Senate Bill S2172

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S2172

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the education law, in relation to
the powers and duties of the boards of education

 PURPOSE :

This requires the board of education of a school district to consider
the costs and ramifications on the community and to hold a public
hearing before altering the current boundaries of the school
attendance zones.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section 1: Amends Section 1709 of the Education Law relating to the
powers and duties of the board of education of a union free school
district, to require the board to consider the prospective
ramifications, costs and savings resulting from altering school
attendance zones. School boards are required to provide public notice
and to hold public hearings.

 JUSTIFICATION :

While it is recognized that school boards need to assess the needs of
the student population and ensure that when there are population
shifts, the district is able to respond with appropriate changes,
              

school boards should do so with the input of the public.

Changing a school attendance zone may result in students changing
schools from one year to the next. The changes could result in a
student traveling longer distances to a newly designated school as a
result of the boundary shifts. Further, family members could have
children going to two different elementary schools creating a burden
for families.

Such ramifications should be considered when a board of education
considers changes in school attendance zones. Community concerns and
costs, such as additional transportation expenses should also be
considered.

This bill would require that boards not only take into account these
considerations, but also provide for public input through a public
hearing process. Changes in a school attendance zone should not be
taken lightly and all factors impacting the community should be
considered before any action is taken.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

2016: S.5980 Referred to Education
2015: S.5980 Passed Senate

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
Immediately.