Senate Bill 2737 Summary

• Creates a show cause hearing process through the Commission on School Accreditation when school districts violate accreditation standards designated as immediate basis for withdrawal, allowing districts to present evidence before accreditation is withdrawn.

• Authorizes parents or guardians to petition for transfers from school districts with withdrawn accreditation to accredited districts, with per-pupil adequate education program funds following the student to the receiving district.

• Empowers the State Board of Education to abolish low-performing school districts and administratively consolidate them with existing districts in emergency situations with approval of receiving districts.

• Changes school and district performance rating terminology from "Star," "High-Performing," "Successful," "Academic Watch," and "Low-Performing/Failing" to letter grades "A," "B," "C," "D," and "F" based on student achievement and growth benchmarks.

• Prohibits board members or superintendents in office when the Governor declares a state of emergency from serving in those positions in reconstituted districts, requiring that new superintendents be appointed rather than elected.