Special education: local plans.

(1) Existing law requires the governing board of a school district to adopt a local plan individually, in conjunction with one or more school districts, or by joining with the county office of education. Existing law requires that a local plan adopted by a school district in conjunction with one or more school districts include joint powers agreements or other contractual agreements that, among other things, provide for a governance structure and any necessary administrative support to implement the plan. This bill would require that the governance structure for such an arrangement include one member of the governing board of each participating local educational agency selected by a majority vote of each respective governing board. The bill would authorize the governance structure to include a county superintendent of schools to serve in lieu of a governing board member for a county office of education included in the plan. By requiring school districts and county offices of education to perform additional duties, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.