Bill Text: CA AB480 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: School districts: reorganization: study of benefits and impacts of unification.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2016-02-01 - From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. [AB480 Detail]
Download: California-2015-AB480-Amended.html
BILL NUMBER: AB 480 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 20, 2015
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 26, 2015
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Harper
FEBRUARY 23, 2015
An act to add and repeal Section 35713 to the Education Code,
relating to school districts.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 480, as amended, Harper. School districts: reorganization:
study of benefits and impacts of unification.
Existing law establishes procedures for the reorganization of
school districts, including, but not limited to, unifying school
districts by consolidating all or part of one or more school
districts, as specified. Existing law establishes the County
Office Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) to, among
other things, review the fiscal and administrative condition of any
county office of education, school district, or charter school.
This bill would require the Legislative Analyst's Office
County Office Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance
Team (FCMAT) to conduct a study of on
the potential benefits and impacts of school district
unification. The bill would specify require
certain topics to be included in the study.
study, including the benefits of school district unification.
The bill would require FCMAT to submit the study to certain
committees of the Legislature and specified other state agencies
within one year of funds being appropriated by the Legislature to
implement the bill's provisions. By imposing new duties on
a local educational agency, the bill would impose a state-mandated l
ocal program. The provisions of the bill would be
repealed on January 1, 2021.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates
determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state,
reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these
statutory provisions.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no
yes . State-mandated local program: no
yes .
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 35713 is added to the
Education Code , to read:
35713. (a) The County Office Fiscal Crisis and Management
Assistance Team (FCMAT) shall conduct a study on the potential
benefits and impacts of school district unification. The study shall
include, but is not limited to, discussions of management and fiscal
topics.
(b) Management topics shall include all of the following:
(1) The benefits of school district unification for purposes of
matriculation and the implementation of local control and
accountability plans.
(2) The benefits of having a uniform school calendar for all grade
levels.
(3) To the extent data on this topic is readily available, the
benefits of combined maintenance and operation of schools within a
unified school district.
(4) The benefits of school district unification for purposes of
facilities management.
(c) Fiscal topics shall include all of the following:
(1) The impact of school district unification on overall costs,
including, but not limited to, the impact on certificated salary
schedules, classified salaries and positions, certificated
administrative positions, classified administrative positions, and
governing boards.
(2) The impact on the application of the local control funding
formula.
(d) Within one year of funds being appropriated by the Legislature
to implement the provisions of this section, FCMAT shall complete
the study and shall submit the study to the appropriate fiscal and
policy committees of the Legislature, the Legislative Analyst's
Office, the State Department of Education, and the Department of
Finance.
(e) This section is subject to appropriation by the Legislature of
funds to FCMAT for purposes of administering this section.
(f) This section is repealed on January 1, 2021.
SEC. 2. If the Commission on State Mandates
determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state,
reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs
shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of
Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
SECTION 1. The Legislative Analyst's Office
shall conduct a study of the potential benefits and impacts of school
district unification. The study shall include, but not necessarily
be limited to, discussions of all of the following topics:
(a) The benefits of school district unification for purposes of
matriculation.
(b) The benefits of having a uniform school calendar for all grade
levels.
(c) The benefits of combined maintenance and operation of schools
within a unified school district.
(d) The benefits of school district unification for purposes of
facilities management.
(e) The impact of school district unification on overall costs,
including, but not necessarily limited to, the impacts on
certificated salary schedules, classified salaries and positions, and
certificated administrative positions.
(f) The impact on the application of the local control funding
formula.
(g) The short-term and long-term benefits of school district
unification over periods of 5, 10, and 15 years.
