Bill > H4417

This bill proposes several changes to the regulations governing charter schools in Massachusetts. It sets a 9% net school spending cap for districts that are no longer in the lowest 10% of spending, unless their actual spending was higher in the prior year. It prohibits the state Department of Education from approving additional charter school seats for districts that have moved out of the lowest 10% if their net school spending cap was above 9% at the time. It also requires the Department to provide the total tuition amount owed by districts for charter school students, and prohibits the state from deducting that tuition from the district's state school aid. Additionally, the bill establishes new criteria for the Board of Education to consider when approving and renewing charter school applications, including the projected impact on enrollment and finances for the sending district.