PRINTER'S NO.  919

  

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

  

SENATE BILL

 

No.

904

Session of

2011

  

  

INTRODUCED BY PICCOLA, DINNIMAN, WILLIAMS, SCARNATI, PILEGGI, FOLMER, ALLOWAY, ERICKSON, CORMAN, D. WHITE, ROBBINS, EICHELBERGER, STACK, WAUGH, GREENLEAF AND RAFFERTY, MARCH 25, 2011

  

  

REFERRED TO EDUCATION, MARCH 25, 2011  

  

  

  

AN ACT

  

1

Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An

2

act relating to the public school system, including certain

3

provisions applicable as well to private and parochial

4

schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the

5

laws relating thereto," further providing for definitions and

6

for concurrent enrollment agreements; repealing provisions

7

relating to charter schools; and providing for charter

8

schools and cyber charter schools.

9

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

10

hereby enacts as follows:

11

Section 1.  The definitions of "concurrent student" and

12

"school entity" in section 1602-B of the act of March 10, 1949

13

(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, added

14

July 13, 2005 (P.L.226, No.46), are amended to read:

15

Section 1602-B.  Definitions.

16

The following words and phrases when used in this article

17

shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

18

context clearly indicates otherwise:

19

* * *

20

"Concurrent student."  A student who is enrolled in a school

 


1

district, a charter school, a cyber charter school, an area

2

vocational-technical school, a nonpublic school, a private

3

school or a home education program under section 1327.1 and who

4

takes a concurrent course through a concurrent enrollment

5

program.

6

* * *

7

"School entity."  A school district, a charter school, a

8

cyber charter school or an area vocational-technical school.

9

* * *

10

Section 2.  Section 1613-B of the act is amended by adding a

11

subsection to read:

12

Section 1613-B.  Concurrent enrollment agreements.

13

* * *

14

(c)  Charter schools and cyber charter schools.--Charter

15

schools and cyber charter schools shall have the power and

16

authority to enter into a concurrent enrollment agreement with

17

an institution of higher education, and appropriate credit shall

18

be awarded to students concurrently enrolled under the

19

agreement.

20

Section 3.  Article XVII-A heading, Subdivision heading (a),

21

sections 1701-A and 1702-A, added June 19, 1997 (P.L.225,

22

No.22), are repealed:

23

[ARTICLE XVII-A.

24

CHARTER SCHOOLS.

25

(a)  Preliminary Provisions.

26

Section 1701-A.  Short Title.--This article shall be known

27

and may be cited as the "Charter School Law."

28

Section 1702-A.  Legislative Intent.--It is the intent of the

29

General Assembly, in enacting this article, to provide pupils

30

and community members to establish and maintain schools that

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1

operate independently from the existing school district

2

structure as a method to accomplish all of the following:

3

(1)  Improve pupil learning.

4

(2)  Increase learning opportunities for all pupils.

5

(3)  Encourage the use of different and innovative teaching

6

methods.

7

(4)  Create new professional opportunities for teachers,

8

including the opportunity to be responsible for the learning

9

program at the school site.

10

(5)  Provide parents and pupils with expanded choices in the

11

types of educational opportunities that are available within the

12

public school system.

13

(6)  Hold the schools established under this act accountable

14

for meeting measurable academic standards and provide the school

15

with a method to establish accountability systems.]

16

Section 3.1.  Section 1703-A of the act, amended June 29,

17

2002 (P.L.524, No.88), is repealed:

18

[Section 1703-A.  Definitions.--As used in this article,

19

"Appeal board" shall mean the State Charter School Appeal

20

Board established by this article.

21

"At-risk student" shall mean a student at risk of educational

22

failure because of limited English proficiency, poverty,

23

community factors, truancy, academic difficulties or economic

24

disadvantage.

25

"Charter school" shall mean an independent public school

26

established and operated under a charter from the local board of

27

school directors and in which students are enrolled or attend. A

28

charter school must be organized as a public, nonprofit

29

corporation. Charters may not be granted to any for-profit

30

entity.

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1

"Chief executive officer" shall mean an individual appointed

2

by the board of trustees to oversee and manage the operation of

3

the charter school, but who shall not be deemed a professional

4

staff member under this article.

