SB302 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Del Marsh

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Education, charter schools, Alabama School Choice and Student Opportunity Act, operational and categorical funding of public charter schools further provided, Sec. 16-6F-10 am'd.

Summary

SB302 updates Alabama's charter school funding to specify operational and per-student funding, local revenue sharing, and administration of federal and special education funds for startup and conversion public charter schools.

What This Bill Does

If passed, it sets how public charter schools receive operating funding from the Education Trust Fund and Foundation Program, including initial year funding and growth adjustments. It ensures per-student state funds equal what would have been allocated to the student in the resident district, including transportation and other Foundation Program line items. It also provides for local tax funding to charter schools that mirrors the local district funding for similar students, with a 10-mill state match in small counties and no countywide revenue for startup charters there. Additionally, it directs federal and state categorical funds and special education funding to charter schools, requires independent audits, and establishes transportation funding rules.

Who It Affects

• Public charter schools (start-up and conversion) receive funding, reporting requirements, and auditing obligations under the new rules.
• Resident students and their local education agencies (school systems) experience a shift in funding, as per-student and local revenue amounts are allocated to charter schools in place of the local district allocations, subject to the specified conditions.

Key Provisions

• Operational funding: start-up and conversion charter schools receive initial funding from the Education Trust Fund and Foundation Program, with subsequent years based on the Foundation Program allocation and other appropriations; funding includes basic student needs and growth adjustments.
• Per-student funding: each charter student receives state funds equal to what would have been allocated to that student by the local school system, including Foundation Program line items such as transportation, nurses, and technology, adjusted for grade level, poverty, English learners, and special education needs.
• Local revenue allocations: charter schools receive local tax revenue equivalent to what the local district would have allocated for those students, excluding debt service, capital expenditures, or transportation; in counties under 40,000 people, a 10-mill state match applies and countywide revenue may be limited or unavailable for startup charters.
• Small counties provision: startup charters in counties with populations under 40,000 receive the 10-mill state match for Foundation Program participation but do not receive countywide revenue.
• Categorical funding: the department directs the proportionate share of federal and state categorical aid to all charter schools serving eligible students and ensures equitable treatment for rapidly expanding enrollments.
• Special education funding: the state pays directly to the charter school any federal or state aid attributable to a student with a disability attending the school; charter contracts may include alternative arrangements for provision and payment of services.
• Accounting and audits: charter schools must follow GAAP and annually hire an independent CPA to audit finances, with audit reports filed to the authorizer by June 1.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education