<a id="pl.1.3"></a><var>1.3</var>Statutes 2010, sections 120B.30, subdivision 3; 124D.10; 124D.11, subdivision 9.<br/>
<a id="pl.1.4"></a><var>1.4</var>BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.1.0"></a><a id="pl.1.5"></a><var>1.5</var>    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 120B.30, subdivision 3, is amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.1.6"></a><var>1.6</var>    Subd. 3. <b>Reporting.</b> The commissioner shall report test data publicly and to <br/>
<a id="pl.1.7"></a><var>1.7</var>stakeholders, including the performance achievement levels developed from students' <br/>
<a id="pl.1.8"></a><var>1.8</var>unweighted test scores in each tested subject and a listing of demographic factors that <br/>
<a id="pl.1.9"></a><var>1.9</var>strongly correlate with student performance. The commissioner shall also report data <br/>
<a id="pl.1.10"></a><var>1.10</var>that compares performance results among school sites, school districts, Minnesota and <br/>
<a id="pl.1.11"></a><var>1.11</var>other states, and Minnesota and other nations. The commissioner shall disseminate to <br/>
<a id="pl.1.12"></a><var>1.12</var>schools and school districts a more comprehensive report containing testing information <br/>
<a id="pl.1.13"></a><var>1.13</var>that meets local needs for evaluating instruction and curriculum. The commissioner <br/>
<a id="pl.1.14"></a><var>1.14</var>shall disseminate to charter school authorizers a more comprehensive report containing <br/>
<a id="pl.1.15"></a><var>1.15</var>testing information that contains anonymized data where cell count data are sufficient to <br/>
<a id="pl.1.16"></a><var>1.16</var>protect student identity and that meets the authorizer's needs in fulfilling its obligations <br/>
<a id="pl.1.17"></a><var>1.17</var>under section 124D.10.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.2.0"></a><a id="pl.1.18"></a><var>1.18</var>    Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 124D.10, is amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.1.19"></a><var>1.19</var><b>124D.10 CHARTER SCHOOLS.</b><br/>
<a id="pl.1.20"></a><var>1.20</var>    Subdivision 1. <b>Purposes.</b> (a) The purpose of this section is to:<br/>
<a id="pl.1.21"></a><var>1.21</var>(1) improve pupil learning and student achievement;<br/>
<a id="pl.1.22"></a><var>1.22</var>(2) increase learning opportunities for pupils;<br/>
<a id="pl.1.23"></a><var>1.23</var>(3) encourage the use of different and innovative teaching methods;<br/>
<a id="pl.2.1"></a><var>2.1</var>(4) measure learning outcomes and create different and innovative forms of <br/>
<a id="pl.2.2"></a><var>2.2</var>measuring outcomes;<br/>
<a id="pl.2.3"></a><var>2.3</var>(5) establish new forms of accountability for schools; and<br/>
<a id="pl.2.4"></a><var>2.4</var>(6) create new professional opportunities for teachers, including the opportunity to <br/>
<a id="pl.2.5"></a><var>2.5</var>be responsible for the learning program at the school site.<br/>
<a id="pl.2.6"></a><var>2.6</var>(b) This section does not provide a means to keep open a school that otherwise would <br/>
<a id="pl.2.7"></a><var>2.7</var>be closed or to reestablish a school that has been closed. Applicants in these circumstances <br/>
<a id="pl.2.8"></a><var>2.8</var>bear the burden of proving that conversion to a charter school or establishment of a new <br/>
<a id="pl.2.9"></a><var>2.9</var>charter school fulfills the purposes specified in this subdivision, independent of the <br/>
<a id="pl.2.10"></a><var>2.10</var>school's closing a school board decides to close. However, a school board may endorse <br/>
<a id="pl.2.11"></a><var>2.11</var>or authorize the establishing of a charter school to replace the school the board decided <br/>
<a id="pl.2.12"></a><var>2.12</var>to close. Applicants seeking a charter under this circumstance must demonstrate to the <br/>
<a id="pl.2.13"></a><var>2.13</var>authorizer that the charter sought is substantially different in purpose and program from <br/>
<a id="pl.2.14"></a><var>2.14</var>the school the board closed and that the proposed charter satisfies the requirements of this <br/>
<a id="pl.2.15"></a><var>2.15</var>subdivision. If the school board that closed the school authorizes the charter, it must <br/>
<a id="pl.2.16"></a><var>2.16</var>document in its affidavit to the commissioner that the charter is substantially different in <br/>
<a id="pl.2.17"></a><var>2.17</var>program and purpose from the school it closed.<br/>
<a id="pl.2.18"></a><var>2.18</var>An authorizer shall not approve an application submitted by a charter school <br/>
<a id="pl.2.19"></a><var>2.19</var>developer under subdivision 4, paragraph (a), if the application does not comply with this <br/>
<a id="pl.2.20"></a><var>2.20</var>subdivision. The commissioner shall not approve an affidavit submitted by an authorizer <br/>
<a id="pl.2.21"></a><var>2.21</var>under subdivision 4, paragraph (b), if the affidavit does not comply with this subdivision.<br/>
<a id="pl.2.22"></a><var>2.22</var>    Subd. 2. <b>Applicability.</b> This section applies only to charter schools formed and <br/>
<a id="pl.2.23"></a><var>2.23</var>operated under this section.<br/>
<a id="pl.2.24"></a><var>2.24</var>    Subd. 3. <b>Authorizer.</b> (a) For purposes of this section, the terms defined in this <br/>
<a id="pl.2.25"></a><var>2.25</var>subdivision have the meanings given them.<br/>
<a id="pl.2.26"></a><var>2.26</var>"Application" to receive approval as an authorizer means the proposal an eligible <br/>
<a id="pl.2.27"></a><var>2.27</var>authorizer submits to the commissioner under paragraph (c) before that authorizer is able <br/>
<a id="pl.2.28"></a><var>2.28</var>to submit any affidavit to charter to a school.<br/>
<a id="pl.2.29"></a><var>2.29</var>"Application" under subdivision 4 means the charter school business plan a <br/>
<a id="pl.2.30"></a><var>2.30</var>school developer submits to an authorizer for approval to establish a charter school that <br/>
<a id="pl.2.31"></a><var>2.31</var>documents the school developer's mission statement, school purposes, program design, <br/>
<a id="pl.2.32"></a><var>2.32</var>financial plan, governance and management structure, and background and experience, <br/>
<a id="pl.2.33"></a><var>2.33</var>plus any other information the authorizer requests. The application also shall include a <br/>
<a id="pl.2.34"></a><var>2.34</var>"statement of assurances" of legal compliance prescribed by the commissioner.<br/>
<a id="pl.3.1"></a><var>3.1</var>"Affidavit" means a written statement the authorizer submits to the commissioner <br/>
<a id="pl.3.2"></a><var>3.2</var>for approval to establish a charter school under subdivision 4 attesting to its review and <br/>
<a id="pl.3.3"></a><var>3.3</var>approval process before chartering a school.<br/>
<a id="pl.3.4"></a><var>3.4</var>"Affidavit" means the form an authorizer submits to the commissioner that is a <br/>
<a id="pl.3.5"></a><var>3.5</var>precondition to a charter school organizing an affiliated nonprofit building corporation <br/>
<a id="pl.3.6"></a><var>3.6</var>under subdivision 17a.<br/>
<a id="pl.3.7"></a><var>3.7</var>(b) The following organizations may authorize one or more charter schools:<br/>
<a id="pl.3.8"></a><var>3.8</var>(1) a school board; intermediate school district school board; education district <br/>
<a id="pl.3.9"></a><var>3.9</var>organized under sections 
         <statute_ref>123A.15</statute_ref> to 
         <statute_ref>123A.19</statute_ref>;<br/>
<a id="pl.3.10"></a><var>3.10</var>(2) a charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue <br/>
<a id="pl.3.11"></a><var>3.11</var>Code of 1986, excluding a nonpublic sectarian or religious institution, without an <br/>
<a id="pl.3.12"></a><var>3.12</var>affidavit approved by the commissioner before July 1, 2009, and any person other than a <br/>
<a id="pl.3.13"></a><var>3.13</var>natural person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, <br/>
<a id="pl.3.14"></a><var>3.14</var>is controlled by, or is under common control with the nonpublic sectarian or religious <br/>
<a id="pl.3.15"></a><var>3.15</var>institution, and any other charitable organization under this clause that in the federal IRS <br/>
<a id="pl.3.16"></a><var>3.16</var>Form 1023, Part IV, describes activities indicating a religious purpose, that:<br/>
<a id="pl.3.17"></a><var>3.17</var>(i) is a member of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits or the Minnesota Council on <br/>
<a id="pl.3.18"></a><var>3.18</var>Foundations;<br/>
<a id="pl.3.19"></a><var>3.19</var>(ii) is registered with the attorney general's office; and<br/>
<a id="pl.3.20"></a><var>3.20</var>(iii) reports an end-of-year fund balance of at least $2,000,000; and<br/>
<a id="pl.3.21"></a><var>3.21</var>(iv) is incorporated in the state of Minnesota and has been operating continuously <br/>
<a id="pl.3.22"></a><var>3.22</var>for at least five years but does not operate a charter school;<br/>
<a id="pl.3.23"></a><var>3.23</var>(3) a Minnesota private college, notwithstanding clause (2), that grants two- or <br/>
<a id="pl.3.24"></a><var>3.24</var>four-year degrees and is registered with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education under <br/>
<a id="pl.3.25"></a><var>3.25</var>chapter 136A; community college, state university, or technical college governed by the <br/>
<a id="pl.3.26"></a><var>3.26</var>Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities; or the University of <br/>
<a id="pl.3.27"></a><var>3.27</var>Minnesota; or<br/>
<a id="pl.3.28"></a><var>3.28</var>(4) a nonprofit corporation subject to chapter 317A, described in section 
         <statute_ref>317A.905</statute_ref>, <br/>
<a id="pl.3.29"></a><var>3.29</var>and exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code <br/>
<a id="pl.3.30"></a><var>3.30</var>of 1986, may authorize one or more charter schools if the charter school has operated <br/>
<a id="pl.3.31"></a><var>3.31</var>for at least three years under a different authorizer and if the nonprofit corporation has <br/>
<a id="pl.3.32"></a><var>3.32</var>existed for at least 25 years.<br/>
<a id="pl.3.33"></a><var>3.33</var>(5) no more than three single-purpose authorizers that are charitable, nonsectarian <br/>
<a id="pl.3.34"></a><var>3.34</var>organizations formed under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and <br/>
<a id="pl.3.35"></a><var>3.35</var>incorporated in the state of Minnesota whose sole purpose is to charter schools. Eligible <br/>
<a id="pl.3.36"></a><var>3.36</var>organizations interested in being approved as an authorizer under this paragraph must <br/>
<a id="pl.4.1"></a><var>4.1</var>submit a proposal to the commissioner that includes the provisions of paragraph (c) and <br/>
<a id="pl.4.2"></a><var>4.2</var>a five-year financial plan. Such authorizers shall consider and approve applications <br/>
<a id="pl.4.3"></a><var>4.3</var>using the criteria provided in subdivision 4 and shall not limit the applications it solicits, <br/>
<a id="pl.4.4"></a><var>4.4</var>considers, or approves to any single curriculum, learning program, or method.<br/>
<a id="pl.4.5"></a><var>4.5</var>(c) An eligible authorizer under this subdivision must apply to the commissioner for <br/>
<a id="pl.4.6"></a><var>4.6</var>approval as an authorizer before submitting any affidavit to the commissioner to charter <br/>
<a id="pl.4.7"></a><var>4.7</var>a school. The application for approval as a charter school authorizer must demonstrate <br/>
<a id="pl.4.8"></a><var>4.8</var>the applicant's ability to implement the procedures and satisfy the criteria for chartering a <br/>
<a id="pl.4.9"></a><var>4.9</var>school under this section. The commissioner must approve or disapprove an application <br/>
<a id="pl.4.10"></a><var>4.10</var>within 60 45 business days of the application deadline. If the commissioner disapproves <br/>
<a id="pl.4.11"></a><var>4.11</var>the application, the commissioner must notify the applicant of the specific deficiencies <br/>
<a id="pl.4.12"></a><var>4.12</var>in writing and the applicant then has 20 business days to address the deficiencies to the <br/>
<a id="pl.4.13"></a><var>4.13</var>commissioner's satisfaction. After the 20 business days expire, the commissioner has 15 <br/>
<a id="pl.4.14"></a><var>4.14</var>business days to make a final decision to approve or disapprove the application. Failing to <br/>
