HB 1696 Summary

• Modifies Oklahoma's Charter Schools Act to allow city governments with populations over 300,000 to sponsor charter schools, in addition to existing sponsors (school districts, technology centers, higher education institutions, Indian tribes, and State Board of Education).

• Requires city-sponsored charter schools to be located within city boundaries and within school districts having average daily membership over 30,000, with school boards able to call special elections for voter approval within 45 days of a city's sponsorship vote.

• Expands State Board of Education charter sponsorship authority to include applications denied by local school districts, with limits of 5 charter schools per year in counties with fewer than 500,000 people.

• Establishes comprehensive charter school performance frameworks, renewal procedures, and closure protocols including consideration of at-risk student enrollment and transition team requirements for orderly school closures.

• Effective July 1, 2015, with an emergency clause for immediate implementation; includes technical updates to charter school application requirements, financial planning periods, and dispute resolution processes.