Senate Bill 456 Summary

• Increases minimum student enrollment requirement for charter schools from 65 to 80 students, with exceptions for geographically remote or small populations.

• Allows charter school board members to be non-residents of North Carolina, though the State Board of Education may require by rule that a majority reside in-state.

• Requires the State Board of Education to provide applicants at least five business days to correct format or incomplete information issues before substantive review and permits applicants to address the Advisory Board for at least 10 minutes before final votes on applications.

• Creates automatic approval for up to 20% enrollment growth annually starting in a charter school's second year of operation unless the school has failed to meet performance requirements or is non-compliant with law.

• Requires charter school boards and local school boards to adopt conflict of interest and anti-nepotism policies that mandate disclosure and board approval before employing immediate family members of board members or supervisory staff.