September 23, 2014, Introduced by Reps. Roberts, Lipton, Geiss, Tlaib, Hobbs, Brunner, Durhal, Cavanagh, Stallworth, Talabi, Greimel, Hovey-Wright, Townsend, Phelps, Smiley, Switalski, Yanez, Darany, Brinks, Driskell, Dianda, Irwin, Rutledge, Faris, Barnett, Kosowski, Singh, Robinson, Zemke, Knezek, Banks, Slavens, Haugh, Lane, Lamonte, Cochran, Abed, LaVoy, Stanley, Brown, Segal, Schor, McCann, Kandrevas, Oakes, Nathan and Dillon and referred to the Committee on Education.
A bill to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled
"The revised school code,"
by amending sections 502, 503, 504, 522, 524, 552, 553, 556, and
1311d (MCL 380.502, 380.503, 380.504, 380.522, 380.524, 380.552,
380.553, 380.556, and 380.1311d), sections 502, 503, 504, 522, 524,
553, and 556 as amended by 2011 PA 277, section 552 as amended by
2012 PA 129, and section 1311d as added by 1999 PA 23, and by
adding sections 502b, 522b, 552b, and 1311n.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 502. (1) A public school academy shall be organized and
administered under the direction of a board of directors in
accordance with this part and with bylaws adopted by the board of
directors. A public school academy corporation shall be organized
under the nonprofit corporation act, 1982 PA 162, MCL 450.2101 to
450.3192, except that a public school academy corporation is not
required to comply with sections 170 to 177 of 1931 PA 327, MCL
450.170 to 450.177. To the extent disqualified under the state or
federal constitution, a public school academy shall not be
organized by a church or other religious organization and shall not
have any organizational or contractual affiliation with or
constitute a church or other religious organization.
(2)
Any Subject to section
502b, any of the following may act
as an authorizing body to issue a contract to organize and operate
1 or more public school academies under this part:
(a) The board of a school district that operates grades K to
12. However, the board of a school district shall not issue a
contract for a public school academy to operate outside the school
district's boundaries, and a public school academy authorized by
the board of a school district shall not operate outside that
school district's boundaries.
(b) An intermediate school board. However, the board of an
intermediate school district shall not issue a contract for a
public school academy to operate outside the intermediate school
district's boundaries, and a public school academy authorized by
the board of an intermediate school district shall not operate
outside that intermediate school district's boundaries.
(c) The board of a community college. However, except as
otherwise provided in this subdivision, the board of a community
college shall not issue a contract for a public school academy to
operate in a school district organized as a school district of the
first class, a public school academy authorized by the board of a
community college shall not operate in a school district organized
as a school district of the first class, the board of a community
college shall not issue a contract for a public school academy to
operate outside the boundaries of the community college district,
and a public school academy authorized by the board of a community
college shall not operate outside the boundaries of the community
college district. The board of a community college also may issue a
contract for not more than 1 public school academy to operate on
the grounds of an active or closed federal military installation
located outside the boundaries of the community college district,
or may operate a public school academy itself on the grounds of
such a federal military installation, if the federal military
installation is not located within the boundaries of any community
college district and the community college has previously offered
courses on the grounds of the federal military installation for at
least 10 years.
(d) The governing board of a state public university. However,
the combined total number of contracts for public school academies
issued
by all state public universities shall not exceed 300
through
December 31, 2012 and shall not
exceed 500 through December
31, 2014. After December 31, 2014, there is no limit on the
combined total number of contracts for public school academies that
may be issued by all state public universities.
(e) Two or more of the public agencies described in
subdivisions (a) to (d) exercising power, privilege, or authority
jointly pursuant to an interlocal agreement under the urban
cooperation act of 1967, 1967 (Ex Sess) PA 7, MCL 124.501 to
124.512.
(3) To obtain a contract to organize and operate 1 or more
public school academies, 1 or more persons or an entity may apply
to an authorizing body described in subsection (2). The application
shall include at least all of the following:
(a) Identification of the applicant for the contract.
(b) Subject to the resolution adopted by the authorizing body
under section 503(5), a list of the proposed members of the board
of directors of the public school academy and a description of the
qualifications and method for appointment or election of members of
the board of directors.
(c) The proposed articles of incorporation, which shall
include at least all of the following:
(i) The name of the proposed public school academy.
(ii) The purposes for the public school academy corporation.
This language shall provide that the public school academy is
incorporated pursuant to this part and that the public school
academy corporation is a governmental entity.
(iii) The name of the authorizing body.
(iv) The proposed time when the articles of incorporation will
be effective.
(v) Other matters considered expedient to be in the articles
of incorporation.
(d) A copy of the proposed bylaws of the public school
academy.
(e) Documentation meeting the application requirements of the
authorizing body, including at least all of the following:
(i) The governance structure of the public school academy.
(ii) A copy of the educational goals of the public school
academy and the curricula to be offered and methods of pupil
assessment to be used by the public school academy. The educational
goals shall include demonstrated improved pupil academic
achievement for all groups of pupils. To the extent applicable, the
progress of the pupils in the public school academy shall be
assessed using at least a Michigan education assessment program
(MEAP) test or the Michigan merit examination under section 1279g,
as applicable.
(iii) The admission policy and criteria to be maintained by the
public school academy. The admission policy and criteria shall
comply with section 504. This part of the application also shall
include a description of how the applicant will provide to the
general public adequate notice that a public school academy is
being created and adequate information on the admission policy,
criteria, and process.
(iv) The school calendar and school day schedule.
(v) The age or grade range of pupils to be enrolled.
(f) Descriptions of staff responsibilities and of the public
school academy's governance structure.
(g) For an application to the board of a school district, an
intermediate school board, or board of a community college,
identification of the local and intermediate school districts in
which the public school academy will be located.
(h) An agreement that the public school academy will comply
with the provisions of this part and, subject to the provisions of
this part, with all other state law applicable to public bodies and
with federal law applicable to public bodies or school districts.
(i) A description of and address for the proposed physical
plant in which the public school academy will be located. An
applicant may request the authorizing body to issue a contract
allowing the public school academy board of directors to operate
the same configuration of age or grade levels at more than 1 site.
(4) An authorizing body shall oversee, or shall contract with
an intermediate school district, community college, or state public
university to oversee, each public school academy operating under a
contract issued by the authorizing body. The authorizing body is
responsible for overseeing compliance by the board of directors
with the contract and all applicable law. This subsection does not
relieve any other government entity of its enforcement or
supervisory responsibility.
(5) If the superintendent of public instruction finds that an
authorizing body is not engaging in appropriate continuing
oversight of 1 or more public school academies operating under a
contract issued by the authorizing body, the superintendent of
public instruction may suspend the power of the authorizing body to
issue new contracts to organize and operate public school
academies. A contract issued by the authorizing body during the
suspension is void. A contract issued by the authorizing body
before the suspension is not affected by the suspension.
(6) An authorizing body shall not charge a fee, or require
reimbursement of expenses, for considering an application for a
contract, for issuing a contract, or for providing oversight of a
contract for a public school academy in an amount that exceeds a
combined total of 3% of the total state school aid received by the
public school academy in the school year in which the fees or
expenses are charged. An authorizing body may provide other
services for a public school academy and charge a fee for those
services, but shall not require such an arrangement as a condition
to issuing the contract authorizing the public school academy.
(7) A public school academy shall be presumed to be legally
organized if it has exercised the franchises and privileges of a
public school academy for at least 2 years.
(8) An authorizing body may enter into an intergovernmental
agreement with another authorizing body to issue public school
academy contracts. At a minimum, the agreement shall further the
purposes set forth in section 501, describe which authorizing body
shall issue the contract, and set forth which authorizing body will
be responsible for monitoring compliance by the board of directors
of the public school academy with the contract and all applicable
law.
Sec. 502b. (1) Beginning on the effective date of this
section, an authorizing body shall not issue a new contract for the
organization and operation of a new public school academy under
this part, shall not amend or modify a contract to allow a public
school academy to enroll an additional age or grade range of
pupils, and shall not amend or modify a contract to allow a public
school academy to operate the same configuration of age or grade
levels at an additional site. A contract issued, amended, or
modified in violation of this section is void.
(2) It is the intent of the legislature to enact legislation
to remove the restrictions under subsection (1) after legislation
has been enacted and appropriate rules have been promulgated that
provide for all of the following:
(a) Complete transparency, including full financial disclosure
by authorizing bodies, public school academies, and educational
management organizations and their subcontractors.
(b) Penalties for failing to comply with the transparency and
financial disclosure requirements described in subdivision (a).
