SB45 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Del Marsh

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Charter schools, public charter schools authorized, Alabama Public Charter School Commission created, application, accountability, operation, funding, School Choice and Student Opportunity Act

Summary

SB45 creates a framework for public charter schools in Alabama, establishing the Alabama Public Charter School Commission, authorizers, and rules for funding, oversight, and enrollment.

What This Bill Does

It allows public charter schools to operate within Alabama’s public education system and creates an independent commission plus local boards as charter authorizers to approve, oversee, and renew or revoke charters. It sets a cap of up to 10 start-up charter approvals per fiscal year (conversion charters have no cap) and defines a five-year initial charter term with preopening requirements. It outlines how charter schools are funded (state and local per-student funding), governs admissions and capacity, and establishes a performance-based accountability framework with annual reports, renewals, revocations, and closure procedures.

Who It Affects

• Public charter schools and their governing boards, staff, and students: gain autonomy in budgeting, staffing, and program design; must meet performance and reporting requirements; face renewal or revocation decisions; and follow open enrollment and attendance rules.
• Local school boards and the Alabama Public Charter School Commission as charter authorizers: decide which applications to approve or deny, monitor charter schools, potentially charge overhead, and enforce compliance under the performance framework.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama Public Charter School Commission as an independent state entity to authorize public charter schools and serve as an appellate body when a local school board denies an application.
• Public charter schools are part of the state’s public education system; private or nonpublic schools cannot establish public charter schools under this act.
• Authorizers include local school boards (within their boundaries) and the Commission; local boards may register as authorizers, and decisions can be appealed to the Commission; if a local board does not register, start-up applications are denied and may go to the Commission.
• Cap on start-up public charter schools: no more than 10 start-ups per fiscal year; conversion public charter schools have no cap; cap expires after five fiscal years with a required performance report to the Legislature.
• Enrollment and admission rules: open enrollment for state residents; admissions cannot be discriminatory; random selection if capacity is exceeded; local residency has priority for start-up admissions, with preferences for students from the former attendance area of a conversion charter, then local residents, then out-of-area students; preferences for siblings and, up to 10% of students, children of founders, governing board members, and full-time employees.
• Funding: per-student state and local funds are allocated to public charter schools; funding mirrors what would have gone to the resident local school system and uses applicable transportation, special education, and other line items; local authorizers may charge overhead based on the number of charters they oversee; annual independent audits required.
• Charter contracts and term: initial five-year charter terms; early contracts require a signed charter contract detailing academic and operational expectations; preopening requirements may be imposed; charter contracts can be amended after baseline data is available.
• Performance framework and oversight: charters must meet a defined performance framework with metrics on academics, growth, gaps, attendance, enrollment stability, postsecondary readiness, finances, and governance; annual performance reports and renewal/viability decisions based on evidence; ongoing corrective action possible without immediate revocation.
• Renewals, revocations, and nonrenewals: renewals for five-year terms with possible conditions; clear criteria and public reporting for renewal decisions; revocation or nonrenewal allowed for significant rule violations, poor performance, or failing to meet minimum standards; open processes and opportunities for challenge.
• Facilities and access: charter schools have options related to facility access, including a right of first refusal for closed or unused facilities; facilities and land details are published and monitored; access to PSCA funds for facilities support is established.
• Teacher certification and employment: start-up and conversion charter school teachers may be exempt from state certification requirements, subject to federal laws; teachers may participate in retirement and health plans; ethics and open meetings requirements apply to charter boards.
• Desegregation considerations: authorizers must assess the impact of charter proposals on desegregation efforts and avoid approving charters that would hinder unitary status.
• Public transparency and reporting: authorizers must publish annual reports detailing performance, portfolio status, and financials; standard open meeting and public records requirements apply.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education