STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 53rd Legislature (2011)

HOUSE BILL 1921	By:	Coody

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to schools; creating the School Administrative Restructuring Task Force; providing termination date; stating purpose of the Task Force; providing for membership; providing date for appointments and organizational meeting; providing for selection of officers; stating duties; exempting the Task Force from certain acts; providing for meetings; providing for travel reimbursement and staff assistance; requiring completion of the study by a certain date; providing for noncodification; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     NEW LAW     A new section of law not to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes reads as follows:
A.  There is hereby created until December 31, 2011, the “School Administrative Restructuring Task Force”.  The purpose of the Task Force shall be to study the academic and economic benefits of restructuring the administrative services of school districts.
B.  The Task Force shall consist of eleven (11) members as follows:
1.  Two members appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the membership of the House; 
2.  Two members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate from the membership of the Senate;
3.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction, or a designee; 
4.  One member who represents a statewide association of school board members, appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives;
5.  One member who represents a statewide organization that represents public school superintendents, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the State Senate; 
6.  Two teachers of a public school districts, one appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and one appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the State Senate; 
7.  One member who represents a statewide parent-teacher organization, appointed by Governor; and 
8.  One member who represents a statewide business organization, appointed by the Governor. 
C.  Appointment to the Task Force shall be made by August 1, 2011.  The members of the Task Force shall select a chair and vice-chair at the first meeting of the Task Force.  The Task Force shall conduct an organizational meeting not later than August 31, 2011.
D.  The Task Force shall investigate and make recommendations regarding:
1.  How school administration and operations may be made more efficient through administrative reorganization; 
2.  Review and analyze data collected from school districts of administrative service costs; and 
3.  Study the administrative structure of school districts in other states.  
E.  The Task Force shall not be subject to the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act or to the Oklahoma Open Records Act.
F.  The Task Force shall be authorized to meet at such times as may be required in order to fulfill the duties imposed upon the Task Force by law.  Members of the Task Force shall be reimbursed for their necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as follows:
1.  Members who are state employees shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with the State Travel Reimbursement Act; 
2.  Legislative members shall be reimbursed in accordance with Section 456 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes; and 
3.  All other members shall be reimbursed by the State Department of Education in accordance with the State Travel Reimbursement Act.
G.  Staff assistance for the Task Force shall be provided by the State Department of Education.
H.  The Task Force shall complete its study not later than December 31, 2011.
SECTION 2.  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.

53-1-6470	KB	01/19/11