GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1995

S	1 

SENATE BILL 1088

Short Title:  School Funding Study Commission.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Senators Winner and Plexico.

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Referred to:  Appropriations

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May 4, 1995

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE COMMISSION TO STUDY SCHOOL FUNDING.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  Establishment of Commission.
There is established the Commission to Study Education Funding.  The Commission shall be located administratively under the State Board of Education but shall exercise all its prescribed statutory powers independently of the State Board of Education.
Sec. 2.  Commission membership; chairs; term of office; vacancies.
(a) The Commission shall consist of 25 members appointed as follows:
(1)	One county commissioner, one member of a local board of education, one representative of a North Carolina business or industry who hires graduates of North Carolina public schools, one parent of a public school child who is an officer in that public school's parent-teacher organization, and one member who shall serve as chair, appointed by the Governor;
(2)	Three members of the Senate, one county commissioner, one member of a local board of education, one public school teacher, one superintendent of a local school administrative unit, and one representative of a North Carolina business or industry who hires graduates of North Carolina public schools, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;
(3)	Three members of the House of Representatives, one county commissioner, one member of a local board of education, one public school principal, one school finance officer, and one parent of a public school child who is an officer in that public school's parent-teacher organization, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
(4)	Two members appointed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction; and
(5)	Two members of the State Board of Education appointed by the chair of the State Board of Education.
In making appointments of county commissioners, members of local boards of education, and educators under subdivisions (1), (2), and (3) of this section, the appointing authorities should consider the different geographic areas of the State and the different sizes of the counties.  Appointments to the Commission shall be made prior to August 1, 1995.
(b)	Commission members shall serve until the Commission completes its work.  If a vacancy occurs, the appointing officer shall appoint another person to serve for the balance of the unexpired term. 
Sec. 3.  Duties.
The Commission shall study:
(1)	The method and adequacy of funding for public schools in North Carolina, including the relative roles of the State and the counties in funding operating costs, facilities costs, and other costs, and the differing needs and ability to pay of different counties; and
(2)	Alternative methods of resolving disputes between local boards of education and boards of county commissioners concerning local funding of the public schools.
Sec. 4.  Report; termination of Commission.
The Commission shall submit annual reports of its findings and recommendations at least 45 days before the convening of the Regular Session of the General Assembly and may make additional reports as it deems necessary.  The Commission shall file its reports with the Governor, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the chair of the State Board of Education, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.  Upon filing a final report in 1999, the Commission shall terminate.
Sec. 5.  Staff assistance.
The Commission may contract for professional, clerical, and consultant services.  Professional and clerical staff positions for the Commission may be filled by persons whose services are loaned to the Commission to fulfill the work of the Commission.
Sec. 6.  Meeting rooms; administrative support.
The State Board of Education and the Department of Public Instruction shall provide meeting rooms, telephones, office space, equipment, and supplies to the Commission and shall be reimbursed from the Commission's budget.
Sec. 7.  Compensation.
Commission members shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances in accordance with G.S. 138-5, 138-6, or 120-3.1, as appropriate.
Sec. 8.  Assistance of other State agencies.
The State Board of Education, the Department of Public Instruction, the Department of Community Colleges, the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina, and other agencies of State government shall assist the Commission, upon request, in carrying out its work.
Sec. 9.  Funds.
There is appropriated from the General Fund to the State Board of Education the sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) for the 1995-96 fiscal year and the sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) for the 1996-97 fiscal year for the expenses of the Commission to Study Education Funding.
Sec. 10.  Effective date.
This act becomes effective July 1, 1995.