Collaborative school improvement programs.

A. A local superintendent may approve an individual public school's plan to implement a collaborative school improvement program upon a finding that the plan is in the best interest of the public school and is supported by the participating teaching staff. B. The input and concerns of parents, students, school employees and members of the community shall be solicited and considered in the development and adoption of a collaborative school improvement program. C. If necessary for the implementation of a collaborative school improvement program, the local superintendent may apply to the state board [department] for a waiver of Public School Code [Chapter 22 [except Article 5A] NMSA 1978] provisions relating to length of school day, staffing patterns, subject areas or purchase of instructional material. The state board may approve a request for a waiver upon a finding that the local superintendent has demonstrated accountability for student learning through alternative planning and that the participating teaching staff supports the implementation of a collaborative school improvement program. The local superintendent shall provide the state board with a program budget that shows the type and number of students served, the type and number of school employees involved and all expenditures of the waiver. D. A teacher participating in the development and implementation of a collaborative school improvement program may contact the state board [department] to comment on the local superintendent's waiver request if the teacher communicated his opinion in writing to the local superintendent at the time the local superintendent approved implementation of the program.