Bill Caption

Relating to charter schools and home-rule charter school districts, including establishment of the Charter School Authorizing Authority.

Fiscal Notes

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB2: no significant fiscal impact to the state is anticipated through the biennium ending August 31, 2015. However, the bill will result in a negative impact of ($1,694,148) in Fiscal Year 2016. That impact is expected to increase in each subsequent fiscal year. ISDs with unused or underutilized facilities would be required to allow charter operators an opportunity to purchase, lease, or use facilities. ISDs would not be required to accept a charter operator's offer. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

Bill Analysis

Summary: SB 2 would permit an expansion in open-enrollment charter schools. According to the Legislative Budget Board this expansion "...would amend the cap on the total number of open enrollment charters that may be issued by the state, increasing it by 10 charters in each fiscal year through FY 2020, after which the cap would be set at 75." In addition, this legislation would provide that the charter schools do not have to pay for a public school facility and the public school must offer a charter school to use a public facility before selling or leasing it to another entity. Also, charter schools would not be required to pay more for services than a public school. Furthermore, SB 2 would make provisions for accountability measures, requirements for granting a charter school, requirements for performance, requirements for the renewal, denial or expiration of a charter school as well as requirements for evaluations, employment and University Interscholastic League involvement. 

Analysis: SB 2 would provide opportunities for students to receive an education and more options for parents on where they can send their children. Furthermore, by raising the cap on the number of open-charter schools that can be created, this would create a competitive environment in the public school system that would lead to greater academic efficiency and increased quality in education. We support SB 2.