Senator Wettaw replied that this bill is a work in progress, and he is flexible and willing to refine the bill as necessary. Barbara Robey, Director of Governmental Relations, Arizona School Boards Association, stated she supports S.B. 1321 and this effort on behalf of the small schools. Question was called for on Vice Chairman Horne's motion that S.B. 1321 do pass. S.B. 1172 would allow districts to take separate budget adjustments for tuition loss as a result of another district phasing in high school instruction over more than one year. In order to qualify, the district receiving tuition must have lost five percent of their average daily membership.
Current statute provides for a single phase-down period.
This bill allows separate budget adjustment for each year that another district is phasing in instruction. The bill is retroactive to June 30, 1995. Mr. Smith stated that a district can charge tuition if they have a group of students. The problem results when students leave the school, and the school then has a loss of student count and loss of money. Senator Bill Wettaw, sponsor of S.B. 1172, explained his rationale for this legislation.