5

"Cyber charter school" shall mean an independent public

6

school established and operated under a charter from the

7

Department of Education and in which the school uses technology

8

in order to provide a significant portion of its curriculum and

9

to deliver a significant portion of instruction to its students

10

through the Internet or other electronic means. A cyber charter

11

school must be organized as a public, nonprofit corporation. A

12

charter may not be granted to a for-profit entity.

13

"Department" shall mean the Department of Education of the

14

Commonwealth.

15

"Local board of school directors" shall mean the board of

16

directors of a school district in which a proposed or an

17

approved charter school is located.

18

"Regional charter school" shall mean an independent public

19

school established and operated under a charter from more than

20

one local board of school directors and in which students are

21

enrolled or attend. A regional charter school must be organized

22

as a public, nonprofit corporation. Charters may not be granted

23

to any for-profit entity.

24

"School district of residence" shall mean the school district

25

in this Commonwealth in which the parents or guardians of a

26

child reside.

27

"School entity" shall mean a school district, intermediate

28

unit, joint school or area vocational-technical school.

29

"Secretary" shall mean the Secretary of Education of the

30

Commonwealth.

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1

"State board" shall mean the State Board of Education of the

2

Commonwealth.]

3

Section 3.2.  Subdivision heading (b), added June 19, 1997

4

(P.L.225, No.22), is repealed:

5

[(b)  Charter Schools.]

6

Section 3.3.  Section 1714-A of the act, amended July 4, 2004

7

(P.L.536, No.70), is repealed:

8

[Section 1714-A.  Powers of Charter Schools.--(a)  A charter

9

school established under this act is a body corporate and shall

10

have all powers necessary or desirable for carrying out its

11

charter, including, but not limited to, the power to:

12

(1)  Adopt a name and corporate seal; however, any name

13

selected shall include the words "charter school."

14

(2)  Sue and be sued, but only to the same extent and upon

15

the same condition that political subdivisions and local

16

agencies can be sued.

17

(3)  Acquire real property from public or private sources by

18

purchase, lease, lease with an option to purchase or gift for

19

use as a charter school facility.

20

(4)  Receive and disburse funds for charter school purposes

21

only.

22

(5)  Make contracts and leases for the procurement of

23

services, equipment and supplies.

24

(6)  Incur temporary debts in anticipation of the receipt of

25

funds.

26

(6.1)  Incur debt for the construction of school facilities.

27

(7)  Solicit and accept any gifts or grants for charter

28

school purposes.

29

(b)  A charter school shall have such other powers as are

30

necessary to fulfill its charter and which are not inconsistent

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1

with this article.

2

(c)  Any indebtedness incurred by a charter school in the

3

exercise of the powers specified in this section shall not

4

impose any liability or legal obligation upon a school entity or

5

upon the Commonwealth.]

6

Section 3.4.  Section 1715-A, amended or added June 19, 1997

7

(P.L.225, No.22) and July 9, 2008 (P.L.846, No.61), is repealed:

8

[Section 1715-A.  Charter School Requirements.--Charter

9

schools shall be required to comply with the following

10

provisions:

11

(1)  Except as otherwise provided in this article, a charter

12

school is exempt from statutory requirements established in this

13

act, from regulations of the State board and the standards of

14

the secretary not specifically applicable to charter schools.

15

Charter schools are not exempt from statutes applicable to

16

public schools other than this act.

17

(2)  A charter school shall be accountable to the parents,

18

the public and the Commonwealth, with the delineation of that

19

accountability reflected in the charter. Strategies for

20

meaningful parent and community involvement shall be developed

21

and implemented by each school.

22

(3)  A charter school shall not unlawfully discriminate in

23

admissions, hiring or operation.

24

(4)  A charter school shall be nonsectarian in all

25

operations.

26

(5)  A charter school shall not provide any religious

27

instruction, nor shall it display religious objects and symbols

28

on the premises of the charter school.

29

(6)  A charter school shall not advocate unlawful behavior.

30

(7)  A charter school shall only be subject to the laws and

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1

regulations as provided for in section 1732-A, or as otherwise

2

provided for in this article.

3

(8)  A charter school shall participate in the Pennsylvania

4

State Assessment System as provided for in 22 Pa. Code Ch. 5

5

(relating to curriculum), or subsequent regulations promulgated

6

to replace 22 Pa. Code Ch. 5, in the manner in which the school

7

district in which the charter school is located is scheduled to

8

participate.

