Section 6-13-1613 - Minimum school district size waiver(a)(1) A school district with fewer than three hundred fifty (350) students according to the school district average daily membership in the school year immediately preceding the current school year may annually request a waiver from the average daily membership requirement of three hundred fifty (350) students from the State Board of Education.(2) A school district shall submit a petition for a waiver to the state board by February 1.(3) The petition for a waiver shall include: (A) The average daily membership of the school district in the current school year;(B) A statement that the school district is not in probationary status for any violation of the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts;(C) A copy of the school district's current year budget and any fiscal audit conducted within the previous two (2) years; and(D) A statement of assurance that the school district is not currently classified in Level 5 - Intensive support, fiscal distress, or facilities distress.(b)(1) The state board shall render a decision to either grant or reject a petition for a waiver that is received from a school district within forty-five (45) days of receipt.(2) The state board shall grant a petition for a waiver if it is demonstrated by the school district that: (A) The school district is not currently classified in Level 5 - Intensive support, fiscal distress, or facilities distress;(B) The school district is not in probationary status for a violation of the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts;(C) The academic facilities owned and operated by the school district are adequate as evidenced by the school district's facilities master plan; and(D) It is in the best interest of the students in the school district to keep the school district open due to the length of potential time spent on the bus by a student traveling to and from school should the school district be administratively reorganized, as assured by the school board of directors of the school district requesting the waiver.(3) The state board may revoke a waiver that has been granted to a school district at any time if it is found that the conditions under subdivision (b)(2) of this section change.Amended by Act 2023, No. 461,§ 10, eff. 8/1/2023.Amended by Act 2023, No. 461,§ 9, eff. 8/1/2023.Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 1180, eff. 7/1/2019.Amended by Act 2017, No. 936,§ 12, eff. 8/1/2017.Amended by Act 2017, No. 936,§ 11, eff. 8/1/2017.Added by Act 2015, No. 377,§ 2, eff. 3/11/2015.