Bill > S1136

This bill modifies Florida's charter school laws by requiring charter school applications and charters to clearly state that the governing board is independent of any management company and can terminate that contract at any time, and by adding a provision that at least one member of a charter school's governing board must be a parent of a student enrolled in that school. It also establishes new procedures for when a charter school initiates a student's withdrawal, including requiring documentation that the school did not discourage the student from continuing enrollment and outlining financial responsibilities for transferring students, particularly if the withdrawal is due to an expellable offense. The bill introduces new requirements for charter school audits and investigations, allowing state officials and district school boards greater access to records and oversight capabilities, and provides a mechanism for individuals to file complaints directly with the Department of Education if they believe a charter school has violated state or federal law. Additionally, it revises definitions related to "full-time student" and "part-time student" for funding purposes under the Florida Education Finance Program, and makes changes to the operation and oversight of district innovation schools of technology.