9

(9)  A charter school shall provide a minimum of one hundred

10

eighty (180) days of instruction or nine hundred (900) hours per

11

year of instruction at the elementary level, or nine hundred

12

ninety (990) hours per year of instruction at the secondary

13

level. Nothing in this clause shall preclude the use of computer

14

and satellite linkages for delivering instruction to students.

15

(10)  Boards of trustees and contractors of charter schools

16

shall be subject to the following statutory requirements

17

governing construction projects and construction-related work:

18

(i)  The following provisions of this act:

19

(A)  Sections 751 and 751.1.

20

(B)  Sections 756 and 757 insofar as they are consistent with

21

the act of December 20, 1967 (P.L.869, No.385), known as the

22

"Public Works Contractors' Bond Law of 1967."

23

(ii)  Section 1 of the act of May 1, 1913 (P.L.155, No.104),

24

entitled "An act regulating the letting of certain contracts for

25

the erection, construction, and alteration of public buildings."

26

(iii)  The act of August 11, 1961 (P.L.987, No.442), known as

27

the "Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act."

28

(iv)  The "Public Works Contractors' Bond Law of 1967."

29

(v)  The act of March 3, 1978 (P.L.6, No.3), known as the

30

"Steel Products Procurement Act."

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1

(11)  Trustees of a charter school shall be public officials.

2

(12)  A person who serves as an administrator for a charter

3

school shall not receive compensation from another charter

4

school or from a company that provides management or other

5

services to another charter school. The term "administrator"

6

shall include the chief executive officer of a charter school

7

and all other employes of a charter school who by virtue of

8

their positions exercise management or operational oversight

9

responsibilities. A person who serves as an administrator for a

10

charter school shall be a public official under 65 Pa.C.S. Ch.

11

11 (relating to ethics standards and financial disclosure). A

12

violation of this clause shall constitute a violation of 65

13

Pa.C.S. § 1103(a) (relating to restricted activities), and the

14

violator shall be subject to the penalties imposed under the

15

jurisdiction of the State Ethics Commission.]

16

Section 3.5.  Sections 1716-A, 1717-A, 1718-A and 1719-A,

17

added June 19, 1997 (P.L.225, No.22), are repealed:

18

[Section 1716-A.  Powers of Board of Trustees.--(a)  The

19

board of trustees of a charter school shall have the authority

20

to decide matters related to the operation of the school,

21

including, but not limited to, budgeting, curriculum and

22

operating procedures, subject to the school's charter. The board

23

shall have the authority to employ, discharge and contract with

24

necessary professional and nonprofessional employes subject to

25

the school's charter and the provisions of this article.

26

(b)  No member of a local board of school directors of a

27

school entity shall serve on the board of trustees of a charter

28

school that is located in the member's district.

29

(c)  The board of trustees shall comply with the act of July

30

3, 1986 (P.L.388, No.84), known as the "Sunshine Act."

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1

Section 1717-A.  Establishment of Charter School.--(a)  A

2

charter school may be established by an individual; one or more

3

teachers who will teach at the proposed charter school; parents

4

or guardians of students who will attend the charter school; any

5

nonsectarian college, university or museum located in this

6

Commonwealth; any nonsectarian corporation not-for-profit, as

7

defined in 15 Pa.C.S. (relating to corporations and

8

unincorporated associations); any corporation, association or

9

partnership; or any combination thereof. A charter school may be

10

established by creating a new school or by converting an

11

existing public school or a portion of an existing public

12

school. No charter school shall be established or funded by and

13

no charter shall be granted to any sectarian school, institution

14

or other entity. No funds allocated or disbursed under this

15

article shall be used to directly support instruction pursuant

16

to section 1327.1.

17

(b)  (1)  The conversion of an existing public school or

18

portion of an existing public school to a charter school may be

19

initiated by any individual or entity authorized to establish a

20

charter school under subsection (a).

21

(2)  In order to convert an existing public school to a

22

charter school, the applicants must show that:

23

(i)  More than fifty per centum of the teaching staff in the

24

public school have signed a petition in support of the public

25

school becoming a charter school; and

26

(ii)  More than fifty per centum of the parents or guardians

27

of pupils attending that public school have signed a petition in

28

support of the school becoming a charter school.

29

(3)  In no event shall the board of school directors serve as

30

the board of trustees of an existing school which is converted

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1

to a charter school pursuant to this subsection.

2

(c)  An application to establish a charter school shall be

3

submitted to the local board of school directors of the district

4

where the charter school will be located by November 15 of the

5

school year preceding the school year in which the charter

6

school will be established except that for a charter school

7

beginning in the 1997-1998 school year, an application must be

8

received by July 15, 1997. In the 1997-1998 school year only,

9

applications shall be limited to recipients of fiscal year

10

1996-1997 Department of Education charter school planning

11

grants.

12

(d)  Within forty-five (45) days of receipt of an

13

application, the local board of school directors in which the

14

proposed charter school is to be located shall hold at least one

15

public hearing on the provisions of the charter application,

16

under the act of July 3, 1986 (P.L.388, No.84), known as the

17

"Sunshine Act." At least forty-five (45) days must transpire

18

between the first public hearing and the final decision of the

19

board on the charter application except that for a charter

20

school beginning in the 1997-1998 school year, only thirty (30)

21

days must transpire between the first public hearing and the

22

final decision of the board.

23

(e)  (1)  Not later than seventy-five (75) days after the

24

first public hearing on the application, the local board of

25

school directors shall grant or deny the application. For a

26

charter school beginning in the 1997-1998 school year, the local

27

board of school directors shall grant or deny the application no

28

later than sixty (60) days after the first public hearing.

29

(2)  A charter school application submitted under this

30

article shall be evaluated by the local board of school

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1

directors based on criteria, including, but not limited to, the

2

following:

3

(i)  The demonstrated, sustainable support for the charter

4

school plan by teachers, parents, other community members and

5

students, including comments received at the public hearing held

6

under subsection (d).

7

(ii)  The capability of the charter school applicant, in

8

terms of support and planning, to provide comprehensive learning

9

experiences to students pursuant to the adopted charter.

10

(iii)  The extent to which the application considers the

11

information requested in section 1719-A and conforms to the

12

legislative intent outlined in section 1702-A.

13

(iv)  The extent to which the charter school may serve as a

14

model for other public schools.

15

(3)  The local board of school directors, in the case of an

16

existing school being converted to a charter school, shall

17

establish the alternative arrangements for current students who

18

choose not to attend the charter school.

19

(4)  A charter application shall be deemed approved by the

20

local board of school directors of a school district upon

21

affirmative vote by a majority of all the directors. Formal

22

action approving or denying the application shall be taken by

23

the local board of school directors at a public meeting, with

24

notice or consideration of the application given by the board,

25

under the "Sunshine Act."

26

(5)  Written notice of the board's action shall be sent to

27

the applicant, the department and the appeal board. If the

28

application is denied, the reasons for the denial, including a

29

description of deficiencies in the application, shall be clearly

30

stated in the notice sent by the local board of school directors

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1

to the charter school applicant.

2

(f)  At the option of the charter school applicant, a denied

3

application may be revised and resubmitted to the local board of

4

school directors. Following the appointment and confirmation of

5

the Charter School Appeal Board under section 1721-A, the

6

decision of the local board of school directors may be appealed

7

to the appeal board. When an application is revised and

8

resubmitted to the local board of school directors, the board

9

may schedule additional public hearings on the revised

10

application. The board shall consider the revised and

11

resubmitted application at the first board meeting occurring at

12

least forty-five (45) days after receipt of the revised

13

application by the board. For a revised application resubmitted

14

for the 1997-1998 school year, the board shall consider the

15

application at the first board meeting occurring at least thirty

16

(30) days after its receipt. The board shall provide notice of

17

consideration of the revised application under the "Sunshine

18

Act." No appeal from a decision of a local school board may be

19

taken until July 1, 1999.

20

(g)  Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (e)(5),

21

failure by the local board of directors to hold a public hearing

22

and to grant or deny the application for a charter school within

23

the time periods specified in subsections (d), (e) and (f) shall

24

permit the applicant for a charter to file its application as an

25

appeal to the appeal board. In such case, the appeal board shall

26

review the application and make a decision to grant or deny a

27

charter based on the criteria established in subsection (e)(2).

