Bill > S2691

This bill modifies Massachusetts charter school regulations by making several key changes. First, it adjusts the spending cap for charter school tuition payments, limiting them to 9% of a school district's net school spending, with a provision that districts already exceeding this cap in 2026 can maintain their current level but cannot add new charter school seats. The bill also introduces new criteria for evaluating charter school authorization and expansion, requiring assessment of potential impacts on sending districts' enrollment, finances, and long-term viability. Additionally, the legislation allows charter schools to offer enrollment preferences for specific student populations, such as those with individualized education plans, English learners, foster care students, at-risk students, dropouts, and homeless students, subject to department approval. The bill also mandates more transparent charter school renewal processes by requiring public comment periods, public availability of renewal materials at least 60 days before board votes, and comprehensive review of all submitted materials. Furthermore, it establishes provisions for public hearings on charter school seat expansions when requested by local school committee members, with specific evaluation criteria to ensure the proposed expansion's potential impacts are thoroughly considered.