GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1995

S	1 

SENATE BILL 16

Short Title:  St. Board Report on School System.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Senators Perdue; Albertson, Martin of Guilford, Hoyle, Kerr, Winner, Odom, Rand, Plyler, Plexico, Gulley, Lucas, and Cooper.

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Referred to:  Education/Higher Education.

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January 26, 1995

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT DIRECTING THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO RECOMMEND CHANGES IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  The State Board of Education shall examine the structure and functions of the State public school system with a view to improving student performance, increasing local flexibility and control, and promoting economy and efficiency and shall recommend changes in the public school system to the General Assembly.  In carrying out this examination, the State Board of Education shall consider ways to reorder priorities and place greater emphasis on the basics - reading, communication skills, and mathematics -  in the areas of staff development, the State testing program, the State accreditation program, the use of remediation funds, the instructional program, and other components of the State public school system.  The State Board of Education shall also consider the impact the changes it is considering will have on the mission of the Department of Public Instruction.
The State Board shall make a preliminary report to the General Assembly prior to May 1, 1995, and a final report prior to March 1, 1996, on the results of its examination of the State public school system.  The report shall include any proposed legislation necessary to implement the State Board's recommendations.
Sec. 2.  The State Board of Education shall also examine the administrative organization of the Department of Public Instruction with a view to improving student performance, increasing local flexibility, implementing any necessary changes in the mission of the Department, and  promoting economy and efficiency.  The State Board of Education shall develop a plan for reorganizing the Department of Public Instruction and for assigning and reassigning duties and functions among divisions and other units, division heads, officers, and employees.  The proposed reorganization shall result in a decrease of at least fifty percent (50%) in the number of employee positions assigned to the Department and a decrease of at least fifty percent (50%) in the Department's budget by January 1, 1996.
The State Board shall report to the General Assembly prior to May 1, 1995, on the reorganization plan it develops.
Sec. 3.  The Director of the Budget shall authorize the expenditure of up to two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) from existing funds by the State Board of Education to contract for outside consultants and assistance to assist the State Board in carrying out its duties under this act.
Sec. 4.  This act is effective upon ratification.