SB 312 Summary

• Amends the Revised School Code to strengthen oversight and accountability requirements for public school academies, including public school academies, urban high school academies, schools of excellence, and strict discipline academies.

• Establishes mandatory procedures for contract revocation, including requirements that authorizing bodies develop asset distribution plans, notify the state treasurer, and ensure smooth transitions for affected students when academies close.

• Adds new language clarifying that academies on the lowest-achieving 5% school list under section 1280c(1) that have operated for at least 4 years and are in year 2 of restructuring sanctions must be subject to contract amendment or revocation.

• Requires authorizing bodies to ensure boards of directors operate independently from educational management companies and include local community representation.

• Specifies that all property and assets revert to the state upon contract termination or revocation, with detailed procedures for dissolution, asset disposition, and student record transfers to receiving schools.