HB268 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Merika ColemanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Education, population requirement for city to establish a board of education increased from 5,000 to 15,000, determination of financial capability required, Sec. 16-11-1 am'd.

Summary

HB 268 would raise the population threshold for forming a city school system, require a state financial capability check, and set facility ownership rules and separation requirements.

What This Bill Does

Raises the minimum population to 15,000 for a city to establish its own school system, instead of 5,000. Requires the State Department of Education to determine whether a city can financially sustain a city school system before it can be created, by reviewing financial information and potential effects on local expenditures. If the department says the city is financially capable, the city may establish a city school system only after a formal separation agreement with the county board of education. The city would have to acquire or build its own facilities and may buy county facilities by agreement, and these changes apply only to cities meeting the new population criterion; cities that already meet the old criterion and have a separation agreement before this act takes effect are exempt.

Who It Affects

• Cities considering establishing a city school system; they would need to meet the new 15,000 population threshold (or rely on existing exemptions), be evaluated for financial capability, and face facility ownership rules.
• County boards of education and residents of counties; they could be involved in formal separation agreements and may see changes in local funding and ownership or sale of school facilities.

Key Provisions

• Increases minimum population for establishing a city board of education from 5,000 to 15,000 inhabitants.
• Requires the State Department of Education to determine if a city is financially capable of sustaining a city school system before it may establish one, including reviewing financial information and per-pupil expenditures and impact on the county system.
• Provides an exemption for cities that had already met the old inhabitant criteria and had a formal separation agreement with the county before the act's effective date.
• If a city is determined financially capable, it may establish a city school system only after signing a formal separation agreement with the county board of education.
• Requires the financially capable city school system to acquire or build its own school facilities, and allows it to purchase existing county facilities by agreement.
• The act becomes effective immediately after the governor signs it into law.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education