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Assembly Actions -
Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE |
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|---|---|
| May 06, 2014 |
print number 4184a |
| May 06, 2014 |
amend and recommit to education |
| Jan 08, 2014 |
referred to education |
| Mar 13, 2013 |
referred to education |
Senate Bill S4184A
2013-2014 Legislative Session
Establishes regional secondary schools
download bill text pdfSponsored By
(R, C, IP) Senate District
Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Education Committee
- Introduced
-
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
-
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
-
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- Delivered to Governor
- Signed By Governor
Actions
Bill Amendments
2013-S4184 - Details
- See Assembly Version of this Bill:
- A7149
- Current Committee:
- Senate Education
- Law Section:
- Education Law
- Laws Affected:
- Add Art 39-A §§1920 - 1923, amd §§1950 & 3602, Ed L
2013-S4184 - Sponsor Memo
BILL NUMBER:S4184
TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the education law, in relation to the
establishment of regional secondary schools
Purpose of the Bill: The proposed legislation authorizes the
establishment of regional secondary schools. In light of fiscal
constraints and declining enrollments, many school districts across
the State face educational insolvency or are at risk of not meeting
their financial obligations. The financial and program challenges
faced by many school districts are primarily at the secondary school
level. This bill would allow three or more school districts to enter
into contracts with each other or a Board of Cooperative Educational
Services (BOCES), with the Commissioner's approval, to establish a
regional:secondary school for their students. Leveraging the resources
of multiple districts and providing incentive aid for the creation of
regional high schools will improve the quality of instruction and
educational opportunities for these students, while providing school
districts with operational flexibility and cost-reduction incentives
for this new delivery model. This model is expected to be attractive
to school districts that are experiencing difficulty in providing
competitive secondary school curricula but lack the public support for
full district reorganization. This model will provide students with,
greater access to high-quality educational program s and services that
prepare them to graduate high school ready for success in college and
careers.
Summary of the Provisions of the Bill: Section 1 of the bill sets forth the legislative intent for the establishment of regional secondary schools. Section 2 of the bill adds Article 39-a (W920-4923), to the Education Law to authorize the establishment of two models for a regional secondary school. Education Law § 1920, as added, establishes the first model for a regional secondary school. It would allow three or more school districts to contract with each other to form a regional secondary school to serve all or some of the students in each of the participating districts in grades nine through twelve, which may include grades six, seven and/or eight, as agreed upon by the districts. The formation of a regional secondary school would be subject to each participating district ceasing the operation of at least one of its high schools. Either one of the participating school districts or a joint board of education would be authorized to operate, supervise and maintain the regional secondary school. With the exception of certain school districts, as further discussed below, any city school district, central school district, union free school district, or common school district wholly contained within the supervisory district would be eligible to form a regional secondary school. A component school district of a central high school district would not be eligible to participate in a regional secondary school unless, upon voter approval, a central high school entered into an agreement with -school districts, other than its component districts, to establish a regional secondary school. A special act school district established through special legislation to provide services to certain students with disabilities, as defined in Education Law 4001, and as are enumerated in Chapter 566 of the Laws of 1967, would not be authorized to form a regional secondary school, without exception. To form a regional secondary school under Article 39-a, the board of education of each participating school district would first be required to agree to the formation of the regional secondary school and then, by a majority vote of the each board of education, adopt a resolution proposing the establishment of such regional secondary school. Each board would be required to hold a meeting to vote on the resolution by October 1 of the school year preceding the school year in which the regional secondary school would commence operation. Following adoption of such resolution, the qualified voters of each school district would be required to approve the resolution in a referendum held in each district. Upon voter approval, the districts would enter into a contract and present the contract for approval to the Commissioner of Education. Subject to certain criteria prescribed in this section, the Commissioner of Education would be required to approve or disapprove the contract made by the districts. Among other things, the contract must demonstrate how the regional secondary school will provide increased educational opportunities, including courses and programs in science, technology, engineering and math, to prepare students for college and career readiness and improve student performance and must specify the costs of the operation of the regional secondary school for each participating district and provide an itemized listing of the cost savings for each participating school district. Diplomas would be issued by the governing board of the regional secondary school, or if the contract so provides by the student's school district of residence upon certification by the governing board that all graduation requirements of the regional secondary school have been met. Upon approval of the contract, the regional secondary school would be established for a period of at least five and not more than seven school years and, with the approval of the Commissioner, may be renewed by mutual agreement of the boards of education of the participating districts. Upon formation of such regional secondary school, students would be considered the students of the regional secondary school, provided, however, that students would be considered students of their respective school district of residence for purposes of calculating State aid, and provided, further, that each student's district of residency would be responsible for providing or arranging for, the transportation of such students to the regional secondary school. Education Law § 1920, as added, would also provide for the rights of teachers, teacher aides and teaching assistants. similar to what is provided for such teachers when a BOCES takes over the program of a school district under Education Law § 3014-a. Education Law § 1921, as added, establishes the second model for a regional secondary school. Specifically, it authorizes three or more school districts and a BOCES to form a regional secondary school to serve all or some of the students in each of the participating districts in grades nine through twelve, which may include grades six, seven and/or eight, as agreed upon by the districts. Under this new section, BOCES would operate the regional secondary school and would assume all the responsibility to operate, supervise and maintain the regional secondary school and the administration of such school. The formation of such a regional secondary school would be conditioned upon each participating district ceasing the operation of at least one of its high schools. With the exception of certain school districts, as further discussed below, any city school district, central school district, union free school district, or common school district wholly contained within the supervisory district would be eligible to form a regional secondary school. A component school district of a central high school district would not be eligible to participate in a regional secondary school unless, upon voter approval, a central high school entered into an agreement with school districts, other than its component districts, to establish a regional secondary school. A special act school district established through special legislation to provide services to certain students with disabilities, as defined in Education Law 4001, and as are enumerated in Chapter 566 of the Laws of 1967, would not be authorized to form a regional secondary school, without exception. To form a regional secondary school under this model, the board of education of each participating school districts and the BOCES would first be required to agree to the formation of the regional secondary school and then, by a majority vote, adopt a resolution proposing the establishment of such regional secondary school. Each board would be required to hold a meeting to vote on the resolution by October I of the school year preceding the school year in which the regional secondary school would commence operation. Following adoption of such resolution, the qualified voters of each school district would be required to approve the resolution in a referendum held in each district. Upon voter approval, the participating districts and BOCES would enter into a contract and present the contract for approval to the Commissioner of Education. Subject to certain criteria prescribed in this section, the Commissioner of Education would be required to approve or disapprove the contract made by the districts. Among other things, the contract must demonstrate how the regional secondary school will provide increased educational opportunities, including courses and programs in science, technology, engineering and math, to prepare students for college and career readiness and improve student performance and must specify the costs of the operation of the regional secondary school for each participating district and provide an itemized listing of the cost savings for each participating school district. Upon approval of the contract, the regional secondary school would be established for a period of at least five and not more than seven school years and, with the approval of the Commissioner, may be renewed by mutual agreement of the boards of education of the participating districts. Upon formation of such regional secondary school, students would be considered the students of the regional secondary school, provided, however, that students would be considered students of their respective school district of residence for purposes of calculating State aid, and provided, further, that each student's district of residence would be responsible for providing or arranging for, the transportation of such students to the regional secondary school. The BOCES would serve as the governing body for the regional secondary school and be responsible for the administration of such school, including grading. The BOCES would also act as a school district for accountability purposes. BOCES would be authorized to establish curriculum and issue high school diplomas to the students in the regional secondary schools, though if the contract so provides, diplomas may be issued by the student's school district of residence upon certification by the BOCES that all graduation requirements of the regional secondary school have been met. Education Law § 1921, as added, would also provide for the rights of teachers, teacher aides and assistants, as mirrored in accordance with existing Education Law § 3014-a, which provides for the rights of teachers as a result of BOCES taking over a program formerly operated by a district. Article 39-a would also add Education Law § 1922 to describe the State aid calculations for regional secondary schools. This section provides that students attending a regional secondary school are deemed enrolled in their school district of residence and shall be included in the membership, enrollment and attendance counts of their school districts of residence for purposes of computing State aid to such school districts. State aid shall be computed for these students in the same manner as aid attributable to other resident students. This section also provides that the school district that owns the facility used to house the regional secondary school shall be the only school district eligible for building aid involving the regional secondary school. Such aid shall be computed using the building aid ratio applicable to the projects of the school district that owns the regional secondary school. In the case of a regional secondary school operated by a BOCES that is housed in a facility owned by a participating school district, the capital expenses for building projects involving the regional secondary school shall be a charge upon the participating school districts only and are not eligible for aid. However, aidable shared services provided by the BOCES to supplement the programs of the regional secondary school would be eligible for aid. This section also provides that participating school districts shall be eligible for additional state aid in accordance with Education Law § 3602(k). Education Law § 1923, as added, provides for the creation of a regional secondary school advisory committee to review the operation of the regional secondary school and make recommendations to the hosting, or operating, district or the supervisory BOCES, as applicable, on the continued operation of such secondary school. Section 3 of this bill would add a new paragraph oo to Education Law § 1950(4) to authorize BOCES to enter into the agreement to form a regional secondary school, as authorized in Education Law § 1921, as added by section 9 of this bill. Section 4 of this bill would add three new subparagraphs 10, 11, and 12 to Education Law § 1950(4)(h) to authorize BOCES to develop core curriculum, issue regents and other high school diplomas and to enter into contracts as otherwise necessary or convenient to operate a regional secondary school. Section 5 of this bill would add a new subparagraph 8 to Education Law § 1950(4)(b) to authorize BOCES to prepare and propose a tentative budget for the operation of a regional secondary school that it is operating. Section 6 of this bill would add a new paragraph k to Education Law 3602(14) to authorize the provision of transition incentive aid to districts that establish a regional secondary school. This additional apportionment of aid would be structured to provide incentive to districts to reorganize into these more cost-effective regional secondary schools and to ease the burdens associated with initially forming these districts. Under Education Law § 3602(14)(k), as proposed to be added, for aid payable in the 2014-2015 school year or thereafter, each participating school district that meets certain criteria would be entitled to receive additional aid each year, for the first five years of operation, as follows: each district would be entitled to receive 10 percent of the 2006-07 selected operating aid per pupil (the reorganization incentive operating aid base) for transition expenses, under § 3602(14) (d-1), multiplied by the quotient of the district's total secondary students who are attending the regional secondary school (the number of the district's students attending the regional secondary school in the base year) divided by the resident public school district enrollment of such school district within the grades of the new regional secondary school(s). Additionally, each participating school district that meets certain academic achievement goals would be eligible to receive an additional 5 percent of the apportionment computed under § 3602(14)(d-1) multiplied by the quotient of the number of pupils attending the regional secondary school from the district in the base year divided by the resident public school district enrollment of such school district within the grades of the new regional secondary school. The receipt of this aid would be conditioned upon the school ceasing to operate at least one high school and upon meeting academic achievement goals established by the Commissioner in regulations. Incentive aid would be capped at no more than 95 percent of the aid payable in the year prior to the base year approved operating expenses and any school district receiving incentive aid under this paragraph would not be eligible for an apportionment under § 3602 (14)(c),(e), (f) or (j). Section 7 is the effective date. Statement in Support of the Bill: The bill authorizes the establishment of regional secondary schools. Given the fiscal climate and constraints in this State, as well as patterns of declining enrollments, many school districts, particularly small, rural districts, are threatened by a decline in educational opportunities and high-quality programs for their students. School districts need new and innovative models to provide higher quality educational opportunities to students through, cost-effective and efficient services. Since school districts in the State are experiencing financial limitations which may impair their schools' ability to offer students the same range or quality of courses, districts should be afforded the opportunity to work together to establish a regional secondary school, to allow for improved educational opportunities and more cost-effective service delivery. The proposed regional secondary school model will allow districts to provide more efficient services, leverage resources, and increase their purchasing power through shared services. Resulting cost savings will allow more resources to be dedicated to educational programming for students, such as advanced course work, opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs and enhanced course electives that are critical to success in a global economy. By allowing for more cost-efficient operations, and being able to dedicate greater resources for teaching and learning opportunities, school districts for which regional secondary schools is an appropriate service delivery model will be able to better ensure that their students graduate high school ready for college and careers. Budgetary Implications of the Bill: This bill would result in overall cost savings to school districts and other educational entities by streamlining the provision of services to students in these regional secondary schools by and through shared resources and services. The amount of such savings is not known, though it is expected to be substantial if this bill is enacted in entirety. The bill would not result in any cost to the State in the 2013-2014 State fiscal year, though it would result in a cost to the State in the 2014-2015 State fiscal year for transition incentive aid if school districts faint regional high schools in the 2013-2014 school year. The amount of such additional aid is not known, since it will depend on the specific districts that decide to form regional high schools in 2013-2014 and meet the criteria for receipt of transition incentive aid and the number of pupils from such districts that attend a regional high school. Prior Legislative History: In 2012, this bill was introduced in the Senate as S.7486 and was referred to the Senate Finance Committee. No further action was taken. Effective Date: This act would take effect July 1, 2013, provided, however, that if it becomes a law after such date, it would be deemed to have taken effect on and after July 1, 2013.
2013-S4184 - Bill Text download pdf
S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
4184
2013-2014 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
March 13, 2013
___________
Introduced by Sen. FLANAGAN -- (at request of the State Education
Department) -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be
committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to the establishment of
regional secondary schools
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Legislative intent. The legislature hereby finds and
declares that given the current fiscal climate in this state, many
school districts, particularly small, rural districts, are threatened by
a decline in educational opportunities and programs for their students.
School districts are seeking new models of delivering services to
students that are more cost-effective and efficient, in order to sustain
or enhance the quality of services and to maintain or expand the scope
of services offered to students. The legislature recognizes that many
high schools in the state are experiencing financial limitations that
may impair their ability to offer students the same range or quality of
courses that other high schools may provide. In order to ensure that
these districts continue to offer their students advanced course work,
districts should be afforded the opportunity to establish a regional
secondary school. Under this new model of delivering services, districts
will be able to streamline programs and services, increase resources,
and increase their purchasing power through shared services. These
resultant cost savings will allow money to flow into educational
programs and services for students which will, in turn, help to improve
student performance and meet college and career readiness.
S 2. The education law is amended by adding a new article 39-A to read
as follows:
ARTICLE 39-A
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08206-01-3
S. 4184 2
SECTION 1920. ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL OPERATED BY A
BOARD OF EDUCATION.
