ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
charter schools; state board; continuation.
Purpose
Continues the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools (ASBCS) for 10 years.
Background
The Legislature established the ASBCS in 1998 to exercise general supervision over ASBCS-sponsored charter schools and recommend legislation pertaining to charter schools to the Legislature. The ASBCS grants charter status to qualifying applicants, ensures that a charter meets outlined requirements, monitors charter school academic, operational and financial performance and adopts rules and policies to govern charter schools.
The ASBCS consists of 14 members, 10 of whom are appointed by the
Governor to serve
four-year terms. The appointed members include: 1) two business community
members; 2) a teacher from a charter school; 3) an operator of a charter
school; 4) an operator of an alternative charter school that serves specific
populations of at-risk students; and 5) five public members. At least two of
the public members must reside in a school district where at least 60 percent
of the attending children meet National School Lunch Program eligibility
requirements for free lunches, and at least one public member must reside on an
Indian reservation. Additionally, the Superintendent of Public Instruction and
three members of the Legislature serve on the ASBCS (A.R.S. §§ 15-182
and 15-183).
The Senate Education Committee of Reference (COR) and House Education COR held a public meeting on December 6, 2023, to review the Auditor General's performance audit and sunset review, evaluate the ASBCS's responses to the sunset review factors and receive public testimony. The CORs recommended that the Legislature continue the ASBCS for 10 years, until July 1, 2034 (COR Report). The ASBCS terminates on July 1, 2024, unless continued by the Legislature (A.R.S. § 41-3024.15).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2024, the ASBCS for 10 years, until July 1, 2034.
2. Repeals the ASBCS on January 1, 2035.
3. Contains a purpose statement.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date, with a retroactive provision as noted.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 8, 2024
MH/slp