NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended only for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used for other purposes.

The most recent FIR version (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) is available on the Legislative Website. The Adobe PDF version includes all attachments, whereas the HTML version does not. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR:	Lopez		DATE TYPED:	2/28/03		HB
SHORT TITLE:		Public School-Community Partnership Project				SB	863
					ANALYST:		L. Baca

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY03	FY04	FY03	FY04
	$225.0			Recurring	GF

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to SB 670, School Improvement Pilot Project

Relates to Appropriation for the State Department of Education in the General Appropriation Act

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Responses Received From

State Department of Education (SDE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 863 appropriates $255.0 from the general fund to the State Department of Public Education (SDE) to conduct a pilot project; creates a five-year pilot project in the Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) to determine whether public school-community partnership boards (PSCPB) with the authority to make changes in public schools will enhance student performance in schools that have not met state standards for three consecutive years; requires that each of these public schools establish a public school-community partnership board (PSCPB) appointed by the local board; stipulates the composition of the PSCPB and specifies its duties; and requires SDE evaluate student and pilot project progress and report periodically to the Legislative Education Study Committee (LESC) and to the Legislature upon completion of the project.

Significant Issues

SB 863 requires a PSCPB in each of the affected schools and stipulates that parents and community members shall constitute at least 51% of each PSCPB, with teachers and administrators of the public school comprising the remaining 49%. Membership on the PSCPB shall include:

· a representative from each grade level;

• parents from each grade level shall selected by parents with children at that grade level; and
• four members shall represent the community at large, selected from within the boundaries of the school.

Duties of each PSCPB include:

• meeting at least four times a year with parents from each grade in the public school;
• report directly to the school principal and the local school board;
• conduct at least one general combined meeting a year with the entire public school community;
• involve the public school community in a process that allows them to participate in the development a vision statement that include goals, measurable objectives and operating plans; and
• together with the principal, evaluate the progress of all students in the public school;
• find ways to improve the achievement of all students,
• review the budget of the public school, and
• oversee all school processes, including student achievement, building and grounds

maintenance and parental and community involvement in the public school.

Responsibilities of the principal include:

• providing the PSCPB a list of all the school’s teachers, their qualifications, and reasons why they were hired;
• providing the test sores of students taught by each teacher, and the written goals an measurable objectives and action plans for improving the test scores of each student; and
• communicating with the PSCPB, specifically the chairman of the board, on a regular basis.

The SDE and APS are to develop and conduct training specific to the duties pursuant to the pilot project.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $225.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2004 shall revert to the general fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

This bill adds responsibilities and duties to both the SDE and APS. Presumably, existing resources from the respective agencies will be used. The bill does not specify how the appropriations to be expended other than “to conduct” the pilot project.

OHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

For the most part, the authority given the PSCPBs is traditionally that accorded local public school boards of education, and, pursuant to the provisions of SB 863, the PSCPBs assume most of the responsibilities of a local school board. However, the bill recognizes local school boards by requiring that PSCPBs be appointed by and report to the local school board. The bill also recognizes the local school board by requiring that it provide the means for the PSCPBs to meet and share their success and challenges.

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

1. What responsibilities does the local school board have if this bill is enacted?

2. What legal liabilities will the PSCPB have under the provisions of this bill?

3. The duties and responsibilities are many and could be time consuming. Will enough parents have the time and interest to participate?

4. Will sanctions be applied against schools that can’t make this process work because parental disinterest and/r non-participation?

5. Will the PSCPB have the authority and\desire to hire and fire teachers? Other school employees?

6. Which group or agency will administer the program? And, may the appropriation be used to cover some of these administrative costs?

7. How will the dollar amount for a school’s budget be determined?

8. Will APS be responsible for all accounting functions, procurement of materials and payroll activities?

9. What types of support activities will APS provide?

LB/njw