BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 480
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Date of Hearing: May 27, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
AB
480 (Harper) - As Amended May 20, 2015
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: YesReimbursable:
Yes
SUMMARY:
This bill requires the County Office Fiscal Crisis and
AB 480
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Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) to conduct a study on the
potential benefits and impacts of school district unification.
Specifically, this bill:
1)Requires the study to look at the benefits of school district
unification for purposes of matriculation and the
implementation of local control and accountability plans; the
benefits of a uniform school calendar for all grade levels; to
the extent data on this topic is readily available, the
benefits of combined maintenance and operation of schools
within a unified school district; and the benefits of school
district unification for purposes of facilities management.
2)Requires the study to look at certain fiscal topics, including
the impact of school district unification on overall costs,
including, but not limited to, certificated salary schedules,
classified salaries and positions, certificated administrative
positions, classified administrative positions, and governing
boards; and the impact on the application of the local control
funding formula.
3)Requires FCMAT to complete the study within one year of an
appropriation by the Legislature for this purpose. Further
requires the study to be submitted to the appropriate fiscal
and policy committees of the Legislature, the Legislative
Analyst's Office, the State Department of Education, and the
Department of Finance. Sunsets provisions providing for the
study on January 1, 2021.
AB 480
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FISCAL EFFECT:
One-time General Fund costs to FCMAT, not likely in excess of
$100,000.
COMMENTS:
Purpose. The author's office states that the intent of this bill
is to examine ways in which school districts can reduce costs
through unification. The author's office offers as examples of
possible cost savings such as bulk ordering, textbook
purchasing, administrative services, food services, and
credential and assignment monitoring. Further, the author notes
that unification might reduce the need for administrative staff
and the election of governing board members, and that
unification might provide more uniformity in curriculum across
schools.
Analysis Prepared by:Misty Feusahrens / APPR. / (916) 319-2081