(a) Although §§ 49-6-2401 — 49-6-2406 support the formation of a community school, schools in some neighborhoods may need to join together to form, with the help of community partners, a community of schools, instead of a community school. The state board of education and the department shall support and encourage LEAs in the creation of communities of schools that can provide a continuum of services for students and their parents from pre-kindergarten to grade twelve (pre-K-12) and even through postsecondary education.

(b) LEAs and schools are authorized and encouraged to form community consortiums with a variety of community partners to establish communities of schools with an integrated focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development, and community engagement that will lead to improved student learning, stronger families, and healthier communities.

(c) The community of schools, formed pursuant to subsection (b), shall strive, as do community schools, to become centers of their communities providing programs and services for persons of all ages. They shall be open to everyone throughout each day, including in the evenings, on weekends, and in the summer.

(d) If a community of schools is not able to locate services for all ages in one (1) of the public schools of the neighborhood, the community of schools is encouraged to locate activities, particularly those that occur outside of regular school hours in a central facility, if one is available, that provides easy access to all of the partnering schools, their students, and parents.

(e) A community of schools shall have all the rights, privileges, and obligations accorded a community school under §§ 49-6-2401 — 49-6-2406. The department may seek funds for creation of communities of schools as it does for community schools.