SB66 Summary

• Establishes a "District of Innovation" program allowing public school districts to create schools of innovation that can request exemptions from specific state laws, rules, and local policies to improve student performance.

• Requires schools to form a "school council of innovation" composed of elected teachers, classified staff, building principal, parent representatives (with minority representation in schools with 10%+ minority enrollment), community members, and at least two students.

• Schools of innovation must obtain 60% approval from eligible employees through a vote conducted by the school council before submitting plans to the school board and Commissioner of Education.

• Designates approved schools of innovation for four-year terms, renewable for additional four-year periods, with commissioner authority to revoke designation if schools fail to meet their innovation plan or performance targets.

• Requires schools of innovation to maintain compliance with health, safety, civil rights, disability rights, criminal background check requirements, financial audits, open records/meeting laws, and the Teacher Fair Dismissal Act.