28

(h)  In the case of a review by the appeal board of an

29

application that is revoked or is not renewed, the appeal board

30

shall make its decision based on the criteria established in

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1

subsection (e)(2). A decision by the appeal board under this

2

subsection or subsection (g) to grant, to renew or not to revoke

3

a charter shall serve as a requirement for the local board of

4

directors of a school district or school districts, as

5

appropriate, to sign the written charter of the charter school

6

as provided for in section 1720-A. Should the local board of

7

directors fail to grant the application and sign the charter

8

within ten (10) days of notice of reversal of the decision of

9

the local board of directors, the charter shall be deemed to be

10

approved and shall be signed by the chairman of the appeal

11

board.

12

(i)  (1)  The appeal board shall have the exclusive review of

13

an appeal by a charter school applicant, or by the board of

14

trustees of an existing charter school, of a decision made by a

15

local board of directors not to grant a charter as provided in

16

this section.

17

(2)  In order for a charter school applicant to be eligible

18

to appeal the denial of a charter by the local board of

19

directors, the applicant must obtain the signatures of at least

20

two per centum of the residents of the school district or of one

21

thousand (1,000) residents, whichever is less, who are over

22

eighteen (18) years of age. For a regional charter school, the

23

applicant must obtain the signatures of at least two per centum

24

of the residents of each school district granting the charter or

25

of one thousand (1,000) residents from each of the school

26

districts granting the charter, whichever is less, who are over

27

eighteen (18) years of age. The signatures shall be obtained

28

within sixty (60) days of the denial of the application by the

29

local board of directors in accordance with clause (3).

30

(3)  Each person signing a petition to appeal denial of a

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1

charter under clause (2) shall declare that he or she is a

2

resident of the school district which denied the charter

3

application and shall include his or her printed name;

4

signature; address, including city, borough or township, with

5

street and number, if any; and the date of signing. All pages

6

shall be bound together. Additional pages of the petition shall

7

be numbered consecutively. There shall be appended to the

8

petition a statement that the local board of directors rejected

9

the petition for a charter school, the names of all applicants

10

for the charter, the date of denial by the board and the

11

proposed location of the charter school. No resident may sign

12

more than one petition relating to the charter school

13

application within the sixty (60) days following denial of the

14

application. The department shall develop a form to be used to

15

petition for an appeal.

16

(4)  Each petition shall have appended thereto the affidavit

17

of some person, not necessarily a signer, setting forth all of

18

the following:

19

(i)  That the affiant is a resident of the school district

20

referred to in the petition.

21

(ii)  The affiant's residence, giving city, borough or

22

township, with street and number, if any.

23

(iii)  That the signers signed with full knowledge of the

24

purpose of the petition.

25

(iv)  That the signers' respective residences are correctly

26

stated in the petition.

27

(v)  That the signers all reside in the school district.

28

(vi)  That each signer signed on the date set forth opposite

29

the signer's name.

30

(vii)  That to the best of the affiant's knowledge and

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1

belief, the signers are residents of the school district.

2

(5)  If the required number of signatures are obtained within

3

sixty (60) days of the denial of the application, the applicant

4

may present the petition to the court of common pleas of the

5

county in which the charter school would be situated. The court

6

shall hold a hearing only on the sufficiency of the petition.

7

The applicant and local board of school directors shall be given

8

seven (7) days' notice of the hearing. The court shall issue a

9

decree establishing the sufficiency or insufficiency of the

10

petition. If the petition is sufficient, the decree shall be

11

transmitted to the State Charter School Appeal Board for review

12

in accordance with this section. Notification of the decree

13

shall be given to the applicant and the local board of

14

directors.

15

(6)  In any appeal, the decision made by the local board of

16

directors shall be reviewed by the appeal board on the record as

17

certified by the local board of directors. The appeal board

18

shall give due consideration to the findings of the local board

19

of directors and specifically articulate its reasons for

20

agreeing or disagreeing with those findings in its written

21

decision. The appeal board shall have the discretion to allow

22

the local board of directors and the charter school applicant to

23

supplement the record if the supplemental information was

24

previously unavailable.

25

(7)  Not later than thirty (30) days after the date of notice

26

of the acceptance of the appeal, the appeal board shall meet to

27

officially review the certified record.

28

(8)  Not later than sixty (60) days following the review

29

conducted pursuant to clause (6), the appeal board shall issue a

30

written decision affirming or denying the appeal. If the appeal

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1

board has affirmed the decision of the local board of directors,

2

notice shall be provided to both parties.

