Senate Bill 2168 Summary

• Requires the State Department of Education to provide specific findings of accreditation violations, financial mismanagement, or academic deficiencies before the Governor can declare a state of emergency resulting in a school district takeover.

• Establishes a maximum timeline of 3 years for conservatorships based on financial reasons and 7 years for academic reasons, unless the Governor extends the emergency by proclamation upon request of the State Board of Education.

• Defines specific exit criteria for removing conservators, including academic improvement, clean audits for 2 consecutive years, positive fund balance for 2 consecutive years, maintained state loan repayments, and established parent-teacher councils.

• Requires conservators to present a detailed corrective action plan within 45 days of appointment and make minimum monthly visits to monitor district operations during a 1-year transition period before potential exit from conservatorship.

• Prohibits superintendents and board members who served when the takeover occurred from serving in those positions after the district returns to local control.