House Bill No. [insert number] enacts R.S. 17:22.1, which grants the state superintendent of education the authority to appoint a chief operating officer to oversee and evaluate the financial practices of local school systems that do not meet the minimum instructional expenditure requirements as outlined in the Minimum Foundation Program formula. This officer will be a temporary contract employee, not a permanent staff member, and will not receive a state salary or benefits. The appointed officer is tasked with researching the financial status of the non-compliant school systems and providing a written report with recommendations to both the local school board and the state superintendent.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that the school boards develop a compliance plan based on the officer's recommendations, which must be submitted to the state superintendent for approval before implementation. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is also required to adopt rules to facilitate the implementation of this new provision. This legislation aims to enhance accountability and ensure that school boards adhere to financial standards set by the state.