What's happening
This bill allows New York school districts to jointly create regional secondary schools, streamlining resources and expanding educational opportunities.
Why it matters
Significant local control and community involvement. The bill requires that participating districts and their voters approve regional school creation by referendum, ensuring local buy-in and allowing communities to shape the educational offerings and governance structure.
Protections and clarity for school staff. Teachers and staff affected by school closures or consolidation are guaranteed job protections, seniority rights, and clear procedures for employment transitions, reducing uncertainty and potential job loss during reorganization.
Detailed governance and funding structure. The legislation spells out how regional schools are governed, budgeted, and funded—including provisions for state aid, building aid, and cost-sharing—aimed at making the financial and operational aspects transparent for taxpayers and district leaders.
Emphasis on educational quality and equity. Regional schools must demonstrate how they will expand academic opportunities, particularly in STEM areas, and are required to show how the new setup will improve student outcomes and readiness for college or careers, potentially addressing disparities among small or rural districts.
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Headline styles
Create Regional High Schools
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Create Regional High Schools
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Carrie Woerner
Full text
14 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1004
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 10, 2019
Introduced by Sen. YOUNG -- 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 regional secondary schools
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, 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 most cost-effective and efficient, in order to sustain or enhance the quality of services to maintain or expand the scope of services offered to students.
The legislature recognizes that many secondary 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 secondary 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.
§ 2. The education law is amended by adding a new article 39-A to read as follows:
ARTICLE 39-A
REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS Section 1920. Definitions.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03851-01-9
S. 1004 2
1921. Establishment of a regional secondary school operated by
a board of education.
1922. Establishment of a regional secondary school operated by
a board of cooperative educational services.
1923. State aid for regional secondary schools.
1924. Regional secondary school advisory committee.
§ 1920. Definitions. For purposes of this article, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
1. The term "regional secondary school" shall mean a secondary school established by participating districts within a region of New York state.
2. The term "secondary school" shall mean:
a. A high school containing grades nine through twelve;
b. A junior high school containing grades six through eight;
c. A combined junior/senior high school containing grades six through twelve;
d. A combined junior/senior high school containing grades seven through twelve; or
e. A combined junior/senior high school containing grades eight through twelve.
3. The term "region" shall mean the combined area of all the participating districts that establish a regional secondary school.
4. The term "participating district" shall mean an eligible school district whose board of education has adopted a resolution to establish a regional secondary school with one or more other eligible school districts.
5. The term "eligible school district" shall mean:
a. A city school district,
b. A central school district,
c. A union free school district, and/or
d. A common school district, which is eligible to establish a regional secondary school.
6. The term "hosting district" shall mean the participating district which hosts the regional secondary school.
7. The term "regional referendum" shall mean a referendum, presented simultaneously on the ballot of all the participating districts, and determined by a majority vote of the participating electors of the region collectively.
8. The term "proposed contract" shall mean the contract adopted by all the boards of education of the participating districts for the establishment and operation of the regional secondary school.
9. The term "governing board of the regional secondary school" shall mean the governing board of the regional secondary school as designated by the proposed contract.
§ 1921. Establishment of a regional secondary school operated by a board of education. 1. A regional secondary school may be established pursuant to this section.
2. A regional secondary school may be established by two or more eligible school districts.
3. The establishment of a regional secondary school shall be subject to the approval of the commissioner, in a manner and time frame, as set forth within this section.
4. A regional secondary school:
a. Shall be wholly contained within the supervisory district of a board of cooperative educational services, unless:
S. 1004 3
(i) Upon application of the boards of education seeking to establish a regional secondary school, the commissioner agrees to waive this requirement; or
(ii) The participating school district is a central high school district, which subject to approval of its voters, entered into an agreement with school districts other than its component school districts, that are wholly contained within the supervisory district of a board of cooperative educational services.
b. Shall not be a component school district of a central high school district, or a special act school district, as defined in section four thousand one of this chapter.
5. A regional secondary school shall serve all or some of the students in each of the participating districts in grades of a secondary school as determined by the agreement between the participating districts.
6. Upon the establishment of a regional secondary school, each participating district shall cease operation of at least one secondary school, except that the hosting district may continue to operate a secondary school as a regional secondary school, pursuant to the conditions of this article.
