County school boards need approval for certain construction projects

County boards must get the State Superintendent’s approval before taking certain actions involving school property or projects. This covers land and buildings used to educate students, and certain additions or renovations to school facilities. Approval applies to additions or renovations that meet the law’s cost and student-space layout requirements. A county board must get approval before it proceeds with a covered action.

The Interagency Commission may set eligibility rules for state construction funding and must set an appeal process for some rejected requests. These rules cover local jurisdictions seeking state funding for public school construction projects. The Commission must provide project status and, if available, estimated or adopted award amounts. Later reports must also include projected full capital awards. The Commission must provide reports by November 30, December 31, and January 31 each year.

The Interagency Commission must assess school buildings statewide and report its findings. The assessment covers school buildings and includes conditions such as air quality, lead paint, asbestos, and key building systems. Local education agencies must provide information on the Commission’s schedule, at least once every four years, and report building problems each year. If a severe condition means a school must close, the agency must submit a plan to address it, and the Commission must work to prioritize funding. The Commission must report assessment results for the immediately preceding fiscal year by November 1 each year.

The State cannot require counties to repay certain school debt service and must require repayment in other covered cases. This applies to former schools transferred to county governments and no longer used for a purpose eligible for state construction funding. The rules depend on the building’s construction history, use, title transfer, and outstanding debt. A county must repay outstanding debt service if it sells a qualifying former school; rental profits from more than 10% of its usable space must go toward that debt when rent exceeds operating and maintenance costs.