SUMMARY: LC 49 1225

The bill establishes an Office of Charter School Compliance within the State Charter Schools Commission and  authorizes the Commission to staff the office, but the personnel report directly to the State Board of Education. The Charter Advisory Committee is directed to work in cooperation with this Office. Duties of the Office include all charter school petitions and guidelines, implementation of grants, and compiling information for the annual report.

The Office of District Flexibility would be part of the Department of Education. Its responsibilities center around charter systems, implementation of grants, and producing an annual report. 

Expenditures of the allowed 3% holdback for administrative purposes would have to be itemized and spent "solely and directly on expenses incurred" for those purposes. Any unspent portion would be returned to the school by June 30th each year.

Local funding must be provided based on the actual student count, but the charter is not entitled to more funding than that calculated based on the schoolwide enrollment cap in the charter. If the charter exceeds the enrollment cap by no more than 2% it shall not be considered to be in violation of the enrollment cap provisions.  It does not include a provision that limits state funding to the enrollment cap.

The bill states explicitly that nothing in it provides the State Charter Schools Commission with any role in or responsibility for the oversight of local charter schools. It would, however, select those who do through the Office of Charter School Compliance. 

EFFECTIVE DATE:

July 1, 2023