Bill Caption

Relating to Texas community schools.

Fiscal Notes

No fiscal implication to the State anticipated.

Local Government

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. School districts could incur additional costs to transition to a Texas community school, but these costs would be voluntary.

Bill Analysis

SB 1483 would amend Education Code to define and set forth provisions for Texas community schools. A Texas community school "is a public elementary, middle, junior high, or high school that partners with one or more community-based organizations to coordinate academic, social, and health services to reduce barriers to learning and improve the quality of education for students in the community."   The bill would also set forth provisions for public schools transferring to 'community schools' and allow low-performing schools the option to transfer to a community school, in lieu of reconstitution.

Vote Recommendation Notes

This bill would abridge the principle of limited government. We oppose allowing school campuses to transition to a community school model because the model protects the interests of adults as the expense of children and removes crucial state oversight to ensure children are receiving quality education. Furthermore, the bill specifically prevents the closure of a campus unless campus converts to a community school and is allowed two years to operate as a community school, removing the education commissioner's power to begin to fix a failing school. For these reasons, we oppose SB 1483.