1921. ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL OPERATED BY A
BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.
1922. STATE AID FOR REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
1923. REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
S 1920. ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL OPERATED BY A
BOARD OF EDUCATION. 1. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW TO THE
CONTRARY, FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE, A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL
SHALL MEAN A HIGH SCHOOL WITH GRADES SIX, SEVEN AND/OR EIGHT AS AGREED
UPON BY EACH OF THE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS CONSISTENT WITH THE GRADE
CONFIGURATION OF THE NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL(S).
2. A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL MAY BE ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THIS
SECTION BY AGREEMENT OF THE BOARDS OF EDUCATION OF THREE OR MORE CITY
SCHOOL DISTRICTS, CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICTS
AND/OR COMMON SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT ARE WHOLLY CONTAINED WITHIN THE
SUPERVISORY DISTRICT OF A BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES,
SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE VOTERS OF EACH PARTICIPATING DISTRICT.
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT A COMPONENT SCHOOL DISTRICT OF A CENTRAL HIGH
SCHOOL DISTRICT AND A SPECIAL ACT SCHOOL DISTRICT, AS DEFINED IN SECTION
FOUR THOUSAND ONE OF THIS CHAPTER, SHALL NOT BE AUTHORIZED TO PARTIC-
IPATE IN A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL. A CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT,
SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF ITS VOTERS, ALSO MAY ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH
SCHOOL DISTRICTS OTHER THAN ITS COMPONENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT ARE
WHOLLY CONTAINED WITHIN THE SUPERVISORY DISTRICT OF A BOARD OF COOPER-
ATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO ESTABLISH A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL.
SUCH REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL SERVE ALL OR SOME OF THE STUDENTS
IN EACH OF THE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS IN GRADES NINE THROUGH TWELVE AND
MAY ALSO SERVE STUDENTS IN GRADES SIX, SEVEN AND/OR EIGHT AS AGREED UPON
BY EACH OF THE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS CONSISTENT WITH THE GRADE CONFIG-
URATION OF THE NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL(S), PROVIDED THAT EACH PARTICIPATING
DISTRICT SHALL CEASE DISTRICT OPERATION OF AT LEAST ONE HIGH SCHOOL. THE
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL MAY BE OPERATED BY ONE OF THE PARTICIPATING
SCHOOL DISTRICTS UPON THE AGREEMENT OF THE OTHER PARTICIPATING
DISTRICTS, AND SUCH DISTRICT SHALL ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITY TO OPERATE,
SUPERVISE AND MAINTAIN THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AND THE ADMINIS-
TRATION OF SUCH SECONDARY SCHOOL. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE, THE
SCHOOL DISTRICT DESIGNATED AS THE OPERATING DISTRICT SHALL BE REFERRED
TO AS THE HOSTING DISTRICT. ALTERNATIVELY, THE REGIONAL SECONDARY
SCHOOL MAY BE OPERATED BY A JOINT BOARD OF EDUCATION ESTABLISHED PURSU-
ANT TO THIS SECTION. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL
SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSIONER, IN A MANNER AND
TIMEFRAME, AS SET FORTH WITHIN THIS SECTION.
3. TO ESTABLISH A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, THREE OR MORE PARTICIPAT-
ING SCHOOL DISTRICTS MUST INITIALLY ADOPT, BY MAJORITY VOTE OF THE BOARD
OF EDUCATION OF EACH PARTICIPATING DISTRICT, A RESOLUTION PROPOSING THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF SUCH REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL. THE RESOLUTION SHALL
INDICATE THE PROPOSED PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND WHETHER THE
SCHOOL WOULD BE GOVERNED BY A PROPOSED HOSTING DISTRICT OR A JOINT BOARD
OF EDUCATION AND THE PROPOSED TERM OF THE CONTRACT GOVERNING THE
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL. THE RESOLUTION SHALL BE VOTED ON BY EACH
BOARD AT A MEETING HELD NO LATER THAN OCTOBER FIRST OF THE SCHOOL YEAR
PRIOR TO THE SCHOOL YEAR IN WHICH THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL IS
PROPOSED TO COMMENCE OPERATION. IF THREE OR MORE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ADOPT
SUCH A RESOLUTION, THE RESOLUTION SHALL BE PRESENTED IN A REFERENDUM FOR
VOTER APPROVAL IN EACH OF THE PROPOSED PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS. UPON
S. 4184 3
APPROVAL BY THE VOTERS IN EACH OF THE PROPOSED PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS,
THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICTS SHALL COLLECTIVELY ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL. IN THE
EVENT THE VOTERS OF ONE OR MORE PROPOSED PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS DO NOT
APPROVE SUCH RESOLUTION, THE RESOLUTION MAY BE PRESENTED FOR ONE RE-VOTE
IN THE PROPOSED PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS WHOSE VOTERS DID NOT APPROVE THE
RESOLUTION; OR, IF THE BOARDS OF EDUCATION OF ONE OR MORE SUCH DISTRICTS
VOTE TO RESCIND THEIR RESOLUTION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE REGIONAL SECOND-
ARY SCHOOL, ONE ADDITIONAL VOTE MAY BE HELD IN EACH OF THE REMAINING
PROPOSED PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS. IN NO EVENT MAY MORE THAN TWO VOTES BE
HELD IN ANY PROPOSED PARTICIPATING DISTRICT IN ANY SCHOOL YEAR.
4. WITH THE CONSENT OF EACH OF THE PARTICIPATING BOARDS OF EDUCATION
AND APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSIONER, ADDITIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS OTHERWISE
ELIGIBLE TO ESTABLISH THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL MAY JOIN THE
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL IN THE SECOND OR A SUBSEQUENT YEAR OF OPERA-
TION BY ADOPTING A BOARD RESOLUTION AND OBTAINING VOTER APPROVAL
SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE MANNER PRESCRIBED IN SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS
SECTION.
5. (A) UPON RECEIPT OF VOTER APPROVAL IN ALL PARTICIPATING SCHOOL
DISTRICTS, SUCH DISTRICTS SHALL SUBMIT THE PROPOSED CONTRACT, TOGETHER
WITH THE PLAN OF FORMATION AND OPERATION OF THE REGIONAL SECONDARY
SCHOOL, TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR HIS OR HER APPROVAL, IN A TIME AND
MANNER PRESCRIBED BY THE COMMISSIONER. SUCH CONTRACT SHALL BE AN INTER-
MUNICIPAL SHARING AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO ARTICLE FIVE-G OF THE GENERAL
MUNICIPAL LAW THAT COMPLIES WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION.
(B) THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AND THE PROPOSED CONTRACT SHALL MEET
THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:
(I) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY ITS TERM, WHICH SHALL NOT BE LESS THAN
FIVE NOR MORE THAN SEVEN SCHOOL YEARS, AND SHALL EITHER DESIGNATE THE
BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE HOSTING DISTRICT AS THE GOVERNING BOARD THAT
WILL OPERATE THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL ON BEHALF OF ALL PARTICIPAT-
ING DISTRICTS, OR THE JOINT BOARD OF EDUCATION THAT WILL SERVE AS
GOVERNING BOARD FOR THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL. THE GOVERNING BOARD
SHALL HAVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE OPERATION, SUPERVISION AND MAINTENANCE
OF THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AND SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADMIN-
ISTRATION OF THE SCHOOL, INCLUDING THE CURRICULUM, GRADING, STAFFING AND
THE ISSUANCE OF DIPLOMAS FOR ALL STUDENTS THAT ATTEND THE REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL, AS SHALL BE DESIGNATED IN THE CONTRACT. PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, THAT THE CONTRACT MAY PROVIDE FOR ISSUANCE OF THE DIPLOMA BY
THE STUDENT'S SCHOOL DISTRICT OF RESIDENCE UPON CERTIFICATION BY THE
GOVERNING BOARD THAT ALL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE REGIONAL SECOND-
ARY SCHOOL HAVE BEEN MET. THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL BE DEEMED
A SCHOOL OF THE GOVERNING BOARD FOR ACCOUNTABILITY PURPOSES;
(II) THE CONTRACT SHALL PROVIDE THE NAME OF THE SCHOOL, WHICH SHALL BE
SUBJECT TO THE COMMISSIONER'S APPROVAL, THE GRADES OF INSTRUCTION
INTENDED TO BE SERVED BY THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, AND DESIGNATE
THE SITE OF THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, WHICH SHALL BE WITHIN THE
BOUNDARIES OF ONE OF THE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS AND WHERE POSSIBLE,
SHOULD USE EXISTING BUILDINGS AND/OR INFRASTRUCTURE;
(III) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, THE
CONTRACT SHALL PROVIDE THAT EACH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL BE
RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING OR ARRANGING FOR TRANSPORTATION TO ITS RESI-
DENT STUDENTS ATTENDING THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL IN ACCORDANCE WITH
ITS SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICY, BUT WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY MAXIMUM MILEAGE
LIMITATION. SUCH TRANSPORTATION MAY BE PROVIDED BY CONTRACT, INCLUDING
S. 4184 4
BUT NOT LIMITED TO A CONTRACT WITH ONE OR MORE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS
OR A BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES;
(IV) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY THAT THE STUDENTS OF EACH PARTICIPAT-
ING SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL REMAIN ENROLLED AS STUDENTS OF THEIR RESPEC-
TIVE PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND THEY SHALL BE TREATED AND
COUNTED AS SUCH FOR PURPOSES OF ALL STATE AID CALCULATIONS PURSUANT TO
THIS CHAPTER;
(V) THE CONTRACT SHALL EITHER DESIGNATE THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE
HOSTING DISTRICT TO SERVE AS THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE REGIONAL SECOND-
ARY SCHOOL OR SHALL PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW JOINT BOARD
OF EDUCATION FOR THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL WITH AT LEAST FIVE
MEMBERS, WITH REPRESENTATIVES APPOINTED BY EACH PARTICIPATING DISTRICT.
THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY THE NUMBER, TERM, AND PROCEDURES FOR APPOINT-
MENT OF JOINT BOARD MEMBERS. IF THE DISTRICTS CHOOSE TO CREATE A NEW
JOINT BOARD OF EDUCATION, THE BOARD SHALL HAVE THE SAME POWERS AND
DUTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AS A BOARD OF
EDUCATION OF A UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS WITH RESPECT TO ITS
SCHOOLS UNDER THIS CHAPTER, EXCEPT AS MODIFIED BY THE TERMS OF THE
CONTRACT;
(VI) THE CURRENT ENROLLMENT OF ALL PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND
THE PROJECTED TOTAL ENROLLMENT NUMBERS OF THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL;
(VII) THE CONTRACT MUST DEMONSTRATE HOW THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL
WILL PROVIDE INCREASED EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING COURSES AND
PROGRAMS IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH, TO PREPARE
STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS AND IMPROVE STUDENT PERFORM-
ANCE;
(VIII) ALL TEACHERS, TEACHING ASSISTANTS AND TEACHER AIDES OF THE
PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICTS, WHOSE SERVICES IN THE PARTICIPATING
SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE NO LONGER NEEDED BECAUSE OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL OR THE TRANSFER OF STUDENTS TO AN EXISTING
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, AS A RESULT OF A NEW PARTICIPATING SCHOOL
DISTRICT JOINING THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL IMMEDIATELY BECOME
EMPLOYEES OF THE GOVERNING BOARD DESIGNATED IN THE CONTRACT, AND SHALL
RETAIN THEIR TENURE AND/OR EMPLOYMENT STATUS AND THE SENIORITY GAINED IN
THE PARTICIPATING DISTRICT. IF THE NUMBER OF TEACHING, TEACHING ASSIST-
ANT OR TEACHER AIDE POSITIONS NEEDED TO PROVIDE THE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
REQUIRED BY A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL IS LESS THAN THE NUMBER OF
TEACHERS, TEACHING ASSISTANTS, AND TEACHER AIDES ELIGIBLE TO BE CONSID-
ERED EMPLOYEES OF THE DESIGNATED GOVERNING BOARD OF SUCH REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH, THE SERVICES OF THE TEACH-
ERS, TEACHING ASSISTANTS AND TEACHER AIDES HAVING THE LEAST SENIORITY IN
THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICT WITHIN THE TENURE AREA OR CIVIL
SERVICE STATUS, AS THE CASE MAY BE, OF THE POSITION SHALL BE DISCONTIN-
UED. ANY SUCH EMPLOYEES WHO ARE TEACHERS, TEACHING ASSISTANTS OR TEACHER
AIDES SHALL BE PLACED ON A PREFERRED ELIGIBLE LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR
APPOINTMENT TO A VACANCY THAT MAY THEREAFTER OCCUR IN AN OFFICE OR POSI-
TION UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICT IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED TEN OR
THREE THOUSAND THIRTEEN OF THIS CHAPTER. FOR ANY SUCH TEACHER, TEACHING
ASSISTANT OR TEACHER AIDE WHO IS RETAINED BY THE GOVERNING BOARD, FOR
SALARY, SICK LEAVE AND ANY OTHER PURPOSES, THE LENGTH OF SERVICE CREDIT-
ED IN SUCH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICT PRIOR TO ITS PARTICIPATION IN
THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL BE CREDITED AS EMPLOYMENT TIME WITH
THE DESIGNATED GOVERNING BOARD;
(IX) UPON TERMINATION OF THE CONTRACT PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND THE
RETURN OF STUDENTS FROM THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL TO THE FORMER
S. 4184 5
PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE TEACHERS, TEACHING ASSISTANTS, AND
TEACHER AIDES EMPLOYED BY THE GOVERNING BOARD TO SERVE IN THE REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL HAVE THE SAME EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS IN THE PARTIC-
IPATING SCHOOL DISTRICTS AS TEACHERS WOULD HAVE UPON TAKEOVER OF A BOARD
OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES PROGRAM BY SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICTS
PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE THOUSAND FOURTEEN-B OF THIS CHAPTER;
(X) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY THE PROCESS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE
BUDGET FOR THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL BY THE DESIGNATED GOVERNING
BOARD AND HOW OPERATING AND ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS AND THE LOCAL SHARE OF
CAPITAL EXPENSES ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL WILL BE
ALLOCATED AMONG THE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS;
(XI) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY THE COSTS OF THE REGIONAL SECONDARY
SCHOOL, STAFFING, CURRENT AND FUTURE CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION PLANS AND FOR
THE DELIVERY OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS;
(XII) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY THE PROCEDURES FOR DISCIPLINE OF
STUDENTS ATTENDING THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, INCLUDING THE APPLICA-
BLE CODE OF CONDUCT PROVIDED THAT SUCH CODE OF CONDUCT MEETS THE
REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION TWENTY-EIGHT HUNDRED ONE OF THIS CHAPTER AND
PROCEDURES FOR SUPERINTENDENTS' HEARINGS AND APPEALS TO THE BOARD OF
EDUCATION PURSUANT TO SECTION THIRTY-TWO HUNDRED FOURTEEN OF THIS CHAP-
TER;
(XIII) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY THE COSTS OF THE OPERATION OF THE
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL FOR EACH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICT AND AN
ITEMIZED LISTING OF THE COST SAVINGS FOR EACH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL
DISTRICT;
(XIV) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY HOW EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND
INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS WILL BE PROVIDED TO STUDENTS OF THE REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL;
(XV) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY THE FISCAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL INCLUDING EXPECTED STATE AID AND EXPECTED
CHANGES IN EXPENDITURES AND PROPERTY TAX LEVIES;
(XVI) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY WHETHER THE EMPLOYEES OF THE REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL ESTABLISH NEW EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS, PURSUANT TO
ARTICLE FOURTEEN OF THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW, FOR THEIR REPRESENTATION, OR,
WHERE APPLICABLE, WHETHER THEY SHALL BECOME MEMBERS OF THE APPLICABLE
EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTING THE EMPLOYEES OF THE HOSTING
DISTRICT; AND
(XVII) THE CONTRACT SHALL SET FORTH ANY OTHER INFORMATION OR ANALYSIS
AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER.
