relationships consistent with applicable law.

(k) A requirement that the board of directors of the school of excellence shall make information concerning its operation and management available to the public and to the authorizing body in the same manner as is required by state law for school districts.

(l) A requirement that the board of directors of the school of excellence shall collect, maintain, and make available to the public and the authorizing body, in accordance with applicable law and the contract, at least all of the following information concerning the operation and management of the school of excellence:

(i) A copy of the contract issued by the authorizing body for the school of excellence.

(ii) A list of currently serving members of the board of directors of the school of excellence, including name, address, and term of office; copies of policies approved by the board of directors; board meeting agendas and minutes; copy of the budget approved by the board of directors and of any amendments to the budget; and copies of bills paid for amounts of $10,000.00 or more as they were submitted to the board of directors.

(iii) Quarterly financial reports submitted to the authorizing body.

(iv) A current list of teachers and school administrators working at the school of excellence that includes their individual salaries as submitted to the registry of educational personnel; copies of the teaching or school administrator's certificates or permits of current teaching and administrative staff; and evidence of compliance with the criminal background and records checks and unprofessional conduct check required under sections 1230, 1230a, and 1230b for all teachers and administrators working at the school of excellence.

(v) Curriculum documents and materials given to the authorizing body.

(vi) Proof of insurance as required by the contract.

(vii) Copies of facility leases or deeds, or both, and of any equipment leases.

(viii) Copies of any management contracts or services contracts approved by the board of directors.

(ix) All health and safety reports and certificates, including those relating to fire safety, environmental matters, asbestos inspection, boiler inspection, and food service.

(x) Any management letters issued as part of the annual financial audit under subdivision (g).

(xi) Any other information specifically required under this act.

(m) A requirement that the authorizing body must review and may disapprove any agreement between the board of directors and an educational management organization before the agreement is final and valid. An authorizing body may disapprove an agreement described in this subdivision only if the agreement is contrary to contract or applicable law.

(n) A requirement that the board of directors shall demonstrate all of the following to the satisfaction of the authorizing body with regard to its pupil admission process:

(i) That the school of excellence has made a reasonable effort to advertise its enrollment openings.

(ii) That the school of excellence has made the following additional efforts to recruit pupils who are eligible for special education programs and services or English as a second language services to apply for admission:

(A) Reasonable efforts to advertise all enrollment openings to organizations and media that regularly serve and advocate for individuals with disabilities or children with limited English-speaking ability within the boundaries of the intermediate school district in which the school of excellence is located.

(B) Inclusion in all pupil recruitment materials of a statement that appropriate special education services and English as a second language services will be made available to pupils attending the school as required by law.

(iii) That the open enrollment period for the school of excellence is for a duration of at least 2 weeks and that the enrollment times include some evening and weekend times.

(o) A requirement that the board of directors shall prohibit any individual from being employed by the school of excellence in more than 1 full-time position and simultaneously being compensated at a full-time rate for each of those positions.

(p) A requirement that, if requested, the board of directors shall report to the authorizing body the total compensation for each individual working at the school of excellence.

(q) A requirement that the board of directors of the school of excellence shall not contract with an educational management organization that has any business affiliation with a charter school developer, with a person with an ownership interest in or responsible for the overall operation of a charter school developer, or with a relative of a charter school developer, and a requirement that any agreement with an educational management organization must prohibit the educational management organization from doing business with a charter school developer, with a person with an ownership interest in or responsible for the overall operation of a charter school developer, or with a relative of a charter school developer, or with a business entity owned or controlled by a charter school developer, by a person with an ownership interest in or responsible for the overall operation of a charter school developer, or by a relative of a charter school developer. As used in this subdivision:

(i) "Educational management organization" means that term as defined in section 553c.

(ii) "Charter school developer" means an individual or entity that submitted the application for the contract to organize and operate the school of excellence under section 552(7) or that caused the application to be submitted through an agent.

