May 16, 2003 Legislative Highlights (119k )

The House Education Committee this week heard testimony on a bill that would alter the time-line for charter school approval.

The committee took no action, but the bill could be considered again before the end of the session.

SB 124 would place a 60-day time limit on a school board to act on a reconsideration order imposed by the State Board of Education. Presently there is no time limit.

Under current law charter school applicants can appeal a school board denial to the State Board of Education. One of the steps the state board can take is to recommend revisions to the application to the local school board. If those revisions are rejected by the local school board, the state board can consider sponsoring the charter school.

Charter school proponents say that without a time limit on the reconsideration process the local school board can delay a decision on the state board's revisions.

SB 124 also changes current law on how a charter school requests waivers to the state board. Currently only an existing charter school can apply for a waiver. Some charter school applicants indicate they have needed a state board waiver in order for their proposals to be approved by local school boards. 

OSBA is working with the Department of Education to create a change in the law to allow applicants this option with the provision that the applicant must first notify the local school board considering the application at least 10 days prior to submitting the request for waiver to the state board.