7. Pursuant to this section, the regional secondary school may be operated by:
a. One of the participating districts, constituting the hosting district, which shall assume the responsibility to operate, supervise and maintain the regional secondary school and the administration of such regional secondary school; or
b. A joint board of education established pursuant to this section.
8. a. To establish a regional secondary school, two or more participating school districts must initially adopt, by majority vote of the board of education of each participating district, a resolution proposing the establishment of the regional secondary school.
b. The resolution to establish a regional secondary school shall indicate:
(i) The proposed participating school districts;
(ii) Whether the school would be governed by a proposed hosting district or a joint board of education;
(iii) A listing of the grades that would be included in the regional secondary school;
(iv) The proposed location of the regional secondary school;
(v) The proposed term of the contract governing the regional secondary school.
c. The resolution to establish the regional secondary school 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.
9. a. If two or more school districts adopt such a resolution as provided in subdivision eight of this section, the resolution shall be presented in a regional referendum by means of a regional vote, before the electors of all of the proposed participating districts.
b. Approval of the regional referendum shall be upon a majority vote of the participating electors in the region encompassing all of the proposed participation districts.
c. In the event the voters do not approve the regional referendum, it may be presented for a re-vote, but in no event any more than two votes be held in any school year.
10. Upon the approval of the voters in the regional referendum, presented pursuant to subdivision nine of this section, the participat-
S. 1004 4
ing school districts shall collectively enter into a proposed contract for the establishment of a regional secondary school.
11. 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 operation, by adopting a board resolution and obtaining voter approval upon a majority vote of the electors of such additional district.
12. a. Upon receipt of voter approval in the regional referendum held pursuant to subdivision nine of this section, the participating school districts shall adopt, by a majority vote of the boards of education of each participating school district, a proposed contract for the operation of the regional secondary school.
b. The proposed contract for the operation of the regional secondary school shall include the plan of formation and operation of the regional secondary school and shall be submitted to the commissioner for his or her approval, in a time and manner prescribed by the commissioner.
c. The proposed contract for the operation of the regional secondary school 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.
13. The proposed contract for the operation of the regional secondary school, and the regional secondary school that would be established thereunder, shall meet the following requirements:
a. The proposed contract shall provide the name of the regional secondary school, which shall be subject to the commissioner's approval.
b. The term of the proposed contract shall be specified therein, and shall be for a term not less than five nor more than seven school years.
c. The proposed contract shall establish a governing board of the regional secondary school, that will operate the regional secondary school on behalf of all participating districts, as follows:
(i) The governing board of the regional secondary school shall be designated by the proposed contract to be either the board of education of the hosting district, or a joint board of education established by the participating districts.
(ii) In the event the proposed contract designates a joint board of education as the governing board of the regional secondary school:
(1) Such joint board shall consist of at least five members, with not less than one member appointed by the board of education of each participating school district, and with any remaining members being jointly appointed by the boards of education of the participating school districts collectively;
(2) The proposed contract, consistent with the provisions of this section, shall specify the number, term, and procedures for appointment of the joint board members; and
(3) The joint 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 proposed contract.
(iii) The governing board shall have responsibility for the operation, supervision and maintenance of the regional secondary school and shall be responsible for the administration 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 proposed contract.
S. 1004 5
(iv) The regional secondary school shall be deemed a school of the governing board for accountability purposes.
d. The proposed contract may provide that the student's school district of residence may issue the student's diploma, upon certification by the governing board that all graduation requirements of the regional secondary school have been met.
e. The proposed contract shall designate the grades of instruction intended to be served by the regional secondary school.
f. The proposed contract shall 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.
g. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the proposed 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.
h. The proposed contract may provide that student transportation may be provided by contract for transportation services, including but not limited to a contract with one or more participating districts or a board of cooperative educational services.
i. The proposed contract shall specify:
(i) That the students of each participating school district shall remain enrolled as students of their respective participating school districts;
(ii) That the students shall be treated and counted as students of their respective participating school districts for purposes of all state aid calculations pursuant to this chapter;
(iii) The current enrollment of all participating school districts; and
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to regional secondary schools
Purpose
Provides for the establishment of regional secondary schools.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Provides legislative intent. Specifically, the legislature recognizes that many secondary 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 secondary schools may provide and 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 high school.
