BILL NUMBER: S589
SPONSOR: MARTINS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to enacting the "our
schools our rules act"
 
PURPOSE:
This legislation protects the autonomy of local school districts by
blocking any state-mandated regionalization policies or plans, as
proposed by the State Education Department and the Board of Regents,
that would require school districts to share resources, operations, or
services.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 stipulates that this act shall be entitled the "Our Schools,
Our Rules Act."
Section 2 Includes legislative findings and intent, outlining the impor-
tance of local control for maintaining high-quality education, partic-
ularly on Long Island, and the risks posed by state-mandated regionali-
zation policies.
Section 3 amends the education law by adding a new Section 1528, which:
defines a "regionalization plan" as any state-mandated policy requiring
school districts to share resources or administrative operations with
other districts or educational institutions; prohibited the Commissioner
of Education, the State Education Department, and the Board of Regents
from mandating regionalization plans; allows districts to voluntarily
enter shared agreements but ensures they are not state-mandated; nulli-
fies any existing regulations that mandate regionalization plans; and
protects local school districts' autonomy over governance, budgeting,
and operations.
Section 4 sets forth the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Local school districts, especially on Long Island, have consistently
provided high-quality education through locally controlled governance.
The State Education Department's proposed regulations in Part 124,
mandating the development and implementation of regionalization plans,
pose significant threats to local control. Forcing districts
to.consolidate operations or share resources undermines the unique
strengths and needs of individual communities, particularly those with
successful school systems. Regionalization may dilute the quality of
education by imposing onesize-fits-all mandates, disrupt established
district operations, and lead to higher administrative costs without
clear benefits to students or taxpayers.
Further, Long Island's taxpayers have invested heavily in their school
districts and deserve to have a say in how their schools are governed.
This legislation ensures that local schools retain their autonomy and
prevents any top-down mandates that could interfere with the quality of
education or the efficient operation of local school systems. Voluntary
co operation among districts may be encouraged, but only at the
discretion of the districts themselves.
This bill preserves the time-honored principle that local communities-
not bureaucrats in Albany-know best how to serve their students.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S.9944; Referred to Rules
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None. This legislation ensures that school districts will not incur
additional administrative burdens or costs from state-mandated regional-
ization plans.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.