§ 70-3-127. Approval by State Board of Education.

A.  Prior to the adoption of a resolution by the local board of education as required in subsection A of Section 3-126 of this title, the local board of education shall provide for a period of public review and comment on the proposed educational improvement plan and shall notify and allow comment from the district bargaining agent of the plan.  If no bargaining agent exists for that district, the teachers directly effected shall be notified and allowed to make comments.  All comments, recommendations and objections made by the bargaining agent and others to the local board of education shall be forwarded to the State Board of Education for consideration prior to review of the plan.

B.  Each educational improvement plan shall be approved by the State Board of Education before implementation.

C.  Approval of a plan shall be for no longer than three (3) years.  If a plan is approved, the school district shall be required to submit an annual report and the Board shall provide for an annual assessment of the plan.

D.  The Board shall notify the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate of the approval of plans on a quarterly basis and shall provide the Speaker and the President Pro Tempore with copies of the annual reports and assessments.

E.  If the Board determines through the annual assessment process that the school district is not complying with the requirements of the Educational Deregulation Act or is not meeting the goals of the plan, it shall first provide notice to the district of its findings. If the school district does not come into compliance or take action to meet the goals of the plan, the Board shall withdraw approval and terminate the plan.

Added by Laws 1995, c. 307, § 4, eff. July 1, 1995.  Amended by Laws 1996, c. 343, § 2, eff. July 1, 1996.