(c) Comprehensive ethics and conflict of interest standards
for public school academies, educational management organizations,
members of public school academy boards of directors, and
authorizing bodies.
(d) Assurance of high-quality educational standards and
outcomes for pupils through a more rigorous public school academy
authorizing process and strict oversight of existing public school
academies.
(3) As used in this section, "educational management
organization" means that term as defined in section 503c.
Sec. 503. (1) An authorizing body is not required to issue a
contract to any person or entity. Subject to subsection (2), public
school academy contracts shall be issued on a competitive basis. In
deciding whether to issue a contract for a proposed public school
academy, an authorizing body shall consider all of the following:
(a) The resources available for the proposed public school
academy.
(b) The population to be served by the proposed public school
academy.
(c) The educational goals to be achieved by the proposed
public school academy.
(d) The applicant's track record, if any, in organizing public
school academies or other public schools.
(e) The graduation rate of a school district in which the
proposed public school academy is proposed to be located.
(f) The population of a county in which the proposed public
school academy is proposed to be located.
(g) The number of schools in the proximity of a proposed
location of the proposed public school academy that are on the list
under section 1280c(1) of the public schools in this state that the
department has determined to be among the lowest achieving 5% of
all public schools in this state.
(h) The number of pupils on waiting lists of public school
academies in the proximity of a proposed location of the proposed
public school academy.
(2) An authorizing body may give priority to a proposed public
school academy that is intended to replace a public school academy
that has been closed pursuant to section 507(5), that will operate
all of the same grade levels as the public school academy that has
been closed, and that will work toward operating all of grades 9 to
12 within 6 years after it begins operations unless a matriculation
agreement has been entered into with another public school that
provides grades 9 to 12.
(3) If a person or entity applies to the board of a school
district for a contract to organize and operate 1 or more public
school academies within the boundaries of the school district and
the board does not issue the contract, the person or entity may
petition the board to place the question of issuing the contract on
the ballot to be decided by the school electors of the school
district. The petition shall contain all of the information
required to be in the contract application under section 502 and
shall be signed by a number of school electors of the school
district equal to at least 5% of the total number of school
electors of that school district. The petition shall be filed with
the school district filing official. If the board receives a
petition meeting the requirements of this subsection, the board
shall have the question of issuing the contract placed on the
ballot at its next regular school election held at least 60 days
after receiving the petition. If a majority of the school electors
of the school district voting on the question vote to issue the
contract, the board shall issue the contract.
(4) Within 10 days after issuing a contract for a public
school academy, the authorizing body shall submit to the
superintendent of public instruction a copy of the contract.
(5) An authorizing body shall adopt a resolution establishing
the method of selection, length of term, and number of members of
the board of directors of each public school academy subject to its
jurisdiction. The resolution shall be written or amended as
necessary to include a requirement that each member of the board of
directors must be a citizen of the United States.
(6) A contract issued to organize and administer a public
school academy shall contain at least all of the following:
(a) The educational goals the public school academy is to
achieve and the methods by which it will be held accountable. The
educational goals shall include demonstrated improved pupil
academic achievement for all groups of pupils. To the extent
applicable, the pupil performance of a public school academy shall
be assessed using at least a Michigan education assessment program
(MEAP) test or the Michigan merit examination under section 1279g,
as applicable.
(b) A description of the method to be used to monitor the
public school academy's compliance with applicable law and its
performance in meeting its targeted educational objectives.
(c) A description of the process for amending the contract
during the term of the contract.
(d) All of the matters set forth in the application for the
contract.
(e) Procedures for revoking the contract and grounds for
revoking the contract, including at least the grounds listed in
section 507.
(f) A description of and address for the proposed physical
plant
in which the public school academy will be located. An
Subject to section 502b, an authorizing body may include a
provision in the contract allowing the board of directors of the
public school academy to operate the same configuration of age or
grade levels at more than 1 site if each configuration of age or
grade levels and each site identified in the contract are under the
direction and control of the board of directors.
(g) Requirements and procedures for financial audits. The
financial audits shall be conducted at least annually by a
certified public accountant in accordance with generally accepted
governmental auditing principles.
(h) The term of the contract and a description of the process
and standards for renewal of the contract at the end of the term.
The standards for renewal shall include increases in academic
achievement for all groups of pupils as measured by assessments and
other objective criteria as the most important factor in the
decision of whether or not to renew the contract.
(i) A certification, signed by an authorized member of the
board of directors of the public school academy, that the public
school academy will comply with the contract and all applicable
law.
(j) A requirement that the board of directors of the public
school academy shall ensure compliance with the requirements of
1968 PA 317, MCL 15.321 to 15.330.
(k) A requirement that the board of directors of the public
school academy shall prohibit specifically identified family
relationships between members of the board of directors,
individuals who have an ownership interest in or who are officers
or employees of an educational management organization involved in
the operation of the public school academy, and employees of the
public school academy. The contract shall identify the specific
prohibited relationships consistent with applicable law.
(l) A requirement that the board of directors of the public
school academy shall make information concerning its operation and
management available to the public and to the authorizing body in
the same manner as is required by state law for school districts.
(m) A requirement that the board of directors of the public
school academy shall collect, maintain, and make available to the
public and the authorizing body, in accordance with applicable law
and the contract, at least all of the following information
concerning the operation and management of the public school
academy:
(i) A copy of the contract issued by the authorizing body for
the public school academy.
(ii) A list of currently serving members of the board of
directors of the public school academy, including name, address,
and term of office; copies of policies approved by the board of
directors; board meeting agendas and minutes; a copy of the budget
approved by the board of directors and of any amendments to the
budget; and copies of bills paid for amounts of $10,000.00 or more
as they were submitted to the board of directors.
(iii) Quarterly financial reports submitted to the authorizing
body.
(iv) A current list of teachers and school administrators
working at the public school academy that includes their individual
salaries as submitted to the registry of educational personnel;
copies of the teaching or school administrator's certificates or
permits of current teaching and administrative staff; and evidence
of compliance with the criminal background and records checks and
unprofessional conduct check required under sections 1230, 1230a,
and 1230b for all teachers and administrators working at the public
school academy.
(v) Curriculum documents and materials given to the
authorizing body.
(vi) Proof of insurance as required by the contract.
(vii) Copies of facility leases or deeds, or both, and of any
equipment leases.
(viii) Copies of any management contracts or services contracts
approved by the board of directors.
(ix) All health and safety reports and certificates, including
those relating to fire safety, environmental matters, asbestos
inspection, boiler inspection, and food service.
(x) Any management letters issued as part of the annual
financial audit under subdivision (g).
(xi) Any other information specifically required under this
act.
(n) A requirement that the authorizing body must review and
may disapprove any agreement between the board of directors of the
public school academy and an educational management organization
before the agreement is final and valid. An authorizing body may
disapprove an agreement described in this subdivision only if the
agreement is contrary to the contract or applicable law.
(o) A requirement that the board of directors of the public
school academy shall demonstrate all of the following to the
satisfaction of the authorizing body with regard to its pupil
admission process:
(i) That the public school academy has made a reasonable effort
to advertise its enrollment openings.
(ii) That the open enrollment period for the public school
academy is for a duration of at least 2 weeks and that the
enrollment times include some evening and weekend times.
(p) A requirement that the board of directors of the public
school academy shall prohibit any individual from being employed by
the public school academy in more than 1 full-time position and
simultaneously being compensated at a full-time rate for each of
those positions.
(7) A public school academy shall comply with all applicable
law, including all of the following:
(a) The open meetings act, 1976 PA 267, MCL 15.261 to 15.275.
(b) The freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to
15.246.
(c) 1947 PA 336, MCL 423.201 to 423.217.
(d) 1965 PA 166, MCL 408.551 to 408.558.
(e) Sections 1134, 1135, 1146, 1153, 1263(3), 1267, and 1274.
(f) Laws concerning participation in state assessments, data
collection systems, state level student growth models, state
accountability and accreditation systems, and other public
comparative data collection required for public schools.
(8) A public school academy and its incorporators, board
members, officers, employees, and volunteers have governmental
immunity as provided in section 7 of 1964 PA 170, MCL 691.1407. An
authorizing body and its board members, officers, and employees are
immune from civil liability, both personally and professionally,
for an act or omission in authorizing a public school academy if
the authorizing body or the person acted or reasonably believed he
or she acted within the authorizing body's or the person's scope of
authority.
