Bill > S2528

Introduced Session

This bill establishes the Office of Community Schools in the Department of Education. The purpose of the office is to address student needs through community-based educational, developmental, family, health, and other comprehensive services. Under the bill, the Commissioner of Education is to establish the office, which is to consist of individuals qualified by training and experience related to community-based learning. The duties of the office include, but are not limited to: (1) providing training and support for public schools interested in adopting community school strategies; (2) increasing the knowledge and skills of school staff and community partners to aid in the implementation, management, and sustainability of community schools; (3) providing grants to public schools for the purposes of adopting community school strategies; (4) providing a list of school districts, renaissance schools, and charter schools that have established community schools, to be published on the department's Internet website; (5) increasing Statewide capacity to support effective community school strategies; and (6) identifying and evaluating community schools' needs in order to provide tailored technical assistance and professional development opportunities The bill also requires the office to submit an annual report to the Governor and to the Legislature that includes a summary of the services provided. The bill appropriates $10 million to the department to establish the office.

Committee Categories

Teresa Ruiz (D)*,  Shirley Turner (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 02/08/2024)

Official Document