HB 1869 Summary

• Repeals and revises Missouri charter school law sections 160.400, 160.405, and 160.417, and creates new section 160.408 regarding high-quality charter schools and charter management organizations.

• Expands charter school sponsorship eligibility to include school boards of accredited districts sponsoring charters in unaccredited districts, combinations of accredited school boards collaborating in unaccredited districts, and cooperative associations of school districts in unaccredited districts.

• Establishes criteria for "high-quality charter schools" requiring 75% of points on annual performance reports for three of four years, 80% graduation rate (if applicable), compliance with performance contracts, and fiscal viability; permits such schools ten-year renewable charters with expedited approval for replication and expansion.

• Modifies charter approval timeline from December 1 to January 31 of the year prior to opening and creates deeming provision where state board approval is automatic after 60 days unless the board disapproves based on specific statutory violations.

• Applies financial stress provisions only to charter schools operating for three or more school years and clarifies closure procedures requiring return of unobligated assets to the department for disposition to local districts or other appropriate entities.