SB-0620 Summary

• Creates "conversion schools" as a new type of public school that converts existing low-performing school district schools into independently operated public schools, governed by boards of directors and authorized by school boards, intermediate school boards, community colleges, or state universities.

• Establishes that conversion schools are public schools subject to state board oversight, must use certified teachers, cannot charge tuition, cannot discriminate in admissions, and must meet specific educational performance goals including 80% graduation rates and 80% average attendance.

• Allows parents of students in lowest-achieving 5% of public schools to submit petitions recommending conversion school model as a restart option, with at least 60% of eligible parent signatures (or 51% parents plus 60% teachers) required to trigger conversion school authorization process.

• Requires conversion school contracts to include educational goals, financial audit requirements, family relationship prohibitions for board members, transparency requirements, and grounds for contract revocation based on academic performance, legal compliance, and fiscal mismanagement.

• Permits conversion schools to lease school buildings from original school districts for $1 per year, issue bonds, receive state school aid, and operate with various staffing and instructional flexibilities while maintaining accountability to authorizing bodies.