SB365 - Open Schools Act of 2021 Summary

• Requires all public K-12 school districts to allow resident students and nonresident students from other state school districts to enroll, beginning with the 2022-2023 school year.

• Nonresident students must pay the enrolling school district an amount equal to the per student share of net local tax revenue as determined annually by the State Department of Education.

• Each local board of education must adopt policies and procedures for enrollment, including application timelines with enrollment permitted on or before October 1, and should consider prioritizing applicants from failing or priority schools with unsatisfactory academic ratings.

• School districts are not required to alter school structures, establish new programs, waive eligibility criteria, provide transportation, or enroll students after October 1.

• School districts may deny enrollment only for lack of space or staff, unavailable programs for special needs, unmet eligibility criteria, active desegregation plan compliance requirements, or student expulsion or legal ineligibility.