SB54 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bill Holtzclaw

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Arthur OrrGerald H. AllenTrip PittmanDick Brewbaker

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Local Control School Flexibility Act of 2013, provides for creation of innovative K-12 schools, flexibility contracts between local boards of education and the State Board of Education, and authorize State Board of Education to promulgate rules

Summary

SB54 would create the Local Control School Flexibility Act of 2013 to let innovative K-12 schools gain flexibility from state laws in exchange for meeting college and career readiness goals.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes innovative schools and school systems and allows the State Board of Education to enter into school flexibility contracts with local districts for programmatic and/or budgetary flexibility in exchange for specific academic goals. Local boards must submit an assurance document and an innovation plan approved by the local superintendent and board to qualify for innovation status. The State Board would create the rules to implement the program and oversee compliance.

Who It Affects

• Local school systems and their boards of education (and school administrators) that may apply for and implement school flexibility contracts and innovation plans, including potential waivers from certain state laws and rules.
• The State Board of Education and the State Department of Education, which would set rules, review and approve contracts and plans, and monitor compliance (including the authority to revoke contracts for noncompliance).

Key Provisions

• Allows innovative schools/school systems and authorizes school flexibility contracts to waive programmatic and/or budgetary state laws, regulations, and policies in exchange for goals focused on college and career readiness.
• Requires local boards to submit an assurance document confirming leadership consistency and commitment to standards, assessments, and academic rigor, plus an innovation plan approved by local leadership to qualify for innovation status.
• Defines key terms (Flexibility Contract, Innovation Plan, Local Board of Education, Local School System, School Administrator) and requires an innovation plan to include beginning year, list of waivers, and participating schools; demands public input and accessibility of documents.
• Imposes accountability for all schools within the system under state and federal rules, prohibits waiving federal requirements or health/safety, open records, financial or civil rights laws, and restricts salary and tenure-related rights protections.
• Provides for timelines, possible revocation of contracts for noncompliance, procedures to amend and resubmit if denied, and equal opportunity for all districts without discrimination.
• Effective date: becomes law immediately after passage and gubernatorial approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education