HF1372 - Charter School Law Clarification

• Establishes formal approval process for charter school authorizers requiring application submission to commissioner demonstrating capacity, criteria, and oversight procedures before chartering any school

• Specifies that only school boards, intermediate school districts, eligible 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, higher education institutions, and up to three single-purpose nonsectarian charter authorizers may authorize charter schools

• Requires charter school contracts to include 13 mandatory provisions including school closure plans, indemnification of commissioner and authorizer, performance evaluation criteria, and insurance coverage requirements

• Modifies grounds for commissioner termination of charter contracts to include failed pupil performance, financial mismanagement, multiple law violations, or major constitutional violations

• Requires charter schools to have valid signed contracts filed with Department of Education at least 15 days before first state aid payment and allows ineligible authorizers to continue until June 30, 2012