<a id="pl.4.15"></a><var>4.15</var>address the deficiencies to the commissioner's satisfaction makes an applicant ineligible to <br/>
<a id="pl.4.16"></a><var>4.16</var>be an authorizer. The commissioner, in establishing criteria for approval, must consider <br/>
<a id="pl.4.17"></a><var>4.17</var>the applicant's:<br/>
<a id="pl.4.18"></a><var>4.18</var>(1) capacity and infrastructure;<br/>
<a id="pl.4.19"></a><var>4.19</var>(2) application criteria and process;<br/>
<a id="pl.4.20"></a><var>4.20</var>(3) contracting process;<br/>
<a id="pl.4.21"></a><var>4.21</var>(4) ongoing oversight and evaluation processes; and<br/>
<a id="pl.4.22"></a><var>4.22</var>(5) renewal criteria and processes.<br/>
<a id="pl.4.23"></a><var>4.23</var>(d) The affidavit to be submitted to and evaluated by An applicant must include in <br/>
<a id="pl.4.24"></a><var>4.24</var>its application to the commissioner must include to be an approved authorizer at least <br/>
<a id="pl.4.25"></a><var>4.25</var>the following:<br/>
<a id="pl.4.26"></a><var>4.26</var>(1) how chartering schools is a way for the organization to carry out its mission;<br/>
<a id="pl.4.27"></a><var>4.27</var>(2) a description of the capacity of the organization to serve as an authorizer, <br/>
<a id="pl.4.28"></a><var>4.28</var>including the personnel who will perform the authorizing duties, their qualifications, the <br/>
<a id="pl.4.29"></a><var>4.29</var>amount of time they will be assigned to this responsibility, and the financial resources <br/>
<a id="pl.4.30"></a><var>4.30</var>allocated by the organization to this responsibility;<br/>
<a id="pl.4.31"></a><var>4.31</var>(3) a description of the application and review process the authorizer will use to make <br/>
<a id="pl.4.32"></a><var>4.32</var>decisions regarding the granting of charters, which will include at least the following:<br/>
<a id="pl.4.33"></a><var>4.33</var>(i) how the statutory purposes defined in subdivision 1 are addressed;<br/>
<a id="pl.4.34"></a><var>4.34</var>(ii) the mission, goals, program model, and student performance expectations;<br/>
<a id="pl.4.35"></a><var>4.35</var>(iii) an evaluation plan for the school that includes criteria for evaluating educational, <br/>
<a id="pl.4.36"></a><var>4.36</var>organizational, and fiscal plans;<br/>
<a id="pl.5.1"></a><var>5.1</var>(iv) the school's governance plan;<br/>
<a id="pl.5.2"></a><var>5.2</var>(v) the financial management plan; and<br/>
<a id="pl.5.3"></a><var>5.3</var>(vi) the administration and operations plan;<br/>
<a id="pl.5.4"></a><var>5.4</var>(4) a description of the type of contract it will arrange with the schools it charters <br/>
<a id="pl.5.5"></a><var>5.5</var>that meets the provisions of subdivision 6 and defines the rights and responsibilities of the <br/>
<a id="pl.5.6"></a><var>5.6</var>charter school for governing its educational program, controlling its funds, and making <br/>
<a id="pl.5.7"></a><var>5.7</var>school management decisions;<br/>
<a id="pl.5.8"></a><var>5.8</var>(5) the process to be used for providing ongoing oversight of the school consistent <br/>
<a id="pl.5.9"></a><var>5.9</var>with the contract expectations specified in clause (4) that assures that the schools chartered <br/>
<a id="pl.5.10"></a><var>5.10</var>are complying with both the provisions of applicable law and rules, and with the contract;<br/>
<a id="pl.5.11"></a><var>5.11</var>(6) a description of the criteria and process the authorizer will use to grant expanded <br/>
<a id="pl.5.12"></a><var>5.12</var>applications under subdivision 4, paragraph (j);<br/>
<a id="pl.5.13"></a><var>5.13</var>(7) the process for making decisions regarding the renewal or termination of <br/>
<a id="pl.5.14"></a><var>5.14</var>the school's charter based on evidence that demonstrates the academic, organizational, <br/>
<a id="pl.5.15"></a><var>5.15</var>and financial competency of the school, including its success in increasing student <br/>
<a id="pl.5.16"></a><var>5.16</var>achievement and meeting the goals of the charter school agreement; and<br/>
<a id="pl.5.17"></a><var>5.17</var>(7) (8) an assurance specifying that the organization is committed to serving as <br/>
<a id="pl.5.18"></a><var>5.18</var>an authorizer for the full five-year term.<br/>
<a id="pl.5.19"></a><var>5.19</var>(e) A disapproved applicant under this paragraph section may resubmit an <br/>
<a id="pl.5.20"></a><var>5.20</var>application during a future application period.<br/>
<a id="pl.5.21"></a><var>5.21</var>(f) If the governing board of an approved authorizer that has chartered multiple <br/>
<a id="pl.5.22"></a><var>5.22</var>schools votes to withdraw as an approved authorizer for a reason unrelated to any <br/>
<a id="pl.5.23"></a><var>5.23</var>cause under subdivision 23, the authorizer must notify all its chartered schools and the <br/>
<a id="pl.5.24"></a><var>5.24</var>commissioner in writing by July 15 of its intent to withdraw as an authorizer on June 30 in <br/>
<a id="pl.5.25"></a><var>5.25</var>the next calendar year. The commissioner may approve the transfer of a charter school <br/>
<a id="pl.5.26"></a><var>5.26</var>to a new authorizer under this paragraph after the new authorizer submits an affidavit to <br/>
<a id="pl.5.27"></a><var>5.27</var>the commissioner.<br/>
<a id="pl.5.28"></a><var>5.28</var>(e) (g) The authorizer must participate in department-approved training.<br/>
<a id="pl.5.29"></a><var>5.29</var>(f) (h) An authorizer that chartered a school before August 1, 2009, must apply by <br/>
<a id="pl.5.30"></a><var>5.30</var>June 30, 2011 September 7, 2011, to the commissioner for approval, under paragraph <br/>
<a id="pl.5.31"></a><var>5.31</var>(c), to continue as an authorizer under this section. For purposes of this paragraph, an <br/>
<a id="pl.5.32"></a><var>5.32</var>authorizer that fails to submit a timely application for commissioner approval is ineligible <br/>
<a id="pl.5.33"></a><var>5.33</var>to charter authorize a school.<br/>
<a id="pl.5.34"></a><var>5.34</var>(g) (i) The commissioner shall review an authorizer's performance every five years <br/>
<a id="pl.5.35"></a><var>5.35</var>in a manner and form determined by the commissioner and may review an authorizer's <br/>
<a id="pl.5.36"></a><var>5.36</var>performance more frequently at the commissioner's own initiative or at the request of a <br/>
<a id="pl.6.1"></a><var>6.1</var>charter school operator, charter school board member, or other interested party. The <br/>
<a id="pl.6.2"></a><var>6.2</var>commissioner, after completing the review, shall transmit a report with findings to the <br/>
<a id="pl.6.3"></a><var>6.3</var>authorizer. If, consistent with this section, the commissioner finds that an authorizer has <br/>
<a id="pl.6.4"></a><var>6.4</var>not fulfilled the requirements of this section, the commissioner may subject the authorizer <br/>
<a id="pl.6.5"></a><var>6.5</var>to corrective action, which may include terminating the contract with the charter school <br/>
<a id="pl.6.6"></a><var>6.6</var>board of directors of a school it chartered. The commissioner must notify the authorizer <br/>
<a id="pl.6.7"></a><var>6.7</var>in writing of any findings that may subject the authorizer to corrective action and <br/>
<a id="pl.6.8"></a><var>6.8</var>the authorizer then has 15 business days to request an informal hearing before the <br/>
<a id="pl.6.9"></a><var>6.9</var>commissioner takes corrective action. If the commissioner terminates a contract between <br/>
<a id="pl.6.10"></a><var>6.10</var>an authorizer and a charter school under this paragraph, the commissioner may assist the <br/>
<a id="pl.6.11"></a><var>6.11</var>charter school in acquiring a new authorizer.<br/>
<a id="pl.6.12"></a><var>6.12</var>(h) (j) The commissioner may at any time take corrective action against an <br/>
<a id="pl.6.13"></a><var>6.13</var>authorizer, including terminating an authorizer's ability to charter a school for:<br/>
<a id="pl.6.14"></a><var>6.14</var>(1) failing to demonstrate the criteria under paragraph (c) under which the <br/>
<a id="pl.6.15"></a><var>6.15</var>commissioner approved the authorizer;<br/>
<a id="pl.6.16"></a><var>6.16</var>(2) violating a term of the chartering contract between the authorizer and the charter <br/>
<a id="pl.6.17"></a><var>6.17</var>school board of directors; or<br/>
<a id="pl.6.18"></a><var>6.18</var>(3) unsatisfactory performance as an approved authorizer; or<br/>
<a id="pl.6.19"></a><var>6.19</var>(4) any good cause shown that provides the commissioner a legally sufficient reason <br/>
<a id="pl.6.20"></a><var>6.20</var>to take corrective action against an authorizer.<br/>
<a id="pl.6.21"></a><var>6.21</var>    Subd. 4. <b>Formation of school.</b> (a) An authorizer, after receiving an application from <br/>
<a id="pl.6.22"></a><var>6.22</var>a school developer, may charter a licensed teacher under section 
         <statute_ref>122A.18, subdivision <br/>
<a id="pl.6.23"></a><var>6.23</var>1
         </statute_ref>, or a group of individuals that includes one or more licensed teachers under section <br/>
<statute_ref><a id="pl.6.24"></a><var>6.24</var>122A.18, subdivision 1
         </statute_ref>, to operate a school subject to the commissioner's approval of the <br/>
<a id="pl.6.25"></a><var>6.25</var>authorizer's affidavit under paragraph (b). The school must be organized and operated <br/>
<a id="pl.6.26"></a><var>6.26</var>as a cooperative under chapter 308A or nonprofit corporation under chapter 317A and <br/>
<a id="pl.6.27"></a><var>6.27</var>the provisions under the applicable chapter shall apply to the school except as provided <br/>
<a id="pl.6.28"></a><var>6.28</var>in this section.<br/>
<a id="pl.6.29"></a><var>6.29</var>Notwithstanding sections 
         <statute_ref>465.717</statute_ref> and 
         <statute_ref>465.719</statute_ref>, a school district, subject to this <br/>
<a id="pl.6.30"></a><var>6.30</var>section and section 
         <statute_ref>124D.11</statute_ref>, may create a corporation for the purpose of establishing a <br/>
<a id="pl.6.31"></a><var>6.31</var>charter school.<br/>
<a id="pl.6.32"></a><var>6.32</var>    (b) Before the operators may establish and operate a school, the authorizer must file <br/>
<a id="pl.6.33"></a><var>6.33</var>an affidavit with the commissioner stating its intent to charter a school. An authorizer <br/>
<a id="pl.6.34"></a><var>6.34</var>must file a separate affidavit for each school it intends to charter. The affidavit must <br/>
<a id="pl.6.35"></a><var>6.35</var>state the terms and conditions under which the authorizer would charter a school and <br/>
<a id="pl.6.36"></a><var>6.36</var>how the authorizer intends to oversee the fiscal and student performance of the charter <br/>
<a id="pl.7.1"></a><var>7.1</var>school and to comply with the terms of the written contract between the authorizer <br/>
<a id="pl.7.2"></a><var>7.2</var>and the charter school board of directors under subdivision 6. The commissioner must <br/>
<a id="pl.7.3"></a><var>7.3</var>approve or disapprove the authorizer's affidavit within 60 business days of receipt of the <br/>
<a id="pl.7.4"></a><var>7.4</var>affidavit. If the commissioner disapproves the affidavit, the commissioner shall notify <br/>
<a id="pl.7.5"></a><var>7.5</var>the authorizer of the deficiencies in the affidavit and the authorizer then has 20 business <br/>
<a id="pl.7.6"></a><var>7.6</var>days to address the deficiencies. If the authorizer does not address deficiencies to the <br/>
<a id="pl.7.7"></a><var>7.7</var>commissioner's satisfaction, the commissioner's disapproval is final. Failure to obtain <br/>
<a id="pl.7.8"></a><var>7.8</var>commissioner approval precludes an authorizer from chartering the school that is the <br/>
<a id="pl.7.9"></a><var>7.9</var>subject of this affidavit.<br/>
<a id="pl.7.10"></a><var>7.10</var>    (c) The authorizer may prevent an approved charter school from opening for <br/>
<a id="pl.7.11"></a><var>7.11</var>operation if, among other grounds, the charter school violates this section or does not meet <br/>
<a id="pl.7.12"></a><var>7.12</var>the ready-to-open standards that are part of the authorizer's oversight and evaluation <br/>
<a id="pl.7.13"></a><var>7.13</var>process or are stipulated in the charter school contract.<br/>
<a id="pl.7.14"></a><var>7.14</var>(d) The operators authorized to organize and operate a school, before entering into a <br/>