(9) A public school academy is exempt from all taxation on its
earnings and property. Instruments of conveyance to or from a
public school academy are exempt from all taxation including taxes
imposed by 1966 PA 134, MCL 207.501 to 207.513. Unless the property
is already fully exempt from real and personal property taxes under
the general property tax act, 1893 PA 206, MCL 211.1 to 211.155,
property occupied by a public school academy and used exclusively
for educational purposes is exempt from real and personal property
taxes levied for school operating purposes under section 1211, to
the extent exempted under that section, and from real and personal
property taxes levied under the state education tax act, 1993 PA
331, MCL 211.901 to 211.906. A public school academy may not levy
ad valorem property taxes or another tax for any purpose. However,
operation of 1 or more public school academies by a school district
or intermediate school district does not affect the ability of the
school district or intermediate school district to levy ad valorem
property taxes or another tax.
(10) A public school academy may acquire by purchase, gift,
devise, lease, sublease, installment purchase agreement, land
contract, option, or by any other means, hold and own in its own
name buildings and other property for school purposes, and
interests therein, and other real and personal property, including,
but not limited to, interests in property subject to mortgages,
security interests, or other liens, necessary or convenient to
fulfill its purposes. For the purposes of condemnation, a public
school academy may proceed under the uniform condemnation
procedures act, 1980 PA 87, MCL 213.51 to 213.75, excluding
sections 6 to 9 of that act, MCL 213.56 to 213.59, or other
applicable statutes, but only with the express, written permission
of the authorizing body in each instance of condemnation and only
after just compensation has been determined and paid.
(11) A member of the board of directors of a public school
academy is a public officer and shall, before entering upon the
duties of the office, take the constitutional oath of office for
public officers under section 1 of article XI of the state
constitution of 1963.
Sec. 504. (1) A public school academy may be located in all or
part of an existing public school building. A public school academy
shall not operate at a site other than the site or sites requested
for the configuration of age or grade levels that will use the site
or
sites, as specified in the contract. Under Subject to section
502b, under a contract, an authorizing body may permit a public
school academy to operate the same configuration of age or grade
levels at more than 1 site, and a public school academy may operate
the same configuration of age or grade levels at more than 1 site,
as long as the public school academy is operating in compliance
with its contract and is making measurable progress toward meeting
its educational goals. For a contract for a new public school
academy, an authorizing body may permit a public school academy to
operate the same configuration of age or grade levels at more than
1 site, and a public school academy may operate the same
configuration of age or grade levels at more than 1 site, if the
applicant for the proposed public school academy presents
documentation to the authorizing body demonstrating that the
applicant's proposed educational model has resulted in schools
making measurable progress toward meeting their education goals.
(2) A public school academy shall not charge tuition and shall
not discriminate in its pupil admissions policies or practices on
the basis of intellectual or athletic ability, measures of
achievement or aptitude, status as a student with a disability, or
any other basis that would be illegal if used by a school district.
However, a public school academy may limit admission to pupils who
are within a particular range of age or grade level or on any other
basis that would be legal if used by a school district and may give
enrollment priority as provided in subsection (4).
(3) Except for a foreign exchange student who is not a United
States citizen, a public school academy shall not enroll a pupil
who is not a resident of this state. For a public school academy
authorized by a school district, intermediate school district, or
community college, enrollment in the public school academy may be
open to all individuals who reside in this state who meet the
admission policy and shall be open to all pupils who reside within
the geographic boundaries of that authorizing body who meet the
admission policy, except that admission to a public school academy
authorized by the board of a community college to operate, or
operated by the board of a community college, on the grounds of a
federal military installation, as described in section 502(2)(c),
shall be open to all pupils who reside in the county in which the
federal military installation is located. For a public school
academy authorized by a state public university, enrollment shall
be open to all pupils who reside in this state who meet the
admission policy. Subject to subsection (4), if there are more
applications to enroll in the public school academy than there are
spaces available, pupils shall be selected to enroll using a random
selection process. A public school academy shall allow any pupil
who was enrolled in the public school academy in the immediately
preceding school year to enroll in the public school academy in the
appropriate grade unless the appropriate grade is not offered at
that public school academy.
(4) A public school academy may give enrollment priority to 1
or more of the following:
(a) A sibling of a pupil enrolled in the public school
academy.
(b) A pupil who transfers to the public school academy from
another public school pursuant to a matriculation agreement between
the public school academy and other public school that provides for
this enrollment priority, if all of the following requirements are
met:
(i) Each public school that enters into the matriculation
agreement remains a separate and independent public school.
(ii) The public school academy that gives the enrollment
priority selects at least 5% of its pupils for enrollment using a
random selection process.
(iii) The matriculation agreement allows any pupil who was
enrolled at any time during elementary school in a public school
that is party to the matriculation agreement and who was not
expelled from the public school to enroll in the public school
academy giving enrollment priority under the matriculation
agreement.
(c) A child of a person who is employed by or at the public
school academy or who is on the board of directors of the public
school academy. As used in this subdivision, "child" includes an
adopted child or a legal ward.
(5) A public school academy may include any grade up to grade
12 or any configuration of those grades, including kindergarten and
early childhood education, as specified in its contract. If
specified in its contract, a public school academy may also operate
an adult basic education program, adult high school completion
program, or general education development testing preparation
program. The authorizing body may approve amendment of a contract
with respect to ages of pupils or grades offered.
Sec. 522. (1) An urban high school academy shall be organized
and administered under the direction of a board of directors in
accordance with this part and with bylaws adopted by the board of
directors. An urban high school academy corporation shall be
organized under the nonprofit corporation act, 1982 PA 162, MCL
450.2101 to 450.3192, except that an urban high school academy
corporation is not required to comply with sections 170 to 177 of
1931 PA 327, MCL 450.170 to 450.177. To the extent disqualified
under the state or federal constitution, an urban high school
academy shall not be organized by a church or other religious
organization and shall not have any organizational or contractual
affiliation with or constitute a church or other religious
organization.
(2)
The Subject to section
522b, the governing board of a
state public university may act as an authorizing body to issue a
contract for the organization and operation of an urban high school
academy under this part.
(3) A contract issued under this part shall be issued for an
initial term of 10 years. If the urban high school academy meets
the educational goals set forth in the contract and operates in
substantial compliance with this part, the authorizing body shall
automatically renew the contract for a subsequent 10-year term.
(4) To obtain a contract to organize and operate 1 or more
urban high school academies, an entity may apply to an authorizing
body described in subsection (2). The contract shall be issued to
an urban high school academy corporation designated by the entity
applying for the contract. The application shall include at least
all of the following:
(a) Name of the entity applying for the contract.
(b) Subject to the resolution adopted by the authorizing body
under section 528, a list of the proposed members of the board of
directors of the urban high school academy and a description of the
qualifications and method for appointment or election of members of
the board of directors.
(c) The proposed articles of incorporation, which shall
include at least all of the following:
(i) The name of the proposed urban high school academy to which
the contract will be issued.
(ii) The purposes for the urban high school academy
corporation. This language shall provide that the urban high school
academy is incorporated pursuant to this part and that the urban
high school academy corporation is a governmental entity and
political subdivision of this state.
(iii) The name of the authorizing body.
(iv) The proposed time when the articles of incorporation will
be effective.
(v) Other matters considered expedient to be in the articles
of incorporation.
(d) A copy of the proposed bylaws of the urban high school
academy.
(e) Documentation meeting the application requirements of the
authorizing body, including at least all of the following:
(i) The governance structure of the urban high school academy.
(ii) A copy of the educational goals of the urban high school
academy and the curricula to be offered and methods of pupil
assessment to be used by the urban high school academy. The
educational goals shall include demonstrated improved pupil
academic achievement for all groups of pupils. To the extent
applicable, the progress of the pupils in the urban high school
academy shall be assessed using at least a Michigan education
assessment program (MEAP) test or the Michigan merit examination
under section 1279g, as applicable.
(iii) The admission policy and criteria to be maintained by the
urban high school academy. The admission policy and criteria shall
comply with section 524. This part of the application also shall
include a description of how the applicant will provide to the
general public adequate notice that an urban high school academy is
being created and adequate information on the admission policy,
criteria, and process.
(iv) The school calendar and school day schedule.
(v) The age or grade range of pupils to be enrolled.
(f) Descriptions of staff responsibilities and of the urban
high school academy's governance structure.
(g) A description of and address for the proposed building or
buildings in which the urban high school academy will be located,
and a financial commitment by the entity applying for the contract
to construct or renovate the building or buildings that will be
occupied by the urban high school academy that is issued the
contract.
(5) If a particular state public university issues a contract
that allows an urban high school academy to operate the same
configuration of grades at more than 1 site, as provided in section
524(1), each of those sites shall be under the direction of the
board of directors that is a party to the contract.
