A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMISSION ON RURAL SCHOOLS.
Whereas, over 3,000,000 North Carolinians live in rural communities and small towns; and
Whereas, 42% of the schools in North Carolina are located in rural communities and areas of the State; and
Whereas, 40% of North Carolina’s public school students are enrolled in rural schools; and
Whereas, many of North Carolina’s rural communities have high rates of poverty, an aging population, and low levels of employment; and 
Whereas, rural schools play a crucial role in the economic development of rural communities; and 
Whereas, rural schools have high percentages of students who are at risk of academic failure; and
Whereas, rural schools increasingly are asked to educate students from other cultures, especially Hispanic students; and 
Whereas, rural schools are increasingly asked to educate students whose native language is not English; and 
Whereas, there is a significant gap in academic achievement between rural minority and at‑risk students and majority students; and 
Whereas, rural schools often have a difficult time recruiting and retaining high quality teachers; and
Whereas, rural schools are required to meet the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 with its emphasis on high student achievement and highly qualified teachers; and 
Whereas, the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 does not provide rural schools with the resources they need in order to meet the requirements of the law; and
Whereas, a North Carolina Superior Court Judge has ruled that at-risk students, including at-risk students attending rural schools, must be given the opportunity to receive a "sound basic education" under the North Carolina Constitution; and 
Whereas, rural communities do not have the property tax base or economic development that will enable them to provide local funds to supplement the provision of educational services in order to meet high academic standards under State and federal law; and 
Whereas, the North Carolina school finance system does not provide adequate resources to rural schools to enable them to offer all students a high quality education; and 
Whereas, the State Board of Education and the Department of Public Instruction recognize that rural schools experience unique challenges in meeting the education needs of rural students; and
Whereas, the General Assembly recognizes that in order to be competitive as a State in the 21st century, all students must achieve educational proficiency in a rapidly changing technological, educational environment; and
Whereas,  it  is  in the best interest of the North Carolina citizenry that a coordinated strategy be developed for implementing measures designed to yield substantial improvements in the educational achievement of students attending the State’s rural schools; and
Whereas, a study commission is required to effectively research, review, and make recommendations to ensure that rural students have access to equal educational opportunities that will enable them to meet high standards; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  The Legislative Study Commission on Rural Schools is  created.   The Commission shall consist of 22 members, as follows:
(1)	Five senators and three public members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;
(2)	Five representatives and three public members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and
(3)	Six public members appointed by the Governor, who represent groups or are individuals with knowledge and experience in rural education and rural school finance.
In making appointments to the Commission, the appointing officers shall ensure that minority members have significant representation on the Commission.
SECTION 1.(b)  Initial appointments to the Commission shall be made before September 15, 2003.
SECTION 2.  The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall designate one senator as cochair and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate one representative as cochair.
SECTION 3.  The Study Commission shall be authorized to:
(1)	Gather accurate and reliable data and research information pertaining to the status of rural schools and students in the North Carolina public education system;
(2)	Consult with higher education faculty members and other persons who have been engaged in extensive research and observation related to these issues and encourage their direct involvement in the activities of the Study Commission;
(3)	Conduct hearings throughout the State for the purpose of obtaining meaningful information regarding the challenges faced by rural schools;
(4)	Identify, consult, and meet with representatives of national, regional, and State‑level organizations and agencies that could be particularly helpful in addressing these challenges;
(5)	Devise recommendations as to steps that should be taken to address these challenges by:
a.	The General Assembly;
b.	State agencies including the State Department of Public Education and the State Board of Education;
c.	Local government agencies;
d.	Public schools and higher education institutions;
e.	Nonprofit organizations, including community‑based organizations;
f.	Foundations;
g.	Religious institutes;
h.	Civic organizations;
i.	Business and industry; and
j.	Other entities.
(6)	Determine the extent and categories of fiscal and human resources needed to address the identified challenges.
SECTION 4.  In the study, particular emphasis should be placed on programs and efforts that have been successful in:
(1)	Improving educational achievement;
(2)	Reducing school discipline and behavioral problems;
(3)	Reducing the dropout rate; and
(4)	Improving relations between parents, schools, and students.
SECTION 5.  The Study Commission shall make an interim report of its findings and recommendations to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on or before the first day of the 2004 Regular Session of the 2003 General Assembly.  The Commission shall submit a final report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly on or before the first day of the 2005 Session by filing the report with the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.  Upon filing its final report, the Commission shall terminate.
SECTION 6.  The Commission, while in the discharge of official duties, may exercise all the powers provided under the provisions of G.S. 120‑19 and G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4.  The Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building.
SECTION 7.  Members of the Commission shall receive subsistence and travel expenses at the rates set forth in G.S. 120‑3.1.
SECTION 8.  The Commission may contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02.  The Legislative Administrative Officer shall assign professional staff to assist in the work of the Commission.  The House of Representatives' and the Senate's Supervisors of Clerks shall assign clerical staff to the Commission, upon the direction of the Legislative Services Commission.  The expenses relating to the employees shall be borne by the Commission.
SECTION 9.  When a vacancy occurs in the membership of the Commission, the vacancy shall be filled by the same appointing officer who made the initial appointment.
SECTION 10.  All State departments and agencies and local governments and their subdivisions shall furnish the Commission with information in their possession or available to them.
SECTION 11.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the General Assembly the sum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for the 2003‑2004 fiscal year and the sum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for the 2004‑2005 fiscal year for the expenses of the Commission.
SECTION 12.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2003.