<a id="pl.7.15"></a><var>7.15</var>contract or other agreement for professional or other services, goods, or facilities, must <br/>
<a id="pl.7.16"></a><var>7.16</var>incorporate as a cooperative under chapter 308A or as a nonprofit corporation under <br/>
<a id="pl.7.17"></a><var>7.17</var>chapter 317A and must establish a board of directors composed of at least five members <br/>
<a id="pl.7.18"></a><var>7.18</var>who are not related parties until a timely election for members of the ongoing charter <br/>
<a id="pl.7.19"></a><var>7.19</var>school board of directors is held according to the school's articles and bylaws under <br/>
<a id="pl.7.20"></a><var>7.20</var>paragraph (f). A charter school board of directors must be composed of at least five <br/>
<a id="pl.7.21"></a><var>7.21</var>members who are not related parties. Staff members employed at the school, including <br/>
<a id="pl.7.22"></a><var>7.22</var>teachers providing instruction under a contract with a cooperative, and all parents or legal <br/>
<a id="pl.7.23"></a><var>7.23</var>guardians of children enrolled in the school are the voters eligible to elect the members <br/>
<a id="pl.7.24"></a><var>7.24</var>of the school's board of directors. A charter school must notify eligible voters of the <br/>
<a id="pl.7.25"></a><var>7.25</var>school board election dates at least 30 days before the election. Board of director meetings <br/>
<a id="pl.7.26"></a><var>7.26</var>must comply with chapter 13D.<br/>
<a id="pl.7.27"></a><var>7.27</var>    (e) Upon the request of an individual, the charter school must make available in <br/>
<a id="pl.7.28"></a><var>7.28</var>a timely fashion the minutes of meetings of the board of directors, and of members <br/>
<a id="pl.7.29"></a><var>7.29</var>and committees having any board-delegated authority; financial statements showing all <br/>
<a id="pl.7.30"></a><var>7.30</var>operations and transactions affecting income, surplus, and deficit during the school's last <br/>
<a id="pl.7.31"></a><var>7.31</var>annual accounting period; and a balance sheet summarizing assets and liabilities on the <br/>
<a id="pl.7.32"></a><var>7.32</var>closing date of the accounting period. A charter school also must post on its official Web <br/>
<a id="pl.7.33"></a><var>7.33</var>site information identifying its authorizer and indicate how to contact that authorizer and <br/>
<a id="pl.7.34"></a><var>7.34</var>include that same information about its authorizer in other school materials that it makes <br/>
<a id="pl.7.35"></a><var>7.35</var>available to the public.<br/>
<a id="pl.8.1"></a><var>8.1</var>(f) Every charter school board member shall attend department-approved ongoing <br/>
<a id="pl.8.2"></a><var>8.2</var>training throughout the member's term on board governance, including training on the <br/>
<a id="pl.8.3"></a><var>8.3</var>board's role and responsibilities, employment policies and practices, and financial <br/>
<a id="pl.8.4"></a><var>8.4</var>management. A board member who does not begin the required initial training within six <br/>
<a id="pl.8.5"></a><var>8.5</var>months of after being seated and complete the required that training within 12 months of <br/>
<a id="pl.8.6"></a><var>8.6</var>being seated on the board is ineligible to continue to serve as a board member.<br/>
<a id="pl.8.7"></a><var>8.7</var>(g) The ongoing board must be elected before the school completes its third year <br/>
<a id="pl.8.8"></a><var>8.8</var>of operation. Board elections must be held at a time during a time when the school is in <br/>
<a id="pl.8.9"></a><var>8.9</var>session year but may not be conducted on days when the school is closed for holidays <br/>
<a id="pl.8.10"></a><var>8.10</var>or vacations. The charter school board of directors shall be composed of at least five <br/>
<a id="pl.8.11"></a><var>8.11</var>nonrelated members and include: (i) at least one licensed teacher employed and serving <br/>
<a id="pl.8.12"></a><var>8.12</var>as a teacher at the school or a licensed teacher providing instruction under a contact <br/>
<a id="pl.8.13"></a><var>8.13</var>contract between the charter school and a cooperative; (ii) the parent or legal guardian <br/>
<a id="pl.8.14"></a><var>8.14</var>of a student enrolled in the charter school who is not an employee of the charter school; <br/>
<a id="pl.8.15"></a><var>8.15</var>and (iii) an interested community member who is not employed by the charter school and <br/>
<a id="pl.8.16"></a><var>8.16</var>does not have a child enrolled in the school. The board may be a teacher majority board <br/>
<a id="pl.8.17"></a><var>8.17</var>composed of teachers described in this paragraph. The chief financial officer and the <br/>
<a id="pl.8.18"></a><var>8.18</var>chief administrator are may only serve as ex-officio nonvoting board members and may <br/>
<a id="pl.8.19"></a><var>8.19</var>not serve as a voting member of the board. Charter school employees shall not serve on <br/>
<a id="pl.8.20"></a><var>8.20</var>the board unless item (i) applies. Contractors providing facilities, goods, or services to a <br/>
<a id="pl.8.21"></a><var>8.21</var>charter school shall not serve on the board of directors of the charter school. Board bylaws <br/>
<a id="pl.8.22"></a><var>8.22</var>shall outline the process and procedures for changing the board's governance model, <br/>
<a id="pl.8.23"></a><var>8.23</var>consistent with chapter 317A. A board may change its governance model only:<br/>
<a id="pl.8.24"></a><var>8.24</var>(1) by a majority vote of the board of directors and the licensed teachers employed <br/>
<a id="pl.8.25"></a><var>8.25</var>by the school, including licensed teachers providing instruction under a contract between <br/>
<a id="pl.8.26"></a><var>8.26</var>the school and a cooperative; and<br/>
<a id="pl.8.27"></a><var>8.27</var>(2) with the authorizer's approval.<br/>
<a id="pl.8.28"></a><var>8.28</var>Any change in board governance must conform with the board structure established <br/>
<a id="pl.8.29"></a><var>8.29</var>under this paragraph.<br/>
<a id="pl.8.30"></a><var>8.30</var>(h) The granting or renewal of a charter by an authorizer must not be conditioned <br/>
<a id="pl.8.31"></a><var>8.31</var>upon the bargaining unit status of the employees of the school.<br/>
<a id="pl.8.32"></a><var>8.32</var>(i) The granting or renewal of a charter school by an authorizer must not be <br/>
<a id="pl.8.33"></a><var>8.33</var>contingent on the charter school being required to contract, lease, or purchase services <br/>
<a id="pl.8.34"></a><var>8.34</var>from the authorizer. Any potential contract, lease, or purchase of service from an <br/>
<a id="pl.8.35"></a><var>8.35</var>authorizer must be disclosed to the commissioner, accepted through an open bidding <br/>
<a id="pl.8.36"></a><var>8.36</var>process, and be a separate contract from the charter contract. The school must document <br/>
<a id="pl.9.1"></a><var>9.1</var>the open bidding process. An authorizer must not enter into a contract to provide <br/>
<a id="pl.9.2"></a><var>9.2</var>management and financial services for a school that it authorizes, unless the school <br/>
<a id="pl.9.3"></a><var>9.3</var>documents that it received at least two competitive bids.<br/>
<a id="pl.9.4"></a><var>9.4</var>    (j) An authorizer may permit the board of directors of a charter school to expand <br/>
<a id="pl.9.5"></a><var>9.5</var>the operation of the charter school to additional sites or to add additional grades at the <br/>
<a id="pl.9.6"></a><var>9.6</var>school beyond those described in the authorizer's original affidavit as approved by <br/>
<a id="pl.9.7"></a><var>9.7</var>the commissioner only after submitting a supplemental affidavit for approval to the <br/>
<a id="pl.9.8"></a><var>9.8</var>commissioner in a form and manner prescribed by the commissioner. The supplemental <br/>
<a id="pl.9.9"></a><var>9.9</var>affidavit must show document that:<br/>
<a id="pl.9.10"></a><var>9.10</var>    (1) the expansion proposed by the charter school is supported by expansion plan <br/>
<a id="pl.9.11"></a><var>9.11</var>demonstrates need and projected enrollment;<br/>
<a id="pl.9.12"></a><var>9.12</var>(2) the charter school expansion is warranted, at a minimum, by longitudinal data <br/>
<a id="pl.9.13"></a><var>9.13</var>demonstrating students' improved academic performance and growth on statewide <br/>
<a id="pl.9.14"></a><var>9.14</var>assessments under chapter 120B;<br/>
<a id="pl.9.15"></a><var>9.15</var>    (3) the charter school is fiscally financially sound and has the financial capacity the <br/>
<a id="pl.9.16"></a><var>9.16</var>financing needed to implement the proposed expansion exists; and<br/>
<a id="pl.9.17"></a><var>9.17</var>    (4) the authorizer finds that the charter school has the governance structure and <br/>
<a id="pl.9.18"></a><var>9.18</var>management capacity to carry out its expansion.<br/>
<a id="pl.9.19"></a><var>9.19</var>    (k) The commissioner shall have 30 business days to review and comment on the <br/>
<a id="pl.9.20"></a><var>9.20</var>supplemental affidavit. The commissioner shall notify the authorizer of any deficiencies in <br/>
<a id="pl.9.21"></a><var>9.21</var>the supplemental affidavit and the authorizer then has 30 20 business days to address, to <br/>
<a id="pl.9.22"></a><var>9.22</var>the commissioner's satisfaction, any deficiencies in the supplemental affidavit. The school <br/>
<a id="pl.9.23"></a><var>9.23</var>may not expand grades or add sites until the commissioner has approved the supplemental <br/>
<a id="pl.9.24"></a><var>9.24</var>affidavit. The commissioner's approval or disapproval of a supplemental affidavit is final.<br/>
<a id="pl.9.25"></a><var>9.25</var>    Subd. 4a. <b>Conflict of interest.</b> (a) An individual is prohibited from serving as a <br/>
<a id="pl.9.26"></a><var>9.26</var>member of the charter school board of directors if the individual, an immediate family <br/>
<a id="pl.9.27"></a><var>9.27</var>member, or the individual's partner is an owner, employee or agent of, or a contractor <br/>
<a id="pl.9.28"></a><var>9.28</var>with a for-profit or nonprofit entity or individual with whom the charter school contracts, <br/>
<a id="pl.9.29"></a><var>9.29</var>directly or indirectly, for professional services, goods, or facilities. A violation of this <br/>
<a id="pl.9.30"></a><var>9.30</var>prohibition renders a contract voidable at the option of the commissioner or the charter <br/>
<a id="pl.9.31"></a><var>9.31</var>school board of directors. A member of a charter school board of directors who violates <br/>
<a id="pl.9.32"></a><var>9.32</var>this prohibition is individually liable to the charter school for any damage caused by <br/>
<a id="pl.9.33"></a><var>9.33</var>the violation.<br/>
<a id="pl.9.34"></a><var>9.34</var>(b) No member of the board of directors, employee, officer, or agent of a charter <br/>
<a id="pl.9.35"></a><var>9.35</var>school shall participate in selecting, awarding, or administering a contract if a conflict <br/>
<a id="pl.9.36"></a><var>9.36</var>of interest exists. A conflict exists when:<br/>
<a id="pl.10.1"></a><var>10.1</var>(1) the board member, employee, officer, or agent;<br/>
<a id="pl.10.2"></a><var>10.2</var>(2) the immediate family of the board member, employee, officer, or agent;<br/>
<a id="pl.10.3"></a><var>10.3</var>(3) the partner of the board member, employee, officer, or agent; or<br/>
<a id="pl.10.4"></a><var>10.4</var>(4) an organization that employs, or is about to employ any individual in clauses <br/>
<a id="pl.10.5"></a><var>10.5</var>(1) to (3),<br/>
<a id="pl.10.6"></a><var>10.6</var>has a financial or other interest in the entity with which the charter school is contracting. <br/>
<a id="pl.10.7"></a><var>10.7</var>A violation of this prohibition renders the contract void.<br/>
<a id="pl.10.8"></a><var>10.8</var>(c) Any employee, agent, or board member of the authorizer who participates <br/>
<a id="pl.10.9"></a><var>10.9</var>in the initial review, approval, ongoing oversight, evaluation, or the charter renewal or <br/>
<a id="pl.10.10"></a><var>10.10</var>nonrenewal process or decision is ineligible to serve on the board of directors of a school <br/>
<a id="pl.10.11"></a><var>10.11</var>chartered by that authorizer.<br/>
<a id="pl.10.12"></a><var>10.12</var>(d) An individual may serve as a member of the board of directors if no conflict of <br/>
<a id="pl.10.13"></a><var>10.13</var>interest under paragraph (a) exists.<br/>