(r) A requirement that the school of excellence must not enter into or maintain a management agreement with an educational management organization if an owner, member, officer, or employee of the educational management organization has served on the board of directors of a public school academy under part 6a, urban high school academy under part 6c, school of excellence under this part, or strict discipline academy under sections 1311b to 1311m at any time during the immediately preceding 2-year period. As used in this subdivision, "educational management organization" and "management agreement" mean those terms as defined in section 553c.

(6) A school of excellence shall comply with all applicable law, including all of the following:

(a) The open meetings act, 1976 PA 267, MCL 15.261 to 15.275.

(b) The freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246.

(d) 1965 PA 166, MCL 408.551 to 408.558.

(d) (e) Sections 1134, 1135, 1146, 1153, 1263(3), 1267, and 1274.

(e) (f) Laws concerning participation in state assessments, data collection systems, state level student growth models, state accountability and accreditation systems, and other public comparative data collection required for public schools.

(7) A school of excellence and its incorporators, board members, officers, employees, and volunteers have governmental immunity as provided in section 7 of 1964 PA 170, MCL 691.1407. An authorizing body and its board members, officers, and employees are immune from civil liability, both personally and professionally, for an act or omission in authorizing a school of excellence if the authorizing body or the person acted or reasonably believed he or she acted within the authorizing body's or the person's scope of authority.

(8) A school of excellence is exempt from all taxation on its earnings and property. Unless the property is already fully exempt from real and personal property taxes under the general property tax act, 1893 PA 206, MCL 211.1 to 211.155, property occupied by a school of excellence and used exclusively for educational purposes is exempt from real and personal property taxes levied for school operating purposes under section 1211, to the extent exempted under that section, and from real and personal property taxes levied under the state education tax act, 1993 PA 331, MCL 211.901 to 211.906. Instruments of conveyance to or from a school of excellence are exempt from all taxation including taxes imposed by 1966 PA 134, MCL 207.501 to 207.513. A school of excellence may not levy ad valorem property taxes or another tax for any purpose. However, operation of 1 or more schools of excellence by a school district or intermediate school district does not affect the ability of the school district or intermediate school district to levy ad valorem property taxes or another tax.

(9) A school of excellence may acquire by purchase, gift, devise, lease, sublease, installment purchase agreement, land contract, option, or by any other means, hold, and own in its own name buildings and other property for school purposes, and interests therein, and other real and personal property, including, but not limited to, interests in property subject to mortgages, security interests, or other liens, necessary or convenient to fulfill its purposes. For the purposes of condemnation, a school of excellence may proceed under the uniform condemnation procedures act, 1980 PA 87, MCL 213.51 to 213.75, excluding sections 6 to 9 of that act, the uniform condemnation procedures act, 1980 PA 87, MCL 213.56 to 213.59, or other applicable statutes, but only with the express, written permission of the authorizing body in each instance of condemnation and only after just compensation has been determined and paid.

Sec. 561. (1) If an authorizing body issues a contract for a school of excellence under this part, the authorizing body shall do all of the following:

(a) Ensure that the contract and the application for the contract comply with the requirements of this part.

(b) Within 10 days after issuing the contract, submit to the department a copy of the contract.

(c) Establish the method of selection, length of term, and number of members of the board of directors of each school of excellence that it authorizes. The authorizing body shall ensure that the board of directors includes representation from the local community.

(d) Oversee the operations of each school of excellence operating under a contract issued by the authorizing body. The oversight shall must be sufficient to ensure that the school of excellence is in compliance with the terms of the contract and with applicable law. This subdivision does not relieve any other governmental entity of its enforcement or supervisory responsibility.

(e) Develop and implement a process for holding a school of excellence board of directors accountable for meeting applicable academic performance standards set forth in the contract and for implementing corrective action for a school of excellence that does not meet those standards.

(f) Take necessary measures to ensure that a school of excellence board of directors operates independently of any educational management organization involved in the operations of the school of excellence.

