STATE OF OKLAHOMA

2nd Session of the 53rd Legislature (2012)

SENATE BILL 1821	By:	Halligan

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to school improvement; providing that parents of students at certain schools may petition the school board to implement certain changes; directing school boards to implement requested changes unless they demonstrate an inability to comply; providing school districts shall implement certain alternative option; 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 1210.544-1 of Title 70, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
For any school that is identified as a persistently low achieving school, as provided in Section 1210.544 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes, and where at least one-half (1/2) of the parents or legal guardians of students attending the school, or a combination of at least one-half (1/2) of the parents or legal guardians of students attending the school and the elementary or middle schools which normally matriculate into a middle or high school, as applicable, sign a petition requesting the school board to implement one or more of the alternative governance arrangements as provided in Section 1210.544 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes, the school board shall implement the option requested by the parents unless, in a regularly scheduled board meeting, the school board makes a finding in writing stating the reason it cannot implement the specific recommended option and instead designates in writing which of the options described in Section 1210.544 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes it will implement in the subsequent school year.
SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective July 1, 2012.
SECTION 3.  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.

53-2-2296	ALM	1/19/2012 6:57:01 PM