§ 6-20-1904 - Indicators of fiscal distress. - Arkansas Statutes

6-20-1904. Indicators of fiscal distress.

(a) A school district meeting any of the following criteria may be identified by the Department of Education to be a school district in fiscal distress upon final approval by the State Board of Education:

(1) (A) A declining balance determined to jeopardize the fiscal integrity of a school district.

(B) However, capital outlay expenditures for academic facilities from a school district balance shall not be used to put the school district in fiscal distress;

(2) An act or violation determined to jeopardize the fiscal integrity of a school district, including without limitation:

(A) Material failure to properly maintain school facilities;

(B) Material violation of local, state, or federal fire, health, or safety code provisions or law;

(C) Material violation of local, state, or federal construction code provisions or law;

(D) Material state or federal audit exceptions or violations;

(E) Material failure to provide timely and accurate legally required financial reports to the department, the Division of Legislative Audit, the General Assembly, or the Internal Revenue Service;

(F) Insufficient funds to cover payroll, salary, employment benefits, or legal tax obligations;

(G) Material failure to meet legally binding minimum teacher salary schedule obligations;

(H) Material failure to comply with state law governing purchasing or bid requirements;

(I) Material default on any school district debt obligation;

(J) Material discrepancies between budgeted and actual school district expenditures;

(K) Material failure to comply with audit requirements; or

(L) Material failure to comply with any provision of the Arkansas Code that specifically places a school district in fiscal distress based on noncompliance; or

(3) Any other fiscal condition of a school district deemed to have a detrimental negative impact on the continuation of educational services by that school district.

(b) (1) By August 31 of each year, the department shall report to the superintendent of a school district if the department is aware that the school district has experienced two (2) or more indicators of fiscal distress in one (1) school year that the department deems to be at a nonmaterial level but that without intervention could place the district in fiscal distress.

(2) The superintendent of a school district shall report to the department if the superintendent is aware the school district has experienced two (2) or more indicators of fiscal distress in one (1) school year that the superintendent deems to be at a nonmaterial level but that without intervention could place the district in fiscal distress.

(3) (A) The department and the superintendent shall review all data related to the nonmaterial indicators of fiscal distress.

(B) (i) Within thirty (30) days of the department's determination that the school district may be experiencing fiscal distress at a nonmaterial level, the department shall provide a notice to the school district's superintendent and board of directors that:

(a) Describes the nonmaterial indicators of fiscal distress that could jeopardize the fiscal integrity of the school district if not addressed; and

(b) Identifies the support available from the department to address each nonmaterial indicator of fiscal distress.

(ii) The board of directors shall place on the agenda for the next regularly scheduled meeting of the board of directors a discussion of the notice of nonmaterial indicators of fiscal distress.