AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH SPECIAL-PURPOSE SCHOOL DISTRICT

(a) On the recommendation of the commissioner and after consulting with the school districts involved and obtaining the approval of a majority of those districts in each affected county in which a proposed school district is located, the State Board of Education may establish a special-purpose school district for the education of students in special situations whose educational needs are not adequately met by regular school districts. The board may impose duties or limitations on the school district as necessary for the special purpose of the district. The board shall exercise the powers as provided by this section relating to the districts established under this section. (b) The State Board of Education shall grant to the districts the right to share in the available school fund apportionment and other privileges as are granted to independent and common school districts. (c) A special-purpose school district established under this section that is operated by a general academic teaching institution, as that term is defined by Section 61.003, may: (1) in enrolling students or creating a waitlist for student enrollment, prioritize military-connected students, as that term is defined by Section 25.006(d); and (2) enroll a student who: (A) is a dependent of a member of the United States military; (B) was previously enrolled in school in this state; and (C) does not reside in this state due to a military deployment or transfer.