HB 635 Summary

• Requires all community school sponsors to receive approval from and enter into written agreements with the Department of Education, eliminating previous exemptions for certain entities.

• Establishes sponsor agreement terms including initial 5-year agreements renewable for up to 10 years based on academic performance, quality practices adherence, and legal compliance.

• Creates oversight framework allowing the department to place sponsors on probationary status for noncompliance, with specific remediation timelines and procedures before potential revocation of sponsorship authority.

• Modifies the Quality Community School Support Program to require sponsors rated "exemplary" or "effective" and removes previous funding eligibility for schools meeting alternative criteria involving out-of-state operators.

• Repeals sections 3314.021 and 3314.027 which previously exempted certain educational service centers and other entities from sponsor approval requirements.