ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-fifth Legislature First Regular Session
	Senate: ED DP 8-0-0-0 | 3rd Read: 30-0-0-0

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SB 1302: CTEDs; average daily membership.

S/E: community college districts; alternative organization

Sponsor: Senator Shope, LD 8

Committee on Education

Overview

Reduces the number of full-time equivalent students a provisional community college district (provisional district) must have to organize a community college district (district). Outlines accreditation requirements for a provisional district.

History

A district may be organized for a single county, two or more contiguous counties or an existing district and contiguous counties that are not part of any district. The proposed district must have a net assessed valuation of at least $448,017,200 and a minimum population of 40,000 persons who are 15 years old or older. Beginning FY 1994, the minimum net assessed value increases each year by the percent change in total net assessed valuation for all districts that are organized with a population of less than 500,000 (A.R.S. § 15-1402).

Statute provides a method of alternative organization for a county that does not meet these requirements. All the following criteria must be met for a provisional district to organize into a district:

1) The provisional district has been in operation in the county for at least five years;

2) The most recent number of full-time equivalent students enrolled for the provisional district is at least 900;

3) The proposed district is seeking accreditation;

4) A member of the public requests, or the governing board schedules, public meetings to discuss the conversion;

5) The governing board adopts a resolution to form a district;

6) The governing board calls an election to seek voter approval to increase the primary property tax levy and the voters approve; and

7) The provisional district maintains regional accreditation and an oversight relationship with another district until the conversion is complete (A.R.S. § 15-1402.01)

Laws 2015, Chapter 306 renamed provisional districts established after December 31, 2014 to community college tuition financing districts (financing districts). An area that wishes to form a district but does not meet the statutory minimum assessed valuation or population requirements may form a financing district. However, a financing district cannot award degrees, certificates or diplomas and must contract with an existing district to provide instruction and services to students (A.R.S. § 15-1409). Currently, there are two provisional districts: Santa Cruz and Gila.

Provisions

1. Reduces, from 900 to 450, the most recent full-time equivalent student enrollment a provisional district must have in order to organize a district. (Sec. 1)

2. Stipulates that a provisional district may continue to operate until January 1, 2028, after which the provisional district will convert to a financing district, unless the provisional district:

a) Has applied for accreditation from a regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education;

b) Receives, by January 1, 2027, a letter of eligibility from the regional accrediting agency notifying the provisional district that it is eligible to pursue candidacy; and

c) Maintains a regional accreditation and oversight relationship with another district until the provisional district achieves initial accreditation status from a regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education. (Sec. 1)

3. Makes technical changes. (Sec. 1)

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                        SB 1302

Initials CH       Page 0 Education

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