(g) Oversee and ensure that the pupil admission process used by the school of excellence is operated in a fair and open manner and is in compliance with the contract and this part.

(h) Ensure that the board of directors of the school of excellence maintains and releases information as necessary to comply with applicable law.

(2) The authorizing body may enter into an agreement with 1 or more authorizing bodies, as defined under part 6a, to carry out any function of the authorizing body under subsection (1)(a) to (h).

(3) The authorizing body for a school of excellence is the fiscal agent for the school of excellence. A state school aid payment for a school of excellence shall be paid to the authorizing body as the fiscal agent for that school of excellence, and the authorizing body shall then forward the payment to the school of excellence. Within 30 days after a contract is submitted to the department by the authorizing body under subsection (1), the department shall issue a district code to the school of excellence for which the contract was issued. If the department does not issue a district code within 30 days after a contract is filed, the state treasurer shall assign a temporary district code in order for the school of excellence to receive funding under the state school aid act of 1979.

(4) A contract issued under this part may be revoked by the authorizing body if the authorizing body determines that 1 or more of the following have occurred:

(a) Failure of the school of excellence to demonstrate improved pupil academic achievement for all groups of pupils or meet the educational goals set forth in the contract.

(b) Failure of the school of excellence to comply with all applicable law.

(c) Failure of the school of excellence to meet generally accepted public sector accounting principles and demonstrate sound fiscal stewardship.

(d) The existence of 1 or more other grounds for revocation as specified in the contract.

(5) If an authorizing body determines that a school of excellence has failed to comply with a term of its contract that is required under section 553(5)(q) or (r), the authorizing body shall provide written notice to the school of excellence of the violation and order the school of excellence to comply with that contract term within 30 days after the issuance of the written notice and order. If the school of excellence does not comply with that contract term within 30 days after the issuance of the written notice and order, the authorizing body shall revoke the school of excellence's contract, effective at the end of the current school year.

(6) (5) Except for a school of excellence that is an alternative school serving a special student population, if the department determines that a school of excellence site that has been operating for at least 4 years is among the lowest achieving public schools in this state for the immediately preceding 3 school years, as determined under former section 1280c or section 1280g, as applicable, not to include any individualized education plan subgroup, the department shall notify the school of excellence's authorizing body. Subject to subsection (6), (7), if an authorizing body receives notice from the department under this subsection, the authorizing body shall notify the school of excellence and amend the school of excellence's contract to eliminate the school of excellence's authority to operate the existing age and grade levels at the site and the school of excellence shall cease operating the existing age and grade levels at the site, effective at the end of the current school year. Subject to subsection (6), (7), if the school of excellence operates at only 1 site or is a cyber school, and the authorizing body receives notice from the department under this subsection, the authorizing body shall notify the school of excellence and revoke the school of excellence's contract, effective at the end of the current school year.

(7) (6) For a school of excellence or site that is subject to a notice to its authorizing body under subsection (5), (6), the department shall consider other public school options available to pupils in the grade levels offered by the school of excellence or site who reside in the geographic area served by the school of excellence or site. If the department determines that closure of the school of excellence or site would result in an unreasonable hardship to these pupils because there are insufficient other public school options reasonably available for these pupils, the department may rescind the notice. If the department rescinds a notice subjecting a school of excellence or site to closure, the department shall do so before the end of the school year. If the department rescinds a notice subjecting a school of excellence or site to closure, the department shall require the school of excellence or site to implement a school improvement plan that includes measures to increase pupil growth and improve pupil proficiency, with growth and proficiency measured by performance on state assessments.

(8) (7) Except for a contract issued by a school district pursuant to a vote by the school electors on a ballot question under section 553(2), and except as otherwise provided in section 552, the decision of the authorizing body to issue, not issue, or reconstitute a contract under this part, or to terminate or revoke a contract under this section, is solely within the discretion of the authorizing body, is final, and is not subject to review by a court or any other state agency. If the authorizing body issues, does not issue, or reconstitutes a contract under this part, or terminates or revokes a contract under this section, the authorizing body is not liable for that action to the school of excellence, the school of excellence corporation, a pupil of the school of excellence, the parent or guardian of a pupil of the school of excellence, or any other person.

(9) (8) Except as otherwise provided in this section, before the authorizing body revokes a contract, the authorizing body may consider and take corrective measures to avoid revocation. The authorizing body may reconstitute the school of excellence in a final attempt to improve student educational performance or to avoid interruption of the educational process. The authorizing body shall include a reconstituting provision in the contract that identifies these corrective measures, including, but not limited to, canceling a contract with an educational management organization, if any, withdrawing approval to contract under section 560, or appointing a new board of directors or a trustee to take over operation of the school of excellence.

(10) (9) If the authorizing body revokes a contract, the authorizing body shall work with a school district or another public school, or with a combination of these entities, to ensure a smooth transition for the affected pupils. If the revocation occurs during the school year, the authorizing body, as the fiscal agent for the school of excellence under this part, shall return any school aid funds held by the authorizing body that are attributable to the affected pupils to the state treasurer for deposit into the state school aid fund. The state treasurer shall distribute funds to the public school in which the pupils enroll after the revocation pursuant to a methodology established by the department and the center for educational performance and information.

(11) (10) Not more than 10 days after a school of excellence's contract terminates or is revoked, the authorizing body shall notify the superintendent of public instruction in writing of the name of the school of excellence whose contract has terminated or been revoked and the date of contract termination or revocation.

(12) (11) If a school of excellence's contract terminates or is revoked, title to all real and personal property, interest in real or personal property, and other assets owned by the school of excellence shall revert to the state. This property shall must be distributed in accordance with the following:

(a) Within 30 days following the termination or revocation, the board of directors of a school of excellence shall hold a public meeting to adopt a plan of distribution of assets and to approve the dissolution of the school of excellence corporation, all in accordance with chapter 8 of the nonprofit corporation act, 1982 PA 162, MCL 450.2801 to 450.2864.

(b) The school of excellence shall file a certificate of dissolution with the department of licensing and regulatory affairs within 10 business days following board approval.

(c) Simultaneously with the filing of the certificate of dissolution under subdivision (b), the school of excellence board of directors shall provide a copy of the board of directors' plan of distribution of assets to the state treasurer for approval. Within 30 days, the state treasurer, or his or her designee, shall review and approve the board of directors' plan of distribution of assets. If the proposed plan of distribution of assets is not approved within 30 days, the state treasurer, or his or her designee, shall provide the board of directors with an acceptable plan of distribution of assets.

(d) The state treasurer, or his or her designee, shall monitor the school of excellence's winding up of the dissolved corporation in accordance with the plan of distribution of assets approved or provided under subdivision (c).

(e) As part of the plan of distribution of assets, the school of excellence board of directors shall designate the director of the department of technology, management, and budget, or his or her designee, to dispose of all real property of the school of excellence corporation in accordance with the directives developed for disposition of surplus land and facilities under section 251 of the management and budget act, 1984 PA 431, MCL 18.1251.

(f) If the board of directors of a school of excellence fails to take any necessary action under this section, the state treasurer, or his or her designee, may suspend the school of excellence board of directors and appoint a trustee to carry out the board's plan of distribution of assets. Upon appointment, the trustee shall have all the rights, powers, and privileges under law that the school of excellence board of directors had before being suspended.

(g) Following the sale of the real or personal property or interests in the real or personal property, and after payment of any school of excellence debt secured by the property or interest in property, whether real or personal, the school of excellence board of directors, or a trustee appointed under this section, shall forward any remaining money to the state treasurer. Following receipt, the state treasurer, or his or her designee, shall deposit this remaining money in the state school aid fund.

Sec. 1311e. (1) An authorizing body is not required to issue a contract to any person or entity. Contracts for strict discipline academies shall must be issued on a competitive basis taking into consideration the resources available for the proposed strict discipline academy, the population to be served by the proposed strict discipline academy, and the educational goals to be achieved by the proposed strict discipline academy.

