HB0397 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 2-4 year initial terms.

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

• Commission has authority to approve charter school proposals submitted directly to it when local school boards fail to hold required public meetings within 45 days or fail to vote within 30 days of the meeting.

• Commission may charge charter schools a fee not to exceed 3% of school revenue to cover administrative costs, deposited into the State Charter School Commission Fund.

• Commission receives dedicated budget line item that cannot be reduced by the State Superintendent without Commission approval, and has authority to employ staff and establish compensation standards without civil service requirements.