HF 2511

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/10/2016 05:21pm

A bill for an act
relating to education; modifying certain charter school provisions; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2015 Supplement, section 124E.05, subdivisions 4, 5.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2015 Supplement, section 124E.05, subdivision 4, is
amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Application content.

new text begin (a) new text end An applicant must include in its application to
the commissioner to be an approved authorizer at least the following:

(1) how chartering schools is a way for the organization to carry out its mission;

(2) a description of the capacity of the organization to serve as an authorizer,
including the personnel who will perform the authorizing duties, their qualifications, the
amount of time they will be assigned to this responsibility, and the financial resources
allocated by the organization to this responsibility;

(3) a description of the application and review process the authorizer will use to
make decisions regarding the granting of charters;

(4) a description of the type of contract it will arrange with the schools it charters
that meets the provisions of section 124E.10;

(5) the process to be used for providing ongoing oversight of the school consistent
with the contract expectations specified in clause (4) that assures that the schools chartered
are complying with both the provisions of applicable law and rules, and with the contract;

(6) a description of the criteria and process the authorizer will use to grant expanded
applications under section 124E.06, subdivision 5;

(7) the process for making decisions regarding the renewal or termination of
the school's charter based on evidence that demonstrates the academic, organizational,
and financial competency of the school, including its success in increasing student
achievement and meeting the goals of the charter school agreement; and

(8) an assurance specifying that the organization is committed to serving as an
authorizer for the full five-year term.

new text begin (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), an authorizer that is a school district may satisfy
the requirements of paragraph (a), clauses (1) and (2), and any requirement governing
a conflict of interest, an ongoing evaluation, or continuing education by submitting a
"statement of assurances" of legal compliance to the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2015 Supplement, section 124E.05, subdivision 5, is
amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Review by commissioner.

new text begin (a) new text end The commissioner shall review an
authorizer's performance every five years in a manner and form determined by the
commissioner new text begin , subject to paragraph (b), new text end and may review an authorizer's performance
more frequently at the commissioner's own initiative or at the request of a charter school
operator, charter school board member, or other interested party. The commissioner, after
completing the review, shall transmit a report with findings to the authorizer.

new text begin (b) The commissioner's form must use existing department data on the authorizer to
minimize duplicate reporting to the extent practicable. When reviewing an authorizer's
performance under this subdivision, the commissioner must not (1) fail to credit, (2)
withhold points, or (3) otherwise penalize an authorizer for failing to charter additional
schools or for the absence of complaints against the authorizer's current portfolio of
charter schools.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end