Existing law provides certain requirements governing the conduct of meetings held by the board of trustees of a school district. (NRS 386.330) Existing law also provides certain requirements governing open meetings, including requirements governing the access of all persons to such meetings that are held either in a physical location or through a remote technology system and providing notice of such meetings. (NRS 241.020) Section 1 of this bill prohibits the board of trustees of a large school district from impeding, interfering with or discouraging public comment during a meeting. Existing law requires the principal of a local school precinct to present a plan of operation for the local school precinct at a public meeting held at the local school precinct to which the plan of operation applies. (NRS 388G.710) Existing law also provides certain requirements governing notice of meetings of an organizational team for a local school precinct. (NRS 388G.730) Sections 5 and 6 of this bill prohibit the principal and organizational team from discouraging public comment during such meetings. Existing law requires, in general, that, to the extent that money is made available by the Legislature, each school district undergo an audit every 6 years to determine its adherence to certain financial management principles. (NRS 387.607, 387.613, 387.622) Section 2 of this bill requires that large school districts undergo such an audit regardless of the availability of money from the Legislature. Existing law requires the superintendent of schools of a large school district to assign a school associate superintendent to oversee local school precincts. Existing law also requires the superintendent to interview candidates in the event of a vacancy in the position of school associate superintendent. (NRS 388G.620) Existing law prescribes the duties of a school associate superintendent and requires the school associate superintendent to be held accountable for all aspects of the performance of the local school precincts to which he or she is assigned to oversee. (NRS 388G.630) Existing law authorizes the board of trustees of a school district to employ a superintendent of schools. (NRS 391.110) Section 3 of this bill requires a school associate superintendent to, after being hired for such a position, research certain laws governing education in Nevada and programs and policies of the district in which the school associate superintendent is employed that have been enacted in the 5 years before the date of his or her hiring. Section 8 of this bill requires a superintendent of schools to conduct similar research for the 10 years before his or her hiring. Section 4 of this bill requires a school associate superintendent to undergo an annual evaluation based on an objective evaluation policy developed by the board of trustees of a school district in which the school associate superintendent is assigned to oversee, which includes, without limitation: (1) an evaluation of the effectiveness of the school associate superintendent at improving the academic achievement and performance of pupils; and (2) a demonstration of mastery of the material required to be researched by section 3. Section 7.1 of this bill establishes similar provisions for a superintendent of schools. Existing law requires the Commission on Professional Standards in Education to adopt regulations prescribing the qualifications for licensing teachers and other educational personnel. (NRS 391.019) Existing law sets forth the kinds of licenses for teachers and other educational personnel in this State. (NRS 391.031) Section 7.2 of this bill requires a person to, before obtaining a license to serve as a substitute teacher: (1) hold an associate's degree or a higher degree; (2) have completed at least 60 credit hours at an accredited college or university; or (3) hold a highly qualified substitute teacher certificate if an institution within the Nevada System of Higher Education offers such a certificate. Additionally, section 7.2 prohibits the Superintendent of Public Instruction from issuing an endorsement or license to serve as a substitute teacher to a person who does not meet such requirements. Existing law requires an employer in private employment who has 50 or more employees in this State to provide a certain amount of paid leave to an employee. Existing law authorizes an employer to impose certain limitations on the accrual and use of paid leave and exempts certain employers from the requirements of existing law. (NRS 608.0197) In addition to this existing paid leave, section 12 of this bill authorizes such an employer to provide to an employee who is the parent or legal guardian of a child as much leave as required for the purpose of attending any meeting of the school or school district in which the child of an employee is enrolled, and at which the attendance of a parent or legal guardian is encouraged or required, including, without limitation: (1) parent-teacher conferences; (2) awards ceremonies; and (3) meetings related to the grades or academic performance of a child. Section 11 of this bill similarly authorizes an employee in the public service to be granted as much administrative leave as is required for the purpose of attending such meetings. Section 13 of this bill makes a conforming change to indicate the proper placement of section 12 in the Nevada Revised Statutes. Sections 9 and 10 of this bill prohibit the governing bodies of counties and cities in this State from: (1) sponsoring or operating a charter school; (2) establishing a corporation for public benefit or a nonprofit organization to sponsor or operate a charter school; (3) expending money to provide direct or indirect support to a charter school; or (4) awarding a grant to a corporation for public benefit or a nonprofit organization for the purpose of operating a charter school. However, section 10 provides an exemption for any public educational activities and programs that are funded, either directly or indirectly, by a city council or other governing body of an incorporated city of the State.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 386.330, 387.607, 388G.620, 388G.630, 388G.710, 388G.730, 391.110, 608.180
Reprint 1: 386.330, 387.607, 388G.620, 388G.630, 388G.710, 388G.730, 391.110, 608.180
BDR: 386.330, 387.607, 388G.620, 388G.630, 388G.710, 388G.730, 391.110, 608.180