STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 53rd Legislature (2011)

HOUSE BILL 1458	By:	Denney

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to schools; directing the State Board of Career and Technology Education to assume operations of certain regional programs administered by the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics; providing for the transfer of property, records and personnel; stating legislative intent; directing the Board to solicit proposals for programs at certain locations; providing for a selection committee; providing for the establishment of an Advisory Council; specifying certain duties of the Advisory Council; providing for recruitment and hiring of faculty; providing for transportation of students; repealing 70 O.S. 2001, Section 1210.404, which relates to the development of advanced science and mathematics programs; providing for codification; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 14-131 of Title 70, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A.  1.  Effective July 1, 2011, the State Board of Career and Technology Education is hereby directed to assume the administrative, supervisory and instructional operations of the regional advanced science and mathematics programs currently administered by the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics.  
2.  All property, records and personnel of the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics who are assigned to the regional advanced science and mathematics programs, including related liabilities for sick leave, annual leave, holidays, unemployment benefits and workers’ compensation benefits accruing prior to July 1, 2011, to such personnel shall be transferred to the State Board of Career and Technology Education as of July 1, 2011.  It is the intent of the Legislature that, to the extent possible, the Board shall ensure that the employees retain pay and benefits as much as possible.  
B.  The State Board of Career and Technology Education shall solicit proposals for the establishment of programs implementing advanced science and math curriculum from technology center school sites, higher education institutions, or school district sites.  The Board shall establish a selection committee to assist the Board in selecting sites for programs.
C.  The Board shall establish an Advisory Council to assist the Board in the development of the regional advanced science and mathematics programs.  The Advisory Council shall establish eligibility criteria for student participation in the program.  The Advisory Council shall have final approval of the curriculum and shall set academic standards for the program.  The Advisory Council shall work with each participating site to determine the advanced science and math curriculum needs for the area served by the program.  
D.  A representative of the Board and participating technology center school, higher education institution or school site shall work together in the recruitment and hiring of faculty for a program.  
E.  The participating technology center school district shall provide transportation for those students attending the program at the technology center school site.  School districts at their option may provide transportation for students attending at higher education sites.
SECTION 2.     REPEALER     70 O.S. 2001, Section 1210.404, is hereby repealed.
SECTION 3.  This act shall become effective July 1, 2011.
SECTION 4.  It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval.

53-1-5465	KB	01/18/11