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Committee backs clarification that state takeover of troubled school districts should end within five years
Summary
Lawmakers agreed to an amendment to SB 364 clarifying that a state takeover of a school district should not extend beyond five years without action; discussion recalled the Little Rock takeover and emphasized exit criteria and transition planning.
Sponsor moved an amendment to SB 364 deleting an emergency clause and clarifying statutory language that five years means five years for state oversight of districts in intensive support. The sponsor framed the bill as a clarification of existing law that, if after five years the district has not met exit criteria, the State Board must annex, consolidate, or reconstitute the district.
Committee members detailed experience from the Little Rock and Pulaski County takeovers, citing years-long delays in exit-criteria publication and protracted transitions that left districts in difficult fiscal or academic states. Members discussed the need for exit criteria to be timely and for transition periods to allow reconstitution or return to elected local control while ensuring fiscal responsibilities were met.
The committee adopted the amendment and voted to report SB 364 out of committee as amended; supporters said the change would reinforce a statutory five-year cap while leaving options for annexation, consolidation or reconstitution where exit criteria are not met.
