SB 83 Summary

• Creates "conversion schools" as a new type of public school that can be established when parents petition to convert a low-performing public school (among lowest achieving 5%) into an independently-operated school under a contract with an authorizing body (school district, intermediate school district, community college, or state university).

• Establishes the parental petition process: parents must submit a certified petition signed by either 60% of eligible parents with 51.1% of pupils represented, or 51% of eligible parents with 51.1% of pupils plus 60% of eligible teachers, within 90 days of a school being placed under state supervision.

• Requires conversion schools to have a board of directors, maintain academic goals including 80% graduation rate and 80% attendance, provide no-tuition enrollment with random selection if oversubscribed, and comply with state laws on open meetings, freedom of information, and special education services.

• Grants conversion schools operational flexibility including ability to hire non-unionized staff, develop new teaching methods, and borrow money through bonds, while maintaining property tax exemptions and receiving state school aid.

• Authorizes the superintendent of public instruction to suspend an authorizing body's power to issue new conversion school contracts if proper oversight is not maintained, and requires authorizing bodies to oversee board compliance with contracts and applicable law.