NJ A5936

Requires three public notices for charter school applications and renewals, mandates the Commissioner of Education review anticipated financial impact on local school districts, and allows consolidation of charter schools within the same or contiguous districts

Prohibits charter schools from operating or providing instruction primarily online or outside New Jersey, and bars boards of trustees from contracting with for-profit management entities

Establishes charter management organization transparency requirements including compliance with open public records laws, annual IRS Form 990 filings with the Department of Education, and ethics disclosure requirements for executives

Requires charter school board of trustees members to reside in the charter school's district, possess relevant professional experience, and receive commissioner approval for appointment

Mandates charter schools publish plain language budget summaries, hold public budget hearings, and comply with enhanced reporting requirements including compensation studies for top employees and public posting of administrator contracts