(6) If the superintendent of public instruction finds that an
authorizing body is not engaging in appropriate continuing
oversight of 1 or more urban high school academies operating under
a contract issued by the authorizing body, the superintendent of
public instruction may suspend the power of the authorizing body to
issue new contracts to organize and operate urban high school
academies. A contract issued by the authorizing body during the
suspension is void. A contract issued by the authorizing body
before the suspension is not affected by the suspension.
(7) An authorizing body shall not charge a fee, or require
reimbursement of expenses, for considering an application for a
contract, for issuing a contract, or for providing oversight of a
contract for an urban high school academy in an amount that exceeds
a combined total of 3% of the total state school aid received by
the urban high school academy in the school year in which the fees
or expenses are charged. All of the following apply to this fee:
(a) An authorizing body may use this fee only for the
following purposes:
(i) Considering applications and issuing or administering
contracts.
(ii) Compliance monitoring and oversight of urban high school
academies.
(iii) Training for urban high school academy applicants,
administrators, and boards of directors.
(iv) Technical assistance to urban high school academies.
(v) Academic support to urban high school academies or to
pupils or graduates of urban high school academies.
(vi) Evaluation of urban high school academy performance.
(vii) Training of teachers, including supervision of teacher
interns.
(viii) Other purposes that assist the urban high school
academies or traditional public schools in achieving improved
academic performance.
(b) An authorizing body may provide other services for an
urban high school academy and charge a fee for those services, but
shall not require such an arrangement as a condition to issuing the
contract authorizing the urban high school academy.
(8) An urban high school academy shall be presumed to be
legally organized if it has exercised the franchises and privileges
of an urban high school academy for at least 2 years.
Sec. 522b. (1) Beginning on the effective date of this
section, the governing board of a state university shall not issue
a new contract for the organization and operation of a new urban
high school academy under this part, shall not amend or modify a
contract to allow an urban high school academy to enroll an
additional age or grade range of pupils, and shall not amend or
modify a contract to allow an urban high school academy to operate
the same configuration of age or grade levels at an additional
site. A contract issued, amended, or modified in violation of this
section is void.
(2) It is the intent of the legislature to enact legislation
to remove the restrictions under subsection (1) after legislation
has been enacted and appropriate rules have been promulgated that
provide for all of the following:
(a) Complete transparency, including full financial disclosure
by authorizing bodies, urban high school academies, and educational
management companies and their subcontractors.
(b) Penalties for failing to comply with the transparency and
financial disclosure requirements described in subdivision (a).
(c) Comprehensive ethics and conflict of interest standards
for urban high school academies, educational management companies,
members of urban high school academy boards of directors, and
authorizing bodies.
(d) Assurance of high-quality educational standards and
outcomes for pupils through a more rigorous urban high school
academy authorizing process and strict oversight of existing urban
high school academies.
Sec. 524. (1) An urban high school academy may be located in
all or part of an existing public school building. An urban high
school academy shall not operate at a site other than the site or
sites, requested for the configuration of age or grade levels that
will
use the site or sites, as specified in the contract. Under
Subject to section 522b, under a contract, an authorizing body may
permit an urban high school academy to operate the same
configuration of age or grade levels at more than 1 site, and an
urban high school academy may operate the same configuration of age
or grade levels at more than 1 site, as long as the urban high
school academy is operating in compliance with its contract and is
making measurable progress toward meeting its educational goals.
For a contract for a new urban high school academy, an authorizing
body may permit an urban high school academy to operate the same
configuration of age or grade levels at more than 1 site, and an
urban high school academy may operate the same configuration of age
or grade levels at more than 1 site, if the applicant for the
proposed urban high school academy presents documentation to the
authorizing body demonstrating that the applicant's proposed
educational model has resulted in schools making measurable
progress toward meeting their educational goals.
(2) An urban high school academy shall not charge tuition.
Except as otherwise provided in this section, an urban high school
academy shall not discriminate in its pupil admissions policies or
practices on the basis of intellectual or athletic ability,
measures of achievement or aptitude, status as a handicapped
person, or any other basis that would be illegal if used by a
school district. However, an urban high school academy may limit
admission to pupils who are within a particular range of age or
grade level or on any other basis that would be legal if used by a
school district and may give enrollment priority as provided in
subsection (4).
(3) Except for a foreign exchange student who is not a United
States citizen, an urban high school academy shall not enroll a
pupil who is not a resident of this state. Enrollment in an urban
high school academy shall be open to all pupils who reside in this
state who meet the admission policy. Subject to subsection (4), if
there are more applications to enroll in the urban high school
academy than there are spaces available, pupils shall be selected
to attend using a random selection process. An urban high school
academy shall allow any pupil who was enrolled in the urban high
school academy in the immediately preceding school year to enroll
in the urban high school academy in the appropriate grade unless
the appropriate grade is not offered at that urban high school
academy.
(4) An urban high school academy may give enrollment priority
to 1 or more of the following:
(a) A sibling of a pupil enrolled in the urban high school
academy.
(b) A child of a person who is employed by or at the urban
high school academy or who is on the board of directors of the
urban high school academy. As used in this subdivision, "child"
includes an adopted child or a legal ward.
(5) Subject to the terms of the contract authorizing the urban
high school academy, an urban high school academy shall include at
least grades 9 through 12 within 5 years after beginning operations
and may include other grades or any configuration of those grades,
including kindergarten and early childhood education, as specified
in its contract. If specified in its contract, an urban high school
academy may also operate an adult basic education program, adult
high school completion program, or general education development
testing preparation program.
Sec.
552. (1) An Subject to
section 552b, an authorizing body
may issue contracts under this subsection to organize and operate a
school of excellence. All of the following apply to the issuance of
a contract by an authorizing body under this subsection:
(a) The issuance of the contract must be approved by the
superintendent of public instruction. The superintendent of public
instruction shall approve issuance of a contract if he or she
determines that the proposed school of excellence is modeled after
a high-performing school or program.
(b) The first 5 contracts issued by all authorizing bodies
under this subsection shall be for schools of excellence that offer
1 or more of high school grades 9 to 12, or any combination of
those grades, as specified in the contract.
(c) A school of excellence authorized under this subsection
shall not be located in a school district that has a graduation
rate of over 75%, on average, for the most recent 3 school years
for which the data are available, as determined by the department.
(2) Subject to the limitations in this subsection and
subsection (14), an authorizing body may issue contracts under this
subsection for 1 or more schools of excellence that are cyber
schools.
Until December 31, 2013, the combined total number of
contracts
that may be issued by all statewide authorizing bodies
under
this subsection for schools of excellence that are cyber
schools
shall not exceed 5. Until December
31, 2014, the combined
total number of contracts that may be issued by all statewide
authorizing bodies under this subsection for schools of excellence
that are cyber schools shall not exceed 10. After December 31,
2014, the combined total number of contracts issued by all
statewide authorizing bodies under this subsection for schools of
excellence that are cyber schools shall not exceed 15. The board of
a school district, an intermediate school board, the board of a
community college that is not a statewide authorizing body, or 2 or
more public agencies acting jointly as described in subsection
(6)(e) may not act as the authorizing body for more than 1 school
of excellence that is a cyber school. An authorizing body shall not
issue a contract for a school of excellence that is a cyber school
unless the school of excellence that is a cyber school meets all of
the following requirements:
(a) Is available for enrollment to all pupils in this state.
(b) Offers some configuration of or all of grades K to 12.
(c) The entity applying for the school of excellence that is a
cyber school demonstrates experience in delivering a quality
education program that improves pupil academic achievement. In
determining whether this requirement is met, an authorizing body
shall refer to the standards for quality online learning
established by the national association of charter school
authorizers or other similar nationally recognized standards for
quality online learning.
(d) The enrollment in the school of excellence that is a cyber
school is limited to not more than 2,500 pupils in membership for
the first school year of operation of the school of excellence that
is a cyber school, not more than 5,000 pupils in membership for the
second school year of operation of the school of excellence that is
a cyber school, and not more than 10,000 pupils in membership for
the third and subsequent school years of operation of the school of
excellence that is a cyber school. As used in this subdivision,
"membership" means that term as defined in section 6 of the state
school aid act of 1979, MCL 388.1606.
(e) The school of excellence that is a cyber school offers
each pupil's family a computer and subsidizes the cost of internet
access.
(3) For a public school academy operating under part 6a that
meets the requirements of subsection (4), with the approval of its
authorizing body, the board of directors of the public school
academy may adopt a resolution choosing to convert the public
school academy to a school of excellence under this part. If the
board of directors of a public school academy that meets the
requirements of subsection (4) is issued a contract as a school of
excellence under this subsection, all the following apply:
(a) The public school academy shall cease to operate as a
public school academy under part 6a and shall operate as a school
of excellence upon the issuance of a contract or at another time as
determined by the authorizing body.
