HB2523 Summary

• Requires revised School Improvement Plans for Chicago public schools initially placed on academic watch status (after 4th annual calculation) or remaining on watch status (after 5th calculation) to be approved by local school councils even if on probation, removing prior exception.

• Charter schools operating within Chicago are now required to be administered by local school councils with all normal powers afforded to councils in public schools.

• Establishes the LSC Certification Commission as an independent body to provide mandatory 3-day training and certification for local school council members, with vacancy declared for members failing to complete training within 6 months.

• Provides $2,500 annually to each local school council for training and office equipment/supplies, and requires student members in 7th-8th grade attendance centers and secondary schools with no more than one student member per center.

• Requires supermajority of 8 votes by local school council members to veto probation and intervention actions under Sections 34-8.3 and 34-8.4, and establishes criteria for school probation status to be delivered to councils by August 1 annually.