DIXON – State Senator Li Arellano Jr (R-Dixon) is helping make school district transitions smoother for students and families through legislation he sponsored that has been signed into law.
“This new law is crucial to providing greater stability for students, parents, and the districts working to serve them,” Senator Arellano said. “We want everyone involved in these school district transitions focused on educating our children instead of dealing with uncertainty during the process.”
House Bill 3860 amends the Illinois School Code by extending the required length of contracts between a deactivating school district and receiving districts from two years to four years when students are transferred as part of a school district deactivation. The legislation was sponsored in the House by State Representative Bradley Fritts and sponsored in the Senate by Senator Arellano.
The law also allows districts to renew agreements for terms that are mutually agreed upon, rather than limiting renewals to one- or two-year extensions.
By extending the initial contract period, the legislation is intended to reduce disruptions for students while giving receiving districts greater certainty as they plan for staffing, resources, and other long-term needs.
House Bill 3860 was signed into law by the governor on Friday.