6. IF THE COMMISSIONER APPROVES THE PROPOSED CONTRACT, THE REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL BE ESTABLISHED. THE CONTRACT SHALL BE FOR A PERI-
OD OF AT LEAST FIVE AND NOT MORE THAN SEVEN SCHOOL YEARS AND, WITH THE
APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSIONER, MAY BE RENEWED BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT OF THE
BOARDS OF EDUCATION OF THE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS. THE REGIONAL SECOND-
ARY SCHOOL SHALL COMMENCE OPERATIONS ON THE FIRST OF JULY, AND SHALL NOT
CEASE OPERATIONS BEFORE THE THIRTIETH OF JUNE IN ANY SCHOOL YEAR.
S 1921. ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL OPERATED BY A
BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES. 1. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER
PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE, A
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL MEAN A HIGH SCHOOL WITH GRADES SIX,
SEVEN AND/OR EIGHT AS AGREED UPON BY EACH OF THE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS
CONSISTENT WITH THE GRADE CONFIGURATION OF THE NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL(S).
2. A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL MAY BE ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THIS
SECTION BY AGREEMENT OF A BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AND
THE BOARDS OF EDUCATION OF THREE OR MORE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICTS, CENTRAL
SCHOOL DISTRICTS, UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND/OR COMMON SCHOOL
S. 4184 6
DISTRICTS THAT ARE WHOLLY CONTAINED WITHIN THE SUPERVISORY DISTRICT OF
THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL
OF THE VOTERS OF EACH PARTICIPATING DISTRICT. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT A
COMPONENT SCHOOL DISTRICT OF A CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT AND A
SPECIAL ACT SCHOOL DISTRICT, AS DEFINED IN SECTION FOUR THOUSAND ONE OF
THIS CHAPTER, SHALL NOT BE AUTHORIZED TO PARTICIPATE IN A REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL. A CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT, SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF
ITS VOTERS, ALSO MAY ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE BOARD OF COOPER-
ATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS OTHER THAN ITS COMPONENT
SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT ARE WHOLLY CONTAINED WITHIN THE SUPERVISORY
DISTRICT OF THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO ESTABLISH A
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL. SUCH REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL SERVE
ALL OR SOME OF THE STUDENTS IN EACH OF THE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS IN
GRADES NINE THROUGH TWELVE AND MAY ALSO SERVE STUDENTS IN GRADES SIX,
SEVEN AND/OR EIGHT AS AGREED UPON BY EACH OF THE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS
CONSISTENT WITH THE GRADE CONFIGURATION OF THE NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL(S),
PROVIDED THAT EACH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL CEASE DISTRICT
OPERATION OF AT LEAST ONE HIGH SCHOOL. THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL
SHALL BE OPERATED BY THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES,
WHICH SHALL ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITY TO OPERATE, SUPERVISE AND MAINTAIN
THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF SUCH SECONDARY
SCHOOL. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL BE
SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSIONER, IN A MANNER AND TIMEFRAME,
AS SET FORTH WITHIN THIS SECTION.
3. TO ESTABLISH A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, THREE OR MORE PARTICIPAT-
ING SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES MUST INITIAL-
LY ADOPT, BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF EACH PARTIC-
IPATING DISTRICT AND THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, A
RESOLUTION PROPOSING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SUCH REGIONAL SECONDARY
SCHOOL. THE RESOLUTION SHALL INDICATE THAT THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES WILL OPERATE THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL ON
BEHALF OF THE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS AND SPECIFY THE PARTICIPATING
SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE PROPOSED TERM OF THE CONTRACT GOVERNING THE
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL. THE RESOLUTION SHALL BE VOTED ON BY EACH
BOARD AT A MEETING HELD NO LATER THAN OCTOBER FIRST OF THE SCHOOL YEAR
PRIOR TO THE SCHOOL YEAR IN WHICH THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL IS
PROPOSED TO COMMENCE OPERATION. IF THREE OR MORE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND
THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES ADOPT SUCH A RESOLUTION,
THE RESOLUTION MUST THEN BE PRESENTED IN A REFERENDUM FOR VOTER APPROVAL
IN EACH OF THE PROPOSED PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS. UPON APPROVAL BY THE
VOTERS IN EACH OF THE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS, THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOL
DISTRICTS AND THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES SHALL
COLLECTIVELY ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL. IN THE EVENT THE VOTERS OF ONE OR MORE PROPOSED
PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS DO NOT APPROVE SUCH RESOLUTION, THE RESOLUTION
MAY BE PRESENTED FOR ONE RE-VOTE IN THE PROPOSED PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS
WHOSE VOTERS DID NOT APPROVE THE RESOLUTION; OR, IF THE BOARDS OF EDUCA-
TION OF ONE OR MORE SUCH DISTRICTS VOTE TO RESCIND THEIR RESOLUTION TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, ONE ADDITIONAL VOTE MAY BE
HELD IN EACH OF THE REMAINING PROPOSED PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS. IN NO
EVENT MAY MORE THAN TWO VOTES BE HELD IN ANY PROPOSED PARTICIPATING
DISTRICT IN ANY SCHOOL YEAR.
4. WITH THE CONSENT OF EACH OF THE PARTICIPATING BOARDS OF EDUCATION
AND THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AND APPROVAL OF THE
COMMISSIONER, ADDITIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS OTHERWISE ELIGIBLE TO ESTAB-
LISH THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL MAY JOIN THE REGIONAL SECONDARY
S. 4184 7
SCHOOL IN THE SECOND OR A SUBSEQUENT YEAR OF OPERATION BY ADOPTING A
BOARD RESOLUTION AND OBTAINING VOTER APPROVAL SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE
MANNER PRESCRIBED IN SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION.
5. (A) UPON RECEIPT OF VOTER APPROVAL IN ALL PARTICIPATING SCHOOL
DISTRICTS, THE PROPOSED CONTRACT, TOGETHER WITH THE PLAN OF FORMATION
AND OPERATION OF THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO
THE COMMISSIONER FOR HIS OR HER APPROVAL, IN A TIME AND MANNER
PRESCRIBED BY THE COMMISSIONER. SUCH CONTRACT SHALL BE AN INTER-MUNICI-
PAL SHARING AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO ARTICLE FIVE-G OF THE GENERAL MUNICI-
PAL LAW THAT COMPLIES WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION.
(B) THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AND THE PROPOSED CONTRACT SHALL MEET
THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:
(I) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY ITS TERM, WHICH SHALL NOT BE LESS THAN
FIVE NOR MORE THAN SEVEN SCHOOL YEARS, AND SHALL PROVIDE THAT THE BOARD
OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES WILL OPERATE THE REGIONAL SECONDARY
SCHOOL ON BEHALF OF ALL PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS. THE BOARD OF COOPER-
ATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES SHALL SERVE AS THE GOVERNING BODY FOR THE
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AND SHALL HAVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE OPERA-
TION, SUPERVISION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AND
SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF SUCH SCHOOL, INCLUDING
GRADING AND THE ISSUANCE OF DIPLOMAS FOR ALL STUDENTS THAT ATTEND THE
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, AS SHALL BE DESIGNATED IN THE CONTRACT.
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE CONTRACT MAY PROVIDE FOR ISSUANCE OF THE
DIPLOMA BY THE STUDENT'S SCHOOL DISTRICT OF RESIDENCE UPON CERTIFICATION
BY THE GOVERNING BOARD THAT ALL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL HAVE BEEN MET. THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL
SERVICES SHALL ALSO ACT AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR ACCOUNTABILITY
PURPOSES;
(II) THE CONTRACT SHALL PROVIDE THE NAME OF THE SCHOOL, WHICH SHALL BE
SUBJECT TO THE COMMISSIONER'S APPROVAL, THE GRADES OF INSTRUCTION
INTENDED TO BE SERVED BY THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, AND DESIGNATE
THE SITE OF THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, WHICH SHALL BE WITHIN THE
BOUNDARIES OF THE SUPERVISORY DISTRICT OF THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AND WHERE POSSIBLE, SHOULD USE EXISTING BUILDINGS
AND/OR INFRASTRUCTURE;
(III) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, THE CONTRACT SHALL
PROVIDE THAT EACH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR
PROVIDING OR ARRANGING FOR TRANSPORTATION TO ITS RESIDENT STUDENTS
ATTENDING THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS SCHOOL
DISTRICT POLICY, BUT WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY MAXIMUM MILEAGE LIMITATION.
SUCH TRANSPORTATION MAY BE PROVIDED BY CONTRACT, INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO A CONTRACT WITH ONE OR MORE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS OR A
BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES;
(IV) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY THAT THE STUDENTS OF EACH PARTICIPAT-
ING SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL REMAIN ENROLLED AS STUDENTS OF THEIR RESPEC-
TIVE PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND THEY SHALL BE TREATED AND
COUNTED AS SUCH FOR PURPOSES OF ALL STATE AID CALCULATIONS PURSUANT TO
THIS CHAPTER;
(V) THE CURRENT ENROLLMENT OF ALL PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND
THE PROJECTED TOTAL ENROLLMENT NUMBERS OF THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL;
(VI) THE CONTRACT MUST DEMONSTRATE HOW THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL
WILL PROVIDE INCREASED EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING COURSES AND
PROGRAMS IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH, TO PREPARE
STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS AND IMPROVE STUDENT PERFORM-
ANCE;
S. 4184 8
(VII) ALL TEACHERS, TEACHING ASSISTANTS AND TEACHER AIDES OF THE
PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICTS, WHOSE SERVICES IN THE PARTICIPATING
SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE NO LONGER NEEDED BECAUSE OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL OR THE TRANSFER OF STUDENTS TO AN EXISTING
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AS A RESULT OF A NEW PARTICIPATING SCHOOL
DISTRICT JOINING THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, SHALL BECOME EMPLOYEES
OF THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, AND SHALL RETAIN THEIR
TENURE AND/OR EMPLOYMENT STATUS AND THE SENIORITY GAINED IN THE PARTIC-
IPATING DISTRICT. IF THE NUMBER OF TEACHING, TEACHING ASSISTANT OR
TEACHER AIDE POSITIONS NEEDED TO PROVIDE THE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
REQUIRED BY A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL IS LESS THAN THE NUMBER OF
TEACHERS, TEACHING ASSISTANTS OR TEACHER AIDES ELIGIBLE TO BE CONSIDERED
EMPLOYEES OF THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES PURSUANT TO
THIS SUBPARAGRAPH, THE SERVICES OF THE TEACHERS, TEACHING ASSISTANTS OR
TEACHER AIDES HAVING THE LEAST SENIORITY IN THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOL
DISTRICTS WITHIN THE TENURE AREA OR CIVIL SERVICE STATUS, AS THE CASE
MAY BE, OF THE POSITION SHALL BE DISCONTINUED. ANY SUCH EMPLOYEES WHO
ARE TEACHERS, TEACHING ASSISTANTS, OR TEACHER AIDES SHALL HAVE ALL THE
EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS SPECIFIED IN SECTION THREE THOUSAND FOURTEEN-A OF THIS
CHAPTER.
(VIII) UPON TERMINATION OF THE CONTRACT PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND
THE RETURN OF STUDENTS FROM THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL TO THE FORMER
PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE TEACHERS, TEACHING ASSISTANTS AND
TEACHER AIDES EMPLOYED BY THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
TO SERVE SHALL HAVE THE EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS IN THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOL
DISTRICTS AS SPECIFIED IN SECTION THREE THOUSAND FOURTEEN-B OF THIS
CHAPTER;
(IX) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY THE PROCESS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE
BUDGET FOR THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL BY THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CONSISTENT WITH SUBPARAGRAPH EIGHT OF PARAGRAPH B
OF SUBDIVISION FOUR OF SECTION NINETEEN HUNDRED FIFTY OF THIS TITLE AND
HOW OPERATING AND ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS AND THE LOCAL SHARE OF CAPITAL
EXPENSES ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL WILL BE ALLOCATED
AMONG THE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS;
(X) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY THE COSTS OF THE REGIONAL SECONDARY
SCHOOL, STAFFING, CURRENT AND FUTURE CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION PLANS, AND THE
DELIVERY OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS;
(XI) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY THE COST OF THE OPERATION OF THE
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL FOR EACH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICT AND AN
ITEMIZED LISTING OF THE COST SAVINGS FOR EACH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL
DISTRICT;
(XII) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY HOW EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND
INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS WILL BE PROVIDED TO STUDENTS OF THE REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL;
(XIII) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY THE PROCEDURES FOR DISCIPLINE OF
STUDENTS ATTENDING THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, INCLUDING THE APPLICA-
BLE CODE OF CONDUCT PROVIDED THAT SUCH CODE OF CONDUCT MEETS THE
REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION TWENTY-EIGHT HUNDRED ONE OF THIS CHAPTER AND
PROCEDURES FOR SUPERINTENDENTS' HEARINGS AND APPEALS TO THE BOARD OF
EDUCATION PURSUANT TO SECTION THIRTY-TWO HUNDRED FOURTEEN OF THIS CHAP-
TER;
(XIV) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY WHETHER THE EMPLOYEES OF THE REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL ESTABLISH NEW EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS, PURSUANT TO
ARTICLE FOURTEEN OF THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW, FOR THEIR REPRESENTATION, OR,
WHERE APPLICABLE, WHETHER THEY SHALL BECOME MEMBERS OF THE APPLICABLE
S. 4184 9
EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTING THE EMPLOYEES OF THE HOSTING
DISTRICT; AND
(XV) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY THE FISCAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, INCLUDING THE CURRENT AND EXPECTED STATE AID
AND EXPECTED CHANGES IN EXPENDITURES AND PROPERTY TAX LEVIES; AND
(XVI) THE CONTRACT SHALL SET FORTH ANY OTHER INFORMATION OR ANALYSIS
AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER.