(2) If a person or entity applies to the board of a school district for a contract to organize and operate 1 or more strict discipline academies within the boundaries of the school district and the board does not issue the contract, the person or entity may petition the board to place the question of issuing the contract on the ballot to be decided by the school electors of the school district. The petition shall must contain all of the information required to be in the contract application under section 1311d and shall must be signed by a number of school electors of the school district equal to at least 15% of the total number of school electors of that school district. The petition shall must be filed with the secretary of the board. If the board receives a petition meeting the requirements of this subsection, the board shall place the question of issuing the contract on the ballot at its next annual school election held at least 60 days after receiving the petition. If a majority of the school electors of the school district voting on the question vote to issue the contract, the board shall issue the contract.

(3) Within 10 days after issuing a contract for a strict discipline academy, the board of the authorizing body shall submit to the state board a copy of the contract and of the application under section 1311d.

(4) An authorizing body shall adopt a resolution establishing the method of selection, length of term, and number of members of the board of directors of each strict discipline academy subject to its jurisdiction.

(5) A contract issued to organize and administer a strict discipline academy shall contain at least all of the following:

(a) The educational goals the strict discipline academy is to achieve and the methods by which it will be held accountable. To the extent applicable, the pupil performance of a strict discipline academy shall be assessed using at least a Michigan education assessment program (MEAP) test student test of educational progress (M-STEP) or the Michigan merit examination developed under section 1279g, as applicable.

(b) A description of the method to be used to monitor the strict discipline academy's compliance with applicable law and its performance in meeting its targeted educational objectives.

(d) All of the matters set forth in the application for the contract.

(e) For a strict discipline academy authorized by a school district, an agreement that employees of the strict discipline academy will be covered by the collective bargaining agreements that apply to employees of the school district employed in similar classifications in schools that are not strict discipline academies.

(f) Procedures for revoking the contract and grounds for revoking the contract, including at least the grounds listed in section 1311l.1311m.

(g) A description of and address for the proposed physical plant in which the strict discipline academy will be located.

(h) Requirements and procedures for financial audits. The financial audits shall must be conducted at least annually by a certified public accountant in accordance with generally accepted governmental auditing principles.

(i) The term of the contract and a description of the process and standards for renewal of the contract at the end of the term. The standards for renewal shall must include student growth as measured by assessments and other objective criteria as a significant factor in the decision of whether or not to renew the contract.

(j) A requirement that the board of directors of the strict discipline academy shall not contract with an educational management organization that has any business affiliation with a charter school developer, with a person with an ownership interest in or responsible for the overall operation of a charter school developer, or with a relative of a charter school developer, and a requirement that any agreement with an educational management organization must prohibit the educational management organization from doing business with a charter school developer, with a person with an ownership interest in or responsible for the overall operation of a charter school developer, or with a relative of a charter school developer, or with a business entity owned or controlled by a charter school developer, by a person with an ownership interest in or responsible for the overall operation of a charter school developer, or by a relative of a charter school developer. As used in this subdivision:

(i) "Educational management organization" means an entity that enters into a management agreement with a strict discipline academy.

(ii) "Charter school developer" means an individual or entity that submitted the application for the contract to organize and operate the public school academy under section 1311d(3) or that caused the application to be submitted through an agent.

(k) A requirement that the strict discipline academy must not enter into or maintain a management agreement with an educational management organization if an owner, member, officer, or employee of the educational management organization has served on the board of directors of a public school academy under part 6a, urban high school academy under part 6c, school of excellence under part 6e, or strict discipline academy under sections 1311b to 1311m at any time during the immediately preceding 2-year period. As used in this subdivision:

(i) "Educational management organization" means an entity that enters into a management agreement with a strict discipline academy.

(ii) "Management agreement" means an agreement to provide comprehensive educational, administrative, management, or instructional services or staff to a strict discipline academy.

