GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1993

S	1 

SENATE BILL 1200

Short Title:  Study Alternative Schs.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Senators Gunter; Martin of Guilford, Cooper, Smith, Forrester, Lee, Hartsell, Marshall, Gulley, Winner of Mecklenburg, Cochrane, Allran, Richardson, Edwards, Kerr, Seymour, Soles, Warren, Johnson, Jordan, Conder, Hoyle, Codington, Perdue, Odom, Speed, Martin of Pitt, Ward, Folger, Plexico, Carpenter, Tally, Ballance, Hunt, Albertson, Simpson, Parnell, Shaw, Kaplan, Kincaid, and Winner of Buncombe.
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Referred to:  Rules and Operation of the Senate.
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May 27, 1993

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS, AND TO MAKE AN APPROPRIATION.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is established the Legislative Commission on Alternative Schools (the "Study Commission" ) to study alternative schools, alternative programs, and residential placements for disruptive or violent students.  The Study Commission shall consist of 16 members.  The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall appoint the following eight members:
(1)	Four Senators, one of whom shall be appointed cochair of the Study Commission by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(2)	One parent of a public school child.
(3)	One public school superintendent.
(4)	One individual from a not-for-profit private organization involved with assistance to at-risk youth.
(5)	One representative of business and industry.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint the following eight members:
(1)	Four Representatives, one of whom shall be appointed cochair of the Study Commission by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(2)	One parent of a public school child.
(3)	One public school principal.
(4)	One public school student support staff individual.
(5)	One representative of business and industry.
	All appointments shall be made within 30 days following adjournment of the 1993 Regular Session of the 1993 General Assembly.  Any vacancy shall be filled by the original appointing authority.  The cochairs shall jointly call the first meeting, and shall preside at alternate meetings.
Sec. 2.  The purpose of the study is to investigate the following:
(1)	Existing alternative schools and public and private programs for disruptive students in North Carolina's schools, including an examination of in-school and out-of-school suspension.
(2)	Existing State, federal, and local fiscal resources dedicated to alternative programs and schools for disruptive youth.
(3) 	Existing support systems outside of public schools for children with histories of violent or anti-social behaviors.
(4)	Existing alternative schools and programs, including independent and nonprofit efforts, for disruptive students in other states, and the academic and social success rates of students involved in these programs.
(5)	New or pilot projects that address disruptive students in North Carolina.
(6)	Local collaborative efforts among local officials concerned with disruptive youth (courts, law officials, youth services, etc.) that are related to alternative schools, alternative programs, and residential placements.
(7)	Basic common components of successful alternative programs, including curriculum, staffing ratios, program activities, support staff needs, collaborative activities, use of educational technologies, and funding. The investigation of funding should include cost-efficient methods utilizing existing resources to provide alternative schools, alternative programs, and residential placements.
(8)	Existing North Carolina residential sites and potential residential alternatives for disruptive or troubled youth.
(9)	Analysis of the numbers and ages of students involved in highly disruptive or violent activities in the schools, including analysis of long-term suspensions and expulsions.
(10)	Unique professional staff development needs for educators who deal specifically with disruptive or troubled youths in alternative programs.
(11)	Support systems directed towards successful reentry of youth placed in alternative programs into mainstream school populations.
Sec. 3.  Members of the Study Commission shall receive subsistence and travel expenses at the rates set forth in G.S. 120-3.1, 138-5, and 138-6, as applicable.
Sec. 4.  The Study Commission cochairs may contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services as provided by G.S. 120-32.02, and may purchase or contract for the materials and services it needs.  The Legislative Services Commission, through the Legislative Administrative Officer, shall assign professional staff to assist in the work of the Study Commission.  The House of Representatives' and the Senate's Supervisors of Clerks, upon the direction of the Legislative Services Commission, shall assign clerical staff to the Study Commission.  The expenses relating to the clerical employees shall be borne by the Study Commission.
Sec. 5.  The Study Commission may, with the approval of the Legislative Services Commission, meet in the State Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building.
Sec. 6.  The Study Commission shall make an interim report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee no later than April 15, 1994, and shall make a final report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee no later than January 15, 1995, at which time the Study Commission shall terminate.
Sec. 7.  Upon the request of the Study Commission, all State departments and agencies, and all local governments and their subdivisions, shall furnish the Study Commission with any information in their possession or available to them. 
Sec. 8.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the General Assembly the sum of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) for the 1993-94 fiscal year and the sum of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) for the 1994-95 fiscal year to fund the work of the Study Commission.
Sec. 9.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1993.