SB297 Summary

• Changes the Alabama Public Charter School Commission appointment process from State Board of Education selection to direct appointment by the Governor (4 members), Lieutenant Governor (2 members), President Pro Tempore of Senate (2 members), and Speaker of House (3 members), with a rotating 11th member from affected local school systems.

• Authorizes the commission to hire professional, administrative, technical, and clerical staff without regard to state merit system, and requires all commissioners to complete annual training on charter school authorizer roles, education law, and best practices.

• Establishes a 10 start-up public charter school cap per fiscal year and provides detailed guidelines for the application review and charter authorization process, including requirements for community hearings and consideration of existing school options.

• Clarifies that conversion public charter schools receive full per pupil federal, state, and local revenue without withholding by local school boards, and ensures start-up charter schools receive proportional Foundation Program funding, categorical aid, and special education funding.

• Becomes effective immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor.