HB 1341 - Charter Schools Summary

• Extends ad valorem tax exemption from charter schools to school district programs and requires landlords to certify by affidavit that lease payments are reduced by the exemption amount.

• Prohibits charter schools from rejecting students solely based on higher service costs and requires charter schools to enroll students proportional to district averages for students with disabilities, English language learners, and free/reduced-price lunch recipients to qualify as high-performing.

• Allows sponsors to conduct or audit random student selection processes; permits district school boards to negotiate market-based usage fees for unused district facilities provided to charter schools.

• Creates "academically high-performing school choice districts" designation for districts with "A" or "B" grades for 2 consecutive years and at least 40% enrollment in choice/charter programs, exempting them from most education regulations.

• Modifies class size accountability to base compliance on schoolwide averages; extends student enrollment audits to charter schools and allows expedited Auditor General reviews; requires school boards to comply with Florida Building Code for new construction projects.