Joint Study Order To Study the Administrative Burden within School Districts as a Result of School Administrative Consolidation

the Senate concurring, that the Commission to Study the Administrative Burden within School Districts as a Result of School Administrative Consolidation is established as follows.

1. Commission to Study the Administrative Burden within School Districts as a Result of School Administrative Consolidation established. The Commission to Study the Administrative Burden within School Districts as a Result of School Administrative Consolidation, referred to in this order as "the commission," is established.

2. Membership. The commission consists of 11 members, appointed as follows:

AFive members appointed by the President of the Senate as follows:1Two Senators;2One member who has expertise in financial matters;3One member who is a teacher from a rural school district; and4One member who is an administrator from a large school district; andBSix members appointed by the Speaker of the House as follows:1Four members of the House of Representatives, one of whom was a teacher from a large school district within the past 4 years;2One member from the Department of Education; and3One member who is an administrator from a rural school district.

3. Commission chairs. The first-named Senator is the Senate chair of the commission and the first-named member of the House is the House chair of the commission.

4. Appointments; convening of commission. All appointments must be made no later than 30 days following passage of this order. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all appointments have been made. When the appointment of all members has been completed, the chairs of the commission shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission.

5. Duties. The commission shall study how the new system of school administrative consolidation is creating extra administrative burdens that can be alleviated with careful review in both rural and large school districts. The study must focus on reducing extraneous, unnecessary and duplicative regulations and paperwork and ascertain ways to alleviate any extra burdens in school administration.

6. Staff assistance. The Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the commission.

7. Report. No later than December 2, 2009, the commission shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the Second Regular Session of the 124th Legislature. Pursuant to Joint Rule 353, the commission is not authorized to introduce legislation. Upon receipt of the report required by this section, the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs may, pursuant to Joint Rule 353, introduce a bill during the session to which the report is submitted to implement its recommendations on matters relating to the study.