Read the full memo (2,094 words)
Section 2. Amends the education law by adding a new article 39-A.
Section 1920 of the new article 39-A provides definitions.
Section 1921 provides requirements for the establishment of a regional high school operated by a board of education. Under this section, a regional secondary school may be established by two or more eligible school districts. The establishment of a regional secondary school is then subject to the approval of the commissioner
The regional school must be wholly contained within the supervisory district of a BOCES, unless otherwise provided. The school shall not be a component school district of a central high school district, or a special act school district.
A regional secondary school shall serve all or some of the students in each of the participating districts in grades of a secondary school as determined by the agreement between the participating districts. Upon the establishment of a regional secondary school, each participating district must cease operation of at least one secondary school. The host district, however, may continue to operate a secondary school as a regional secondary school.
The regional secondary school may be operated by one of the participat- ing districts or a joint board of education, which shall assume the responsibility to operate, supervise and maintain the regional secondary school.
To establish a regional secondary school, two or more participating school districts must adopt, by a majority vote of the board of educa- tion of each participating school district, a resolution proposing the establishment of a regional high school. The resolution must then 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 two or more school districts adopt such a resolution it must be presented in a regional referendum by means of a regional vote, before the electors of all of the proposed participating districts. Upon the approval of the voters in the regional referendum, the participating school district shall collectively enter into a proposed contract for the establishment of a regional secondary school. The proposed contract must provide the name of the regional secondary school and a term for the contract. It must also establish a governing board, designate the grade of instruction intended to be served, the site of the regional secondary school, and that each participating school district shall be responsible for provid- ing or arranging for transportation to its resident students attending the regional secondary school.
The proposed contract must also demonstrate how the regional secondary school will provide increased educational opportunities for students, including courses and programs in science, technology, engineering and math, to prepare students for college and career readiness and improve student performance.
The contract must also resolve employment issues of the regional school district and specify whether employees of the regional secondary school shall establish new employee organizations for their representation or whether they shall become members of the applicable employee organiza- tions representing the employees of the hosting district.
The proposed contract must also 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 amongst the participating districts.
The proposed contract must also specify the costs of the regional secondary school, staffing, current and future capital construction plans and for the delivery of special education programs. It shall also specify the costs of the operation of the regional secondary school for each participating school district and an itemized listening of the cost savings for each participating school district and the fiscal impli- cations of the regional secondary school including expected state aid and expected changes in expenditures and property tax levies.
It must also provide the procedures for discipline of students and how extracurricular activities and interscholastic athletics will be provided to students of the regional secondary school.
Section 1922 provides for the establishment of a regional secondary school operated by a board of cooperative educational services. A regional secondary school may be established by two or more eligible school districts, and must also be approved by the commissioner. A regional high school established under this section must be wholly contained within the supervisory district of the board of cooperative educational services operating the regional secondary school. Upon the establishment of a regional secondary school, each participating district shall cease operation of at least one secondary school, except the hosting school, who may continue to operate a secondary school as a regional secondary school.
Pursuant to this section, the regional high secondary school board of cooperative educational services must assume the responsibility to oper- ate, supervise and maintain the school.
To establish a regional secondary school under this section, two or participating school districts must initially adopt, by majority vote of the board of education of each participating district, a resolution proposing the establishment of the regional secondary school.
If two or more school districts adopt such a resolution it must then be presented in a regional referendum by means of a regional vote, before the electors of all of the proposed participating districts. Upon receipt of voter approval in the regional referendum, the participating school districts shall adopt, by a majority vote of the boards of educa- tion of each participating school district, a proposed contract for the operation of the regional secondary school.
The proposed contract shall provide the name of the regional school, the term of the proposed contract, that the board of cooperative educational services shall be the governing board of the regional secondary school and that they shall have responsibility for the operation, supervision and maintenance of the regional secondary school.
The contract must also designate the grades of instruction intended to be served and the site of the regional secondary school. The contract must also establish that each participating school district is responsi- ble fox providing 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. The proposed contract must demonstrate how the regional secondary school will provide increased educational opportunities for students, including courses and programs in science, technology, engineering and math, to prepare students for college and career readiness and improve student perform- ance.
