The proposed bill would update current statutes governing school district receivership in Arizona by instituting stricter accountability measures. Specifically, it mandates that the school district superintendent must be terminated for cause, and all governing board seats will be considered vacant 31 days after receivership is established. The bill also outlines a clear process for appointing new governing board members, requiring the county school superintendent to make these appointments and stipulating that individuals who previously held a board seat that became vacant due to receivership are ineligible for any appointed office in Arizona. Additionally, the bill eliminates the previous provision allowing a financial improvement plan to authorize the receiver to suspend or place the superintendent on leave and prohibits severance or buyout packages for terminated superintendents. It further prohibits governing boards from engaging in multiple real estate transactions involving the same parties and property within a 12-month period. These changes aim to enhance governance and accountability in school districts facing financial difficulties, while also clarifying the jurisdiction of the State Board of Education regarding receivership petitions and the criteria for determining a district's deficit status.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-103, 15-302.01, 15-421, 15-107, 15-536, 15-302
House Engrossed Version: 15-103, 15-302.01, 15-341, 38-201, 15-107, 15-536, 15-302, 15-717.01, 15-701, 15-701.01, 15-481, 15-491, 15-342, 15-1224, 15-1125, 15-1126, 15-1223, 13-3108, 13-3120, 15-764, 15-761, 13-706, 13-105, 15-157, 2008-2009, 39-101, 36-2267, 3-365, 41-5701.02, 41-5711, 15-1102
Senate Engrossed Version: 15-103, 15-302.01, 15-341, 38-201, 15-107, 15-536, 15-302, 15-717.01, 15-701, 15-701.01, 15-481, 15-491, 15-342, 15-1224, 15-1125, 15-1126, 15-1223, 13-3108, 13-3120, 15-764, 15-761, 13-706, 13-105, 15-157, 2008-2009, 39-101, 36-2267, 15-905, 3-365, 41-5701.02, 41-5711, 15-1102