Relates to the dissolution of union free school district number 13 in the town of Greenburgh; repealer

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 of the bill repeals Chapter 559 of the laws of 1972, relating to establishing union free school district number 13 in the town of Greenburgh in the county of Westchester.

Section 2 of the bill states that any funds remaining in the possession of the union free school district number 13 after all its debts and obligations have been paid, shall be paid over to each social services district and school district having resident children served by the union free school district number thirteen, town of Greenburgh, county of Westchester, in the 2010-2011 school year in the same proportion as the number of students placed by each such social services district or school district and served by the union free school district number thirteen, town of Greenburgh, County of Westchester, in the 2010-2011 school year bears to the total number of students served. The board of cooperative education services of the sole supervisory district of the county of Westchester (Southern Westchester BOCES) for the services provided to such union free school district.

Section 3 of the bill authorizes Southern Westchester BOCES to take any actions on behalf of the school district that are reasonably necessary to complete the close down and dissolution of the district that the board of education would have, including but not limited to, the power to enter contracts, pay debts and bill for and receive any reimbursement due and owing for tuition or maintenance pursuant to article 81 of the education law or any other provision of law for services rendered to students on or before the school district ceased operation on July 1, 2011.

Section 4 of the bill directs that the records of union free school district number 13 shall be forwarded to the district superintendent of schools of the sole supervisory district of the counties of Orange and Ulster (Orange-Ulster BOCES) for preservation.

Section 5 of the bill states that all former employees of the union free school district number 13, town of Greenburgh, county of

Westchester for whom such school district agreed by contract to pay the costs of health insurance in retirement shall be deemed retired employees of the State of New York entitled to health insurance in retirement..

Section 6 states that the territory comprising the union free school district number 13 shall revert to and become part of the Irvington union free school district in the county of Westchester.

Section 7 of the bill amends Section 1 of Chapter 566 of the laws of 1967, relating to providing for the apportionment of funds to certain special school districts, as amended by Chapter 478 of the laws of 2006 eliminating union free school district number 13 from the school districts entitled to the apportionment of public moneys.

Section 8 of the bill amends Subdivision 4 of section 4405 of the education law by adding a new paragraph j to read as follows: (i) If the board of education of a special act school district listed in chapter five hundred sixty-six of the laws of 1967, seeks to close a special act school district, the board of education of the special act school district shall provide written notice to the commissioner of education with a plan for closure of the school at least ninety days prior to the closing date. The section also outlines what such plan shall include. (ii) During the close-down period and until all necessary financial obligations of the school district have been met, the commissioner shall require the board of education of the school district to periodically submit financial reports and financial statements, detailing any tuition and/or close down costs and any revenues generated.

Section 9 of the bill amends Section 4403 of the education law by adding a new subdivision 21 to require special act school districts to provide on an annual basis or more frequently, as needed, enrollment reports, including current and projected enrollments, proposed budgets, and any financial statements the commissioner deems appropriate to monitor the fiscal stability of special act school districts.

Section 10 is the effective date.

Justification

This legislation is necessary to establish the appropriate closure procedures of the union free school district number 13 in the town of Greenburgh, County of Westchester; authorize the appropriate transfer of student and financial records, as well as ensure that the retirees whom by contract, were provided health insurance benefits in retirement continue to do so.

Legislative history

New Bill - 2012

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.