Governor's Bill No. 5033 proposes significant amendments to the laws governing interdistrict magnet schools in Connecticut, focusing on tuition rates and enrollment procedures. The bill repeals certain subsections of section 10-264l and introduces provisions that allow interdistrict magnet school operators to enroll students directly if they have unused capacity, prioritizing students from non-participating districts. Local or regional boards of education are required to contribute funds to support these schools, with tuition rates capped for specific fiscal years and adjusted based on the consumer price index starting from the fiscal year ending June 30, 2028. Additionally, the bill establishes a tuition structure for preschool programs operated by regional educational service centers, ensuring that families with incomes at or below seventy-five percent of the state median income are not charged tuition.

The bill also modifies the operational framework for interdistrict magnet schools by requiring parents or guardians to notify their local school district about their child's enrollment status within two weeks of an enrollment lottery. It allows interdistrict magnet schools that began operations after July 1, 2008, to operate without district participation agreements and to enroll students through a lottery system designated by the Commissioner of Education. Furthermore, the bill introduces new regulations for agricultural science and technology education centers, including grant structures and tuition adjustments based on the consumer price index. It establishes an Office of the Student Loan Ombudsman to assist student loan borrowers and outlines new responsibilities for the Ombudsman, including the creation of a borrower education course. Overall, the bill aims to enhance educational support and ensure financial adjustments align with economic indicators.

Statutes affected:
Governor's Bill: