Download Zipped Amended WordPerfect HB0388.ZIP
[Introduced][Status][Bill Documents][Fiscal Note][Bills Directory]

H.B. 388

This document includes House Committee Amendments incorporated into the bill on Fri, Mar 4, 2011 at 8:21 AM by jeyring. --> This document includes Senate 3rd Reading Floor Amendments incorporated into the bill on Thu, Mar 10, 2011 at 10:51 AM by kcallred. -->              1     

OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF CHARTER SCHOOLS

             2     
2011 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Christopher N. Herrod

             5     
Senate Sponsor: J. Stuart Adams

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill imposes requirements pertaining to the operation and management of charter
             10      schools.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    provides that a chartering entity may use certain data to measure the performance of
             14      a charter school;
             15          .    prohibits a chartering entity from imposing performance standards that would limit
             16      a charter school from accomplishing the purposes of charter schools;
             17          .    requires a charter to include an acknowledgment that neither the chartering entity
             18      nor the state is liable for the debts or financial obligations of the charter school; and
             19          .    makes technical changes.
             20      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             21          None
             22      Other Special Clauses:
             23          None
             24      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             25      AMENDS:
             26          53A-1a-507, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 344
             27          53A-1a-508, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 353


             28     
             29      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             30          Section 1. Section 53A-1a-507 is amended to read:
             31           53A-1a-507. Requirements for charter schools.
             32          (1) A charter school shall be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies,
             33      employment practices, and operations.
             34          (2) A charter school may not charge tuition or fees, except those fees normally charged
             35      by other public schools.
             36          (3) A charter school shall meet all applicable federal, state, and local health, safety, and
             37      civil rights requirements.
             38          (4) (a) A charter school shall make the same annual reports required of other public
             39      schools under [Title 53A, State System of Public Education] this title, including an annual
             40      financial audit report.
             41          (b) A charter school shall file its annual financial audit report with the Office of the
             42      State Auditor within six months of the end of the fiscal year.
             43          (5) (a) A charter school shall be accountable to its chartering entity for performance as
             44      provided in the school's charter.
             45          (b) To measure the performance of a charter school, a chartering entity may use data
             46      contained in:
             47          (i) the charter school's annual financial audit report;
             48          (ii) a report submitted by the charter school as required by statute; or
             49          (iii) a report submitted by the charter school as required by its charter.
             50          (c) A chartering entity may not impose performance standards S. , except as permitted by
             50a      statute, .S that limit, infringe, or
             51      prohibit a charter school's ability to successfully accomplish the purposes of charter schools as
             52      provided in Section 53A-1a-503 H. or as otherwise provided in law .H .
             53          (6) A charter school may not advocate unlawful behavior.
             54          (7) Except as provided in Section 53A-1-515 , a charter school shall be organized and
             55      managed under Title 16, Chapter 6a, Utah Revised Nonprofit Corporation Act, after its
             56      authorization.
             57          (8) A charter school shall provide adequate liability and other appropriate insurance.
             58          (9) Beginning on July 1, 2007, a charter school shall submit any lease, lease-purchase


             59      agreement, or other contract or agreement relating to the charter school's facilities or financing
             60      the charter school facilities to its chartering entity for review and advice prior to the charter
             61      school entering into the lease, agreement, or contract.
             62          (10) A charter school may not employ an educator whose license has been suspended
             63      or revoked by the State Board of Education as provided in Section 53A-6-501 .
             64          Section 2. Section 53A-1a-508 is amended to read:
             65           53A-1a-508. Content of a charter -- Modification of charter.
             66          (1) The major issues involving the operation of a charter school shall be considered in
             67      advance by the applicant for a charter school and written into the school's charter.
             68          (2) The governing body of the charter school and the chartering entity shall sign the
             69      charter.
             70          (3) The charter shall include:
             71          (a) the age or grade levels to be served by the school;
             72          (b) the projected maximum number of students to be enrolled in the school and the
             73      projected enrollment in each of the first three years of operations;
             74          (c) the governance structure of the school;
             75          (d) the financial plan for the school and the provisions which will be made for auditing
             76      the school under Subsection 53A-1a-507 (4);
             77          (e) the mission and education goals of the school, the curriculum offered, and the
             78      methods of assessing whether students are meeting educational goals, to include at a minimum
             79      participation in the Utah Performance Assessment System for Students under Chapter 1, Part 6,
             80      Achievement Tests;
             81          (f) admission and dismissal procedures, including suspension procedures;
             82          (g) procedures to review complaints of parents regarding the operation of the school;
             83          (h) the opportunity for parental involvement at the school;
             84          (i) how the school will provide adequate liability and other appropriate insurance for
             85      the school, its governing body, and its employees;
             86          (j) the proposed school calendar, including the length of the school day and school
             87      year;
             88          (k) whether any agreements have been entered into or plans developed with school
             89      districts regarding participation of charter school students in extracurricular activities within


             90      the school districts;
             91          (l) the district within which the school will be located and the address of the school's
             92      physical facility, if known at the time the charter is signed;
             93          (m) the qualifications to be required of the teachers, including the requirement of a
             94      criminal background check;
             95          (n) in the case of an existing public school converting to charter status, alternative
             96      arrangements for current students who choose not to attend the charter school and for current
             97      teachers who choose not to teach at the school after its conversion to charter status;
             98          (o) the school's intention to create a library;
             99          (p) a description of school administrative and supervisory services;
             100          (q) fiscal procedures that are consistent with generally accepted financial management
             101      standards to be used by the school; [and]
             102          (r) the school's policies and procedures regarding:
             103          (i) employee evaluation; and
             104          (ii) employment of relatives[.]; and
             105          (s) an acknowledgment that neither the chartering entity nor the state, including an
             106      agency of the state, is liable for the debts or financial obligations of the charter school or
             107      persons or entities who operate the charter school.
             108          (4) A charter may be modified by mutual agreement of the chartering entity and the
             109      governing body of the school.
             110          (5) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
             111      State Board of Education shall make rules that establish the procedures and deadlines for
             112      approved charter schools to apply and qualify for expansion, including the establishment of
             113      satellite campuses.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 2-25-11 11:09 AM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]