6. IF THE COMMISSIONER APPROVES THE PROPOSED CONTRACT, THE REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL BE ESTABLISHED. THE CONTRACT SHALL BE FOR A PERI-
OD OF NOT LESS THAN FIVE NOR MORE THAN SEVEN SCHOOL YEARS AND, WITH THE
APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSIONER, MAY BE RENEWED BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT OF THE
BOARDS OF EDUCATION OF THE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS AND THE SUPERVISORY
DISTRICT OF THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES. THE REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL COMMENCE OPERATIONS ON THE FIRST OF JULY, AND
SHALL NOT CEASE OPERATIONS BEFORE THE THIRTIETH OF JUNE IN ANY SCHOOL
YEAR.
S 1922. STATE AID FOR REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS. 1. STUDENTS ATTEND-
ING A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL BE DEEMED ENROLLED IN THEIR SCHOOL
DISTRICT OF RESIDENCE AND SHALL BE INCLUDED IN THE APPLICABLE MEMBER-
SHIP, ENROLLMENT AND ATTENDANCE COUNTS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SCHOOL
DISTRICTS OF RESIDENCE FOR PURPOSES OF COMPUTATION OF STATE AID TO SUCH
SCHOOL DISTRICTS. THE COSTS OF EDUCATING EACH SUCH STUDENT SHALL BE
INCLUDED IN THE APPROVED OPERATING EXPENSE OF THE STUDENT'S SCHOOL
DISTRICT OF RESIDENCE AND EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION,
THE STATE AID ATTRIBUTABLE TO SUCH STUDENT SHALL BE COMPUTED IN THE SAME
MANNER AS AID ATTRIBUTABLE TO OTHER RESIDENT STUDENTS AND SHALL BE PAYA-
BLE TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF RESIDENCE.
2. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, THE
SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT OWNS THE FACILITY USED TO HOUSE THE REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL BE THE ONLY SCHOOL DISTRICT ELIGIBLE FOR BUILDING
AID PURSUANT TO THE APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION SIX, SIX-A,
SIX-C, SIX-E OR SIX-F OF SECTION THIRTY-SIX HUNDRED TWO OF THIS CHAPTER
FOR PROJECTS INVOLVING THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL THAT ARE APPROVED
BY THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF SUCH DISTRICT AFTER ESTABLISHMENT OF THE
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, PROVIDED THAT SUCH AID SHALL BE COMPUTED
USING THE BUILDING AID RATIO APPLICABLE TO PROJECTS OF THE SCHOOL
DISTRICT THAT OWNS THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL FACILITY UNDER THE
PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPHS B AND C OF SUBDIVISION SIX OF SECTION
THIRTY-SIX HUNDRED TWO OF THIS CHAPTER. SUCH AID SHALL BE PAID TO SUCH
SCHOOL DISTRICT OR TO THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES ON
BEHALF OF SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICT WHERE THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCA-
TIONAL SERVICES OPERATES THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL. THE SCHOOL
DISTRICT OR BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES SHALL ALLOCATE THE
LOCAL SHARE OF THE COSTS OF SUCH PROJECTS TO THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOL
DISTRICTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS CONTRACT ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO
SECTION NINETEEN HUNDRED TWENTY OR NINETEEN HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE OF THIS
ARTICLE. THE COSTS OF SUCH PROJECTS SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR AID PURSU-
ANT TO SUBDIVISION SIX-B OR PARAGRAPH C OF SUBDIVISION FOURTEEN OF
SECTION THIRTY-SIX HUNDRED TWO OF THIS CHAPTER.
3. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION OF SECTION NINETEEN HUNDRED FIFTY OR
NINETEEN HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE OF THIS TITLE TO THE CONTRARY, IN THE CASE OF
A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL OPERATED BY A BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCA-
TIONAL SERVICES THAT IS HOUSED IN A FACILITY OWNED BY A PARTICIPATING
SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE CAPITAL EXPENSES FOR BUILDING PROJECTS INVOLVING
THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL BE A CHARGE UPON THE PARTICIPATING
SCHOOL DISTRICTS ONLY, AND SUCH COSTS SHALL NOT BE ALLOCATED TO OTHER
S. 4184 10
COMPONENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS. SUCH CAPITAL EXPENSES SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE
FOR AID PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION FIVE OF SECTION NINETEEN HUNDRED FIFTY
OF THIS TITLE. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT COSTS OF AIDABLE SHARED SERVICES
PROVIDED BY THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO SUPPLEMENT
THE PROGRAMS OF THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR AID
PURSUANT TO SUCH SUBDIVISION FIVE OF SECTION NINETEEN HUNDRED FIFTY, THE
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL
AND THE CAPITAL EXPENSES ATTRIBUTABLE TO A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL
HOUSED IN A FACILITY OWNED BY THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL
SERVICES SHALL BE ALLOCATED TO COMPONENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN ACCORDANCE
WITH SECTION NINETEEN HUNDRED FIFTY OR NINETEEN HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE OF
THIS TITLE AND SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR AID PURSUANT TO SUCH SUBDIVISION
FIVE OF SECTION NINETEEN HUNDRED FIFTY.
4. THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT PARTICIPATING IN A
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR
ADDITIONAL STATE AID IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH K OF SUBDIVISION FOUR-
TEEN OF SECTION THIRTY-SIX HUNDRED TWO OF THIS CHAPTER.
S 1923. REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 1. EACH REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL ESTABLISHED AND OPERATED PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE SHALL
ESTABLISH AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE. THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE SHALL BE
COMPOSED OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF EACH PARTICIPAT-
ING SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF EACH
SUPERVISORY BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, WHERE APPLICABLE,
AND THE SUPERINTENDENT OF EACH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF THE SUPERVISORY DISTRICT IN WHICH THE REGIONAL SECOND-
ARY SCHOOL IS LOCATED. THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE SUPERVISORY DISTRICT
SHALL BE THE CHAIR OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
2. THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE SHALL CONVENE, AT THE CALL OF THE CHAIR, NOT
LESS THAN FOUR TIMES DURING EACH SCHOOL YEAR DURING WHICH THE REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL OPERATES. DURING SUCH MEETINGS, THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
SHALL REVIEW THE OPERATION OF THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AND MAKE
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE HOSTING DISTRICT OR THE SUPERVISORY BOARD OF
COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, AS THE CASE MAY BE, ON THE CONTINUED
OPERATION OF SUCH SECONDARY SCHOOL.
S 3. Subdivision 4 of section 1950 of the education law is amended by
adding a new paragraph oo to read as follows:
OO. PURSUANT TO ARTICLE THIRTY-NINE-A OF THIS TITLE, A BOARD OF COOP-
ERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES MAY ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THREE OR
MORE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ELIGIBLE TO ENTER SUCH AN AGREEMENT IN ACCORDANCE
WITH SECTION NINETEEN HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE OF THIS TITLE, WHICH MAY
INCLUDE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICTS, CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, CENTRAL HIGH
SCHOOL DISTRICTS, UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND/OR COMMON SCHOOL
DISTRICTS WHICH ARE WHOLLY CONTAINED WITHIN THE SUPERVISORY DISTRICT OF
THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, TO FORM A REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL TO BE OPERATED BY THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL
SERVICES. THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES SHALL HAVE THE
SAME POWERS AND DUTIES WITH RESPECT TO SUCH REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AS
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF A UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS WITH RESPECT
TO ITS SCHOOLS, CONSISTENT WITH THE TERMS OF ITS AGREEMENT WITH THE
PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
S 4. Paragraph h of subdivision 4 of section 1950 of the education law
is amended by adding three new subparagraphs 11, 12 and 13 to read as
follows:
(11) TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS AS NECESSARY OR CONVENIENT TO OPERATE A
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF
SECTION NINETEEN HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE OF THIS TITLE.
S. 4184 11
(12) TO DEVELOP CORE CURRICULUM FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING A REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION NINE-
TEEN HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE OF THIS TITLE.
(13) TO ISSUE REGENTS AND OTHER HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS TO STUDENTS WHO
GRADUATE FROM A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THE
PROVISIONS OF SECTION NINETEEN HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE OF THIS TITLE, UNDER
THE SAME CONDITIONS AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT.
S 5. Paragraph b of subdivision 4 of section 1950 of the education law
is amended by adding a new subparagraph 8 to read as follows:
(8) FOR REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION
NINETEEN HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE OF THIS TITLE, THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES SHALL PREPARE AND PROPOSE A TENTATIVE BUDGET OF
EXPENDITURES FOR PROGRAM, ADMINISTRATIVE AND CAPITAL COSTS TO OPERATE
THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL IN THE ENSUING SCHOOL YEAR. SUCH PROPOSED
BUDGET SHALL BE PROVIDED TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF EACH PARTICIPATING
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, BY THE DATE PROVIDED
IN THE AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO SUCH SECTION NINETEEN HUNDRED
TWENTY-ONE. THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF EACH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICT
SHALL BE AFFORDED TO REVIEW AND COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET PRIOR TO
ITS FINAL ADOPTION BY THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.
S 6. Subdivision 14 of section 3602 of the education law is amended by
adding a new paragraph k to read as follows:
K. TRANSITION INCENTIVE AID FOR REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS. (1)
NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPHS A THROUGH J OF THIS SUBDI-
VISION, FOR AID PAYABLE IN THE TWO THOUSAND FOURTEEN--TWO THOUSAND
FIFTEEN SCHOOL YEAR OR THEREAFTER, SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT ARE PARTIES TO
AN AGREEMENT TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL PURSU-
ANT TO ARTICLE THIRTY-NINE-A OF THIS CHAPTER ENTERED INTO ON OR AFTER
JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND THIRTEEN AND PARTICIPATED IN SUCH REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL IN THE BASE YEAR SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR TRANSITION
INCENTIVE AID PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH PROVIDED THAT THE FOLLOWING
CONDITIONS ARE MET:
(I) THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AGREEMENT INCLUDES AT LEAST THREE
SCHOOL DISTRICTS, EACH OF WHICH PREVIOUSLY MAINTAINED ITS OWN SECONDARY
SCHOOLS, AND HAS CEASED DISTRICT OPERATION OF AT LEAST ONE HIGH SCHOOL
FOLLOWING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, OR
(II) THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AGREEMENT INCLUDES AT LEAST ONE
SCHOOL DISTRICT WHICH PREVIOUSLY MAINTAINED ITS OWN HIGH SCHOOL, AND
DOES NOT MAINTAIN ITS OWN HIGH SCHOOL FOLLOWING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, AND IN ADDITION THERETO, INCLUDES AT LEAST
TWO ADDITIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS EMPLOYING EIGHT OR MORE TEACHERS THAT DO
NOT MAINTAIN THEIR OWN HIGH SCHOOLS:
(2) IN EACH OF THE FIRST FIVE YEARS IN WHICH A SCHOOL DISTRICT IS
PARTY TO SUCH AGREEMENT, SUCH DISTRICT SHALL BE ENTITLED TO AN APPOR-
TIONMENT EQUAL TO THE PRODUCT OF (I) TEN PERCENT OF THE APPORTIONMENT
COMPUTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH D-1 OF THIS
SUBDIVISION, MULTIPLIED BY (II) THE QUOTIENT OF THE NUMBER OF PUPILS
WITHIN SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICT ATTENDING THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL IN
THE BASE YEAR DIVIDED BY THE RESIDENT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT ENROLLMENT
OF SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICT WITHIN THE GRADES OF THE NEW REGIONAL SECONDARY
SCHOOL(S); PROVIDED FURTHER THAT SUCH DISTRICTS SHALL BE ELIGIBLE TO
RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL APPORTIONMENT EQUAL TO THE PRODUCT OF (I) FIVE
PERCENT OF THE APPORTIONMENT COMPUTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS
OF PARAGRAPH D-1 OF THIS SUBDIVISION MULTIPLIED BY (II) THE QUOTIENT OF
THE NUMBER OF PUPILS WITHIN SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICT ATTENDING THE REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL IN THE BASE YEAR DIVIDED BY THE RESIDENT PUBLIC SCHOOL
S. 4184 12
DISTRICT ENROLLMENT OF SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICT WITHIN THE GRADES OF THE NEW
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL(S) UPON MEETING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT GOALS AS
ESTABLISHED BY THE COMMISSIONER IN ACCORDANCE WITH A METHODOLOGY
PRESCRIBED IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER. IN NO CASE SHALL THE
SUM OF SUCH APPORTIONMENTS UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH PLUS THE SELECTED OPER-
ATING AID PER PUPIL BE MORE THAN A TOTAL OF NINETY-FIVE PER CENTUM OF
THE YEAR PRIOR TO THE BASE YEAR APPROVED OPERATING EXPENSE. SCHOOL
DISTRICTS WHICH RECEIVE AN APPORTIONMENT UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL NOT
BE ELIGIBLE FOR AN APPORTIONMENT UNDER PARAGRAPH C, F OR J OF THIS
SUBDIVISION.
S 7. This act shall take effect July 1, 2013, provided that if this
act becomes a law after such date, it shall take effect immediately and
be deemed to have been in full force and effect on and after July 1,
2013.
