Senate Bill 436 Summary

• Establishes Regional Education Administrative Districts (READs) that the State Department of Education may create to provide administrative services to school districts with fewer than 1,000 enrolled students.

• READs may provide services including treasurer, accounting, purchasing, warehousing, human resources, construction management, maintenance, risk management, information technology, special education coordination, curriculum coordination, speech pathology, transportation, cafeteria services, and shared superintendent services.

• Allows READs to receive financial support from participating school districts using state aid appropriations, with the State Board of Education determining fee ranges based on operational costs, district size and number, and geographic service area.

• Provides fee discounts for districts participating in mutual superintendent contracts under Section 5-106A of Title 70, with greater discounts for three or more districts in such arrangements.

• Establishes participation as voluntary and directs the State Board of Education to promulgate rules for implementation; effective July 1, 2013, with emergency provisions.