<a id="pl.10.14"></a><var>10.14</var>(e) The conflict of interest provisions under this subdivision do not apply to <br/>
<a id="pl.10.15"></a><var>10.15</var>compensation paid to a teacher employed by the charter school who also serves as a <br/>
<a id="pl.10.16"></a><var>10.16</var>member of the board of directors.<br/>
<a id="pl.10.17"></a><var>10.17</var>(f) The conflict of interest provisions under this subdivision do not apply to a teacher <br/>
<a id="pl.10.18"></a><var>10.18</var>who provides services to a charter school through a cooperative formed under chapter <br/>
<a id="pl.10.19"></a><var>10.19</var>308A when the teacher also serves on the charter school board of directors.<br/>
<a id="pl.10.20"></a><var>10.20</var>    Subd. 5. <b>Conversion of existing schools.</b> A board of an independent or special <br/>
<a id="pl.10.21"></a><var>10.21</var>school district may convert one or more of its existing schools to charter schools under <br/>
<a id="pl.10.22"></a><var>10.22</var>this section if 60 percent of the full-time teachers at the school sign a petition seeking <br/>
<a id="pl.10.23"></a><var>10.23</var>conversion. The conversion must occur at the beginning of an academic year.<br/>
<a id="pl.10.24"></a><var>10.24</var>    Subd. 6. <b>Charter contract.</b> The authorization for a charter school must be in the <br/>
<a id="pl.10.25"></a><var>10.25</var>form of a written contract signed by the authorizer and the board of directors of the charter <br/>
<a id="pl.10.26"></a><var>10.26</var>school. The contract must be completed within 45 business days of the commissioner's <br/>
<a id="pl.10.27"></a><var>10.27</var>approval of the authorizer's affidavit. The authorizer shall submit to the commissioner a <br/>
<a id="pl.10.28"></a><var>10.28</var>copy of the signed charter contract within ten business days of its execution. The contract <br/>
<a id="pl.10.29"></a><var>10.29</var>for a charter school must be in writing and contain at least the following:<br/>
<a id="pl.10.30"></a><var>10.30</var>(1) a declaration of the purposes in subdivision 1 that the school intends to carry out <br/>
<a id="pl.10.31"></a><var>10.31</var>and how the school will report its implementation of those purposes;<br/>
<a id="pl.10.32"></a><var>10.32</var>(2) a description of the school program and the specific academic and nonacademic <br/>
<a id="pl.10.33"></a><var>10.33</var>outcomes that pupils must achieve;<br/>
<a id="pl.10.34"></a><var>10.34</var>(3) a statement of admission policies and procedures;<br/>
<a id="pl.10.35"></a><var>10.35</var>(4) a governance, management, and administration plan for the school;<br/>
<a id="pl.11.1"></a><var>11.1</var>(5) signed agreements from charter school board members to comply with all <br/>
<a id="pl.11.2"></a><var>11.2</var>federal and state laws governing organizational, programmatic, and financial requirements <br/>
<a id="pl.11.3"></a><var>11.3</var>applicable to charter schools;<br/>
<a id="pl.11.4"></a><var>11.4</var>(6) the criteria, processes, and procedures that the authorizer will use for ongoing <br/>
<a id="pl.11.5"></a><var>11.5</var>oversight of operational, financial, and academic performance;<br/>
<a id="pl.11.6"></a><var>11.6</var>(7) the performance evaluation that is a prerequisite for reviewing a charter contract <br/>
<a id="pl.11.7"></a><var>11.7</var>under subdivision 15;<br/>
<a id="pl.11.8"></a><var>11.8</var>(8) types and amounts of insurance liability coverage to be obtained by the charter <br/>
<a id="pl.11.9"></a><var>11.9</var>school;<br/>
<a id="pl.11.10"></a><var>11.10</var>(9) a provision to indemnify and hold harmless the commissioner and the authorizer, <br/>
<a id="pl.11.11"></a><var>11.11</var>and their officers, agents, and employees from any suit, claim, or liability arising under <br/>
<a id="pl.11.12"></a><var>11.12</var>the contract or from the operation of the charter school;<br/>
<a id="pl.11.13"></a><var>11.13</var>(10) the term of the contract, which may be up to three years for an initial contract <br/>
<a id="pl.11.14"></a><var>11.14</var>plus an additional preoperational planning year, and up to five years for a renewed contract <br/>
<a id="pl.11.15"></a><var>11.15</var>if warranted by the school's academic, financial, and operational performance;<br/>
<a id="pl.11.16"></a><var>11.16</var>(10) (11) how the board of directors or the operators of the charter school will <br/>
<a id="pl.11.17"></a><var>11.17</var>provide special instruction and services for children with a disability under sections <br/>
<statute_ref><a id="pl.11.18"></a><var>11.18</var>125A.03 
         </statute_ref>to 
         <statute_ref>125A.24</statute_ref>, and 
         <statute_ref>125A.65</statute_ref>, a description of the financial parameters within <br/>
<a id="pl.11.19"></a><var>11.19</var>which the charter school will operate to provide the special instruction and services to <br/>
<a id="pl.11.20"></a><var>11.20</var>children with a disability;<br/>
<a id="pl.11.21"></a><var>11.21</var>(11) (12) the process and criteria the authorizer intends to use to monitor and <br/>
<a id="pl.11.22"></a><var>11.22</var>evaluate the fiscal and student performance of the charter school, consistent with <br/>
<a id="pl.11.23"></a><var>11.23</var>subdivision 15; and<br/>
<a id="pl.11.24"></a><var>11.24</var>(12) (13) the plan for an orderly closing of the school under chapter 308A or 317A, <br/>
<a id="pl.11.25"></a><var>11.25</var>if the closure is a termination for cause, a voluntary termination, or a nonrenewal of <br/>
<a id="pl.11.26"></a><var>11.26</var>the contract, and that includes establishing the responsibilities of the school board of <br/>
<a id="pl.11.27"></a><var>11.27</var>directors and the authorizer and notifying the commissioner, authorizer, school district in <br/>
<a id="pl.11.28"></a><var>11.28</var>which the charter school is located, and parents of enrolled students about the closure, <br/>
<a id="pl.11.29"></a><var>11.29</var>the transfer of student records to students' resident districts, and procedures for closing <br/>
<a id="pl.11.30"></a><var>11.30</var>financial operations.<br/>
<a id="pl.11.31"></a><var>11.31</var>    Subd. 6a. <b>Audit report.</b> (a) The charter school must submit an audit report to the <br/>
<a id="pl.11.32"></a><var>11.32</var>commissioner and its authorizer by December 31 each year.<br/>
<a id="pl.11.33"></a><var>11.33</var>(b) The charter school, with the assistance of the auditor conducting the audit, must <br/>
<a id="pl.11.34"></a><var>11.34</var>include with the report a copy of all charter school agreements for corporate management <br/>
<a id="pl.11.35"></a><var>11.35</var>services. If the entity that provides the professional services to the charter school is <br/>
<a id="pl.11.36"></a><var>11.36</var>exempt from taxation under section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, that entity <br/>
<a id="pl.12.1"></a><var>12.1</var>must file with the commissioner by February 15 a copy of the annual return required under <br/>
<a id="pl.12.2"></a><var>12.2</var>section 6033 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.<br/>
<a id="pl.12.3"></a><var>12.3</var>(c) If the commissioner receives an audit report indicating finds that a material <br/>
<a id="pl.12.4"></a><var>12.4</var>weakness exists in the financial reporting systems of a charter school, the charter school <br/>
<a id="pl.12.5"></a><var>12.5</var>must submit a written report to the commissioner explaining how the material weakness <br/>
<a id="pl.12.6"></a><var>12.6</var>will be resolved. An entity, as a condition of providing financial services to a charter <br/>
<a id="pl.12.7"></a><var>12.7</var>school, must agree to make available information about a charter school's financial audit <br/>
<a id="pl.12.8"></a><var>12.8</var>to the commissioner and authorizer upon request.<br/>
<a id="pl.12.9"></a><var>12.9</var>    Subd. 7. <b>Public status; exemption from statutes and rules.</b> A charter school is <br/>
<a id="pl.12.10"></a><var>12.10</var>a public school and is part of the state's system of public education. A charter school is <br/>
<a id="pl.12.11"></a><var>12.11</var>exempt from all statutes and rules applicable to a school, school board, or school district <br/>
<a id="pl.12.12"></a><var>12.12</var>unless a statute or rule is made specifically applicable to a charter school or is included <br/>
<a id="pl.12.13"></a><var>12.13</var>in this section.<br/>
<a id="pl.12.14"></a><var>12.14</var>    Subd. 8. <b>Federal, state, and local requirements.</b> (a) A charter school shall meet all <br/>
<a id="pl.12.15"></a><var>12.15</var>federal, state, and local health and safety requirements applicable to school districts.<br/>
<a id="pl.12.16"></a><var>12.16</var>(b) A school must comply with statewide accountability requirements governing <br/>
<a id="pl.12.17"></a><var>12.17</var>standards and assessments in chapter 120B.<br/>
<a id="pl.12.18"></a><var>12.18</var>(c) A school authorized by a school board may be located in any district, unless the <br/>
<a id="pl.12.19"></a><var>12.19</var>school board of the district of the proposed location disapproves by written resolution.<br/>
<a id="pl.12.20"></a><var>12.20</var>(d) A charter school must be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, <br/>
<a id="pl.12.21"></a><var>12.21</var>employment practices, and all other operations. An authorizer may not authorize a charter <br/>
<a id="pl.12.22"></a><var>12.22</var>school or program that is affiliated with a nonpublic sectarian school or a religious <br/>
<a id="pl.12.23"></a><var>12.23</var>institution. A charter school student must be released for religious instruction, consistent <br/>
<a id="pl.12.24"></a><var>12.24</var>with section 
         <statute_ref>120A.22, subdivision 12</statute_ref>, clause (3).<br/>
<a id="pl.12.25"></a><var>12.25</var>(e) Charter schools must not be used as a method of providing education or <br/>
<a id="pl.12.26"></a><var>12.26</var>generating revenue for students who are being home-schooled.<br/>
<a id="pl.12.27"></a><var>12.27</var>(f) The primary focus of a charter school must be to provide a comprehensive <br/>
<a id="pl.12.28"></a><var>12.28</var>program of instruction for at least one grade or age group from five through 18 years <br/>
<a id="pl.12.29"></a><var>12.29</var>of age. Instruction may be provided to people younger than five years and older than <br/>
<a id="pl.12.30"></a><var>12.30</var>18 years of age.<br/>
<a id="pl.12.31"></a><var>12.31</var>(g) A charter school may not charge tuition.<br/>
<a id="pl.12.32"></a><var>12.32</var>(h) A charter school is subject to and must comply with chapter 363A and section <br/>
<statute_ref><a id="pl.12.33"></a><var>12.33</var>121A.04
         </statute_ref>.<br/>
<a id="pl.12.34"></a><var>12.34</var>(i) A charter school is subject to and must comply with the Pupil Fair Dismissal <br/>
<a id="pl.12.35"></a><var>12.35</var>Act, sections 
         <statute_ref>121A.40</statute_ref> to 
         <statute_ref>121A.56</statute_ref>, and the Minnesota Public School Fee Law, sections <br/>
<statute_ref><a id="pl.12.36"></a><var>12.36</var>123B.34
         </statute_ref> to 
         <statute_ref>123B.39</statute_ref>.<br/>
<a id="pl.13.1"></a><var>13.1</var>(j) A charter school is subject to the same financial audits, audit procedures, and <br/>
<a id="pl.13.2"></a><var>13.2</var>audit requirements as a district. Audits must be conducted in compliance with generally <br/>
<a id="pl.13.3"></a><var>13.3</var>accepted governmental auditing standards, the federal Single Audit Act, if applicable, <br/>
<a id="pl.13.4"></a><var>13.4</var>and section 
         <statute_ref>6.65</statute_ref>. A charter school is subject to and must comply with sections 
         <statute_ref>15.054</statute_ref>; <br/>
<statute_ref><a id="pl.13.5"></a><var>13.5</var>118A.01
         </statute_ref>; 
         <statute_ref>118A.02</statute_ref>; 
         <statute_ref>118A.03</statute_ref>; 
         <statute_ref>118A.04</statute_ref>; 
         <statute_ref>118A.05</statute_ref>; 
         <statute_ref>118A.06</statute_ref>; 
         <statute_ref>471.38</statute_ref>; 
         <statute_ref>471.391</statute_ref>; 
         <statute_ref>471.392</statute_ref>; and <br/>
<statute_ref><a id="pl.13.6"></a><var>13.6</var>471.425
         </statute_ref>. The audit must comply with the requirements of sections 
         <statute_ref>123B.75</statute_ref> to 
