Amend CSHB 3 (house committee report) by adding the following appropriately numbered SECTION to Article 2 of the bill and renumbering subsequent SECTIONS of that article accordingly:
SECTION 2.____. Subchapter C, Chapter 7, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 7.071 to read as follows:
Sec. 7.071. STUDY ON RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DISTRICT SIZE AND DISTRICT COST AND ACADEMIC EFFECTIVENESS. (a) The commissioner shall conduct a study regarding the relationship between school district size and school district cost and academic effectiveness. In conducting the study, the commissioner shall consider factors affecting the operation of school districts, including:
(1) organization and management;
(2) financial soundness;
(3) transportation and other general services;
(4) parent accessibility to school district administration;
(5) campus feeder patterns; and
(6) number of students enrolled.
(b) On the request of the commissioner, regional education service centers and the board shall assist the commissioner in conducting the study under this section.
(c) Not later than December 31, 2020, the commissioner shall submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and each legislative standing committee with primary jurisdiction over public education a report that includes:
(1) the results of the study conducted under this section, including any determinations made with regard to an optimal school district size that would promote efficient operation and attainment of state educational goals; and
(2) recommendations for legislative or other action.
(d) This section expires September 1, 2021.