Senate Bill 97 Summary

• Amends the Revised School Code to modify contract issuance requirements for public school academies, urban high school academies, schools of excellence, and strict discipline academies.

• Requires academy contracts be issued on a competitive basis considering available resources, population served, educational goals, and applicant's track record in operating public schools.

• Allows rejected applicants to petition for voter approval through school elections, requiring signatures from at least 15% of school electors to place the question on the ballot.

• Establishes mandatory contract provisions including educational goals, compliance monitoring, financial audit requirements, board governance rules, family relationship restrictions, and renewal standards based on student growth.

• Contingent on Senate Bill 95 of the 96th Legislature being enacted into law; removes references to a repealed 1965 PA 166.