2013-S4184A (ACTIVE) - Details
- See Assembly Version of this Bill:
- A7149
- Current Committee:
- Senate Education
- Law Section:
- Education Law
- Laws Affected:
- Add Art 39-A §§1920 - 1923, amd §§1950 & 3602, Ed L
2013-S4184A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo
BILL NUMBER:S4184A
TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the education law, in relation to the
establishment of regional secondary schools
Purpose of the Bill:
The proposed legislation authorizes the establishment of regional
secondary schools. In light of fiscal constraints and declining
enrollments, many school districts across the State face educational
insolvency or are at risk of not meeting their financial obligations.
The financial and program challenges faced by many school districts
are primarily at the secondary school level. This bill would allow
three or more school districts to enter into contracts with each other
or a Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), with the
Commissioner's approval, to establish a regional secondary school for
their students. Leveraging the resources of multiple districts and
providing incentive aid for the creation of regional high schools will
improve the quality of instruction and educational opportunities for
these students, while providing school districts with operational
flexibility and cost-reduction incentives for this new delivery model.
This model is expected to be attractive to school districts that are
experiencing difficulty in providing competitive secondary school
curricula but lack the public support for full district
reorganization.This model will provide students with greater access to
high-quality educational programs and services that prepare them to
graduate high school ready for success in college and careers. Summary of the Provisions of the Bill: Section 1 of the bill sets forth the legislative intent for the establishment of regional secondary schools. Section 2 of the bill adds Article 39-a (§§ 1920-1923), to the Education Law to authorize the establishment of two models for a regional secondary school. Education Law § 1920, as added, establishes the first model for a regional secondary school. It would allow three or more school districts to contract with each other to form a regional secondary school to serve all or some of the students in each of the participating districts in grades nine through twelve, which may include grades six, seven and/or eight, as agreed upon by the districts. The formation of a regional secondary school would be subject to each participating district ceasing the operation of at least one of its high schools. Either one of the participating school districts or a joint board of education would be authorized to operate, supervise and maintain the regional secondary school. With the exception of certain school districts, as further discussed below, any city school district, central school district, union free school district, or common school district wholly contained within the supervisory district would be eligible to form a regional secondary school. A component school district of a central high school district would not be eligible to participate in a regional secondary school unless, upon voter approval, a central high school entered into an agreement with school districts, other than its component districts, to establish a regional secondary school. A special act school district established through special legislation to provide services to certain students with disabilities, as defined in Education Law 4001, and as are enumerated in Chapter 566 of the Laws of 1967, would not be authorized to form a regional secondary school, without exception. To form a regional secondary school under Article 39-a, the board of education of each participating school district would first be required to agree to the formation of the regional secondary school and then, by a majority vote of the each board of education, adopt a resolution proposing the establishment of such regional secondary school. Each board would be required to hold a meeting to vote on the resolution by October 1 of the school year preceding the school year in which the regional secondary school would commence operation. Following adoption of such resolution, the qualified voters of each school district would be required to approve the resolution in a referendum held in each district. Upon voter approval, the districts would enter into a contract and present the contract for approval to the Commissioner of Education. Subject to certain criteria prescribed in this section, the Commissioner of Education would be required to approve or disapprove the contract made by the districts. Among other things, the contract must demonstrate how the regional secondary school will provide increased educational opportunities, including courses and programs in science, technology, engineering and math, to prepare students for college and career readiness and improve student performance and must specify the costs of the operation of the regional secondary school for each participating district and provide an itemized listing of the cost savings for each participating school district. Diplomas would be issued by the governing board of the regional secondary school, or if the contract so provides by the student's school district of residence upon certification by the governing board that all graduation requirements of the regional secondary school have been met. Upon approval of the contract, the regional secondary school would be established for a period of at least five and not more than seven school years and, with the approval of the Commissioner, may be renewed by mutual agreement of the boards of education of the participating districts. Upon formation of such regional secondary school, students would be considered the students of the regional secondary school, provided, however, that students would be considered students of their respective school district of residence for purposes of calculating State aid, and provided, further, that each student's district of residency would be responsible for providing or arranging for, the transportation of such students to the regional secondary school. Education Law § 1920, as added, would also provide for the rights of teachers, teacher aides and teaching assistants, similar to what is provided for such teachers when a BOCES takes over the program of a school district under Education Law § 3014-a. Education Law § 1921, as added, establishes the second model for a regional secondary school. Specifically, it authorizes three or more school districts and a BOCES to form a regional secondary school to serve all or some of the students in each of the participating districts in grades nine through twelve, which may include grades six, seven and/or eight, as agreed upon by the districts. Under this new section, BOCES would operate the regional secondary school and would assume all the responsibility to operate, supervise and maintain the regional secondary school and the administration of such school. The formation of such a regional secondary school would be conditioned upon each participating district ceasing the operation of at least one of its high schools. With the exception of certain school districts, as further discussed below, any city school district, central school district, union free school district, or common school district wholly contained within the supervisory district would be eligible to form a regional secondary school. A component school district of a central high school district would not be eligible to participate in a regional secondary school unless, upon voter approval, a central high school entered into an agreement with school districts, other than its component districts, to establish a regional secondary school. A special act school district established through special legislation to provide services to certain students with disabilities, as defined in Education Law 4001, and as are enumerated in Chapter 566 of the Laws of 1967, would not be authorized to form a regional secondary school, without exception. To form a regional secondary school under this model, the board of education of each participating school districts and the BOCES would first be required to agree to the formation of the regional secondary school and then, by a majority vote, adopt a resolution proposing the establishment of such regional secondary school. Each board would be required to hold a meeting to vote on the resolution by October 1 of the school year preceding the school year in which the regional secondary school would commence operation. Following adoption of such resolution, the qualified voters of each school district would be required to approve the resolution in a referendum held in each district. Upon voter approval, the participating districts and BOCES would enter into a contract and present the contract for approval to the Commissioner of Education. Subject to certain criteria prescribed in this section, the Commissioner of Education would be required to approve or disapprove the contract made by the districts. Among other things, the contract must demonstrate how the regional secondary school will provide increased educational opportunities, including courses and programs in science, technology, engineering and math, to prepare students for college and career readiness and improve student performance and must specify the costs of the operation of the regional secondary school for each participating district and provide an itemized listing of the cost savings for each participating school district. Upon approval of the contract, the regional secondary school would be established for a period of at least five and not more than seven school years and, with the approval of the Commissioner, may be renewed by mutual agreement of the boards of education of the participating districts. Upon formation of such regional secondary school, students would be considered the students of the regional secondary school, provided, however, that students would be considered students of their respective school district of residence for purposes of calculating State aid, and provided, further, that each student's district of residence would be responsible for providing or arranging for, the transportation of such students to the regional secondary school. The BOCES would serve as the governing body for the regional secondary school and be responsible for the administration of such school, including grading. The BOCES would also act as a school district for accountability purposes. BOCES would be authorized to establish curriculum and issue high school diplomas to the students in the regional secondary schools, though if the contract so provides, diplomas may be issued by the student's school district of residence upon certification by the BOCES that all graduation requirements of the regional secondary school have been met. Education Law § 1921, as added, would also provide for the rights of teachers, teacher aides and assistants, as mirrored in accordance with existing Education Law § 3014-a, which provides for the rights of teachers as a result of BOCES taking over a program formerly operated by a district. Article 39-a would also add Education Law § 1922 to describe the State aid calculations for regional secondary schools. This section provides that students attending a regional secondary school are deemed enrolled in their school district of residence and shall be included in the membership, enrollment and attendance counts of their school districts of residence for purposes of computing State aid to such school districts. State aid shall be computed for these students in the same manner as aid attributable to other resident students. This section also provides that the school district that owns the facility used to house the regional secondary school shall be the only school district eligible for building aid involving the regional secondary school. Such aid shall be computed using the building aid ratio applicable to the projects of the school district that owns the regional secondary school. In the case of a regional secondary school operated by a BOCES that is housed in a facility owned by a participating school district, the capital expenses for building projects involving the regional secondary school shall be a charge upon the participating school districts only and are not eligible for aid. However, aidable shared services provided by the BOCES to supplement the programs of the regional secondary school would be eligible for aid. This section also provides that participating school districts shall be eligible for additional state aid in accordance with Education Law § 3602(k). Education Law § 1923, as added, provides for the creation of a regional secondary school advisory committee to review the operation of the regional secondary school and make recommendations to the hosting, or operating, district or the supervisory BOCES, as applicable, on the continued operation of such secondary school. Section 3 of this bill would add a new paragraph oo to Education Law 1950(4) to authorize BOCES to enter into the agreement to form a regional secondary school, as authorized in Education Law § 1921, as added by section 9 of this bill. Section 4 of this bill would add three new subparagraphs 12, 13 and 14 to Education Law § 1950(4)(h) to authorize BOCES to develop core curriculum, issue regents and other high school diplomas and to enter into contracts as otherwise necessary or convenient to operate a regional secondary school. Section 5 of this bill would add a new subparagraph 8 to Education Law § 1950(4)(b) to authorize BOCES to prepare and propose a tentative budget for the operation of a regional secondary school that it is operating. Section 6 of this bill would add a new paragraph k to Education Law 3602(14) to authorize the provision of transition incentive aid to districts that establish a regional secondary school. This additional apportionment of aid would be structured to provide incentive to districts to reorganize into these more cost-effective regional secondary schools and to ease the burdens associated with initially forming these districts. Under Education Law § 3602(14)(k), as proposed to be added, for aid payable in the 2014-2015 school year or thereafter, each participating school district that meets certain criteria would be entitled to receive additional aid each year, for the first five years of operation, as follows: each district would be entitled to receive 10 percent of the 2006-07 selected operating aid per pupil (the reorganization incentive operating aid base) for transition expenses, under § 3602(14) (d-1), multiplied by the quotient of the district's total secondary students who are attending the regional secondary school (the number of the district's students attending the regional secondary school in the base year) divided by the resident public school district enrollment of such school district within the grades of the new regional secondary school(s). Additionally, each participating school district that meets certain academic achievement goals would be eligible to receive an additional 5 percent of the apportionment computed under § 3602(14)(d-1) multiplied by the quotient of the number of pupils attending the regional secondary school from the district in the base year divided by the resident public school district enrollment of such school district within the grades of the new regional secondary school. The receipt of this aid would be conditioned upon the school ceasing to operate at least one high school and upon meeting academic achievement goals established by the Commissioner in regulations. Incentive aid would be capped at no more than 95 percent of the aid payable in the year prior to the base year approved operating expenses and any school district receiving incentive aid under this paragraph would not be eligible for an apportionment under § 3602 (14)(c),(e), (f) or (j). Section 7 is the effective date. Statement in Support of the Bill: The bill authorizes the establishment of regional secondary schools. Given the fiscal climate and constraints in this State, as well as patterns of declining enrollments, many school districts, particularly small, rural districts, are threatened by a decline in educational opportunities and high-quality programs for their students. School districts need new and innovative models to provide higher quality educational opportunities to students through cost-effective and efficient services. Since school districts in the State are experiencing financial limitations which may impair their schools' ability to offer students the same range or quality of courses, districts should be afforded the opportunity to work together to establish a regional secondary school, to allow for improved educational opportunities and more cost-effective service delivery. The proposed regional secondary school model will allow districts to provide more efficient services, leverage resources, and increase their purchasing power through shared services. Resulting cost savings will allow more resources to be dedicated to educational programming for students, such as advanced course work, opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics program s and enhanced course electives that are critical to success in a global economy. By allowing for more cost-efficient operations, and being able to dedicate greater resources for teaching and learning opportunities, school districts for which regional secondary schools is an appropriate service delivery model will be able to better ensure that their students graduate high school ready for college and careers. Budgetary Implications of the Bill: This bill would result in overall cost savings to school districts and other educational entities by streamlining the provision of services to students in these regional secondary schools by and through shared resources and services. The amount of such savings is not known, though it is expected to be substantial if this bill is enacted in entirety. The bill would not result in any cost to the State in the 2014-2015 State fiscal year, though it would result in a cost to the State in the 2015-2016 State fiscal year for transition incentive aid if school districts form regional high schools in the 2014-2015 school year. The amount of such additional aid is not known, since it will depend on the specific districts that decide to form regional high schools in 2014-2015 and meet the criteria for receipt of transition incentive aid and the number of pupils from such districts that attend a regional high school. Prior Legislative History: In 2013, this bill was introduced in the Senate as S.4184 and was referred to the Senate Education Committee. No further action was taken. The bill was also introduced in the Assembly as A.7149 and was referred to the Assembly Education Committee. No further action was taken. In 2012, this bill was introduced in the Senate as S.7486 and was referred to the Senate Finance Committee. No further action was taken. Effective Date: This act would take effect July 1, 2014, provided, however, that if it becomes a law after such date, it would be deemed to have taken effect on and after July 1, 2014.
2013-S4184A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf
S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
4184--A
2013-2014 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
March 13, 2013
___________
Introduced by Sen. FLANAGAN -- (at request of the State Education
Department) -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be
committed to the Committee on Education -- recommitted to the Commit-
tee on Education in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- committee
discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted
to said committee
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to the establishment of
regional secondary schools
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Legislative intent. The legislature hereby finds and
declares that given the current fiscal climate in this state, many
school districts, particularly small, rural districts, are threatened by
a decline in educational opportunities and programs for their students.
School districts are seeking new models of delivering services to
students that are more cost-effective and efficient, in order to sustain
or enhance the quality of services and to maintain or expand the scope
of services offered to students. The legislature recognizes that many
high schools in the state are experiencing financial limitations that
may impair their ability to offer students the same range or quality of
courses that other high schools may provide. In order to ensure that
these districts continue to offer their students advanced course work,
districts should be afforded the opportunity to establish a regional
secondary school. Under this new model of delivering services, districts
will be able to streamline programs and services, increase resources,
and increase their purchasing power through shared services. These
resultant cost savings will allow money to flow into educational
programs and services for students which will, in turn, help to improve
student performance and meet college and career readiness.
S 2. The education law is amended by adding a new article 39-A to read
as follows:
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08206-02-4
S. 4184--A 2
ARTICLE 39-A
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS
SECTION 1920. ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL OPERATED BY A
BOARD OF EDUCATION.
1921. ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL OPERATED BY A
BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.
