SB 1124 - Charter Schools Summary

• Requires charter school governing boards to demonstrate independence from management companies and allow termination of management contracts at the board's sole discretion.

• Mandates at least one charter school governing board member be a parent of an enrolled student and prohibits conflicts of interest for board members and employees regarding compensation, family employment, or business contracts.

• Establishes procedures for student withdrawals: allows voluntary withdrawals with fund transfers within 15 days, and requires expelled students to follow district expulsion processes with pro rata funding transfers.

• Prohibits charter schools from dismissing or requesting student withdrawal based on poor academic performance, low standardized test scores, or behavior unless the behavior constitutes an expellable offense as defined by district rule.

• Requires charter schools to post a performance bond equal to one-half of projected operating funds and creates new oversight provisions allowing audits and investigations by the Auditor General, Department of Education Office of Inspector General, and district school boards.