(b) The public school academy shall be considered to be a
school of excellence for all purposes upon the issuance of a
contract or at another time as determined by the authorizing body,
but shall retain its corporate identity.
(c) The conversion of a public school academy under part 6a to
a school of excellence operating under this part shall not impair
any agreement, mortgage, loan, bond, note or other instrument of
indebtedness, or any other agreement entered into by a public
school academy while it was operating under part 6a.
(d) The contract issued to the public school academy under
part 6a shall automatically terminate upon the issuance of a
contract or at another time as determined by the authorizing body.
(4) Subsection (3) applies to a public school academy that is
determined by the department to meet all of the following, as
applicable:
(a) If the public school academy operates only some or all of
grades K to 8, meets at least 1 of the following:
(i) On average over a 3-year period, at least 90% of the pupils
enrolled in the public school academy achieved a score of
proficient or better on the Michigan education assessment program
mathematics and reading tests or successor state assessment
program.
(ii) On average over a 3-year period, at least 70% of the
pupils enrolled in the public school academy achieved a score of
proficient or better on the Michigan education assessment program
mathematics and reading tests or successor state assessment program
and at least 50% of the pupils enrolled in the public school
academy met the income eligibility criteria for the federal free or
reduced-price lunch program, as determined under the Richard B.
Russell national school lunch act, 42 USC 1751 to 1769i, and
reported to the department.
(b) If the public school academy operates grades 9 to 12, at
least 80% of the school's pupils graduate from high school or are
determined by the department to be on track to graduate from high
school, the school has at least 80% average attendance, and the
school has at least an 80% postsecondary enrollment rate.
(5) A school of excellence shall be organized and administered
under the direction of a board of directors in accordance with this
part and with bylaws adopted by the board of directors. A school of
excellence shall be organized under the nonprofit corporation act,
1982 PA 162, MCL 450.2101 to 450.3192, except that a school of
excellence is not required to comply with sections 170 to 177 of
1931 PA 327, MCL 450.170 to 450.177. To the extent disqualified
under the state or federal constitution, a school of excellence
shall not be organized by a church or other religious organization
and shall not have any organizational or contractual affiliation
with or constitute a church or other religious organization.
(6)
Any Subject to section
552b, any of the following may act
as an authorizing body to issue a contract to organize and operate
1 or more schools of excellence under this part:
(a) The board of a school district that operates grades K to
12. However, except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, the
board of a school district shall not issue a contract for a school
of excellence to operate outside the school district's boundaries,
and a school of excellence authorized by the board of a school
district shall not operate outside that school district's
boundaries. If the board of a school district issues a contract for
a school of excellence that is a cyber school, the contract may
authorize the school of excellence that is a cyber school to
operate outside that school district's boundaries.
(b) An intermediate school board. However, except as otherwise
provided in this subdivision, the board of an intermediate school
district shall not issue a contract for a school of excellence to
operate outside the intermediate school district's boundaries, and
a school of excellence authorized by the board of an intermediate
school district shall not operate outside that intermediate school
district's boundaries. If the board of an intermediate school
district issues a contract for a school of excellence that is a
cyber school, the contract may authorize the school of excellence
that is a cyber school to operate outside that intermediate school
district's boundaries.
(c) The board of a community college. Except as otherwise
provided in this subdivision, the board of a community college
shall not issue a contract for a school of excellence to operate
outside the boundaries of the community college district, and a
school of excellence authorized by the board of a community college
shall not operate outside the boundaries of the community college
district. If the board of a community college issues a contract for
a school of excellence that is a cyber school, the contract may
authorize the school of excellence that is a cyber school to
operate outside the boundaries of the community college district.
The board of a community college also may issue a contract for not
more than 1 school of excellence to operate on the grounds of an
active or closed federal military installation located outside the
boundaries of the community college district, or may operate a
school of excellence itself on the grounds of such a federal
military installation, if the federal military installation is not
located within the boundaries of any community college district and
the community college has previously offered courses on the grounds
of the federal military installation for at least 10 years.
(d) The governing board of a state public university.
(e) Two or more of the public agencies described in
subdivisions (a) to (d) exercising power, privilege, or authority
jointly pursuant to an interlocal agreement under the urban
cooperation act of 1967, 1967 (Ex Sess) PA 7, MCL 124.501 to
124.512.
(7) To obtain a contract to organize and operate 1 or more
schools of excellence, 1 or more persons or an entity may apply to
an authorizing body described in this section. The application
shall include at least all of the following:
(a) Identification of the applicant for the contract.
(b) Subject to the resolution adopted by the authorizing body
under section 553(4), a list of the proposed members of the board
of directors of the school of excellence and a description of the
qualifications and method for appointment or election of members of
the board of directors.
(c) The proposed articles of incorporation, which shall
include at least all of the following:
(i) The name of the proposed school of excellence.
(ii) The purposes for the school of excellence corporation.
This language shall provide that the school of excellence is
incorporated pursuant to this part and that the school of
excellence is a governmental entity.
(iii) The name of the authorizing body.
(iv) The proposed time when the articles of incorporation will
be effective.
(v) Other matters considered expedient to be in the articles
of incorporation.
(d) A copy of the proposed bylaws of the school of excellence.
(e) Documentation meeting the application requirements of the
authorizing body, including at least all of the following:
(i) The governance structure of the school of excellence.
(ii) A copy of the educational goals of the school of
excellence and the curricula to be offered and methods of pupil
assessment to be used by the school of excellence. The educational
goals shall include demonstrated improved pupil academic
achievement for all groups of pupils. To the extent applicable, the
progress of the pupils in the school of excellence shall be
assessed using at least a Michigan education assessment program
(MEAP) test or the Michigan merit examination under section 1279g,
as applicable.
(iii) The admission policy and criteria to be maintained by the
school of excellence. The admission policy and criteria shall
comply with section 556. This part of the application also shall
include a description of how the applicant will provide to the
general public adequate notice that a school of excellence is being
created and adequate information on the admission policy, criteria,
and process.
(iv) Except for a school of excellence that is a cyber school,
the school calendar and school day schedule.
(v) The age or grade range of pupils to be enrolled.
(f) Descriptions of staff responsibilities and of the school
of excellence governance structure.
(g) For an application to the board of a school district, an
intermediate school board, or board of a community college,
identification of the school district and intermediate school
district in which the school of excellence will be located.
(h) An agreement that the school of excellence will comply
with the provisions of this part and, subject to the provisions of
this part, with all other state law applicable to public bodies and
with federal law applicable to public bodies or school districts.
(i) A description of and address for the proposed physical
plant in which the school of excellence will be located. An
applicant may request the authorizing body to issue a contract
allowing the board of directors of the school of excellence to
operate the same configuration of age or grade levels at more than
1 site.
(8) An authorizing body shall oversee, or shall contract with
an intermediate school district, community college, or state public
university to oversee, each school of excellence operating under a
contract issued by the authorizing body. The authorizing body is
responsible for overseeing compliance by the board of directors
with the contract and all applicable law. This subsection does not
relieve any other government entity of its enforcement or
supervisory responsibility.
(9) If the superintendent of public instruction finds that an
authorizing body is not engaging in appropriate continuing
oversight of 1 or more schools of excellence operating under a
contract issued by the authorizing body, the superintendent of
public instruction may suspend the power of the authorizing body to
issue new contracts to organize and operate schools of excellence.
A contract issued by the authorizing body during the suspension is
void. A contract issued by the authorizing body before the
suspension is not affected by the suspension.
(10) An authorizing body shall not charge a fee, or require
reimbursement of expenses, for considering an application for a
contract, for issuing a contract, or for providing oversight of a
contract for a school of excellence in an amount that exceeds a
combined total of 3% of the total state school aid received by the
school of excellence in the school year in which the fees or
expenses are charged. The authorizing body may provide other
services for a school of excellence and charge a fee for those
services, but shall not require such an arrangement as a condition
to issuing the contract authorizing the school of excellence.
(11) A school of excellence shall be presumed to be legally
organized if it has exercised the franchises and privileges of a
public school academy for at least 2 years.
(12) A member of the board of directors of a school of
excellence is a public officer and shall, before entering upon the
duties of the office, take the constitutional oath of office for
public officers under section 1 of article XI of the state
constitution of 1963.
(13) A school of excellence that is a cyber school may make
available to other public schools for purchase any of the course
offerings that the cyber school offers to its own pupils.
