1. (a) By January 1, 1999, the Mobile County School Board shall adopt a policy for implementing pilot programs for school-based decision making beginning with the 1999-2000 school year pursuant to this subpart and shall select schools to participate in the pilot program as follows:

   1. (1) One elementary school in each Senate district.
   2. (2) One middle school selected from the county.
   3. (3) One high school selected from the county.

2. (b) In addition to the schools selected pursuant to subdivisions (1), (2), and of subsection (a), any other school located within the Mobile County School System may petition the Mobile County School Board to participate in the pilot program. The petition shall be on a standard form developed by the Mobile County School Board and shall include input from parent representatives, teachers, and the principal or administrator of the school. Upon receipt of a petition, the Mobile County School Board shall have 60 days to provide written notification to the petitioning school of the acceptance or rejection of a petition.

   1. (1) If a petition is rejected, the notice provided by the board shall specifically state the reasons for rejection and suggest any actions that may be taken by the school to remedy the situation. If the board discovers any reason to reject a petition before the end of the 60-day response period, the board shall inform the petitioning school of the reason, or reasons, and provide an opportunity for that school to remedy the situation before final notification. Any reason for rejection shall be reasonable based upon written criteria established and published by the board consistent with this subpart. There is no limit to the number of times a school may petition the board to participate in the pilot program.
   2. (2) If a petition is accepted, participation in the pilot program shall begin with the school year immediately following the date of acceptance.

(Act 97-580, p. 1025, § 1; Act 2001-651, p. 1345, § 1.)