Bill > S0434

This bill establishes the Principal Autonomy Pilot Program Initiative, a three-year program designed to grant principals of underperforming schools increased autonomy to improve student achievement and school management. To participate, school districts must identify three middle or high schools that have received at least two "D" or "F" grades in the past three years and assign principals with a "highly effective" rating to these schools. These participating schools will be exempt from most state education laws and rules, except for those concerning elections, public records, student assessment and grading, services for students with disabilities, civil rights, student health and safety, school opening dates, class size (with a modified calculation), personnel evaluation, and certain aspects of educational facilities. Principals and a three-member leadership team from participating schools, along with relevant district personnel, will be required to complete a nationally recognized school turnaround program. Participating schools will also be guaranteed at least 90 percent of the funds they generate, an increase from the current 80 percent minimum. Additionally, principals in the pilot program will gain authority to select instructional staff, deploy financial resources at their discretion to improve student achievement, and develop an annual budget for their school. The State Board of Education will oversee the program, approve proposals, and evaluate its effectiveness, with a final report to be submitted to the Legislature.