OK HB3157

Expands the Oklahoma School Consolidation and Annexation Act to apply to school districts that have entered into mutual contracts with school employees (defined as administrative staff like superintendents, administrators, program directors, nurses, and support personnel—but not principals or classroom teachers).

Establishes the School Consolidation Assistance Fund to provide financial assistance to districts entering mutual contracts, with payments of up to 50% of employee salary/wages for not more than three (3) consecutive years, capped at $150,000 for superintendent contracts and $50,000 for other school employee contracts.

Limits eligibility for assistance to school employee contracts (other than superintendents) to districts with average daily membership of less than 500 for two of the preceding three school years AND districts that have not entered into such mutual contracts for the last three school years.

Grants consolidated districts, annexed districts, and districts with mutual contracts three (3) subsequent consecutive years of preference for State Board of Education competitive funding allocations for Community Education, Alternative and High Challenge Schools, Arts-in-Education, Technical Education, Advanced Placement Incentives, and other competitive programs.

Becomes effective July 1, 2016, with an emergency clause allowing immediate effect upon passage and approval.