S.B. 197 Summary

• Appropriates state funding for start-up grants to assist one or more new pre-opening public charter schools for fiscal years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 (specific dollar amount left blank in bill).

• Requires new charter schools to meet priority needs identified by the state public charter school commission, including schools in geographic areas experiencing school overcrowding and schools in communities with underperforming public schools.

• Directs the state public charter school commission to establish grant criteria and guidelines for distributing and using the appropriated funds.

• Addresses public school capacity concerns, particularly in leeward Oahu and the Kakaako community development district, by enabling charter schools as an alternative to traditional department of education school expansion.