H749 Summary: Local School Flexibility

• Authorizes local boards of education to establish "satellite schools" with exemptions from most state statutes and rules applicable to other public schools in the district, subject to a written agreement with the State Board of Education.

• Requires local boards to submit applications by April 1 containing detailed information including program descriptions, student achievement goals, school committee composition, admission policies, budgets, and staffing plans; State Board must respond within 45 days.

• Satellite schools must serve at least 65 students and employ at least 3 teachers (exceptions allowed for remote/small populations), meet state health/safety standards, comply with special education laws, conduct state assessments, and maintain minimum 185-day school year.

• Allows satellite schools to establish their own admission criteria with preference for district residents; uses lottery if applications exceed capacity; permits exclusion and return of suspended/expelled students to other public schools.

• State Board must review satellite school operations every five years; schools rated inadequate for more than five years can have their satellite status terminated and must revert to standard public school operations.