AR SB847

Establishes a right of access for open-enrollment public charter schools to lease unused or underutilized public school facilities within their school district at nominal fair market value determined by the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation.

Requires school districts to notify the Division by January 15 annually of facilities that will be unused or underutilized, and mandates the Division maintain and publicly post a list of all such facilities statewide.

Allows school districts a 2-year reclamation period to designate unused or underutilized facilities as unavailable if they commit to full use through facility master plans or board resolution; after 2 years of non-use, facilities must be redesignated as available.

Requires school districts to offer charter schools long-term leases of 5, 10, 15, or 20 years upon petition approval; charter schools must begin classroom instruction within 2 years or the facility is relisted.

Specifies that charter schools are responsible for direct operating expenses (utilities, insurance, maintenance, repairs) while school districts retain responsibility for pre-existing debt and liens; permits charter schools to lease only portions of facilities if practical and prohibits actions that negatively impact bonding rights.