PERS change
What it does: In 2019, Senate Bill 1049 made changes to the Public Employees Retirement System, including allowing PERS retirees to work unlimited hours. That provisions was scheduled to end Dec. 31, 2024. HB 2296 will extend the provision that allows unlimited reemployment of PERS members without a reduction of benefits until 2034.
What’s next: This enrolled bill goes into effect Jan. 1.
Classified School Employees Week
What it does: HB 2708 designates the first full week in March as Classified School Employees Week.
What’s next: This enrolled bill goes into effect Jan. 1.
Bill School district maps
What it does: Currently, counties are responsible for establishing and maintaining records for school district boundaries. As such, there is no official statewide set of school district boundaries. SB 271 requires the Oregon Department of Education to maintain a statewide set of school district boundaries and requires the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to publish boundary data for community college districts.
What’s next: This enrolled bill went into effect March 21.
Special education records access
What it does: SB 756 requires school district employees who work with students experiencing disability be given access to the students’ records, be consulted when education plans are being reviewed or revised, be included in and compensated for attending those meetings, and be provided with sufficient training.
What’s next: This enrolled bill goes into effect 91 days after the session ends.
Charter school operations
What it does: In 1999, the Legislature established laws regulating public charter schools. In 2001, the Legislature amended those laws to allow district school boards to operate schools in other districts with the written permission of the other school board. In 2015, those laws were amended to allow public charter schools to open schools in districts other than their sponsoring district by notifying the receiving district. SB 767 establishes separate procedures for virtual and nonvirtual public charter schools to open facilities outside their sponsoring districts after obtaining written permission or providing written notification, dependent on specific circumstances. It allows State School Fund money to be withheld from a nonvirtual public charter school that violates provisions.
What’s next: The bill passed the Legislature on Tuesday, May 23, and is awaiting the governor’s signature.