         <statute_ref>123B.83</statute_ref>, <br/>
<a id="pl.13.7"></a><var>13.7</var>except to the extent deviations are necessary because of the program at the school. <br/>
<a id="pl.13.8"></a><var>13.8</var>Deviations must be approved by the commissioner and authorizer. The Department of <br/>
<a id="pl.13.9"></a><var>13.9</var>Education, state auditor, legislative auditor, or authorizer may conduct financial, program, <br/>
<a id="pl.13.10"></a><var>13.10</var>or compliance audits. A charter school determined to be in statutory operating debt under <br/>
<a id="pl.13.11"></a><var>13.11</var>sections 
         <statute_ref>123B.81</statute_ref> to 
         <statute_ref>123B.83</statute_ref> must submit a plan under section 
         <statute_ref>123B.81, subdivision 4</statute_ref>.<br/>
<a id="pl.13.12"></a><var>13.12</var>(k) A charter school is a district for the purposes of tort liability under chapter 466.<br/>
<a id="pl.13.13"></a><var>13.13</var>(l) A charter school must comply with chapters 13 and 13D; and sections 
         <statute_ref>120A.22, <br/>
<a id="pl.13.14"></a><var>13.14</var>subdivision 7
         </statute_ref>; 
         <statute_ref>121A.75</statute_ref>; and 
         <statute_ref>260B.171</statute_ref>, subdivisions 3 and 5.<br/>
<a id="pl.13.15"></a><var>13.15</var>(m) A charter school is subject to the Pledge of Allegiance requirement under <br/>
<a id="pl.13.16"></a><var>13.16</var>section 
         <statute_ref>121A.11, subdivision 3</statute_ref>.<br/>
<a id="pl.13.17"></a><var>13.17</var>(n) A charter school offering online courses or programs must comply with section <br/>
<statute_ref><a id="pl.13.18"></a><var>13.18</var>124D.095
         </statute_ref>.<br/>
<a id="pl.13.19"></a><var>13.19</var>(o) A charter school and charter school board of directors are subject to chapter 181.<br/>
<a id="pl.13.20"></a><var>13.20</var>(p) A charter school must comply with section 
         <statute_ref>120A.22, subdivision 7</statute_ref>, governing <br/>
<a id="pl.13.21"></a><var>13.21</var>the transfer of students' educational records and sections 
         <statute_ref>138.163</statute_ref> and 
         <statute_ref>138.17</statute_ref> governing <br/>
<a id="pl.13.22"></a><var>13.22</var>the management of local records.<br/>
<a id="pl.13.23"></a><var>13.23</var>(q) A charter school that provides early childhood health and developmental <br/>
<a id="pl.13.24"></a><var>13.24</var>screening must comply with sections 
         <statute_ref>121A.16</statute_ref> to 
         <statute_ref>121A.19</statute_ref>.<br/>
<a id="pl.13.25"></a><var>13.25</var>    Subd. 8a. <b>Aid reduction.</b> The commissioner may reduce a charter school's state aid <br/>
<a id="pl.13.26"></a><var>13.26</var>under section 
         <statute_ref>127A.42</statute_ref> or 
         <statute_ref>127A.43</statute_ref> if the charter school board fails to correct a violation <br/>
<a id="pl.13.27"></a><var>13.27</var>under this section.<br/>
<a id="pl.13.28"></a><var>13.28</var>    Subd. 8b. <b>Aid reduction for violations.</b> The commissioner may reduce a charter <br/>
<a id="pl.13.29"></a><var>13.29</var>school's state aid by an amount not to exceed 60 percent of the charter school's basic <br/>
<a id="pl.13.30"></a><var>13.30</var>revenue for the period of time that a violation of law occurs.<br/>
<a id="pl.13.31"></a><var>13.31</var>    Subd. 9. <b>Admission requirements.</b> A charter school may limit admission to:<br/>
<a id="pl.13.32"></a><var>13.32</var>(1) pupils within an age group or grade level;<br/>
<a id="pl.13.33"></a><var>13.33</var>(2) pupils who are eligible to participate in the graduation incentives program under <br/>
<a id="pl.13.34"></a><var>13.34</var>section 
         <statute_ref>124D.68</statute_ref>; or<br/>
<a id="pl.13.35"></a><var>13.35</var>(3) residents of a specific geographic area in which the school is located when the <br/>
<a id="pl.13.36"></a><var>13.36</var>majority of students served by the school are members of underserved populations.<br/>
<a id="pl.14.1"></a><var>14.1</var>A charter school shall enroll an eligible pupil who submits a timely application, <br/>
<a id="pl.14.2"></a><var>14.2</var>unless the number of applications exceeds the capacity of a program, class, grade level, or <br/>
<a id="pl.14.3"></a><var>14.3</var>building. In this case, pupils must be accepted by lot. The charter school must develop <br/>
<a id="pl.14.4"></a><var>14.4</var>and publish a lottery policy and process that it must use when accepting pupils by lot.<br/>
<a id="pl.14.5"></a><var>14.5</var>A charter school shall give enrollment preference for enrollment to a sibling of an <br/>
<a id="pl.14.6"></a><var>14.6</var>enrolled pupil and to a foster child of that pupil's parents and may give preference for <br/>
<a id="pl.14.7"></a><var>14.7</var>enrolling children of the school's teachers before accepting other pupils by lot.<br/>
<a id="pl.14.8"></a><var>14.8</var>A charter school may not limit admission to pupils on the basis of intellectual ability, <br/>
<a id="pl.14.9"></a><var>14.9</var>measures of achievement or aptitude, or athletic ability and may not establish any criteria <br/>
<a id="pl.14.10"></a><var>14.10</var>or requirements for admission that are inconsistent with this subdivision.<br/>
<a id="pl.14.11"></a><var>14.11</var>The charter school shall not distribute any services or goods of value to students, <br/>
<a id="pl.14.12"></a><var>14.12</var>parents, or guardians as an inducement, term, or condition of enrolling a student in a <br/>
<a id="pl.14.13"></a><var>14.13</var>charter school.<br/>
<a id="pl.14.14"></a><var>14.14</var>    Subd. 10. <b>Pupil performance.</b> A charter school must design its programs to at <br/>
<a id="pl.14.15"></a><var>14.15</var>least meet the outcomes adopted by the commissioner for public school students. In <br/>
<a id="pl.14.16"></a><var>14.16</var>the absence of the commissioner's requirements, the school must meet the outcomes <br/>
<a id="pl.14.17"></a><var>14.17</var>contained in the contract with the authorizer. The achievement levels of the outcomes <br/>
<a id="pl.14.18"></a><var>14.18</var>contained in the contract may exceed the achievement levels of any outcomes adopted by <br/>
<a id="pl.14.19"></a><var>14.19</var>the commissioner for public school students.<br/>
<a id="pl.14.20"></a><var>14.20</var>    Subd. 11. <b>Employment and other operating matters.</b> (a) A charter school must <br/>
<a id="pl.14.21"></a><var>14.21</var>employ or contract with necessary teachers, as defined by section 
         <statute_ref>122A.15, subdivision 1</statute_ref>, <br/>
<a id="pl.14.22"></a><var>14.22</var>who hold valid licenses to perform the particular service for which they are employed in <br/>
<a id="pl.14.23"></a><var>14.23</var>the school. The charter school's state aid may be reduced under section 
         <statute_ref>127A.43 </statute_ref>if the <br/>
<a id="pl.14.24"></a><var>14.24</var>school employs a teacher who is not appropriately licensed or approved by the board of <br/>
<a id="pl.14.25"></a><var>14.25</var>teaching. The school may employ necessary employees who are not required to hold <br/>
<a id="pl.14.26"></a><var>14.26</var>teaching licenses to perform duties other than teaching and may contract for other services. <br/>
<a id="pl.14.27"></a><var>14.27</var>The school may discharge teachers and nonlicensed employees. The charter school board <br/>
<a id="pl.14.28"></a><var>14.28</var>is subject to section 
         <statute_ref>181.932</statute_ref>. When offering employment to a prospective employee, a <br/>
<a id="pl.14.29"></a><var>14.29</var>charter school must give that employee a written description of the terms and conditions <br/>
<a id="pl.14.30"></a><var>14.30</var>of employment and the school's personnel policies.<br/>
<a id="pl.14.31"></a><var>14.31</var>(b) A person, without holding a valid administrator's license, may perform <br/>
<a id="pl.14.32"></a><var>14.32</var>administrative, supervisory, or instructional leadership duties. The board of directors shall <br/>
<a id="pl.14.33"></a><var>14.33</var>establish qualifications for persons that hold administrative, supervisory, or instructional <br/>
<a id="pl.14.34"></a><var>14.34</var>leadership roles. The qualifications shall include at least the following areas: instruction <br/>
<a id="pl.14.35"></a><var>14.35</var>and assessment; human resource and personnel management; financial management; <br/>
<a id="pl.14.36"></a><var>14.36</var>legal and compliance management; effective communication; and board, authorizer, and <br/>
<a id="pl.15.1"></a><var>15.1</var>community relationships. The board of directors shall use those qualifications as the basis <br/>
<a id="pl.15.2"></a><var>15.2</var>for job descriptions, hiring, and performance evaluations of those who hold administrative, <br/>
<a id="pl.15.3"></a><var>15.3</var>supervisory, or instructional leadership roles. The board of directors and an individual <br/>
<a id="pl.15.4"></a><var>15.4</var>who does not hold a valid administrative license and who serves in an administrative, <br/>
<a id="pl.15.5"></a><var>15.5</var>supervisory, or instructional leadership position shall develop a professional development <br/>
<a id="pl.15.6"></a><var>15.6</var>plan. Documentation of the implementation of the professional development plan of these <br/>
<a id="pl.15.7"></a><var>15.7</var>persons shall be included in the school's annual report.<br/>
<a id="pl.15.8"></a><var>15.8</var>(c) The board of directors also shall decide matters related to the operation of the <br/>
<a id="pl.15.9"></a><var>15.9</var>school, including budgeting, curriculum and operating procedures.<br/>
<a id="pl.15.10"></a><var>15.10</var>    Subd. 12. <b>Pupils with a disability.</b> A charter school must comply with sections <br/>
<statute_ref><a id="pl.15.11"></a><var>15.11</var>125A.02
         </statute_ref>, 
         <statute_ref>125A.03</statute_ref> to 
         <statute_ref>125A.24</statute_ref>, and 
         <statute_ref>125A.65</statute_ref> and rules relating to the education of pupils <br/>
<a id="pl.15.12"></a><var>15.12</var>with a disability as though it were a district.<br/>
<a id="pl.15.13"></a><var>15.13</var>    Subd. 13. <b>Length of school year.</b> A charter school must provide instruction <br/>
<a id="pl.15.14"></a><var>15.14</var>each year for at least the number of days required by section 
         <statute_ref>120A.41</statute_ref>. It may provide <br/>
<a id="pl.15.15"></a><var>15.15</var>instruction throughout the year according to sections 
         <statute_ref>124D.12</statute_ref> to 
         <statute_ref>124D.127</statute_ref> or 
         <statute_ref>124D.128</statute_ref>.<br/>
<a id="pl.15.16"></a><var>15.16</var>    Subd. 14. <b>Annual public reports.</b> A charter school must publish an annual report <br/>
<a id="pl.15.17"></a><var>15.17</var>approved by the board of directors. The annual report must at least include information <br/>
<a id="pl.15.18"></a><var>15.18</var>on school enrollment, student attrition, governance and management, staffing, finances, <br/>
<a id="pl.15.19"></a><var>15.19</var>academic performance, operational performance, innovative practices and implementation, <br/>
<a id="pl.15.20"></a><var>15.20</var>and future plans. A charter school must distribute the annual report by publication, mail, <br/>
<a id="pl.15.21"></a><var>15.21</var>or electronic means to the commissioner, authorizer, school employees, and parents and <br/>
<a id="pl.15.22"></a><var>15.22</var>legal guardians of students enrolled in the charter school and must also post the report on <br/>
<a id="pl.15.23"></a><var>15.23</var>the charter school's official Web site. The reports are public data under chapter 13.<br/>
<a id="pl.15.24"></a><var>15.24</var>    Subd. 15. <b>Review and comment.</b> (a) The authorizer shall provide a formal written <br/>
<a id="pl.15.25"></a><var>15.25</var>evaluation of the school's performance before the authorizer renews the charter contract. <br/>
<a id="pl.15.26"></a><var>15.26</var>The department must review and comment on the authorizer's evaluation process at the <br/>
<a id="pl.15.27"></a><var>15.27</var>time the authorizer submits its application for approval and each time the authorizer <br/>
<a id="pl.15.28"></a><var>15.28</var>undergoes its five-year review under subdivision 3, paragraph (e).<br/>
