HB1819 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 13522 CMG 18869 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB1819

Introduced 2/17/2021, by Rep. Sue Scherer

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/22-90 new

Amends the School Code to create the Rural Education Advisory Council. Provides that the purpose of the council is to exchange thoughtful dialogue concerning the needs, challenges, and opportunities of rural districts and to provide policy recommendations to the State. Sets forth the functions and membership of the council. Contains provisions concerning expenses, meetings, and administrative support.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section 22-90 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/22-90 new)

Sec. 22-90. Rural Education Advisory Council.

(a) The Rural Education Advisory Council is created as a statewide advisory council to exchange thoughtful dialogue concerning the needs, challenges, and opportunities of rural schools districts and to provide policy recommendations to the State. The Council shall perform all of the following functions:

(1) Convey and impart the perspective of rural communities and provide context during policy discussions on various statewide issues with the State Superintendent of Education and State Board of Education.

(2) Present to the State Superintendent of Education the opportunity to provide an explanation to rural communities about the statewide perspective with regard to various policy and legal issues, to present feedback on critical issues facing rural communities, to generate ideas, and to communicate information to the State Superintendent.

(3) Provide feedback about this State's pre-kindergarten through grade 20 practices and policies in order that the application of policies in rural areas may be more fully understood.

(4) Analyze and monitor the continued impact of the implementation of Public Act 100-465 on school districts and to provide a rural perspective on the continued funding challenges faced by schools.

(b) The Council shall consist of all of the following members:

(1) The State Superintendent of Education or his or her designee.

(2) The Executive Director of the Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools or his or her designee appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(3) The Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Board or his or her designee.

(4) Five superintendents of rural school districts who represent 3 super-regions of this State recommended by the Executive Director of the Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools and appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(5) One principal from a rural school district recommended by the Illinois Principal Association and appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(6) One representative from the Illinois Association of School Boards appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(7) One representative from the Board of Directors of the Illinois Association of School Administrators appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(8) The President of the Illinois Association of Regional School Superintendents or his or her designee appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(9) One student who is at least 16 years old and who is from a rural school district that is eligible under the federal Rural Education Achievement Program appointed by the State Superintendent of Education from a list of students nominated by school principals.

Council members shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for their reasonable and necessary expenses from funds appropriated to the State Board of Education for that purpose.

(c) The Council shall meet initially at the call of the State Superintendent of Education, shall select one member as chairperson at its initial meeting, and shall thereafter meet at the call of the chairperson.

(d) The State Board of Education shall provide administrative and other support to the Council, with assistance from the Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools. Support shall include all of the following:

(1) To collaborate with the State Superintendent of Education to create a clear and strategically focused agenda with expected outcomes.

(2) To gather input from the Council and other stakeholders to ensure that meetings are productive.

(3) To coordinate with presenters to ensure that presentations are designed to prompt discussions and problem solving.

(4) To assist with necessary research and content creation between Council meetings.

(5) To cooperate with other State agencies and the General Assembly to assist in keeping the Council informed of major policy developments that may impact rural schools and students.

(6) To take meeting minutes and work with the Council to ensure that Open Meetings Act requirements are satisfied.