Bill > H593

This bill aims to enhance charter school transparency and public accountability. It proposes several key provisions, including: 1. Requiring charter schools to make their original applications, charter agreements, governing board member information, and financial disclosure reports publicly available online. 2. Mandating that at least 50% of charter school governing board members be elected parents and students, and that non-parent/student members reside in the school district. 3. Ensuring charter school board meetings are held in the district and open to the public, with minutes and key school information posted online. 4. Prohibiting enrollment and registration procedures that exclude or discourage certain students, and establishing an independent ombudsman office to address enrollment and student classification issues. 5. Enhancing data reporting and transparency requirements around student attrition, discipline, and finances, including charter management organization expenditures. 6. Directing the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to improve charter school waitlist management, verify reported data, and ensure charter schools meet statutory requirements for innovative programs.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H593