<a id="pl.15.29"></a><var>15.29</var>(b) An authorizer shall monitor and evaluate the fiscal, operational, and student <br/>
<a id="pl.15.30"></a><var>15.30</var>performance of the school, and may for this purpose annually assess a charter school <br/>
<a id="pl.15.31"></a><var>15.31</var>a fee according to paragraph (c). The agreed-upon fee structure must be stated in the <br/>
<a id="pl.15.32"></a><var>15.32</var>charter school contract.<br/>
<a id="pl.15.33"></a><var>15.33</var>(c) The fee that each charter school pays to an authorizer each year is the greater of:<br/>
<a id="pl.15.34"></a><var>15.34</var>(1) the basic formula allowance for that year; or<br/>
<a id="pl.15.35"></a><var>15.35</var>(2) the lesser of:<br/>
<a id="pl.15.36"></a><var>15.36</var>(i) the maximum fee factor times the basic formula allowance for that year; or<br/>
<a id="pl.16.1"></a><var>16.1</var>(ii) the fee factor times the basic formula allowance for that year times the charter <br/>
<a id="pl.16.2"></a><var>16.2</var>school's adjusted marginal cost pupil units for that year. The fee factor equals .005 in fiscal <br/>
<a id="pl.16.3"></a><var>16.3</var>year 2010, .01 in fiscal year 2011, .013 in fiscal year 2012, and .015 in fiscal years 2013 <br/>
<a id="pl.16.4"></a><var>16.4</var>and later. The maximum fee factor equals 1.5 in fiscal year 2010, 2.0 in fiscal year 2011, <br/>
<a id="pl.16.5"></a><var>16.5</var>3.0 in fiscal year 2012, and 4.0 in fiscal years 2013 and later.<br/>
<a id="pl.16.6"></a><var>16.6</var>(d) The department and any charter school it charters must not assess or pay a fee <br/>
<a id="pl.16.7"></a><var>16.7</var>under paragraphs (b) and (c).<br/>
<a id="pl.16.8"></a><var>16.8</var>(e) For the preoperational planning period, the authorizer may assess a charter school <br/>
<a id="pl.16.9"></a><var>16.9</var>a fee equal to the basic formula allowance.<br/>
<a id="pl.16.10"></a><var>16.10</var>(f) By September 30 of each year, an authorizer shall submit to the commissioner <br/>
<a id="pl.16.11"></a><var>16.11</var>a statement of expenditures related to chartering activities during the previous school <br/>
<a id="pl.16.12"></a><var>16.12</var>year ending June 30. A copy of the statement shall be given to all schools chartered by <br/>
<a id="pl.16.13"></a><var>16.13</var>the authorizer.<br/>
<a id="pl.16.14"></a><var>16.14</var>    Subd. 16. <b>Transportation.</b> (a) A charter school after its first fiscal year of operation <br/>
<a id="pl.16.15"></a><var>16.15</var>by March 1 of each fiscal year and a charter school by July 1 of its first fiscal year of <br/>
<a id="pl.16.16"></a><var>16.16</var>operation must notify the district in which the school is located and the Department of <br/>
<a id="pl.16.17"></a><var>16.17</var>Education if it will provide its own transportation or use the transportation services of the <br/>
<a id="pl.16.18"></a><var>16.18</var>district in which it is located for the fiscal year.<br/>
<a id="pl.16.19"></a><var>16.19</var>(b) If a charter school elects to provide transportation for pupils, the transportation <br/>
<a id="pl.16.20"></a><var>16.20</var>must be provided by the charter school within the district in which the charter school is <br/>
<a id="pl.16.21"></a><var>16.21</var>located. The state must pay transportation aid to the charter school according to section <br/>
<statute_ref><a id="pl.16.22"></a><var>16.22</var>124D.11, subdivision 2
         </statute_ref>.<br/>
<a id="pl.16.23"></a><var>16.23</var>For pupils who reside outside the district in which the charter school is located, the <br/>
<a id="pl.16.24"></a><var>16.24</var>charter school is not required to provide or pay for transportation between the pupil's <br/>
<a id="pl.16.25"></a><var>16.25</var>residence and the border of the district in which the charter school is located. A parent <br/>
<a id="pl.16.26"></a><var>16.26</var>may be reimbursed by the charter school for costs of transportation from the pupil's <br/>
<a id="pl.16.27"></a><var>16.27</var>residence to the border of the district in which the charter school is located if the pupil is <br/>
<a id="pl.16.28"></a><var>16.28</var>from a family whose income is at or below the poverty level, as determined by the federal <br/>
<a id="pl.16.29"></a><var>16.29</var>government. The reimbursement may not exceed the pupil's actual cost of transportation <br/>
<a id="pl.16.30"></a><var>16.30</var>or 15 cents per mile traveled, whichever is less. Reimbursement may not be paid for <br/>
<a id="pl.16.31"></a><var>16.31</var>more than 250 miles per week.<br/>
<a id="pl.16.32"></a><var>16.32</var>At the time a pupil enrolls in a charter school, the charter school must provide the <br/>
<a id="pl.16.33"></a><var>16.33</var>parent or guardian with information regarding the transportation.<br/>
<a id="pl.16.34"></a><var>16.34</var>(c) If a charter school does not elect to provide transportation, transportation for <br/>
<a id="pl.16.35"></a><var>16.35</var>pupils enrolled at the school must be provided by the district in which the school is <br/>
<a id="pl.16.36"></a><var>16.36</var>located, according to sections 
         <statute_ref>123B.88, subdivision 6</statute_ref>, and 
         <statute_ref>124D.03, subdivision 8</statute_ref>, for a <br/>
<a id="pl.17.1"></a><var>17.1</var>pupil residing in the same district in which the charter school is located. Transportation <br/>
<a id="pl.17.2"></a><var>17.2</var>may be provided by the district in which the school is located, according to sections <br/>
<statute_ref><a id="pl.17.3"></a><var>17.3</var>123B.88, subdivision 6
         </statute_ref>, and 
         <statute_ref>124D.03, subdivision 8</statute_ref>, for a pupil residing in a different <br/>
<a id="pl.17.4"></a><var>17.4</var>district. If the district provides the transportation, the scheduling of routes, manner and <br/>
<a id="pl.17.5"></a><var>17.5</var>method of transportation, control and discipline of the pupils, and any other matter relating <br/>
<a id="pl.17.6"></a><var>17.6</var>to the transportation of pupils under this paragraph shall be within the sole discretion, <br/>
<a id="pl.17.7"></a><var>17.7</var>control, and management of the district.<br/>
<a id="pl.17.8"></a><var>17.8</var>    Subd. 17. <b>Leased space.</b> A charter school may lease space from an independent <br/>
<a id="pl.17.9"></a><var>17.9</var>or special school board eligible to be an authorizer, other public organization, private, <br/>
<a id="pl.17.10"></a><var>17.10</var>nonprofit nonsectarian organization, private property owner, or a sectarian organization <br/>
<a id="pl.17.11"></a><var>17.11</var>if the leased space is constructed as a school facility. The department must review and <br/>
<a id="pl.17.12"></a><var>17.12</var>approve or disapprove leases in a timely manner.<br/>
<a id="pl.17.13"></a><var>17.13</var>    Subd. 17a. <b>Affiliated nonprofit building corporation.</b> (a) Before a charter school <br/>
<a id="pl.17.14"></a><var>17.14</var>may organize an affiliated nonprofit building corporation (i) to renovate or purchase an <br/>
<a id="pl.17.15"></a><var>17.15</var>existing facility to serve as a school or (ii) to construct a new school facility, an authorizer <br/>
<a id="pl.17.16"></a><var>17.16</var>must submit an affidavit to the commissioner for approval in the form and manner the <br/>
<a id="pl.17.17"></a><var>17.17</var>commissioner prescribes, and consistent with paragraphs (b) and (c) or (d).<br/>
<a id="pl.17.18"></a><var>17.18</var>(b) An affiliated nonprofit building corporation under this subdivision must:<br/>
<a id="pl.17.19"></a><var>17.19</var>(1) be incorporated under section 317A and comply with applicable Internal <br/>
<a id="pl.17.20"></a><var>17.20</var>Revenue Service regulations;<br/>
<a id="pl.17.21"></a><var>17.21</var>(2) submit to the commissioner each fiscal year a list of current board members <br/>
<a id="pl.17.22"></a><var>17.22</var>and a copy of its annual audit; and<br/>
<a id="pl.17.23"></a><var>17.23</var>(3) comply with government data practices law under chapter 13.<br/>
<a id="pl.17.24"></a><var>17.24</var>An affiliated nonprofit building corporation must not serve as the leasing agent for <br/>
<a id="pl.17.25"></a><var>17.25</var>property or facilities it does not own. A charter school that leases a facility from an <br/>
<a id="pl.17.26"></a><var>17.26</var>affiliated nonprofit building corporation that does not own the leased facility is ineligible <br/>
<a id="pl.17.27"></a><var>17.27</var>to receive charter school lease aid. The state is immune from liability resulting from a <br/>
<a id="pl.17.28"></a><var>17.28</var>contract between a charter school and an affiliated nonprofit building corporation.<br/>
<a id="pl.17.29"></a><var>17.29</var>(c) A charter school may organize an affiliated nonprofit building corporation to <br/>
<a id="pl.17.30"></a><var>17.30</var>renovate or purchase an existing facility to serve as a school if the charter school:<br/>
<a id="pl.17.31"></a><var>17.31</var>(1) has been operating for at least five consecutive school years and the school's <br/>
<a id="pl.17.32"></a><var>17.32</var>charter has been renewed for a five-year term;<br/>
<a id="pl.17.33"></a><var>17.33</var>(2) has had a net positive unreserved general fund balance as of June 30 in the <br/>
<a id="pl.17.34"></a><var>17.34</var>preceding five fiscal years;<br/>
<a id="pl.17.35"></a><var>17.35</var>(3) has a long-range strategic and financial plan;<br/>
<a id="pl.17.36"></a><var>17.36</var>(4) completes a feasibility study of available buildings; and<br/>
<a id="pl.18.1"></a><var>18.1</var>(5) documents sustainable enrollment projections and the need to use an affiliated <br/>
<a id="pl.18.2"></a><var>18.2</var>building corporation to renovate or purchase an existing facility to serve as a school.<br/>
<a id="pl.18.3"></a><var>18.3</var>(d) A charter school may organize an affiliated nonprofit building corporation to <br/>
<a id="pl.18.4"></a><var>18.4</var>construct a new school facility if the charter school:<br/>
<a id="pl.18.5"></a><var>18.5</var>(1) demonstrates the lack of facilities available to serve as a school;<br/>
<a id="pl.18.6"></a><var>18.6</var>(2) has been operating for at least eight consecutive school years;<br/>
<a id="pl.18.7"></a><var>18.7</var>(3) has had a net positive unreserved general fund balance as of June 30 in the <br/>
<a id="pl.18.8"></a><var>18.8</var>preceding eight fiscal years;<br/>
<a id="pl.18.9"></a><var>18.9</var>(4) completes a feasibility study of facility options;<br/>
<a id="pl.18.10"></a><var>18.10</var>(5) has a long-range strategic and financial plan that includes sustainable enrollment <br/>
<a id="pl.18.11"></a><var>18.11</var>projections and demonstrates the need for constructing a new school facility; and<br/>
<a id="pl.18.12"></a><var>18.12</var>(6) has a positive review and comment from the commissioner under section <br/>
<statute_ref><a id="pl.18.13"></a><var>18.13</var>123B.71
         </statute_ref>.<br/>
<a id="pl.18.14"></a><var>18.14</var>    Subd. 19. <b>Disseminate information.</b> (a) The authorizer, the operators, and the <br/>
<a id="pl.18.15"></a><var>18.15</var>department must disseminate information to the public on how to form and operate <br/>
<a id="pl.18.16"></a><var>18.16</var>a charter school. Charter schools must disseminate information about how to use <br/>
<a id="pl.18.17"></a><var>18.17</var>the offerings of a charter school. Targeted groups include low-income families and <br/>
<a id="pl.18.18"></a><var>18.18</var>communities, students of color, and students who are at risk of academic failure.<br/>
<a id="pl.18.19"></a><var>18.19</var>(b) Authorizers, operators, and the department also may disseminate information <br/>
<a id="pl.18.20"></a><var>18.20</var>about the successful best practices in teaching and learning demonstrated by charter <br/>
<a id="pl.18.21"></a><var>18.21</var>schools.<br/>
<a id="pl.18.22"></a><var>18.22</var>    Subd. 20. <b>Leave to teach in a charter school.</b> If a teacher employed by a district <br/>
<a id="pl.18.23"></a><var>18.23</var>makes a written request for an extended leave of absence to teach at a charter school, <br/>
<a id="pl.18.24"></a><var>18.24</var>the district must grant the leave. The district must grant a leave not to exceed a total of <br/>
<a id="pl.18.25"></a><var>18.25</var>five years. Any request to extend the leave shall be granted only at the discretion of the <br/>
