DE HB84

All charter school applications must be submitted first to the local school board in the district where the charter school will be located for initial review.

Local school boards must hold a face-to-face meeting with charter school applicants to review and discuss the application and must take action within 60 days, or the application is deemed approved.

If a local school board denies an application, it must provide a written denial with an impact statement addressing effects on enrollment and finances of affected districts, existing programs and services, and demographic information.

School districts must send copies of denial letters and impact statements to the Department of Education.

Charter school applicants may request Department of Education review within 30 days of receiving a local board decision, with Department approval requiring assent of both the Secretary and State Board, and the act takes effect August 1, 2015.