(14) If the department determines that the combined total
statewide final audited membership for all pupils in membership in
schools of excellence that are cyber schools for the 2012-2013
state fiscal year exceeds a number equal to 1% of the combined
total statewide final audited membership for all pupils in
membership in public schools for the 2011-2012 state fiscal year,
then all of the following apply:
(a) An authorizing body may not issue a new contract for a new
school of excellence that is a cyber school to begin operations in
the 2013-2014 school year.
(b) A school of excellence that is a cyber school may not
enroll any new pupils in the school of excellence that is a cyber
school in the 2013-2014 school year.
(15) Beginning July 1, 2013, if the department determines that
the combined total statewide final audited membership for all
pupils in membership in schools of excellence that are cyber
schools for a state fiscal year exceeds a number equal to 2% of the
combined total statewide final audited membership for all pupils in
membership in public schools for the 2011-2012 state fiscal year,
then all of the following apply:
(a) Subject to subdivision (c), an authorizing body may not
issue a new contract for a new school of excellence that is a cyber
school to begin operations in a school year that begins after that
determination is made.
(b) Subject to subdivision (c), a school of excellence that is
a cyber school may not enroll any new pupils in the school of
excellence that is a cyber school in a school year that begins
after that determination is made.
(c) If the department determines that the combined total
statewide final audited membership for all pupils in membership in
schools of excellence that are cyber schools for a state fiscal
year does not exceed a number equal to 2% of the combined total
statewide final audited membership for all pupils in membership in
public schools for the 2011-2012 state fiscal year, then
subdivisions (a) and (b) do not apply for a school year that begins
after that determination is made unless the department makes a new
determination that the membership limits under this subsection have
been exceeded.
(16) For the purposes of subsections (14) and (15), not later
than July 1, 2012, and by not later than July 1 of each year
thereafter, the department shall determine the percentage of the
combined total statewide final audited membership for all pupils in
membership in public schools that are pupils in membership in
schools of excellence that are cyber schools for the state fiscal
year that includes that July 1.
(17) As used in this section:
(a) "Membership" means that term as defined in section 6 of
the state school aid act of 1979, MCL 388.1606.
(b) "Statewide authorizing body" means the governing board of
a state public university or the board of a federal tribally
controlled community college that is recognized under the tribally
controlled colleges and universities assistance act of 1978, 25 USC
1801 to 1852, and is determined by the department to meet the
requirements for accreditation by a recognized regional accrediting
body.
(18) Not later than October 1, 2012, If a district, an
intermediate school district, a public school academy, or the
education achievement system offers online learning, the board or
board of directors of the district, intermediate school district,
or public school academy, or the education achievement system,
shall submit to the department a report that details the per-pupil
costs of operating the online learning. The report shall include,
on a per-pupil basis, at least all of the following costs:
(a) Textbooks, instructional materials, and supplies,
including electronic instructional material.
(b) Computer and other electronic equipment, including
internet and telephone access.
(c) Salaries and benefits for the online learning employees.
(d) Purchased courses and curricula.
(e) Fees associated with oversight and regulation.
(f) Travel costs associated with school activities and
testing.
(g) Facilities costs.
(h) Costs associated with special education.
(19) Not later than December 31, 2012, the department shall
issue a report to the legislature including the following:
(a) A review of the data submitted under subsection (14).
(b) A comparison with costs of substantially similar programs
in other states and relevant national research on the costs of
online learning.
(c) Any conclusions concerning factors or characteristics of
online learning programs that make a difference in the costs of
operating the programs.
(20) The board of directors of a school of excellence that is
a cyber school, or the board of a school district, intermediate
school district, or public school academy that operates an online
or other distance learning program, shall submit a monthly report
to the department, in the form and manner prescribed by the
department, that reports the number of pupils enrolled in the
school of excellence that is a cyber school, or in the online or
other distance learning program, during the immediately preceding
month.
(21) The board of directors of a school of excellence that is
a cyber school shall ensure that, when a pupil enrolls in the
school of excellence that is a cyber school, the pupil and his or
her parent or legal guardian are provided with a parent-student
orientation. If the pupil is at least age 18 or is an emancipated
minor, the orientation may be provided to just the pupil.
Sec. 552b. (1) Beginning on the effective date of this
section, an authorizing body shall not issue a new contract for the
organization and operation of a new school of excellence under this
part, shall not amend or modify a contract to allow a school of
excellence to enroll an additional age or grade range of pupils,
and shall not amend or modify a contract to allow a school of
excellence to operate the same configuration of age or grade levels
at an additional site. A contract issued, amended, or modified in
violation of this section is void.
(2) It is the intent of the legislature to enact legislation
to remove the restrictions under subsection (1) after legislation
has been enacted and appropriate rules have been promulgated that
provide for all of the following:
(a) Complete transparency, including full financial disclosure
by authorizing bodies, schools of excellence, and educational
management organizations and their subcontractors.
(b) Penalties for failing to comply with the transparency and
financial disclosure requirements described in subdivision (a).
(c) Comprehensive ethics and conflict of interest standards
for schools of excellence, educational management organizations,
members of school of excellence boards of directors, and
authorizing bodies.
(d) Assurance of high-quality educational standards and
outcomes for pupils through a more rigorous school of excellence
authorizing process and strict oversight of existing schools of
excellence.
Sec. 553. (1) An authorizing body is not required to issue a
contract to any person or entity. Schools of excellence contracts
shall be issued on a competitive basis taking into consideration
the resources available for the proposed school of excellence, the
population to be served by the proposed school of excellence, the
educational goals to be achieved by the proposed school of
excellence, and the applicant's track record, if any, in operating
public school academies or other public schools.
(2) If a person or entity applies to the board of a school
district for a contract to organize and operate 1 or more schools
of excellence within the boundaries of the school district and the
board does not issue the contract, the person or entity may
petition the board to place the question of issuing the contract on
the ballot to be decided by the school electors of the school
district. The petition shall contain all of the information
required to be in the contract application under section 552 and
shall be signed by a number of school electors of the school
district equal to at least 5% of the total number of school
electors of that school district. The petition shall be filed with
the school district filing official. If the board receives a
petition meeting the requirements of this subsection, the board
shall have the question of issuing the contract placed on the
ballot at its next regular school election held at least 60 days
after receiving the petition. If a majority of the school electors
of the school district voting on the question vote to issue the
contract, the board shall issue the contract.
(3) Within 10 days after issuing a contract for a school of
excellence, the authorizing body shall submit to the superintendent
of public instruction a copy of the contract.
(4) An authorizing body shall adopt a resolution establishing
the method of selection, length of term, and number of members of
the board of directors of each school of excellence subject to its
jurisdiction. The resolution shall be written or amended as
necessary to include a requirement that each member of the board of
directors must be a citizen of the United States.
(5) A contract issued to organize and administer a school of
excellence shall contain at least all of the following:
(a) The educational goals the school of excellence is to
achieve and the methods by which it will be held accountable. The
educational goals shall include demonstrated improved pupil
academic achievement for all groups of pupils. To the extent
applicable, the pupil performance of a school of excellence shall
be assessed using at least a Michigan education assessment program
(MEAP) test or the Michigan merit examination under section 1279g,
as applicable.
(b) A description of the method to be used to monitor the
school of excellence's compliance with applicable law and its
performance in meeting its targeted educational objectives.
(c) A description of the process for amending the contract
during the term of the contract.
(d) All of the matters set forth in the application for the
contract.
(e) Procedures for revoking the contract and grounds for
revoking the contract, including at least the grounds listed in
section 561.
(f) A description of and address for the proposed physical
plant
in which the school of excellence will be located. An Subject
to section 552b, an authorizing body may include a provision in the
contract allowing the board of directors of the school of
excellence to operate the same configuration of age or grade levels
at more than 1 site if each configuration of age or grade levels
and each site identified in the contract are under the direction
and control of the board of directors.
(g) Requirements and procedures for financial audits. The
financial audits shall be conducted at least annually by a
certified public accountant in accordance with generally accepted
governmental auditing principles.
(h) A certification, signed by an authorized member of the
school of excellence board of directors, that the school of
excellence will comply with the contract and all applicable law.
(i) A requirement that the board of directors shall ensure
compliance with the requirements of 1968 PA 317, MCL 15.321 to
15.330.
(j) A requirement that the board of directors shall prohibit
specifically identified family relationships between members of the
board of directors, individuals who have an ownership interest in
or who are officers or employees of an educational management
organization involved in the operation of the school of excellence,
and employees of the school of excellence. The contract shall
identify the specific prohibited relationships consistent with
applicable law.
(k) A requirement that the board of directors of the school of
excellence shall make information concerning its operation and
management available to the public and to the authorizing body in
the same manner as is required by state law for school districts.
