SB2779 Amendment Summary

• Establishes a State Charter School Commission as an independent body with statewide chartering authority, consisting of 9 members appointed by the State Board from candidates proposed by the Governor, with staggered terms of 2-4 years.

• Commission members must collectively possess expertise in governance, finance, school leadership, higher education, assessments, and education law, with at least 3 members having experience with urban charter schools.

• Commission may charge charter schools up to 3% of revenue to cover administrative costs, with funds deposited into the State Charter School Commission Fund, and the State Superintendent cannot reduce the Commission's budget without approval.

• Charter applicants may submit proposals directly to the Commission if local school boards fail to hold a public meeting within 45 days or fail to vote within 30 days of the meeting, with the Commission following the same review timelines as local boards.

• Charter schools previously authorized by the State Board are transferred to the Commission by July 1, 2012, and schools authorized by local boards may seek transfer with board approval or apply to the Commission after their current term expires.