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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
charter schools; expansion; approval
Purpose
Allows the Executive Director of the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools (ASBCS) to approve an amendment to a charter school's charter to expand the school's operation, rather than requiring the charter school sponsor's approval, if the charter school meets outlined requirements.
Background
Charter schools are public schools operated through a charter between a charter holder and a charter sponsor. Statute allows the charter sponsor to be either the State Board of Education, the ASBCS, a university under the jurisdiction of the Arizona Board of Regents, a community college district or a group of community college districts, subject to statutory requirements. A charter sponsor may contract with a public body, private person or private organization to establish a charter school and has oversight and administrative responsibility for the charter schools it sponsors. A charter must meet outlined requirements, including providing for a governing body that is responsible for the school's policy decisions. A charter is initially effective for 15 years and renewable for 20-year terms. Every five years, a charter sponsor must review the charter according to an adopted performance framework. A charter may be amended at the request of the charter school governing body and on approval of the sponsor (A.R.S. § 15-183).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Restricts the required approval necessary to approve an amendment to a charter school's charter that expands the school's operations to only the approval of the Executive Director of the ASBCS, rather than the charter school sponsor, if the school meets the following requirements:
a) is assigned a letter grade of A or B;
b) has been operating for at least three years; and
c) is in good financial and operational standing.
2. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 5, 2024
MH/mg