MN SF2546

Allows parents or guardians representing at least 50% of students in a persistently low-performing school (as identified under federal School Improvement Grant Program or Elementary and Secondary Education Act) to petition their school board to implement one of four intervention models.

Four intervention models include: (1) turnaround model replacing principal and allowing new principal to hire staff; (2) restart model closing and reopening school under charter management; (3) school closure model transferring students to high-achieving schools; and (4) transformational model improving teacher/principal effectiveness and implementing instructional reform.

School boards must implement the intervention model requested in a valid petition that meets signature and verification requirements, with up to five lead petitioners designated to facilitate communication.

Petition signatures must be gathered without incentives or coercion, signature gatherers must disclose if paid, school officials cannot use resources to impede gathering, and school boards may verify signatures using random sampling with 30-day cure period for errors.

Limits authorization to no more than 20 schools statewide, with petitions counted toward this cap when school boards notify the commissioner of final disposition; becomes effective immediately upon enactment.