S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   2025
 
                        2017-2018 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                             January 17, 2017
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  M. of A. FAHY -- read once and referred to the Committee
   on Education
 
 AN ACT relating to converting priority schools into  community  schools;
   to repeal section 211-f of the education law, relating to takeover and
   restructuring failing schools; and making an appropriation therefor

   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Section 211-f of the education law is REPEALED.
   § 2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, rule,  or  regulation
 to the contrary, all schools identified by the commissioner of education
 of  the state of New York as a priority school shall be converted into a
 community school to provide expanded health, mental  health,  and  other
 services  to the students and their families pursuant to a plan approved
 by the commissioner of education based on  a  comprehensive  school  and
 community needs assessment. Furthermore, a community school shall mean a
 school  that partners with one or more agencies with an integrated focus
 on rigorous academics and the fostering of  a  positive  and  supportive
 learning  environment,  and  a  range  of school-based and school-linked
 programs and services that lead to improved student  learning,  stronger
 families,  and  healthier  communities.  School  districts shall convert
 priority schools into community schools pursuant to this act during  the
 2017-2018 school year.
   §  3. The sum of seventy-five million dollars ($75,000,000), is hereby
 appropriated to the state education department out of any monies in  the
 state  treasury  in the general fund to the credit of the state purposes
 account not otherwise appropriated. Such monies shall be payable on  the
 audit  and  warrant of the comptroller on vouchers certified or approved
 by the state education department to fund  grants  to  school  districts
 which  are  converting  schools to community schools pursuant to section
 two of this act for the purpose of funding the costs of such  conversion
 and  the  operating costs associated with a community school. Such funds
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
              

                                                            LBD02679-01-7

 A. 2025                             2
 
 appropriated herein shall be used to pay  grants  to  qualifying  school
 districts in the 2017-2018 school year.
   §  4. The sum of one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000), is hereby
 appropriated to the state education department out of any monies in  the
 state  treasury  in the general fund to the credit of the state purposes
 account not otherwise appropriated. Such monies shall be payable on  the
 audit  and  warrant of the comptroller on vouchers certified or approved
 by the state education department to fund  grants  to  school  districts
 which  are  converting  schools to community schools pursuant to section
 two of this act for the purpose of funding the costs of such  conversion
 and  the  operating costs associated with a community school. Such funds
 appropriated herein shall be used to pay  grants  to  qualifying  school
 districts in the 2018-2019 school year.
   § 5. This act shall take effect immediately.