HB2002
To Amend The Education Service Cooperative Act Of 1985.
Last Action (May 5, 2025): Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
Sponsors
AI-Generated Summary
House Bill 2002 proposes significant changes to the Arkansas Education Service Cooperative Act of 1985. The bill shifts authority toward the state by requiring the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education to assign school districts and charter schools to specific regional cooperatives. It introduces new operational requirements, such as mandating that each cooperative establish an executive subcommittee and a strategic plan, while repealing the requirement for cooperatives to maintain teacher centers. The legislation provides the State Board of Education with increased oversight, including the power to take action against cooperative directors and dissolve cooperatives under certain conditions, such as receiving an 'F' rating for multiple years. Additionally, it requires the development of a new funding formula and a formal rating system to evaluate cooperative performance. The bill also updates membership petition procedures for school districts and charter schools and modifies board of director responsibilities and composition.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be the Arkansas Department of Education and the State Board of Education, which gain enhanced regulatory authority, oversight, and tools to standardize the operation of education service cooperatives. Public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools may also benefit if the new funding formula and strategic planning requirements result in more efficient, better-coordinated, and higher-quality educational services provided by the regional cooperatives.
Who Might Suffer?
Education service cooperatives themselves may be negatively impacted by the loss of operational autonomy, stricter state oversight, and the potential for dissolution if they receive poor ratings. Staff members at cooperatives—particularly those formerly involved in teacher centers—may face job insecurity or role changes due to the repeal of specific mandated functions and the increased pressure of state performance evaluations. Additionally, local school boards may experience a reduction in their traditional control over regional cooperative membership and governance structures.
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