summary
Introduced
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2013 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An Act Entitled The "mississippi Public Charter Schools Act Of 2013"; To Declare The Legislative Purpose Of The Public Charter Schools Act; To Prohibit Conversion Of Private Or Parochial Schools To Public Charter Schools; To Provide Definitions; To Provide Open Enrollment And Lottery Requirements For Public Charter Schools; To Provide Preferences For Student Enrollment In The Case Of A Conversion Charter School And For Schools Serving Special Populations; To Require All Schools In The State To Accept Transfer Credits From Public Charter Schools; To Define The Eligible Authorizer For Public Charter Schools; To Establish The Mississippi Public Charter School Authorizing Board And Prescribe Its Membership; To Provide For An Executive Director Of The Mississippi Public Charter School Authorizing Board; To Prescribe Authorizer Powers And Duties; To Provide Standards For Authorizing Public Charter Schools Which Shall Be Policies Equal To Nationally Established Best Practices; To Provide For Authorizer Funding And Conflict Of Interest; To Prescribe The Application Process For All Types Of Charter Schools And A Decision-making Process; To Establish An Initial Charter Term; To Provide Guidelines For Executing Charter Contracts; To Provide Achievement And Operational Standards For Charter School Oversight And Corrective Actions; To Provide For Renewals And Revocations Of Charter School Contracts; To Provide Procedures For Charter School Closure And Dissolution; To Prescribe The Legal Status Of Charter Schools; To Empower Charter Schools With Financial Authority To Implement Its Contract And To Prohibit Discrimination And The Charging Of Tuition; To Prescribe The Qualifications Of Employees Of Charter Schools And Require Criminal Background Checks For Such Employees; To Provide That Charter Schools Shall Certify Average Daily Attendance And Qualify For State Adequate Education Program Allocations On A Per-pupil Basis; To Authorize Equal Transportation Funding Under The Adequate Education Program For Public Charter Schools; To Authorize Local Funding For Public Charter Schools; To Authorize Charter Schools To Accept Gifts, Donations And Grants; To Authorize Charter Schools The Right Of First Refusal To Vacant School Facilities And Property And The Use Of Donated Space Under Preexisting Zoning Regulations; To Amend Section 37-151-5, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Conform The Adequate Education Funding Formula To The Allocation Of Funds To Public Charter Schools; To Amend Section 37-57-107, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Provide For The Transfer Of Local Ad Valorem School District Maintenance Funds By The Local School District To The Public Charter School On A Per-pupil Basis; To Amend Section 37-9-103, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Provide That The Education Employment Procedures Law Shall Not Apply To Teachers Or Administrators At Public Charter Schools; To Amend Section 37-13-63, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Clarify That Public Charter Schools Shall Comply With The Minimum Length Of School Term Applicable To Public Schools; To Amend Section 37-13-91, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Clarify That Students Attending Public Charter Schools Shall Comply With The Provisions Of The Mississippi Compulsory School Attendance Law; To Amend Section 37-15-29, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Provide For The Automatic Transfer Of Students Attending Public Charter Schools From The Schools Of The Student's Home District; To Amend Section 25-11-103, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Include Public Charter Schools In The Definition Of Political Subdivision For Purposes Of The Public Employees' Retirement System; To Repeal Sections 37-165-1 Through 37-165-27, Mississippi Code Of 1972, Which Are The "conversion Charter School Act Of 2010," And Section 37-167-1, Mississippi Code Of 1972, Which Is The New Start School Program; And For Related Purposes.
AI Summary
This bill, titled the "Mississippi Public Charter Schools Act of 2013," establishes a framework for the creation and operation of public charter schools in Mississippi, aiming to improve student learning, close achievement gaps, and increase educational opportunities. It defines key terms like "applicant," "authorizer" (the Mississippi Public Charter School Authorizing Board), "charter contract," and "public charter school," clarifying that these are public schools and not a means to convert private or parochial schools. The bill outlines open enrollment and lottery requirements, giving preferences to students in conversion charter schools and those from special populations, and mandates that all schools accept transfer credits from public charter schools. It establishes the Mississippi Public Charter School Authorizing Board, detailing its membership, powers, and duties, including the process for approving or denying applications, overseeing schools, and renewing or revoking contracts. The bill also addresses financial provisions, stating that charter schools will receive per-pupil funding from the state and local districts, and can accept gifts and grants, while also authorizing them to use vacant school facilities. It specifies employee qualifications, requiring criminal background checks, and clarifies that charter schools are considered political subdivisions for retirement system purposes. Importantly, the bill repeals existing laws related to "conversion charter schools" and the "New Start School Program," consolidating charter school legislation under this new act.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Died On Calendar (on 03/13/2013)
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