1922. STATE AID FOR REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
1923. REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
S 1920. ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL OPERATED BY A
BOARD OF EDUCATION. 1. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW TO THE
CONTRARY, FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE, A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL
SHALL MEAN A HIGH SCHOOL WITH GRADES SIX, SEVEN AND/OR EIGHT AS AGREED
UPON BY EACH OF THE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS CONSISTENT WITH THE GRADE
CONFIGURATION OF THE NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL OR SCHOOLS.
2. A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL MAY BE ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THIS
SECTION BY AGREEMENT OF THE BOARDS OF EDUCATION OF THREE OR MORE CITY
SCHOOL DISTRICTS, CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICTS
AND/OR COMMON SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT ARE WHOLLY CONTAINED WITHIN THE
SUPERVISORY DISTRICT OF A BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES,
SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE VOTERS OF EACH PARTICIPATING DISTRICT.
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT A COMPONENT SCHOOL DISTRICT OF A CENTRAL HIGH
SCHOOL DISTRICT AND A SPECIAL ACT SCHOOL DISTRICT, AS DEFINED IN SECTION
FOUR THOUSAND ONE OF THIS CHAPTER, SHALL NOT BE AUTHORIZED TO PARTIC-
IPATE IN A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL. A CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT,
SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF ITS VOTERS, ALSO MAY ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH
SCHOOL DISTRICTS OTHER THAN ITS COMPONENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT ARE
WHOLLY CONTAINED WITHIN THE SUPERVISORY DISTRICT OF A BOARD OF COOPER-
ATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO ESTABLISH A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL.
SUCH REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL SERVE ALL OR SOME OF THE STUDENTS
IN EACH OF THE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS IN GRADES NINE THROUGH TWELVE AND
MAY ALSO SERVE STUDENTS IN GRADES SIX, SEVEN AND/OR EIGHT AS AGREED UPON
BY EACH OF THE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS CONSISTENT WITH THE GRADE CONFIG-
URATION OF THE NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL OR SCHOOLS, PROVIDED THAT EACH
PARTICIPATING DISTRICT SHALL CEASE DISTRICT OPERATION OF AT LEAST ONE
HIGH SCHOOL. THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL MAY BE OPERATED BY ONE OF THE
PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICTS UPON THE AGREEMENT OF THE OTHER PARTIC-
IPATING DISTRICTS, AND SUCH DISTRICT SHALL ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITY TO
OPERATE, SUPERVISE AND MAINTAIN THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AND THE
ADMINISTRATION OF SUCH SECONDARY SCHOOL. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE,
THE SCHOOL DISTRICT DESIGNATED AS THE OPERATING DISTRICT SHALL BE
REFERRED TO AS THE HOSTING DISTRICT. ALTERNATIVELY, THE REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL MAY BE OPERATED BY A JOINT BOARD OF EDUCATION ESTAB-
LISHED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGIONAL SECOND-
ARY SCHOOL SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSIONER, IN A
MANNER AND TIMEFRAME, AS SET FORTH WITHIN THIS SECTION.
3. TO ESTABLISH A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, THREE OR MORE PARTICIPAT-
ING SCHOOL DISTRICTS MUST INITIALLY ADOPT, BY MAJORITY VOTE OF THE BOARD
OF EDUCATION OF EACH PARTICIPATING DISTRICT, A RESOLUTION PROPOSING THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF SUCH REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL. THE RESOLUTION SHALL
INDICATE THE PROPOSED PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND WHETHER THE
SCHOOL WOULD BE GOVERNED BY A PROPOSED HOSTING DISTRICT OR A JOINT BOARD
OF EDUCATION AND THE PROPOSED TERM OF THE CONTRACT GOVERNING THE
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL. THE RESOLUTION SHALL BE VOTED ON BY EACH
BOARD AT A MEETING HELD NO LATER THAN OCTOBER FIRST OF THE SCHOOL YEAR
PRIOR TO THE SCHOOL YEAR IN WHICH THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL IS
PROPOSED TO COMMENCE OPERATION. IF THREE OR MORE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ADOPT
S. 4184--A 3
SUCH A RESOLUTION, THE RESOLUTION SHALL BE PRESENTED IN A REFERENDUM FOR
VOTER APPROVAL IN EACH OF THE PROPOSED PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS. UPON
APPROVAL BY THE VOTERS IN EACH OF THE PROPOSED PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS,
THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICTS SHALL COLLECTIVELY ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL. IN THE
EVENT THE VOTERS OF ONE OR MORE PROPOSED PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS DO NOT
APPROVE SUCH RESOLUTION, THE RESOLUTION MAY BE PRESENTED FOR ONE RE-VOTE
IN THE PROPOSED PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS WHOSE VOTERS DID NOT APPROVE THE
RESOLUTION; OR, IF THE BOARDS OF EDUCATION OF ONE OR MORE SUCH DISTRICTS
VOTE TO RESCIND THEIR RESOLUTION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE REGIONAL SECOND-
ARY SCHOOL, ONE ADDITIONAL VOTE MAY BE HELD IN EACH OF THE REMAINING
PROPOSED PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS. IN NO EVENT MAY MORE THAN TWO VOTES BE
HELD IN ANY PROPOSED PARTICIPATING DISTRICT IN ANY SCHOOL YEAR.
4. WITH THE CONSENT OF EACH OF THE PARTICIPATING BOARDS OF EDUCATION
AND APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSIONER, ADDITIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS OTHERWISE
ELIGIBLE TO ESTABLISH THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL MAY JOIN THE
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL IN THE SECOND OR A SUBSEQUENT YEAR OF OPERA-
TION BY ADOPTING A BOARD RESOLUTION AND OBTAINING VOTER APPROVAL
SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE MANNER PRESCRIBED IN SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS
SECTION.
5. (A) UPON RECEIPT OF VOTER APPROVAL IN ALL PARTICIPATING SCHOOL
DISTRICTS, SUCH DISTRICTS SHALL SUBMIT THE PROPOSED CONTRACT, TOGETHER
WITH THE PLAN OF FORMATION AND OPERATION OF THE REGIONAL SECONDARY
SCHOOL, TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR HIS OR HER APPROVAL, IN A TIME AND
MANNER PRESCRIBED BY THE COMMISSIONER. SUCH CONTRACT SHALL BE AN INTER-
MUNICIPAL SHARING AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO ARTICLE FIVE-G OF THE GENERAL
MUNICIPAL LAW THAT COMPLIES WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION.
(B) THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AND THE PROPOSED CONTRACT SHALL MEET
THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:
(I) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY ITS TERM, WHICH SHALL NOT BE LESS THAN
FIVE NOR MORE THAN SEVEN SCHOOL YEARS, AND SHALL EITHER DESIGNATE THE
BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE HOSTING DISTRICT AS THE GOVERNING BOARD THAT
WILL OPERATE THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL ON BEHALF OF ALL PARTICIPAT-
ING DISTRICTS, OR THE JOINT BOARD OF EDUCATION THAT WILL SERVE AS
GOVERNING BOARD FOR THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL. THE GOVERNING BOARD
SHALL HAVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE OPERATION, SUPERVISION AND MAINTENANCE
OF THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AND SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADMIN-
ISTRATION OF THE SCHOOL, INCLUDING THE CURRICULUM, GRADING, STAFFING AND
THE ISSUANCE OF DIPLOMAS FOR ALL STUDENTS THAT ATTEND THE REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL, AS SHALL BE DESIGNATED IN THE CONTRACT. PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, THAT THE CONTRACT MAY PROVIDE FOR ISSUANCE OF THE DIPLOMA BY
THE STUDENT'S SCHOOL DISTRICT OF RESIDENCE UPON CERTIFICATION BY THE
GOVERNING BOARD THAT ALL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE REGIONAL SECOND-
ARY SCHOOL HAVE BEEN MET. THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL BE DEEMED
A SCHOOL OF THE GOVERNING BOARD FOR ACCOUNTABILITY PURPOSES;
(II) THE CONTRACT SHALL PROVIDE THE NAME OF THE SCHOOL, WHICH SHALL BE
SUBJECT TO THE COMMISSIONER'S APPROVAL, THE GRADES OF INSTRUCTION
INTENDED TO BE SERVED BY THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, AND DESIGNATE
THE SITE OF THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, WHICH SHALL BE WITHIN THE
BOUNDARIES OF ONE OF THE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS AND WHERE POSSIBLE,
SHOULD USE EXISTING BUILDINGS AND/OR INFRASTRUCTURE;
(III) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, THE
CONTRACT SHALL PROVIDE THAT EACH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL BE
RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING OR ARRANGING FOR TRANSPORTATION TO ITS RESI-
DENT STUDENTS ATTENDING THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL IN ACCORDANCE WITH
ITS SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICY, BUT WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY MAXIMUM MILEAGE
S. 4184--A 4
LIMITATION. SUCH TRANSPORTATION MAY BE PROVIDED BY CONTRACT, INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO A CONTRACT WITH ONE OR MORE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS
OR A BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES;
(IV) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY THAT THE STUDENTS OF EACH PARTICIPAT-
ING SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL REMAIN ENROLLED AS STUDENTS OF THEIR RESPEC-
TIVE PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND THEY SHALL BE TREATED AND
COUNTED AS SUCH FOR PURPOSES OF ALL STATE AID CALCULATIONS PURSUANT TO
THIS CHAPTER;
(V) THE CONTRACT SHALL EITHER DESIGNATE THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE
HOSTING DISTRICT TO SERVE AS THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE REGIONAL SECOND-
ARY SCHOOL OR SHALL PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW JOINT BOARD
OF EDUCATION FOR THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL WITH AT LEAST FIVE
MEMBERS, WITH REPRESENTATIVES APPOINTED BY EACH PARTICIPATING DISTRICT.
THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY THE NUMBER, TERM, AND PROCEDURES FOR APPOINT-
MENT OF JOINT BOARD MEMBERS. IF THE DISTRICTS CHOOSE TO CREATE A NEW
JOINT BOARD OF EDUCATION, THE BOARD SHALL HAVE THE SAME POWERS AND
DUTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AS A BOARD OF
EDUCATION OF A UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS WITH RESPECT TO ITS
SCHOOLS UNDER THIS CHAPTER, EXCEPT AS MODIFIED BY THE TERMS OF THE
CONTRACT;
(VI) THE CURRENT ENROLLMENT OF ALL PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND
THE PROJECTED TOTAL ENROLLMENT NUMBERS OF THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL;
(VII) THE CONTRACT MUST DEMONSTRATE HOW THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL
WILL PROVIDE INCREASED EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING COURSES AND
PROGRAMS IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH, TO PREPARE
STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS AND IMPROVE STUDENT PERFORM-
ANCE;
(VIII) ALL TEACHERS, TEACHING ASSISTANTS AND TEACHER AIDES OF THE
PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICTS, WHOSE SERVICES IN THE PARTICIPATING
SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE NO LONGER NEEDED BECAUSE OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL OR THE TRANSFER OF STUDENTS TO AN EXISTING
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, AS A RESULT OF A NEW PARTICIPATING SCHOOL
DISTRICT JOINING THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL IMMEDIATELY BECOME
EMPLOYEES OF THE GOVERNING BOARD DESIGNATED IN THE CONTRACT, AND SHALL
RETAIN THEIR TENURE AND/OR EMPLOYMENT STATUS AND THE SENIORITY GAINED IN
THE PARTICIPATING DISTRICT. IF THE NUMBER OF TEACHING, TEACHING ASSIST-
ANT OR TEACHER AIDE POSITIONS NEEDED TO PROVIDE THE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
REQUIRED BY A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL IS LESS THAN THE NUMBER OF
TEACHERS, TEACHING ASSISTANTS, AND TEACHER AIDES ELIGIBLE TO BE CONSID-
ERED EMPLOYEES OF THE DESIGNATED GOVERNING BOARD OF SUCH REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH, THE SERVICES OF THE TEACH-
ERS, TEACHING ASSISTANTS AND TEACHER AIDES HAVING THE LEAST SENIORITY IN
THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICT WITHIN THE TENURE AREA OR CIVIL
SERVICE STATUS, AS THE CASE MAY BE, OF THE POSITION SHALL BE DISCONTIN-
UED. ANY SUCH EMPLOYEES WHO ARE TEACHERS, TEACHING ASSISTANTS OR TEACHER
AIDES SHALL BE PLACED ON A PREFERRED ELIGIBLE LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR
APPOINTMENT TO A VACANCY THAT MAY THEREAFTER OCCUR IN AN OFFICE OR POSI-
TION UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICT IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED TEN OR
THREE THOUSAND THIRTEEN OF THIS CHAPTER. FOR ANY SUCH TEACHER, TEACHING
ASSISTANT OR TEACHER AIDE WHO IS RETAINED BY THE GOVERNING BOARD, FOR
SALARY, SICK LEAVE AND ANY OTHER PURPOSES, THE LENGTH OF SERVICE CREDIT-
ED IN SUCH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICT PRIOR TO ITS PARTICIPATION IN
THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL BE CREDITED AS EMPLOYMENT TIME WITH
THE DESIGNATED GOVERNING BOARD;
S. 4184--A 5
(IX) UPON TERMINATION OF THE CONTRACT PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND THE
RETURN OF STUDENTS FROM THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL TO THE FORMER
PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE TEACHERS, TEACHING ASSISTANTS, AND
TEACHER AIDES EMPLOYED BY THE GOVERNING BOARD TO SERVE IN THE REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL HAVE THE SAME EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS IN THE PARTIC-
IPATING SCHOOL DISTRICTS AS TEACHERS WOULD HAVE UPON TAKEOVER OF A BOARD
OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES PROGRAM BY SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICTS
PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE THOUSAND FOURTEEN-B OF THIS CHAPTER;
(X) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY THE PROCESS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE
BUDGET FOR THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL BY THE DESIGNATED GOVERNING
BOARD AND HOW OPERATING AND ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS AND THE LOCAL SHARE OF
CAPITAL EXPENSES ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL WILL BE
ALLOCATED AMONG THE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS;
(XI) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY THE COSTS OF THE REGIONAL SECONDARY
SCHOOL, STAFFING, CURRENT AND FUTURE CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION PLANS AND FOR
THE DELIVERY OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS;
(XII) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY THE PROCEDURES FOR DISCIPLINE OF
STUDENTS ATTENDING THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, INCLUDING THE APPLICA-
BLE CODE OF CONDUCT PROVIDED THAT SUCH CODE OF CONDUCT MEETS THE
REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION TWENTY-EIGHT HUNDRED ONE OF THIS TITLE AND
PROCEDURES FOR SUPERINTENDENTS' HEARINGS AND APPEALS TO THE BOARD OF
EDUCATION PURSUANT TO SECTION THIRTY-TWO HUNDRED FOURTEEN OF THIS CHAP-
TER;
(XIII) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY THE COSTS OF THE OPERATION OF THE
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL FOR EACH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICT AND AN
ITEMIZED LISTING OF THE COST SAVINGS FOR EACH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL
DISTRICT;
(XIV) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY HOW EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND
INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS WILL BE PROVIDED TO STUDENTS OF THE REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL;
(XV) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY THE FISCAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL INCLUDING EXPECTED STATE AID AND EXPECTED
CHANGES IN EXPENDITURES AND PROPERTY TAX LEVIES;
(XVI) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY WHETHER THE EMPLOYEES OF THE REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL ESTABLISH NEW EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS, PURSUANT TO
ARTICLE FOURTEEN OF THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW, FOR THEIR REPRESENTATION, OR,
WHERE APPLICABLE, WHETHER THEY SHALL BECOME MEMBERS OF THE APPLICABLE
EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTING THE EMPLOYEES OF THE HOSTING
DISTRICT; AND
(XVII) THE CONTRACT SHALL SET FORTH ANY OTHER INFORMATION OR ANALYSIS
AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER.
6. IF THE COMMISSIONER APPROVES THE PROPOSED CONTRACT, THE REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL BE ESTABLISHED. THE CONTRACT SHALL BE FOR A PERI-
OD OF AT LEAST FIVE AND NOT MORE THAN SEVEN SCHOOL YEARS AND, WITH THE
APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSIONER, MAY BE RENEWED BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT OF THE
BOARDS OF EDUCATION OF THE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS. THE REGIONAL SECOND-
ARY SCHOOL SHALL COMMENCE OPERATIONS ON THE FIRST OF JULY, AND SHALL NOT
CEASE OPERATIONS BEFORE THE THIRTIETH OF JUNE IN ANY SCHOOL YEAR.
S 1921. ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL OPERATED BY A
BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES. 1. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER
PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE, A
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL MEAN A HIGH SCHOOL WITH GRADES SIX,
SEVEN AND/OR EIGHT AS AGREED UPON BY EACH OF THE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS
CONSISTENT WITH THE GRADE CONFIGURATION OF THE NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL OR
SCHOOLS.
S. 4184--A 6
2. A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL MAY BE ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THIS
SECTION BY AGREEMENT OF A BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AND
THE BOARDS OF EDUCATION OF THREE OR MORE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICTS, CENTRAL
SCHOOL DISTRICTS, UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND/OR COMMON SCHOOL
DISTRICTS THAT ARE WHOLLY CONTAINED WITHIN THE SUPERVISORY DISTRICT OF
THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL
OF THE VOTERS OF EACH PARTICIPATING DISTRICT. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT A
COMPONENT SCHOOL DISTRICT OF A CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT AND A
SPECIAL ACT SCHOOL DISTRICT, AS DEFINED IN SECTION FOUR THOUSAND ONE OF
THIS CHAPTER, SHALL NOT BE AUTHORIZED TO PARTICIPATE IN A REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL. A CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT, SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF
ITS VOTERS, ALSO MAY ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE BOARD OF COOPER-
ATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS OTHER THAN ITS COMPONENT
SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT ARE WHOLLY CONTAINED WITHIN THE SUPERVISORY
DISTRICT OF THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO ESTABLISH A
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL. SUCH REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL SERVE
ALL OR SOME OF THE STUDENTS IN EACH OF THE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS IN
GRADES NINE THROUGH TWELVE AND MAY ALSO SERVE STUDENTS IN GRADES SIX,
SEVEN AND/OR EIGHT AS AGREED UPON BY EACH OF THE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS
CONSISTENT WITH THE GRADE CONFIGURATION OF THE NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL OR
SCHOOLS, PROVIDED THAT EACH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL CEASE
DISTRICT OPERATION OF AT LEAST ONE HIGH SCHOOL. THE REGIONAL SECONDARY
SCHOOL SHALL BE OPERATED BY THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL
SERVICES, WHICH SHALL ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITY TO OPERATE, SUPERVISE
AND MAINTAIN THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF
SUCH SECONDARY SCHOOL. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL
SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSIONER, IN A MANNER AND
TIMEFRAME, AS SET FORTH WITHIN THIS SECTION.
3. TO ESTABLISH A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, THREE OR MORE PARTICIPAT-
ING SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES MUST INITIAL-
LY ADOPT, BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF EACH PARTIC-
IPATING DISTRICT AND THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, A
RESOLUTION PROPOSING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SUCH REGIONAL SECONDARY
SCHOOL. THE RESOLUTION SHALL INDICATE THAT THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES WILL OPERATE THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL ON
BEHALF OF THE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS AND SPECIFY THE PARTICIPATING
SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE PROPOSED TERM OF THE CONTRACT GOVERNING THE
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL. THE RESOLUTION SHALL BE VOTED ON BY EACH
BOARD AT A MEETING HELD NO LATER THAN OCTOBER FIRST OF THE SCHOOL YEAR
PRIOR TO THE SCHOOL YEAR IN WHICH THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL IS
PROPOSED TO COMMENCE OPERATION. IF THREE OR MORE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND
THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES ADOPT SUCH A RESOLUTION,
THE RESOLUTION MUST THEN BE PRESENTED IN A REFERENDUM FOR VOTER APPROVAL
IN EACH OF THE PROPOSED PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS. UPON APPROVAL BY THE
VOTERS IN EACH OF THE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS, THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOL
DISTRICTS AND THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES SHALL
COLLECTIVELY ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL. IN THE EVENT THE VOTERS OF ONE OR MORE PROPOSED
PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS DO NOT APPROVE SUCH RESOLUTION, THE RESOLUTION
MAY BE PRESENTED FOR ONE RE-VOTE IN THE PROPOSED PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS
WHOSE VOTERS DID NOT APPROVE THE RESOLUTION; OR, IF THE BOARDS OF EDUCA-
TION OF ONE OR MORE SUCH DISTRICTS VOTE TO RESCIND THEIR RESOLUTION TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, ONE ADDITIONAL VOTE MAY BE
HELD IN EACH OF THE REMAINING PROPOSED PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS. IN NO
EVENT MAY MORE THAN TWO VOTES BE HELD IN ANY PROPOSED PARTICIPATING
DISTRICT IN ANY SCHOOL YEAR.
S. 4184--A 7
4. WITH THE CONSENT OF EACH OF THE PARTICIPATING BOARDS OF EDUCATION
AND THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AND APPROVAL OF THE
COMMISSIONER, ADDITIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS OTHERWISE ELIGIBLE TO ESTAB-
LISH THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL MAY JOIN THE REGIONAL SECONDARY
SCHOOL IN THE SECOND OR A SUBSEQUENT YEAR OF OPERATION BY ADOPTING A
BOARD RESOLUTION AND OBTAINING VOTER APPROVAL SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE
MANNER PRESCRIBED IN SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION.
5. (A) UPON RECEIPT OF VOTER APPROVAL IN ALL PARTICIPATING SCHOOL
DISTRICTS, THE PROPOSED CONTRACT, TOGETHER WITH THE PLAN OF FORMATION
AND OPERATION OF THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO
THE COMMISSIONER FOR HIS OR HER APPROVAL, IN A TIME AND MANNER
PRESCRIBED BY THE COMMISSIONER. SUCH CONTRACT SHALL BE AN INTER-MUNICI-
PAL SHARING AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO ARTICLE FIVE-G OF THE GENERAL MUNICI-
PAL LAW THAT COMPLIES WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION.
(B) THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AND THE PROPOSED CONTRACT SHALL MEET
THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:
(I) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY ITS TERM, WHICH SHALL NOT BE LESS THAN
FIVE NOR MORE THAN SEVEN SCHOOL YEARS, AND SHALL PROVIDE THAT THE BOARD
OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES WILL OPERATE THE REGIONAL SECONDARY
SCHOOL ON BEHALF OF ALL PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS. THE BOARD OF COOPER-
ATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES SHALL SERVE AS THE GOVERNING BODY FOR THE
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AND SHALL HAVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE OPERA-
TION, SUPERVISION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AND
SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF SUCH SCHOOL, INCLUDING
GRADING AND THE ISSUANCE OF DIPLOMAS FOR ALL STUDENTS THAT ATTEND THE
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, AS SHALL BE DESIGNATED IN THE CONTRACT.
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE CONTRACT MAY PROVIDE FOR ISSUANCE OF THE
DIPLOMA BY THE STUDENT'S SCHOOL DISTRICT OF RESIDENCE UPON CERTIFICATION
BY THE GOVERNING BOARD THAT ALL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL HAVE BEEN MET. THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL
SERVICES SHALL ALSO ACT AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR ACCOUNTABILITY
PURPOSES;
(II) THE CONTRACT SHALL PROVIDE THE NAME OF THE SCHOOL, WHICH SHALL BE
SUBJECT TO THE COMMISSIONER'S APPROVAL, THE GRADES OF INSTRUCTION
INTENDED TO BE SERVED BY THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, AND DESIGNATE
THE SITE OF THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, WHICH SHALL BE WITHIN THE
BOUNDARIES OF THE SUPERVISORY DISTRICT OF THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AND WHERE POSSIBLE, SHOULD USE EXISTING BUILDINGS
AND/OR INFRASTRUCTURE;
(III) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, THE CONTRACT SHALL
PROVIDE THAT EACH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR
PROVIDING OR ARRANGING FOR TRANSPORTATION TO ITS RESIDENT STUDENTS
ATTENDING THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS SCHOOL
DISTRICT POLICY, BUT WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY MAXIMUM MILEAGE LIMITATION.
SUCH TRANSPORTATION MAY BE PROVIDED BY CONTRACT, INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO A CONTRACT WITH ONE OR MORE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS OR A
BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES;
(IV) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY THAT THE STUDENTS OF EACH PARTICIPAT-
ING SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL REMAIN ENROLLED AS STUDENTS OF THEIR RESPEC-
TIVE PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND THEY SHALL BE TREATED AND
COUNTED AS SUCH FOR PURPOSES OF ALL STATE AID CALCULATIONS PURSUANT TO
THIS CHAPTER;
(V) THE CURRENT ENROLLMENT OF ALL PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND
THE PROJECTED TOTAL ENROLLMENT NUMBERS OF THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL;
(VI) THE CONTRACT MUST DEMONSTRATE HOW THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL
WILL PROVIDE INCREASED EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING COURSES AND
S. 4184--A 8
PROGRAMS IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH, TO PREPARE
STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS AND IMPROVE STUDENT PERFORM-
ANCE;
(VII) ALL TEACHERS, TEACHING ASSISTANTS AND TEACHER AIDES OF THE
PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICTS, WHOSE SERVICES IN THE PARTICIPATING
SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE NO LONGER NEEDED BECAUSE OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL OR THE TRANSFER OF STUDENTS TO AN EXISTING
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AS A RESULT OF A NEW PARTICIPATING SCHOOL
DISTRICT JOINING THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, SHALL BECOME EMPLOYEES
OF THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, AND SHALL RETAIN THEIR
TENURE AND/OR EMPLOYMENT STATUS AND THE SENIORITY GAINED IN THE PARTIC-
IPATING DISTRICT. IF THE NUMBER OF TEACHING, TEACHING ASSISTANT OR
TEACHER AIDE POSITIONS NEEDED TO PROVIDE THE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
REQUIRED BY A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL IS LESS THAN THE NUMBER OF
TEACHERS, TEACHING ASSISTANTS OR TEACHER AIDES ELIGIBLE TO BE CONSIDERED
EMPLOYEES OF THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES PURSUANT TO
THIS SUBPARAGRAPH, THE SERVICES OF THE TEACHERS, TEACHING ASSISTANTS OR
TEACHER AIDES HAVING THE LEAST SENIORITY IN THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOL
DISTRICTS WITHIN THE TENURE AREA OR CIVIL SERVICE STATUS, AS THE CASE
MAY BE, OF THE POSITION SHALL BE DISCONTINUED. ANY SUCH EMPLOYEES WHO
ARE TEACHERS, TEACHING ASSISTANTS, OR TEACHER AIDES SHALL HAVE ALL THE
EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS SPECIFIED IN SECTION THREE THOUSAND FOURTEEN-A OF THIS
CHAPTER.
(VIII) UPON TERMINATION OF THE CONTRACT PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND
THE RETURN OF STUDENTS FROM THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL TO THE FORMER
PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE TEACHERS, TEACHING ASSISTANTS AND
TEACHER AIDES EMPLOYED BY THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
TO SERVE SHALL HAVE THE EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS IN THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOL
DISTRICTS AS SPECIFIED IN SECTION THREE THOUSAND FOURTEEN-B OF THIS
CHAPTER;
(IX) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY THE PROCESS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE
BUDGET FOR THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL BY THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CONSISTENT WITH SUBPARAGRAPH EIGHT OF PARAGRAPH B
OF SUBDIVISION FOUR OF SECTION NINETEEN HUNDRED FIFTY OF THIS TITLE AND
HOW OPERATING AND ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS AND THE LOCAL SHARE OF CAPITAL
EXPENSES ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL WILL BE ALLOCATED
AMONG THE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS;
(X) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY THE COSTS OF THE REGIONAL SECONDARY
SCHOOL, STAFFING, CURRENT AND FUTURE CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION PLANS, AND THE
DELIVERY OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS;
(XI) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY THE COST OF THE OPERATION OF THE
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL FOR EACH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICT AND AN
ITEMIZED LISTING OF THE COST SAVINGS FOR EACH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL
DISTRICT;
(XII) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY HOW EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND
INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS WILL BE PROVIDED TO STUDENTS OF THE REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL;
(XIII) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY THE PROCEDURES FOR DISCIPLINE OF
STUDENTS ATTENDING THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, INCLUDING THE APPLICA-
BLE CODE OF CONDUCT PROVIDED THAT SUCH CODE OF CONDUCT MEETS THE
REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION TWENTY-EIGHT HUNDRED ONE OF THIS TITLE AND
PROCEDURES FOR SUPERINTENDENTS' HEARINGS AND APPEALS TO THE BOARD OF
EDUCATION PURSUANT TO SECTION THIRTY-TWO HUNDRED FOURTEEN OF THIS CHAP-
TER;
(XIV) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY WHETHER THE EMPLOYEES OF THE REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL ESTABLISH NEW EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS, PURSUANT TO
S. 4184--A 9
ARTICLE FOURTEEN OF THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW, FOR THEIR REPRESENTATION, OR,
WHERE APPLICABLE, WHETHER THEY SHALL BECOME MEMBERS OF THE APPLICABLE
EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTING THE EMPLOYEES OF THE HOSTING
DISTRICT; AND
(XV) THE CONTRACT SHALL SPECIFY THE FISCAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, INCLUDING THE CURRENT AND EXPECTED STATE AID
AND EXPECTED CHANGES IN EXPENDITURES AND PROPERTY TAX LEVIES; AND
(XVI) THE CONTRACT SHALL SET FORTH ANY OTHER INFORMATION OR ANALYSIS
AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER.