<a id="pl.18.26"></a><var>18.26</var>school board. The district may require that the request for a leave or extension of leave <br/>
<a id="pl.18.27"></a><var>18.27</var>be made before February 1 in the school year preceding the school year in which the <br/>
<a id="pl.18.28"></a><var>18.28</var>teacher intends to leave, or February 1 of the calendar year in which the teacher's leave is <br/>
<a id="pl.18.29"></a><var>18.29</var>scheduled to terminate. Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision and except for <br/>
<a id="pl.18.30"></a><var>18.30</var>section 
         <statute_ref>122A.46, subdivision 7</statute_ref>, the leave is governed by section 
         <statute_ref>122A.46</statute_ref>, including, but <br/>
<a id="pl.18.31"></a><var>18.31</var>not limited to, reinstatement, notice of intention to return, seniority, salary, and insurance.<br/>
<a id="pl.18.32"></a><var>18.32</var>During a leave, the teacher may continue to aggregate benefits and credits in the <br/>
<a id="pl.18.33"></a><var>18.33</var>Teachers' Retirement Association account under chapters 354 and 354A, consistent with <br/>
<a id="pl.18.34"></a><var>18.34</var>subdivision 22.<br/>
<a id="pl.18.35"></a><var>18.35</var>    Subd. 21. <b>Collective bargaining.</b> Employees of the board of directors of a charter <br/>
<a id="pl.18.36"></a><var>18.36</var>school may, if otherwise eligible, organize under chapter 179A and comply with its <br/>
<a id="pl.19.1"></a><var>19.1</var>provisions. The board of directors of a charter school is a public employer, for the <br/>
<a id="pl.19.2"></a><var>19.2</var>purposes of chapter 179A, upon formation of one or more bargaining units at the school. <br/>
<a id="pl.19.3"></a><var>19.3</var>Bargaining units at the school must be separate from any other units within an authorizing <br/>
<a id="pl.19.4"></a><var>19.4</var>district, except that bargaining units may remain part of the appropriate unit within an <br/>
<a id="pl.19.5"></a><var>19.5</var>authorizing district, if the employees of the school, the board of directors of the school, <br/>
<a id="pl.19.6"></a><var>19.6</var>the exclusive representative of the appropriate unit in the authorizing district, and the <br/>
<a id="pl.19.7"></a><var>19.7</var>board of the authorizing district agree to include the employees in the appropriate unit of <br/>
<a id="pl.19.8"></a><var>19.8</var>the authorizing district.<br/>
<a id="pl.19.9"></a><var>19.9</var>    Subd. 22. <b>Teacher and other employee retirement.</b> (a) Teachers in a charter <br/>
<a id="pl.19.10"></a><var>19.10</var>school must be public school teachers for the purposes of chapters 354 and 354a.<br/>
<a id="pl.19.11"></a><var>19.11</var>(b) Except for teachers under paragraph (a), employees in a charter school must be <br/>
<a id="pl.19.12"></a><var>19.12</var>public employees for the purposes of chapter 353.<br/>
<a id="pl.19.13"></a><var>19.13</var>    Subd. 23. <b>Causes for nonrenewal or termination of charter school contract.</b> (a) <br/>
<a id="pl.19.14"></a><var>19.14</var>The duration of the contract with an authorizer must be for the term contained in the <br/>
<a id="pl.19.15"></a><var>19.15</var>contract according to subdivision 6. The authorizer may or may not renew a contract at <br/>
<a id="pl.19.16"></a><var>19.16</var>the end of the term for any ground listed in paragraph (b). An authorizer may unilaterally <br/>
<a id="pl.19.17"></a><var>19.17</var>terminate a contract during the term of the contract for any ground listed in paragraph (b). <br/>
<a id="pl.19.18"></a><var>19.18</var>At least 60 business days before not renewing or terminating a contract, the authorizer <br/>
<a id="pl.19.19"></a><var>19.19</var>shall notify the board of directors of the charter school of the proposed action in writing. <br/>
<a id="pl.19.20"></a><var>19.20</var>The notice shall state the grounds for the proposed action in reasonable detail and that the <br/>
<a id="pl.19.21"></a><var>19.21</var>charter school's board of directors may request in writing an informal hearing before the <br/>
<a id="pl.19.22"></a><var>19.22</var>authorizer within 15 business days of receiving notice of nonrenewal or termination of <br/>
<a id="pl.19.23"></a><var>19.23</var>the contract. Failure by the board of directors to make a written request for a an informal <br/>
<a id="pl.19.24"></a><var>19.24</var>hearing within the 15-business-day period shall be treated as acquiescence to the proposed <br/>
<a id="pl.19.25"></a><var>19.25</var>action. Upon receiving a timely written request for a hearing, the authorizer shall give ten <br/>
<a id="pl.19.26"></a><var>19.26</var>business days' notice to the charter school's board of directors of the hearing date. The <br/>
<a id="pl.19.27"></a><var>19.27</var>authorizer shall conduct an informal hearing before taking final action. The authorizer <br/>
<a id="pl.19.28"></a><var>19.28</var>shall take final action to renew or not renew a contract no later than 20 business days <br/>
<a id="pl.19.29"></a><var>19.29</var>before the proposed date for terminating the contract or the end date of the contract.<br/>
<a id="pl.19.30"></a><var>19.30</var>(b) A contract may be terminated or not renewed upon any of the following grounds:<br/>
<a id="pl.19.31"></a><var>19.31</var>(1) failure to meet the requirements for pupil performance contained in the contract;<br/>
<a id="pl.19.32"></a><var>19.32</var>(2) failure to meet generally accepted standards of fiscal management;<br/>
<a id="pl.19.33"></a><var>19.33</var>(3) violations of law; or<br/>
<a id="pl.19.34"></a><var>19.34</var>(4) other good cause shown.<br/>
<a id="pl.19.35"></a><var>19.35</var>If a contract is terminated or not renewed under this paragraph, the school must be <br/>
<a id="pl.19.36"></a><var>19.36</var>dissolved according to the applicable provisions of chapter 308A or 317A.<br/>
<a id="pl.20.1"></a><var>20.1</var>(c) If the authorizer and the charter school board of directors mutually agree to <br/>
<a id="pl.20.2"></a><var>20.2</var>terminate or not renew the contract, a change in transfer of authorizers is allowed if the <br/>
<a id="pl.20.3"></a><var>20.3</var>commissioner approves the transfer to a different eligible authorizer to authorize the <br/>
<a id="pl.20.4"></a><var>20.4</var>charter school. Both parties must jointly submit their intent in writing to the commissioner <br/>
<a id="pl.20.5"></a><var>20.5</var>to mutually terminate the contract. The authorizer that is a party to the existing contract <br/>
<a id="pl.20.6"></a><var>20.6</var>at least must inform the approved different eligible proposed authorizer about the fiscal <br/>
<a id="pl.20.7"></a><var>20.7</var>and operational status and student performance of the school. Before the commissioner <br/>
<a id="pl.20.8"></a><var>20.8</var>determines whether to approve a transfer of authorizer, the commissioner first proposed <br/>
<a id="pl.20.9"></a><var>20.9</var>authorizer must determine whether the charter school and prospective new authorizer can <br/>
<a id="pl.20.10"></a><var>20.10</var>identify and effectively resolve those circumstances causing the previous authorizer and <br/>
<a id="pl.20.11"></a><var>20.11</var>the charter school to mutually agree to terminate the contract identify and mitigate any <br/>
<a id="pl.20.12"></a><var>20.12</var>outstanding issues in the proposed charter contract that were unresolved in the previous <br/>
<a id="pl.20.13"></a><var>20.13</var>charter contract. If no transfer of authorizer is approved, the school must be dissolved <br/>
<a id="pl.20.14"></a><var>20.14</var>according to applicable law and the terms of the contract.<br/>
<a id="pl.20.15"></a><var>20.15</var>(d) The commissioner, after providing reasonable notice to the board of directors of <br/>
<a id="pl.20.16"></a><var>20.16</var>a charter school and the existing authorizer, and after providing an opportunity for a public <br/>
<a id="pl.20.17"></a><var>20.17</var>hearing, may terminate the existing contract between the authorizer and the charter school <br/>
<a id="pl.20.18"></a><var>20.18</var>board if the charter school has a history of:<br/>
<a id="pl.20.19"></a><var>20.19</var>(1) failure failed to meet pupil performance requirements contained in the contract <br/>
<a id="pl.20.20"></a><var>20.20</var>consistent with state law;<br/>
<a id="pl.20.21"></a><var>20.21</var>(2) displayed financial mismanagement or failure to meet generally accepted <br/>
<a id="pl.20.22"></a><var>20.22</var>standards of fiscal management; or<br/>
<a id="pl.20.23"></a><var>20.23</var>(3) repeated or major committed multiple violations of the law; or<br/>
<a id="pl.20.24"></a><var>20.24</var>(4) committed a major violation of the law, including a violation of the Minnesota or <br/>
<a id="pl.20.25"></a><var>20.25</var>United States Constitution, among other major violations.<br/>
<a id="pl.20.26"></a><var>20.26</var>    (e) If the commissioner terminates a charter school contract under subdivision 3, <br/>
<a id="pl.20.27"></a><var>20.27</var>paragraph (g), the commissioner shall provide the charter school with information about <br/>
<a id="pl.20.28"></a><var>20.28</var>other eligible authorizers.<br/>
<a id="pl.20.29"></a><var>20.29</var>    Subd. 23a. <b>Related party lease costs.</b> (a) A charter school is prohibited from <br/>
<a id="pl.20.30"></a><var>20.30</var>entering a lease of real property with a related party unless the lessor is a nonprofit <br/>
<a id="pl.20.31"></a><var>20.31</var>corporation under chapter 317A or a cooperative under chapter 308A, and the lease cost is <br/>
<a id="pl.20.32"></a><var>20.32</var>reasonable under section 
         <statute_ref>124D.11, subdivision 4</statute_ref>, clause (1).<br/>
<a id="pl.20.33"></a><var>20.33</var>    (b) For purposes of this section and section 
         <statute_ref>124D.11</statute_ref>:<br/>
<a id="pl.20.34"></a><var>20.34</var>(1) "related party" means an affiliate or immediate relative of the other party in <br/>
<a id="pl.20.35"></a><var>20.35</var>question, an affiliate of an immediate relative, or an immediate relative of an affiliate;<br/>
<a id="pl.21.1"></a><var>21.1</var>(2) "affiliate" means a person that directly or indirectly, through one or more <br/>
<a id="pl.21.2"></a><var>21.2</var>intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with another person;<br/>
<a id="pl.21.3"></a><var>21.3</var>(3) "immediate family" means an individual whose relationship by blood, marriage, <br/>
<a id="pl.21.4"></a><var>21.4</var>adoption, or partnering is no more remote than first cousin;<br/>
<a id="pl.21.5"></a><var>21.5</var>(4) "person" means an individual or entity of any kind; and<br/>
<a id="pl.21.6"></a><var>21.6</var>(5) "control" means the ability to affect the management, operations, or policy <br/>
<a id="pl.21.7"></a><var>21.7</var>actions or decisions of a person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by <br/>
<a id="pl.21.8"></a><var>21.8</var>contract, or otherwise.<br/>
<a id="pl.21.9"></a><var>21.9</var>(c) A lease of real property to be used for a charter school, not excluded in paragraph <br/>
<a id="pl.21.10"></a><var>21.10</var>(a), must contain the following statement: "This lease is subject to Minnesota Statutes, <br/>
<a id="pl.21.11"></a><var>21.11</var>section 
         <statute_ref>124D.10, subdivision 23a</statute_ref>."<br/>
<a id="pl.21.12"></a><var>21.12</var>    (d) If a charter school enters into as lessee a lease with a related party and the <br/>
<a id="pl.21.13"></a><var>21.13</var>charter school subsequently closes, the commissioner has the right to recover from the <br/>
<a id="pl.21.14"></a><var>21.14</var>lessor any lease payments in excess of those that are reasonable under section 
         <statute_ref>124D.11, <br/>
<a id="pl.21.15"></a><var>21.15</var>subdivision 4
         </statute_ref>, clause (1).<br/>
<a id="pl.21.16"></a><var>21.16</var>    Subd. 24. <b>Pupil enrollment upon nonrenewal or termination of charter school </b><br/>
<a id="pl.21.17"></a><var>21.17</var><b>contract.</b> If a contract is not renewed or is terminated according to subdivision 23, a <br/>
<a id="pl.21.18"></a><var>21.18</var>pupil who attended the school, siblings of the pupil, or another pupil who resides in the <br/>
<a id="pl.21.19"></a><var>21.19</var>same place as the pupil may enroll in the resident district or may submit an application <br/>
<a id="pl.21.20"></a><var>21.20</var>to a nonresident district according to section 
