MN SF852

Expands charter school sponsor eligibility to include nonprofit corporations with 501(c)(6) tax status if the school has operated for at least three years under a different sponsor and the nonprofit has existed for at least 25 years.

Requires all organizations seeking to sponsor charter schools to submit sponsorship plans to the commissioner for approval, effective July 1, 2010, with plans reviewed by New Schools Minnesota and approved for up to five-year terms renewable every five years.

Establishes required elements for sponsorship plans including mission alignment, organizational capacity, application and review processes, contract types, oversight procedures, and renewal/termination decision processes.

Sets sponsor assessment fees for charter schools: up to $30 per student (max $10,000) for years 1-3 of operation, and up to $10 per student (max $3,500) for year 4 and beyond; alternatively up to 1% of formula allowance for approved sponsors.

Requires existing sponsors as of June 30, 2010, to obtain commissioner approval by June 30, 2011, or face potential probation or loss of sponsoring authority; allows commissioner to withdraw sponsor authority for failure to perform duties, law violations, or good cause.