NC H1848

Increases the statewide cap on charter schools from 100 to 106 schools.

Requires the State Board of Education to give priority to new charter school applications that focus on at-risk students and low-income students eligible for free and reduced price lunch programs.

Prioritizes charter school applications in 15 specified low-wealth counties: Alleghany, Avery, Bladen, Columbus, Edgecombe, Graham, Halifax, Hoke, Northampton, Robeson, Scotland, Tyrrell, Warren, Watauga, and Yancey.

Requires charter schools opening after July 1, 2012 to accept a minimum number of students eligible for free and reduced price lunch programs and to participate in the National School Lunch Program.

Permits local school boards to contract with charter schools to provide lunch services at a reasonable cost covering program expenses.