HB487 Summary

• Revises the appointment process for the Alabama Public Charter School Commission, shifting from recommendations by elected officials to direct appointments by the Governor (4 members), Lieutenant Governor (1), President Pro Tempore of the Senate (2), and Speaker of the House (3).

• Increases commission member terms of office from 2 years to 4 years, with initial terms staggered at 1 and 2 years, and limits total service to 8 years (or 9 years if initial term was 1 year).

• Changes operational funding distribution to public charter schools from quarterly to monthly basis for both state and local funds.

• Allows the Alabama Public Charter School Commission to directly employ professional, administrative, technical, and clerical staff at its discretion, removing the requirement to use state merit system employees.

• Modifies the charter school cap provision to allow continuous approval of start-up public charter schools at up to 10 per fiscal year, with an annual report requirement to the Legislature on charter school performance.