SB 358

Bill Subjects

Abstract

Provides that before a governing body may sell, exchange, lease, demolish, hold without operating, or dispose of a school building, the governing body shall: (1) obtain a certification from the attorney general's office; and (2) make the building available for lease or purchase by a charter school or state educational institution. Provides that before a governing body may sell, exchange, lease, demolish, hold without operating, or dispose of a school building, the governing body must receive a certification from the attorney general to ensure that the governing body is in compliance with requirements for making a vacant school building available for sale or lease to a charter school or state educational institution for $1. Requires the attorney general to investigate complaints that a school corporation has not complied with the requirements for making a vacant school building available for sale or lease to a charter school or state educational institution for $1. Provides that, in the event that a complaint is substantiated, the attorney general, in consultation with the department of education (department) and Indiana state board of education (state board), is authorized to take any action necessary to remedy a substantiated complaint, which may include actions to be performed by the state board or the department to ensure compliance of a school corporation. Provides that, if a school corporation does not comply with the requirements to sell a vacant school building, as determined by the attorney general, the school corporation shall submit any proceeds from the sale of the vacant school building to the state board. Provides that the state board shall distribute proceeds collected equally between each charter school located in the attendance area of the school corporation. Provides that, if no charter schools are located in the attendance area, the state board must use the proceeds to provide grants under the charter school and innovation grant program. Provides that a lease of school property entered into by a governing body prior to January 1, 2019, with a state accredited nonpublic school shall remain in full force and effect. (Current law provides that a lease of school property entered into by a governing body prior to July 1, 2019, with a state accredited nonpublic school shall remain in full force and effect.) Provides that a school corporation is responsible for maintaining a vacant school building until it is: (1) sold or leased to a charter school or state educational institution; (2) sold to an accredited nonpublic school or postsecondary educational institution other than a state educational institution; or (3) eligible to be sold or otherwise disposed.