(6) A strict discipline academy shall comply with all applicable law, including all of the following:

(a) The open meetings act, 1976 PA 267, MCL 15.261 to 15.275.

(b) The freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246.

(d) 1965 PA 166, MCL 408.551 to 408.558.

(d) (e) Sections 1134, 1135, 1146, 1153, 1263(3), 1267, and 1274.

(e) (f) Except for part 6a, all provisions of this act that explicitly apply to public school academies established under part 6a.

(7) A strict discipline academy and its incorporators, board members, officers, employees, and volunteers have governmental immunity as provided in section 7 of 1964 PA 170, MCL 691.1407. An authorizing body and its board members, officers, and employees are immune from civil liability, both personally and professionally, for any acts or omissions in authorizing a strict discipline academy if the authorizing body or the person acted or reasonably believed he or she acted within the authorizing body's or the person's scope of authority.

(8) A strict discipline academy is exempt from all taxation on its earnings and property. Instruments of conveyance to or from a strict discipline academy are exempt from all taxation including taxes imposed by 1966 PA 134, MCL 207.501 to 207.513. A strict discipline academy may not levy ad valorem property taxes or any other tax for any purpose. However, operation of 1 or more strict discipline academies by a school district or intermediate school district does not affect the ability of the school district or intermediate school district to levy ad valorem property taxes or any other tax.

(9) A strict discipline academy may acquire by purchase, gift, devise, lease, sublease, installment purchase agreement, land contract, option, or by any other means, hold and own in its own name buildings and other property for school purposes, and interests therein, and other real and personal property, including, but not limited to, interests in property subject to mortgages, security interests, or other liens, necessary or convenient to fulfill its purposes. For the purposes of condemnation, a strict discipline academy may proceed under the uniform condemnation procedures act, 1980 PA 87, MCL 213.51 to 213.75, excluding sections 6 to 9 of that act, MCL 213.56 to 213.59, or other applicable statutes, but only with the express, written permission of the authorizing body in each instance of condemnation and only after just compensation has been determined and paid.

Sec. 1311l. (1) The authorizing body for a strict discipline academy is the fiscal agent for the strict discipline academy. A state school aid payment for a strict discipline academy shall must be paid to the authorizing body that is the fiscal agent for that strict discipline academy, which shall then forward the payment to the strict discipline academy. An authorizing body has the responsibility to oversee a strict discipline academy's compliance with the contract and all applicable law. A contract issued under sections 1311b to 1311l 1311m may be revoked by the authorizing body that issued the contract if the authorizing body determines that 1 or more of the following has occurred:

(a) Failure of the strict discipline academy to abide by and meet the educational goals set forth in the contract.

(b) Failure of the strict discipline academy to comply with all applicable law.

(d) The existence of 1 or more other grounds for revocation as specified in the contract.

(2) If an authorizing body determines that a strict discipline academy has failed to comply with a term of its contract that is required under section 1311e(5)(j) or (k), the authorizing body shall provide written notice to the strict discipline academy of the violation and order the strict discipline academy to comply with that contract term within 30 days after the issuance of the written notice and order. If the strict discipline academy does not comply with that contract term within 30 days after the issuance of the written notice and order, the authorizing body shall revoke the strict discipline academy's contract, effective at the end of the current school year.

(3) (2) The decision of an authorizing body to revoke a contract under this section is solely within the discretion of the authorizing body, is final, and is not subject to review by a court or any state agency. An authorizing body that revokes a contract under this section is not liable for that action to the strict discipline academy, strict discipline academy corporation, a pupil of the strict discipline academy, the parent or guardian of a pupil of the strict discipline academy, or any other person.

Enacting section 1. This amendatory act takes effect 90 days after the date it is enacted into law.

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Bill Text: MI HB5855 | 2021-2022 | 101st Legislature | Introduced

Michigan House Bill 5855 (Prior Session Legislation)

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