The contract must also resolve employment issues in accordance with 1922(13) (k).
The contract must also specify the costs of the regional secondary school, staffing, current and future capital construction plans and for the delivery of special education programs and shall also specify the costs of the operation of the regional secondary school for each partic- ipating school district and an itemized listing of the cost savings for each participating school district. It shall also specify the fiscal implications of the regional secondary school including expected state aid and expected changes in expenditures and property tax levies.
It must also specify the procedures for discipline for students and how extracurricular activities and interscholastic athletics will be provided to students of the regional secondary school.
The proposed contract must also specify whether the employees of the regional secondary school shall establish new employee organizations for their representation, or, whether they shall become members of the applicable employee organizations representing the employees of the hosting district.
Section 1923 establishes that students attending a regional high second- ary school shall be deemed enrolled in their school district of resi- dence and shall be included in the applicable membership, enrollment and attendance counts of their respective school districts.
Subsection (2) of section 1923 establishes the requirements for building aid.
Subsection (3) concerns capital expenses.
Section 1924 establishes a regional secondary school advisory committee and its meeting requirements.
Section 3 amends subdivision 4 of section 1950 of the education law by adding a new paragraph oo which would allow BOCES to enter into an agreement to form a regional high school. Paragraph oo establishes that BOCES will have the same powers as the board of education of a union free school district, consistent with the terms of its agreement with the participating school districts.
Section 4 amends paragraph h of subdivision 4 of section 1950 of the education law by adding three new subparagraphs 11, 12 and 13. Subpara- graph 11 allows the regional high school to enter into contracts as necessary and convenient to operate a regional high school. Subparagraph 12 gives the regional high school power to develop core curriculum for students attending a regional high school.
Subparagraph 13 grants the regional high school authority to issue high school diplomas.
Section 5 amends paragraph b of subdivision 4 of section 1950 of the education law to provide that BOCES shall prepare and propose a tenta- tive budget of expenditures for program, administrative and capital costs to operate the regional high school.
Section 6 amends subdivision 14 of section 3602 of the education law by adding a new paragraph k regarding transition incentive aid.
Section 7 provides that this act shall take effect July 1, 2019, 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, 2019.
Justification
This bill has been requested by several school districts across the state that would like the opportunity to improve educational outcomes by sharing resources and opportunities on a regional basis.
In many districts in New York-particularly in rural areas, schools have faced declining enrollment while standard operating costs and mandated and contractual expenses continue to rise. This bill would allow schools to consolidate resources, take advantage of regional resources and save taxpayers and school districts money. This bill would authorize school districts in the state, at local option, to enter into a regional high school operating agreement contract with at least one or more schools within their own BOCES supervisory district. This reorganization option is important because it can help schools maintain local identity because they are so often the focal point of the community. This bill helps them do that while providing aid for them to actually strengthen lower grade levels, which will improve educational outcomes for all the students in the participating school districts.
The New York State Rural Schools Association (RSA) has encouraged consideration of this option for several years. They work to help school districts address issues of declining enrollment and loss of tax base. They believe that some schools could benefit greatly from having a regional high school because they can enrich opportunities for secondary students by offering full curricular, co-curricular and interscholastic programs. RSA supports the approach of having a hosting district admin- ister the programs because it keeps regional high schools within exist- ing governance structures and does not create new layers of school governance.
The New York State Board of Regents and the State Education Department have recently indicated their support of legislation to authorize regional high schools. Also, the Governor's Education Reform Task Force in their final recommendation report of November 2012, encouraged the Legislature to enact legislation authorizing regional high schools as an option for school reorganizations. Further, many education stakeholder groups also have endorsed the proposal given the fact that it has worked well in other states and would be a way to improve educational outcomes while helping schools deal with the increasingly higher costs of educat- ing students in the state.
Legislative history
2018: S.846-A Referred to Education 2017: S.846 Referred to Education 2015,2016: S.3503 Referred to Education 2014: S.4795-A Referred to Education
Fiscal implications
None. Cost saving will be realized by participating school districts.
Effective date
This act shall take effect July 1, 2019, 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, 2019.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.