sb 0421

AN ACT relative to charter schools.

SPONSORS: Sen. Estabrook, Dist 21; Sen. Foster, Dist 13; Sen. Green, Dist 6; Rep. Naro, Graf 15; Rep. Leone, Sull 21

This bill establishes criteria for the evaluation of charter school applications submitted directly

to the state board of education and revises the general application requirements for charter schools.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

AN ACT relative to charter schools.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

222:1 New Paragraph; Charter Schools; Statement of Purpose. Amend RSA 194-B:1-a by inserting after paragraph VIII the following new paragraph:

IX. Encourage the establishment of public charter schools that meet the needs and interests of pupils, parents, communities, regions, and the state as a whole.

222:2 Charter Schools; Establishment and Application. Amend RSA 194-B:3, II(f) to read as follows:

(f) Curriculum that meets or exceeds state standards in the subject areas offered.

222:3 Charter Schools; Establishment and Application. Amend RSA 194-B:3, II(r) to read as follows:

(r) Annual budget, including all sources of funding, and a projected budget for the next 2 years.

222:4 Charter Schools; Charter School Approval by State Board of Education. Amend RSA 194-B:3-a, II to read as follows:

II. The proposed charter school application shall be presented for approval directly to the state board of education by the applicant for the prospective charter school. The content of such application shall conform to the requirements set forth in RSA 194-B:3, II(a)-(bb) and (dd). The department of education shall notify an applicant of any missing information within 10 days of the initial filing. The applicant shall file any missing information before the department reviews the application.

222:5 Charter School Approval by State Board of Education. Amend RSA 194-B:3-a, IV to read as follows:

IV. The state board of education shall either approve or deny an application [~~based on~~] using reasonable discretion [~~the criteria~~] in the assessment of the elements set forth in RSA [~~194-B:1-a~~] 194-B:3, II, (a)-(bb) and (dd). Approval of an application constitutes the granting of charter status and the right to operate as a public charter school. The state board of education shall notify all applicants of its decision in writing, and shall include in any notice of denial a written statement specifying any areas deemed deficient, the reasons for the denial, and explaining that the applicant may reapply under RSA 194-B:3, RSA 194-B:4, or under this section in a subsequent year.

222:6 New Subparagraph; Charter Schools; Establishment and Application. Amend RSA 194-B:3, II by inserting after subparagraph (cc) the following new subparagraph:

(dd) An outline of the proposed accountability plan which clarifies expectations for evaluating the school’s program and which contains an acknowledgement that a full accountability plan shall be developed and ready to implement prior to the date of opening.

222:7 Charter Schools; Authority and Duties of Board of Trustees. Amend the introductory paragraph of RSA 194-B:5, III to read as follows:

III. Notwithstanding RSA 194-B:1, III, an established charter school shall be a corporation, which shall be registered with the secretary of state after receiving approval under this chapter but before its first day of actual operation, with authority necessary or desirable to carry out its charter program including, but not limited to, the following:

222:8 New Paragraph; Charter Schools; Duties of the State Board. Amend RSA 194-B:17 by inserting after paragraph VII the following new paragraph:

VIII. The state board shall annually report to the joint legislative oversight committee established in RSA 194-B:21 regarding charter school approvals and denials for the preceding 12 months and the reasons for such approvals or denials.