Bill > S2662

This bill aims to ensure the integrity of charter schools in Massachusetts. It makes several key changes to the existing law: 1. It sets a net school spending cap of 9% for school districts that are no longer in the lowest 10% performing districts, unless the district's net school spending was above 9% in the prior year, in which case the cap remains at the actual spending level. The Department of Education will not approve additional charter school seats for districts that have moved out of the lowest 10% if their net school spending cap is above 9%. 2. It requires the Board of Education to establish criteria for approving charter school applications, including the projected impact on enrollment and finances for the sending district. 3. It mandates that the Board's decision to renew a charter school's charter be based on the presentation of affirmative evidence of the school's faithfulness to its charter. The Board must make this evidence available to the public at least 30 days before the renewal vote and solicit public comments during that period.