Bill > H319

This bill aims to improve underperforming schools by allowing superintendents and commissioners to create and implement "turnaround plans" that can include a wide range of actions. These actions can involve changing curriculum, reallocating school budgets, providing additional district funding to schools that are underfunded compared to others in the district, and offering salary increases to attract or retain highly qualified staff or reward those working in struggling schools. The bill also permits expanding the school day or year, adding pre-kindergarten and full-day kindergarten, and requiring administrators and teachers to reapply for their positions, with the superintendent having final decision-making authority. Crucially, the bill allows for the limitation, suspension, or modification of certain contract or collective bargaining agreement provisions, but only after demonstrating that specific steps have been taken and that such changes are reasonable and necessary for rapid academic improvement. It also outlines a process for teachers with professional teacher status who are dismissed from a school but not the district, including notice, expedited arbitration, and consideration of the turnaround plan and personnel evaluations. For schools with limited English-proficient students, professional development and planning time must include strategies specifically designed to accelerate their academic progress.