         <statute_ref>124D.03</statute_ref> at any time. Applications and <br/>
<a id="pl.21.21"></a><var>21.21</var>notices required by section 
         <statute_ref>124D.03</statute_ref> must be processed and provided in a prompt manner. <br/>
<a id="pl.21.22"></a><var>21.22</var>The application and notice deadlines in section 
         <statute_ref>124D.03</statute_ref> do not apply under these <br/>
<a id="pl.21.23"></a><var>21.23</var>circumstances. The closed charter school must transfer the student's educational records <br/>
<a id="pl.21.24"></a><var>21.24</var>within ten business days of closure to the student's school district of residence where the <br/>
<a id="pl.21.25"></a><var>21.25</var>records must be retained or transferred under section 
         <statute_ref>120A.22, subdivision 7</statute_ref>.<br/>
<a id="pl.21.26"></a><var>21.26</var>    Subd. 25. <b>Extent of specific legal authority.</b> (a) The board of directors of a charter <br/>
<a id="pl.21.27"></a><var>21.27</var>school may sue and be sued.<br/>
<a id="pl.21.28"></a><var>21.28</var>(b) The board may not levy taxes or issue bonds.<br/>
<a id="pl.21.29"></a><var>21.29</var>(c) The commissioner, an authorizer, members of the board of an authorizer in <br/>
<a id="pl.21.30"></a><var>21.30</var>their official capacity, and employees of an authorizer are immune from civil or criminal <br/>
<a id="pl.21.31"></a><var>21.31</var>liability with respect to all activities related to a charter school they approve or authorize. <br/>
<a id="pl.21.32"></a><var>21.32</var>The charter school shall assume full liability for its activities and indemnify and hold <br/>
<a id="pl.21.33"></a><var>21.33</var>harmless the commissioner and the authorizer, and their officers, agents, and employees <br/>
<a id="pl.21.34"></a><var>21.34</var>from any suit, claim, or liability arising under the contract or from the operation of the <br/>
<a id="pl.21.35"></a><var>21.35</var>charter school. The board of directors shall obtain at least the amount of and types of <br/>
<a id="pl.21.36"></a><var>21.36</var>insurance up to the applicable tort liability limits under chapter 466. The charter school <br/>
<a id="pl.22.1"></a><var>22.1</var>board must submit a copy of the insurance policy to its authorizer and the commissioner <br/>
<a id="pl.22.2"></a><var>22.2</var>before starting operations. The charter school board must submit changes in its insurance <br/>
<a id="pl.22.3"></a><var>22.3</var>carrier or policy to notify its authorizer and the commissioner of a change in insurance <br/>
<a id="pl.22.4"></a><var>22.4</var>carrier or policy amount limits within 20 business days of the change. A charter school <br/>
<a id="pl.22.5"></a><var>22.5</var>is not required to indemnify or hold harmless a state employee if the state would not be <br/>
<a id="pl.22.6"></a><var>22.6</var>required to indemnify and hold the employee harmless under section 3.736, subdivision 9.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.3.0"></a><a id="pl.22.7"></a><var>22.7</var>    Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 124D.11, subdivision 9, is amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.22.8"></a><var>22.8</var>    Subd. 9. <b>Payment of aids to charter schools.</b> (a) Notwithstanding section 
         <statute_ref>127A.45, <br/>
<a id="pl.22.9"></a><var>22.9</var>subdivision 3
         </statute_ref>, aid payments for the current fiscal year to a charter school shall be of an <br/>
<a id="pl.22.10"></a><var>22.10</var>equal amount on each of the 24 payment dates.<br/>
<a id="pl.22.11"></a><var>22.11</var>(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) and section 
         <statute_ref>127A.45</statute_ref>, for a charter school ceasing <br/>
<a id="pl.22.12"></a><var>22.12</var>operation on or prior to June 30 of a school year, for the payment periods occurring after <br/>
<a id="pl.22.13"></a><var>22.13</var>the school ceases serving students, the commissioner shall withhold the estimated state aid <br/>
<a id="pl.22.14"></a><var>22.14</var>owed the school. The charter school board of directors and authorizer must submit to the <br/>
<a id="pl.22.15"></a><var>22.15</var>commissioner a closure plan under chapter 308A or 317A, and financial information about <br/>
<a id="pl.22.16"></a><var>22.16</var>the school's liabilities and assets. After receiving the closure plan, financial information, <br/>
<a id="pl.22.17"></a><var>22.17</var>an audit of pupil counts, documentation of lease expenditures, and monitoring of special <br/>
<a id="pl.22.18"></a><var>22.18</var>education expenditures, the commissioner may release cash withheld and may continue <br/>
<a id="pl.22.19"></a><var>22.19</var>regular payments up to the current year payment percentages if further amounts are <br/>
<a id="pl.22.20"></a><var>22.20</var>owed. If, based on audits and monitoring, the school received state aid in excess of the <br/>
<a id="pl.22.21"></a><var>22.21</var>amount owed, the commissioner shall retain aid withheld sufficient to eliminate the aid <br/>
<a id="pl.22.22"></a><var>22.22</var>overpayment. For a charter school ceasing operations prior to, or at the end of, a school <br/>
<a id="pl.22.23"></a><var>22.23</var>year, notwithstanding section 
         <statute_ref>127A.45</statute_ref>, subdivision 3, preliminary final payments may <br/>
<a id="pl.22.24"></a><var>22.24</var>be made after receiving the closure plan, audit of pupil counts, monitoring of special <br/>
<a id="pl.22.25"></a><var>22.25</var>education expenditures, documentation of lease expenditures, and school submission of <br/>
<a id="pl.22.26"></a><var>22.26</var>Uniform Financial Accounting and Reporting Standards (UFARS) financial data for the <br/>
<a id="pl.22.27"></a><var>22.27</var>final year of operation. Final payment may be made upon receipt of audited financial <br/>
<a id="pl.22.28"></a><var>22.28</var>statements under section 
         <statute_ref>123B.77</statute_ref>, subdivision 3.<br/>
<a id="pl.22.29"></a><var>22.29</var>(c) If a charter school fails to comply with the commissioner's directive to return, <br/>
<a id="pl.22.30"></a><var>22.30</var>for cause, federal or state funds administered by the department, the commissioner may <br/>
<a id="pl.22.31"></a><var>22.31</var>withhold an amount of state aid sufficient to satisfy the directive.<br/>
<a id="pl.22.32"></a><var>22.32</var>(d) If, within the timeline under section 
         <statute_ref>471.425</statute_ref>, a charter school fails to pay the state <br/>
<a id="pl.22.33"></a><var>22.33</var>of Minnesota, a school district, intermediate school district, or service cooperative after <br/>
<a id="pl.22.34"></a><var>22.34</var>receiving an undisputed invoice for goods and services, the commissioner may withhold <br/>
<a id="pl.22.35"></a><var>22.35</var>an amount of state aid sufficient to satisfy the claim and shall distribute the withheld <br/>
<a id="pl.23.1"></a><var>23.1</var>aid to the interested state agency, school district, intermediate school district, or service <br/>
<a id="pl.23.2"></a><var>23.2</var>cooperative. An interested state agency, school district, intermediate school district, or <br/>
<a id="pl.23.3"></a><var>23.3</var>education cooperative shall notify the commissioner when a charter school fails to pay an <br/>
<a id="pl.23.4"></a><var>23.4</var>undisputed invoice within 75 business days of when it received the original invoice.<br/>
<a id="pl.23.5"></a><var>23.5</var>(e) Notwithstanding section 
         <statute_ref>127A.45, subdivision 3</statute_ref>, and paragraph (a), 80 percent <br/>
<a id="pl.23.6"></a><var>23.6</var>of the start-up cost aid under subdivision 8 shall be paid within 45 days after the first day <br/>
<a id="pl.23.7"></a><var>23.7</var>of student attendance for that school year.<br/>
<a id="pl.23.8"></a><var>23.8</var>(f) In order to receive state aid payments under this subdivision, a charter school in <br/>
<a id="pl.23.9"></a><var>23.9</var>its first three years of operation must submit a school calendar in the form and manner <br/>
<a id="pl.23.10"></a><var>23.10</var>requested by the department and a quarterly report to the Department of Education. The <br/>
<a id="pl.23.11"></a><var>23.11</var>report must list each student by grade, show the student's start and end dates, if any, <br/>
<a id="pl.23.12"></a><var>23.12</var>with the charter school, and for any student participating in a learning year program, <br/>
<a id="pl.23.13"></a><var>23.13</var>the report must list the hours and times of learning year activities. The report must be <br/>
<a id="pl.23.14"></a><var>23.14</var>submitted not more than two weeks after the end of the calendar quarter to the department. <br/>
<a id="pl.23.15"></a><var>23.15</var>The department must develop a Web-based reporting form for charter schools to use <br/>
<a id="pl.23.16"></a><var>23.16</var>when submitting enrollment reports. A charter school in its fourth and subsequent year of <br/>
<a id="pl.23.17"></a><var>23.17</var>operation must submit a school calendar and enrollment information to the department in <br/>
<a id="pl.23.18"></a><var>23.18</var>the form and manner requested by the department.<br/>
<a id="pl.23.19"></a><var>23.19</var>(g) Notwithstanding sections 
         <statute_ref>317A.701</statute_ref> to 
         <statute_ref>317A.791</statute_ref>, upon closure of a charter <br/>
<a id="pl.23.20"></a><var>23.20</var>school and satisfaction of creditors, cash and investment balances remaining shall be <br/>
<a id="pl.23.21"></a><var>23.21</var>returned to the state.<br/>
<a id="pl.23.22"></a><var>23.22</var>(h) A charter school must have a valid, signed contract under section 124D.10, <br/>
<a id="pl.23.23"></a><var>23.23</var>subdivision 6, on file at the department at least 15 days before the date the department <br/>
<a id="pl.23.24"></a><var>23.24</var>makes the first state aid payment for the fiscal year.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.4.0"></a><a id="pl.23.25"></a><var>23.25</var>    Sec. 4. <b>TRANSITIONAL AUTHORIZER.</b><br/>
<a id="pl.23.26"></a><var>23.26</var>(a) Notwithstanding other law to the contrary, an authorizer that chartered a school <br/>
<a id="pl.23.27"></a><var>23.27</var>before August 1, 2009, and is ineligible to authorize a charter school under Minnesota <br/>
<a id="pl.23.28"></a><var>23.28</var>Statutes, section 124D.10, subdivision 3, paragraph (c) or (f), after September 7, 2011, <br/>
<a id="pl.23.29"></a><var>23.29</var>because:<br/>
<a id="pl.23.30"></a><var>23.30</var>(1) the education commissioner did not approve the authorizer's application;<br/>
<a id="pl.23.31"></a><var>23.31</var>(2) the authorizer did not apply to the commissioner for approval as an authorizer; or<br/>
<a id="pl.23.32"></a><var>23.32</var>(3) the authorizer did not submit a timely application for approval as an authorizer <br/>
<a id="pl.23.33"></a><var>23.33</var>may continue to authorize that charter school until June 30, 2012.<br/>
<a id="pl.23.34"></a><var>23.34</var>(b) A charter school operating under a contract with an authorizer described in <br/>
<a id="pl.23.35"></a><var>23.35</var>paragraph (a) after September 7, 2011, must enter into another charter school contract with <br/>
<a id="pl.24.1"></a><var>24.1</var>an eligible approved authorizer by June 30, 2012, or cease operating. As a condition of <br/>
<a id="pl.24.2"></a><var>24.2</var>continuing to authorize a charter school under this section, an authorizer under paragraph <br/>
<a id="pl.24.3"></a><var>24.3</var>(a) must direct the charter school to notify the parents of students enrolled in the charter <br/>
<a id="pl.24.4"></a><var>24.4</var>school and the school district in which the charter school is located within 14 days after the <br/>
<a id="pl.24.5"></a><var>24.5</var>effective date of this section that the authorizer is currently able to continue to authorize <br/>
<a id="pl.24.6"></a><var>24.6</var>the charter school only until June 30, 2012. A charter school that continues to operate <br/>
<a id="pl.24.7"></a><var>24.7</var>after June 30, 2012, with an authorizer under paragraph (a) commits a major violation of <br/>
<a id="pl.24.8"></a><var>24.8</var>law under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.10, subdivision 23, paragraph (d), clause (4).<br/>
<a id="pl.24.9"></a><var>24.9</var><b>EFFECTIVE DATE.</b>This section is effective the day following final enactment.<br/>