Missouri Senate

Introduced

SECTION 160.400 - Charter schools may be operated in school districts other than St. Louis and Kansas City provided they are sponsored by the school board of the district in which they are located.

This act prohibits a charter school governing board member from being selected by an employee of a company that provides substantial services to the school.

A charter school sponsor must develop policies and procedures for the review of a charter school proposal and the awarding of a charter, including procedures to be used when a school closes for the transfer or repository of student records and the disposition of school assets.

If the state board serves as interim sponsor of a charter school, the board may revoke the school's charter if the school fails to meet academic performance or other goals in the charter.

SECTION 160.405 - This act replaces the requirement that a charter state educational goals and objectives to be achieved by the school with the requirement that the charter contain an accountability plan, as described in the act. If the charter school is operated by a management company, the charter must also contain a copy of the written contract.

A charter must be submitted to the sponsor by August 15 of the year prior to the proposed opening date.

Charter schools must conduct a background check of education personnel, including through the Family Care Safety Registry.

Charter schools may be classified as experiencing financial stress by the Department of Elementary and Secondary education. When a charter school finishes a school year with a combined fund balance of less than one percent of the amount spent from the previous fiscal year, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must notify the charter school.

Charter school board members who neglect or refuse to comply with statutory duties will be subject to a misdemeanor violation.

Charter schools will be subject to the annual financial report currently required of school districts in section 162.821.

Currently, charter schools must collect baseline data during at least the first three years to determine performance. This act requires charter schools to establish baseline student performance during the first year of operation and collect student performance data, as described in the act, throughout the duration of the charter based upon grade levels offered by the school.

The sponsor, governing board, and charter school staff must jointly review the school's performance, management, and operations during the first year of operation and then every other year, instead of the current requirement of at least once every two years.

SECTION 160.415 - Charter schools will be eligible to receive Proposition C funds. Charter school weighted average daily attendance will be included in the distribution of Proposition C funds.

SECTION 160.420 - In addition to existing criminal background check requirements, charter schools must ensure that a Family Care Safety Registry check is conducted for employees.

This act contains provisions similar to provisions contained in SB 838 (2010) and HB 2200 (2010).

MICHAEL RUFF