SB 235 Summary

• Removes the cap on charter school approvals by deleting the restriction that the State Board of Education and Early Development may not approve more than 60 charter schools operating in Alaska at any one time.

• Establishes a supplemental charter school facilities grant program for construction, lease, and major maintenance costs based on per-pupil funding formula.

• Provides declining federal funding percentages over five years: 90% in year one, 80% in year two, 60% in year three, 40% in year four, and 20% in year five of allowable project costs.

• Requires state to allocate a minimum of $1 per enrolled charter school pupil annually for facilities construction, lease, or major maintenance costs.

• Sunsets the charter school facilities grant program provisions on July 1, 2015.