6. IF THE COMMISSIONER APPROVES THE PROPOSED CONTRACT, THE REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL BE ESTABLISHED. THE CONTRACT SHALL BE FOR A PERI-
OD OF NOT LESS THAN FIVE NOR MORE THAN SEVEN SCHOOL YEARS AND, WITH THE
APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSIONER, MAY BE RENEWED BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT OF THE
BOARDS OF EDUCATION OF THE PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS AND THE SUPERVISORY
DISTRICT OF THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES. THE REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL COMMENCE OPERATIONS ON THE FIRST OF JULY, AND
SHALL NOT CEASE OPERATIONS BEFORE THE THIRTIETH OF JUNE IN ANY SCHOOL
YEAR.
S 1922. STATE AID FOR REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS. 1. STUDENTS ATTEND-
ING A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL BE DEEMED ENROLLED IN THEIR SCHOOL
DISTRICT OF RESIDENCE AND SHALL BE INCLUDED IN THE APPLICABLE MEMBER-
SHIP, ENROLLMENT AND ATTENDANCE COUNTS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SCHOOL
DISTRICTS OF RESIDENCE FOR PURPOSES OF COMPUTATION OF STATE AID TO SUCH
SCHOOL DISTRICTS. THE COSTS OF EDUCATING EACH SUCH STUDENT SHALL BE
INCLUDED IN THE APPROVED OPERATING EXPENSE OF THE STUDENT'S SCHOOL
DISTRICT OF RESIDENCE AND EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION,
THE STATE AID ATTRIBUTABLE TO SUCH STUDENT SHALL BE COMPUTED IN THE SAME
MANNER AS AID ATTRIBUTABLE TO OTHER RESIDENT STUDENTS AND SHALL BE PAYA-
BLE TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF RESIDENCE.
2. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, THE
SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT OWNS THE FACILITY USED TO HOUSE THE REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL BE THE ONLY SCHOOL DISTRICT ELIGIBLE FOR BUILDING
AID PURSUANT TO THE APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION SIX, SIX-A,
SIX-C, SIX-E OR SIX-F OF SECTION THIRTY-SIX HUNDRED TWO OF THIS CHAPTER
FOR PROJECTS INVOLVING THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL THAT ARE APPROVED
BY THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF SUCH DISTRICT AFTER ESTABLISHMENT OF THE
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, PROVIDED THAT SUCH AID SHALL BE COMPUTED
USING THE BUILDING AID RATIO APPLICABLE TO PROJECTS OF THE SCHOOL
DISTRICT THAT OWNS THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL FACILITY UNDER THE
PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPHS B AND C OF SUBDIVISION SIX OF SECTION
THIRTY-SIX HUNDRED TWO OF THIS CHAPTER. SUCH AID SHALL BE PAID TO SUCH
SCHOOL DISTRICT OR TO THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES ON
BEHALF OF SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICT WHERE THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCA-
TIONAL SERVICES OPERATES THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL. THE SCHOOL
DISTRICT OR BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES SHALL ALLOCATE THE
LOCAL SHARE OF THE COSTS OF SUCH PROJECTS TO THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOL
DISTRICTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS CONTRACT ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO
SECTION NINETEEN HUNDRED TWENTY OR NINETEEN HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE OF THIS
ARTICLE. THE COSTS OF SUCH PROJECTS SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR AID PURSU-
ANT TO SUBDIVISION SIX-B OR PARAGRAPH C OF SUBDIVISION FOURTEEN OF
SECTION THIRTY-SIX HUNDRED TWO OF THIS CHAPTER.
3. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION OF SECTION NINETEEN HUNDRED FIFTY OR
NINETEEN HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE OF THIS TITLE TO THE CONTRARY, IN THE CASE OF
A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL OPERATED BY A BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCA-
TIONAL SERVICES THAT IS HOUSED IN A FACILITY OWNED BY A PARTICIPATING
SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE CAPITAL EXPENSES FOR BUILDING PROJECTS INVOLVING
S. 4184--A 10
THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL BE A CHARGE UPON THE PARTICIPATING
SCHOOL DISTRICTS ONLY, AND SUCH COSTS SHALL NOT BE ALLOCATED TO OTHER
COMPONENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS. SUCH CAPITAL EXPENSES SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE
FOR AID PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION FIVE OF SECTION NINETEEN HUNDRED FIFTY
OF THIS TITLE. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT COSTS OF AIDABLE SHARED SERVICES
PROVIDED BY THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO SUPPLEMENT
THE PROGRAMS OF THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR AID
PURSUANT TO SUCH SUBDIVISION FIVE OF SECTION NINETEEN HUNDRED FIFTY, THE
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL
AND THE CAPITAL EXPENSES ATTRIBUTABLE TO A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL
HOUSED IN A FACILITY OWNED BY THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL
SERVICES SHALL BE ALLOCATED TO COMPONENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN ACCORDANCE
WITH SECTION NINETEEN HUNDRED FIFTY OR NINETEEN HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE OF
THIS TITLE AND SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR AID PURSUANT TO SUCH SUBDIVISION
FIVE OF SECTION NINETEEN HUNDRED FIFTY.
4. THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT PARTICIPATING IN A
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR
ADDITIONAL STATE AID IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH K OF SUBDIVISION FOUR-
TEEN OF SECTION THIRTY-SIX HUNDRED TWO OF THIS CHAPTER.
S 1923. REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 1. EACH REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL ESTABLISHED AND OPERATED PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE SHALL
ESTABLISH AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE. THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE SHALL BE
COMPOSED OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF EACH PARTICIPAT-
ING SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF EACH
SUPERVISORY BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, WHERE APPLICABLE,
AND THE SUPERINTENDENT OF EACH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF THE SUPERVISORY DISTRICT IN WHICH THE REGIONAL SECOND-
ARY SCHOOL IS LOCATED. THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE SUPERVISORY DISTRICT
SHALL BE THE CHAIR OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
2. THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE SHALL CONVENE, AT THE CALL OF THE CHAIR, NOT
LESS THAN FOUR TIMES DURING EACH SCHOOL YEAR DURING WHICH THE REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL OPERATES. DURING SUCH MEETINGS, THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
SHALL REVIEW THE OPERATION OF THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AND MAKE
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE HOSTING DISTRICT OR THE SUPERVISORY BOARD OF
COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, AS THE CASE MAY BE, ON THE CONTINUED
OPERATION OF SUCH SECONDARY SCHOOL.
S 3. Subdivision 4 of section 1950 of the education law is amended by
adding a new paragraph oo to read as follows:
OO. PURSUANT TO ARTICLE THIRTY-NINE-A OF THIS TITLE, A BOARD OF COOP-
ERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES MAY ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THREE OR
MORE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ELIGIBLE TO ENTER SUCH AN AGREEMENT IN ACCORDANCE
WITH SECTION NINETEEN HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE OF THIS TITLE, WHICH MAY
INCLUDE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICTS, CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, CENTRAL HIGH
SCHOOL DISTRICTS, UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND/OR COMMON SCHOOL
DISTRICTS WHICH ARE WHOLLY CONTAINED WITHIN THE SUPERVISORY DISTRICT OF
THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, TO FORM A REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL TO BE OPERATED BY THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL
SERVICES. THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES SHALL HAVE THE
SAME POWERS AND DUTIES WITH RESPECT TO SUCH REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AS
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF A UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS WITH RESPECT
TO ITS SCHOOLS, CONSISTENT WITH THE TERMS OF ITS AGREEMENT WITH THE
PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
S 4. Paragraph h of subdivision 4 of section 1950 of the education law
is amended by adding three new subparagraphs 12, 13 and 14 to read as
follows:
S. 4184--A 11
(12) TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS AS NECESSARY OR CONVENIENT TO OPERATE A
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF
SECTION NINETEEN HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE OF THIS TITLE.
(13) TO DEVELOP CORE CURRICULUM FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING A REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION NINE-
TEEN HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE OF THIS TITLE.
(14) TO ISSUE REGENTS AND OTHER HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS TO STUDENTS WHO
GRADUATE FROM A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THE
PROVISIONS OF SECTION NINETEEN HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE OF THIS TITLE, UNDER
THE SAME CONDITIONS AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT.
S 5. Paragraph b of subdivision 4 of section 1950 of the education law
is amended by adding a new subparagraph 8 to read as follows:
(8) FOR REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION
NINETEEN HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE OF THIS TITLE, THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES SHALL PREPARE AND PROPOSE A TENTATIVE BUDGET OF
EXPENDITURES FOR PROGRAM, ADMINISTRATIVE AND CAPITAL COSTS TO OPERATE
THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL IN THE ENSUING SCHOOL YEAR. SUCH PROPOSED
BUDGET SHALL BE PROVIDED TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF EACH PARTICIPATING
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, BY THE DATE PROVIDED
IN THE AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO SUCH SECTION NINETEEN HUNDRED
TWENTY-ONE. THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF EACH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICT
SHALL BE AFFORDED TO REVIEW AND COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET PRIOR TO
ITS FINAL ADOPTION BY THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.
S 6. Subdivision 14 of section 3602 of the education law is amended by
adding a new paragraph k to read as follows:
K. TRANSITION INCENTIVE AID FOR REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS. (1)
NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPHS A THROUGH J OF THIS SUBDI-
VISION, FOR AID PAYABLE IN THE TWO THOUSAND FOURTEEN--TWO THOUSAND
FIFTEEN SCHOOL YEAR OR THEREAFTER, SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT ARE PARTIES TO
AN AGREEMENT TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE A REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL PURSU-
ANT TO ARTICLE THIRTY-NINE-A OF THIS CHAPTER ENTERED INTO ON OR AFTER
JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FOURTEEN AND PARTICIPATED IN SUCH REGIONAL
SECONDARY SCHOOL IN THE BASE YEAR SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR TRANSITION
INCENTIVE AID PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH PROVIDED THAT THE FOLLOWING
CONDITIONS ARE MET:
(I) THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AGREEMENT INCLUDES AT LEAST THREE
SCHOOL DISTRICTS, EACH OF WHICH PREVIOUSLY MAINTAINED ITS OWN SECONDARY
SCHOOLS, AND HAS CEASED DISTRICT OPERATION OF AT LEAST ONE HIGH SCHOOL
FOLLOWING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, OR
(II) THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AGREEMENT INCLUDES AT LEAST ONE
SCHOOL DISTRICT WHICH PREVIOUSLY MAINTAINED ITS OWN HIGH SCHOOL, AND
DOES NOT MAINTAIN ITS OWN HIGH SCHOOL FOLLOWING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, AND IN ADDITION THERETO, INCLUDES AT LEAST
TWO ADDITIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS EMPLOYING EIGHT OR MORE TEACHERS THAT DO
NOT MAINTAIN THEIR OWN HIGH SCHOOLS:
(2) IN EACH OF THE FIRST FIVE YEARS IN WHICH A SCHOOL DISTRICT IS
PARTY TO SUCH AGREEMENT, SUCH DISTRICT SHALL BE ENTITLED TO AN APPOR-
TIONMENT EQUAL TO THE PRODUCT OF (I) TEN PERCENT OF THE APPORTIONMENT
COMPUTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH D-1 OF THIS
SUBDIVISION, MULTIPLIED BY (II) THE QUOTIENT OF THE NUMBER OF PUPILS
WITHIN SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICT ATTENDING THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL IN
THE BASE YEAR DIVIDED BY THE RESIDENT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT ENROLLMENT
OF SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICT WITHIN THE GRADES OF THE NEW REGIONAL SECONDARY
SCHOOL OR SCHOOLS; PROVIDED FURTHER THAT SUCH DISTRICTS SHALL BE ELIGI-
BLE TO RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL APPORTIONMENT EQUAL TO THE PRODUCT OF (I)
FIVE PERCENT OF THE APPORTIONMENT COMPUTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
S. 4184--A 12
PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH D-1 OF THIS SUBDIVISION MULTIPLIED BY (II) THE
QUOTIENT OF THE NUMBER OF PUPILS WITHIN SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICT ATTENDING
THE REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL IN THE BASE YEAR DIVIDED BY THE RESIDENT
PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT ENROLLMENT OF SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICT WITHIN THE
GRADES OF THE NEW REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL OR SCHOOLS UPON MEETING
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT GOALS AS ESTABLISHED BY THE COMMISSIONER IN ACCORD-
ANCE WITH A METHODOLOGY PRESCRIBED IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSION-
ER. IN NO CASE SHALL THE SUM OF SUCH APPORTIONMENTS UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH
PLUS THE SELECTED OPERATING AID PER PUPIL BE MORE THAN A TOTAL OF NINE-
TY-FIVE PER CENTUM OF THE YEAR PRIOR TO THE BASE YEAR APPROVED OPERATING
EXPENSE. SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHICH RECEIVE AN APPORTIONMENT UNDER THIS
PARAGRAPH SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR AN APPORTIONMENT UNDER PARAGRAPH C,
F OR J OF THIS SUBDIVISION.
S 7. This act shall take effect July 1, 2014, provided that if this
act becomes a law after such date, it shall take effect immediately and
be deemed to have been in full force and effect on and after July 1,
2014.
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