(l) A requirement that the board of directors of the school of
excellence shall collect, maintain, and make available to the
public and the authorizing body, in accordance with applicable law
and the contract, at least all of the following information
concerning the operation and management of the school of
excellence:
(i) A copy of the contract issued by the authorizing body for
the school of excellence.
(ii) A list of currently serving members of the board of
directors of the school of excellence, including name, address, and
term of office; copies of policies approved by the board of
directors; board meeting agendas and minutes; copy of the budget
approved by the board of directors and of any amendments to the
budget; and copies of bills paid for amounts of $10,000.00 or more
as they were submitted to the board of directors.
(iii) Quarterly financial reports submitted to the authorizing
body.
(iv) A current list of teachers and school administrators
working at the school of excellence that includes their individual
salaries as submitted to the registry of educational personnel;
copies of the teaching or school administrator's certificates or
permits of current teaching and administrative staff; and evidence
of compliance with the criminal background and records checks and
unprofessional conduct check required under sections 1230, 1230a,
and 1230b for all teachers and administrators working at the school
of excellence.
(v) Curriculum documents and materials given to the
authorizing body.
(vi) Proof of insurance as required by the contract.
(vii) Copies of facility leases or deeds, or both, and of any
equipment leases.
(viii) Copies of any management contracts or services contracts
approved by the board of directors.
(ix) All health and safety reports and certificates, including
those relating to fire safety, environmental matters, asbestos
inspection, boiler inspection, and food service.
(x) Any management letters issued as part of the annual
financial audit under subdivision (g).
(xi) Any other information specifically required under this
act.
(m) A requirement that the authorizing body must review and
may disapprove any agreement between the board of directors and an
educational management organization before the agreement is final
and valid. An authorizing body may disapprove an agreement
described in this subdivision only if the agreement is contrary to
contract or applicable law.
(n) A requirement that the board of directors shall
demonstrate all of the following to the satisfaction of the
authorizing body with regard to its pupil admission process:
(i) That the school of excellence has made a reasonable effort
to advertise its enrollment openings.
(ii) That the school of excellence has made the following
additional efforts to recruit pupils who are eligible for special
education programs and services or English as a second language
services to apply for admission:
(A) Reasonable efforts to advertise all enrollment openings to
organizations and media that regularly serve and advocate for
individuals with disabilities or children with limited English-
speaking ability within the boundaries of the intermediate school
district in which the school of excellence is located.
(B) Inclusion in all pupil recruitment materials of a
statement that appropriate special education services and English
as a second language services will be made available to pupils
attending the school as required by law.
(iii) That the open enrollment period for the school of
excellence is for a duration of at least 2 weeks and that the
enrollment times include some evening and weekend times.
(o) A requirement that the board of directors shall prohibit
any individual from being employed by the school of excellence in
more than 1 full-time position and simultaneously being compensated
at a full-time rate for each of those positions.
(p) A requirement that, if requested, the board of directors
shall report to the authorizing body the total compensation for
each individual working at the school of excellence.
(6) A school of excellence shall comply with all applicable
law, including all of the following:
(a) The open meetings act, 1976 PA 267, MCL 15.261 to 15.275.
(b) The freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to
15.246.
(c) 1947 PA 336, MCL 423.201 to 423.217.
(d) 1965 PA 166, MCL 408.551 to 408.558.
(e) Sections 1134, 1135, 1146, 1153, 1263(3), 1267, and 1274.
(f) Laws concerning participation in state assessments, data
collection systems, state level student growth models, state
accountability and accreditation systems, and other public
comparative data collection required for public schools.
(7) A school of excellence and its incorporators, board
members, officers, employees, and volunteers have governmental
immunity as provided in section 7 of 1964 PA 170, MCL 691.1407. An
authorizing body and its board members, officers, and employees are
immune from civil liability, both personally and professionally,
for an act or omission in authorizing a school of excellence if the
authorizing body or the person acted or reasonably believed he or
she acted within the authorizing body's or the person's scope of
authority.
(8) A school of excellence is exempt from all taxation on its
earnings and property. Unless the property is already fully exempt
from real and personal property taxes under the general property
tax act, 1893 PA 206, MCL 211.1 to 211.155, property occupied by a
school of excellence and used exclusively for educational purposes
is exempt from real and personal property taxes levied for school
operating purposes under section 1211, to the extent exempted under
that section, and from real and personal property taxes levied
under the state education tax act, 1993 PA 331, MCL 211.901 to
211.906. Instruments of conveyance to or from a school of
excellence are exempt from all taxation including taxes imposed by
1966 PA 134, MCL 207.501 to 207.513. A school of excellence may not
levy ad valorem property taxes or another tax for any purpose.
However, operation of 1 or more schools of excellence by a school
district or intermediate school district does not affect the
ability of the school district or intermediate school district to
levy ad valorem property taxes or another tax.
(9) A school of excellence may acquire by purchase, gift,
devise, lease, sublease, installment purchase agreement, land
contract, option, or by any other means, hold, and own in its own
name buildings and other property for school purposes, and
interests therein, and other real and personal property, including,
but not limited to, interests in property subject to mortgages,
security interests, or other liens, necessary or convenient to
fulfill its purposes. For the purposes of condemnation, a school of
excellence may proceed under the uniform condemnation procedures
act, 1980 PA 87, MCL 213.51 to 213.75, excluding sections 6 to 9 of
that act, MCL 213.56 to 213.59, or other applicable statutes, but
only with the express, written permission of the authorizing body
in each instance of condemnation and only after just compensation
has been determined and paid.
Sec. 556. (1) A school of excellence may be located in all or
part of an existing public school building. A school of excellence,
other than a cyber school operated under section 553a, shall not
operate at a site other than the site or sites requested for the
configuration of age or grade levels that will use the site or
sites,
as specified in the contract. Under Subject to section 552b,
under a contract, an authorizing body may permit a school of
excellence to operate the same configuration of age or grade levels
at more than 1 site, and a school of excellence may operate the
same configuration of age or grade levels at more than 1 site, as
long as the school of excellence is operating in compliance with
its contract and is making measurable progress toward meeting its
educational goals. For a contract for a new school of excellence,
an authorizing body may permit a school of excellence to operate
the same configuration of age or grade levels at more than 1 site,
and a school of excellence may operate the same configuration of
age or grade levels at more than 1 site, if the applicant for the
proposed school of excellence presents documentation to the
authorizing body demonstrating that the applicant's proposed
educational model has resulted in schools making measurable
progress toward meeting their educational goals.
(2) A school of excellence shall not charge tuition and shall
not discriminate in its pupil admissions policies or practices on
the basis of intellectual or athletic ability, measures of
achievement or aptitude, status as a student with a disability, or
any other basis that would be illegal if used by a school district.
However, a school of excellence may limit admission to pupils who
are within a particular range of age or grade level or on any other
basis that would be legal if used by a school district and may give
enrollment priority as provided in subsection (4).
(3) Except for a foreign exchange student who is not a United
States citizen, a school of excellence shall not enroll a pupil who
is not a resident of this state. For a school of excellence
authorized by a school district, intermediate school district, or
community college, enrollment in the school of excellence may be
open to all individuals who reside in this state who meet the
admission policy and shall be open to all pupils who reside within
the geographic boundaries of that authorizing body who meet the
admission policy, except that admission to a school of excellence
authorized by the board of a community college to operate, or
operated by the board of a community college, on the grounds of a
federal military installation, as described in section 552(6)(c),
shall be open to all pupils who reside in the county in which the
federal military installation is located. For a school of
excellence authorized by a state public university, enrollment
shall be open to all pupils who reside in this state who meet the
admission policy. If there are more applications to enroll in the
school of excellence than there are spaces available, pupils shall
be selected to attend using a random selection process. A school of
excellence shall allow any pupil who was enrolled in the school of
excellence in the immediately preceding school year to enroll in
the school of excellence in the appropriate grade unless the
appropriate grade is not offered at that school of excellence.
(4) A school of excellence may give enrollment priority to 1
or more of the following:
(a) A sibling of a pupil enrolled in the school of excellence.
(b) A pupil who transfers to the school of excellence from
another public school pursuant to a matriculation agreement between
the school of excellence and another public school that provides
for this enrollment priority, if all of the following requirements
are met:
(i) Each school of excellence or other public school that
enters into the matriculation agreement remains a separate and
independent public school.
(ii) The school of excellence that gives the enrollment
priority selects at least 5% of its pupils for enrollment using a
random selection process.
(iii) The matriculation agreement allows any pupil who was
enrolled at any time during elementary school in a public school
that is party to the matriculation agreement and who was not
expelled from the public school to enroll in the school of
excellence giving enrollment priority under the matriculation
agreement.
(c) A child of a person who is employed by or at the school of
excellence or who is on the board of directors of the school of
excellence. As used in this subdivision, "child" includes an
adopted child or a legal ward.
(5) Subject to subsection (6), a school of excellence may
include any grade up to grade 12 or any configuration of those
grades, including kindergarten and early childhood education, as
specified in its contract. If specified in its contract, a school
of excellence may also operate an adult basic education program,
adult high school completion program, or general education
development testing preparation program. The authorizing body may
approve amendment of a contract with respect to ages of pupils or
grades offered.
(6) In addition to any other grade levels it operates, a
school of excellence shall work toward operating all of grades 9 to
12 within 6 years after it begins operations, unless a
matriculation agreement has been reached with another public school
that provides grades 9 to 12.
(7) If a school of excellence is a cyber school and its
authorizing body is a school district or intermediate school
district, the school of excellence shall give enrollment priority
to pupils who reside in the school district or intermediate school
district that is the authorizing body.
Sec. 1311d. (1) A strict discipline academy shall be organized
and administered under the direction of a board of directors in
accordance with sections 1311b to 1311l and with bylaws adopted by
the board of directors. A strict discipline academy corporation
created to operate a strict discipline academy shall be organized
under the nonprofit corporation act, 1982 PA 162, MCL 450.2101 to
450.3192, except that the strict discipline academy corporation is
not required to comply with sections 170 to 177 of 1931 PA 327, MCL
450.170 to 450.177. To the extent disqualified under the state or
federal constitution, a strict discipline academy shall not be
organized by a church or other religious organization and shall not
have any organizational or contractual affiliation with or
constitute a church or other religious organization.
(2)
Any Subject to section
1311n, any of the following may act
as an authorizing body to issue a contract to organize and operate
1 or more strict discipline academies under sections 1311b to 1311l:
(a) The board of a school district that operates grades K to
12. However, the board of a school district shall not issue a
contract for a strict discipline academy to operate outside the
school district's boundaries, and a strict discipline academy
authorized by the board of a school district shall not operate
outside that school district's boundaries.
(b) An intermediate school board. However, the board of an
intermediate school district shall not issue a contract for a
strict discipline academy to operate outside the intermediate
school district's boundaries, and a strict discipline academy
authorized by the board of an intermediate school district shall
not operate outside that intermediate school district's boundaries.
(c) The board of a community college. However, except as
otherwise provided in this subdivision, the board of a community
college shall not issue a contract for a strict discipline academy
to operate in a school district organized as a school district of
the first class, a strict discipline academy authorized by the
board of a community college shall not operate in a school district
organized as a school district of the first class, the board of a
community college shall not issue a contract for a strict
discipline academy to operate outside the boundaries of the
community college district, and a strict discipline academy
authorized by the board of a community college shall not operate
outside the boundaries of the community college district. The board
of a community college also may issue a contract for not more than
1 strict discipline academy to operate on the grounds of an active
or closed federal military installation located outside the
boundaries of the community college district, or may operate a
strict discipline academy itself on the grounds of such a federal
military installation, if the federal military installation is not
located within the boundaries of any community college district and
the community college has previously offered courses on the grounds
of the federal military installation for at least 10 years.
(d) The governing board of a state public university.
(3) To obtain a contract to organize and operate 1 or more
strict discipline academies, 1 or more persons or an entity may
apply to an authorizing body described in subsection (2). The
application shall include at least all of the following:
(a) Identification of the applicant for the contract.
(b) Subject to the resolution adopted by the authorizing body
under section 1311e, a list of the proposed members of the board of
directors of the strict discipline academy and a description of the
qualifications and method for appointment or election of members of
the board of directors.
(c) The proposed articles of incorporation, which shall
include at least all of the following:
(i) The name of the proposed strict discipline academy.
(ii) The purposes for the strict discipline academy corporation
that will operate the strict discipline academy. This language
shall provide that the strict discipline academy is established
pursuant to sections 1311b to 1311l and that the strict discipline
academy corporation is a governmental entity.
(iii) The name of the authorizing body.
(iv) The proposed time when the articles of incorporation will
be effective.
(v) Other matters considered expedient to be in the articles
of incorporation.
(d) A copy of the proposed bylaws of the strict discipline
academy.
(e) Documentation meeting the application requirements of the
authorizing body, including at least all of the following:
(i) The governance structure of the strict discipline academy.
(ii) A copy of the educational goals of the strict discipline
academy and the curricula to be offered and methods of pupil
assessment to be used by the strict discipline academy. To the
extent applicable, the progress of the pupils in the strict
discipline academy shall be assessed using at least a Michigan
education assessment program (MEAP) test or an assessment
instrument developed under section 1279 for a state-endorsed high
school diploma.
(iii) The admission policy and criteria to be maintained by the
strict discipline academy. The admission policy and criteria shall
comply with section 1311g. This part of the application also shall
include a description of how the applicant will provide to the
general public adequate notice that a strict discipline academy is
being created and adequate information on the admission policy,
criteria, and process.
(iv) The school calendar and school day schedule.
(v) The age or grade range of pupils to be enrolled.
(vi) The type of pupils to be enrolled in the strict discipline
academy, as described in section 1311g(3) and (4).
(f) Descriptions of staff responsibilities and of the strict
discipline academy's governance structure.
(g) For an application to the board of a school district, an
intermediate school board, or board of a community college,
identification of the local and intermediate school districts in
which the strict discipline academy will be located.
(h) An agreement that the strict discipline academy will
comply with the provisions of sections 1311b to 1311l and, subject
to the provisions of these sections, with all other state law
applicable to public bodies and with federal law applicable to
public bodies or school districts.
(i) For a strict discipline academy authorized by a school
district, an assurance that employees of the strict discipline
academy will be covered by the collective bargaining agreements
that apply to other employees of the school district employed in
similar classifications in schools that are not strict discipline
academies.
(j) A description of and address for the proposed physical
plant in which the strict discipline academy will be located.
(4) An authorizing body shall oversee, or shall contract with
an intermediate school district, community college, or state public
university to oversee, each strict discipline academy operating
under a contract issued by the authorizing body. The oversight
shall be sufficient to ensure that the authorizing body can certify
that the strict discipline academy is in compliance with statute,
rules, and the terms of the contract.
(5) If the state board finds that an authorizing body is not
engaging in appropriate continuing oversight of 1 or more strict
discipline academies operating under a contract issued by the
authorizing body, the state board may suspend the power of the
authorizing body to issue new contracts to organize and operate
strict discipline academies. A contract issued by the authorizing
body during the suspension is void. A contract issued by the
authorizing body before the suspension is not affected by the
suspension.
(6) An authorizing body shall not charge a fee, or require
reimbursement of expenses, for considering an application for a
contract, for issuing a contract, or for providing oversight of a
contract for a strict discipline academy in an amount that exceeds
a combined total of 3% of the total state school aid received by
the strict discipline academy in the school year in which the fees
or expenses are charged. An authorizing body may provide other
services for a strict discipline academy and charge a fee for those
services, but shall not require such an arrangement as a condition
to issuing the contract authorizing the strict discipline academy.
(7) A strict discipline academy shall be presumed to be
legally organized if it has exercised the franchises and privileges
of a strict discipline academy for at least 2 years.
Sec. 1311n. (1) Beginning on the effective date of this
section, an authorizing body shall not issue a new contract for the
organization and operation of a new strict discipline academy under
this part and shall not amend or modify a contract to allow a
strict discipline academy to enroll an additional age or grade
range of pupils. A contract issued, amended, or modified in
violation of this section is void.
(2) It is the intent of the legislature to enact legislation
to remove the restrictions under subsection (1) after legislation
has been enacted and appropriate rules have been promulgated that
provide for all of the following:
(a) Complete transparency, including full financial disclosure
by authorizing bodies, strict discipline academies, and educational
management organizations and their subcontractors.
(b) Penalties for failing to comply with the transparency and
financial disclosure requirements described in subdivision (a).
(c) Comprehensive ethics and conflict of interest standards
for strict discipline academies, educational management
organizations, members of strict discipline academy boards of
directors, and authorizing bodies.
(d) Assurance of high-quality educational standards and
outcomes for pupils through a more rigorous strict discipline
academy authorizing process and strict oversight of existing strict
discipline academies.
(3) As used in this section:
(a) "Educational management organization" means an entity that
enters into a management agreement with a strict discipline
academy.
(b) "Entity" means a partnership, nonprofit or business
corporation, or any other association, corporation, trust, or other
legal entity.
(c) "Management agreement" means an agreement to provide
comprehensive educational, administrative, management, or
instructional services or staff to a strict discipline academy.