3

(9)  A decision of the appeal board to reverse the decision

4

of the local board of directors shall serve as a requirement for

5

the local board of directors of a school district or school

6

districts, as appropriate, to grant the application and sign the

7

written charter of the charter school as provided for in section

8

1720-A. Should the local board of directors fail to grant the

9

application and sign the charter within ten (10) days of notice

10

of the reversal of the decision of the local board of directors,

11

the charter shall be deemed to be approved and shall be signed

12

by the chairman of the appeal board.

13

(10)  All decisions of the appeal board shall be subject to

14

appellate review by the Commonwealth Court.

15

Section 1718-A.  Regional Charter School.--(a)  A regional

16

charter school may be established by an individual, one or more

17

teachers who will teach at the proposed charter school; parents

18

or guardians of students who will attend the charter school; any

19

nonsectarian college, university or museum located in this

20

Commonwealth; any nonsectarian corporation not-for-profit, as

21

defined in 15 Pa.C.S. (relating to corporations and

22

unincorporated associations); any corporation, association or

23

partnership; or any combination thereof. A regional charter

24

school may be established by creating a new school or by

25

converting an existing public school or a portion of an existing

26

public school. Conversion of an existing public school to a

27

regional charter school shall be accomplished in accordance with

28

section 1714-A(b). No regional charter school shall be

29

established or funded by and no charter shall be granted to any

30

sectarian school, institution or other entity.

- 16 -

 


1

(b)  The boards of school directors of one or more school

2

districts may act jointly to receive and consider an application

3

for a regional charter school, except that any action to approve

4

an application for a charter or to sign a written charter of an

5

applicant shall require an affirmative vote of a majority of all

6

the directors of each of the school districts involved. The

7

applicant shall apply for a charter to the board of directors of

8

any school district in which the charter school will be located.

9

(c)  The provisions of this article as they pertain to

10

charter schools and the powers and duties of the local board of

11

school directors of a school district and the appeal board shall

12

apply to regional charter schools, except as provided in

13

subsections (a) and (b) or as otherwise clearly stated in this

14

article.

15

Section 1719-A.  Contents of Application.--An application to

16

establish a charter school shall include all of the following

17

information:

18

(1)  The identification of the charter applicant.

19

(2)  The name of the proposed charter school.

20

(3)  The grade or age levels served by the school.

21

(4)  The proposed governance structure of the charter school,

22

including a description and method for the appointment or

23

election of members of the board of trustees.

24

(5)  The mission and education goals of the charter school,

25

the curriculum to be offered and the methods of assessing

26

whether students are meeting educational goals.

27

(6)  The admission policy and criteria for evaluating the

28

admission of students which shall comply with the requirements

29

of section 1723-A.

30

(7)  Procedures which will be used regarding the suspension

- 17 -

 


1

or expulsion of pupils. Said procedures shall comply with

2

section 1318.

3

(8)  Information on the manner in which community groups will

4

be involved in the charter school planning process.

5

(9)  The financial plan for the charter school and the

6

provisions which will be made for auditing the school under

7

section 437.

8

(10)  Procedures which shall be established to review

9

complaints of parents regarding the operation of the charter

10

school.

11

(11)  A description of and address of the physical facility

12

in which the charter school will be located and the ownership

13

thereof and any lease arrangements.

14

(12)  Information on the proposed school calendar for the

15

charter school, including the length of the school day and

16

school year consistent with the provisions of section 1502.

17

(13)  The proposed faculty and a professional development

18

plan for the faculty of a charter school.

19

(14)  Whether any agreements have been entered into or plans

20

developed with the local school district regarding participation

21

of the charter school students in extracurricular activities

22

within the school district. Notwithstanding any provision to the

23

contrary, no school district of residence shall prohibit a

24

student of a charter school from participating in any

25

extracurricular activity of that school district of residence:

26

Provided, That the student is able to fulfill all of the

27

requirements of participation in such activity and the charter

28

school does not provide the same extracurricular activity.

29

(15)  A report of criminal history record, pursuant to

30

section 111, for all individuals who shall have direct contact

- 18 -

 


1

with students.

2

(16)  An official clearance statement regarding child injury

3

or abuse from the Department of Public Welfare as required by 23

4

Pa.C.S. Ch. 63 Subch. C.2 (relating to background checks for

5

employment in schools) for all individuals who shall have direct

6

contact with students.

7

(17)  How the charter school will provide adequate liability

8

and other appropriate insurance for the charter school, its

9

employes and the board of trustees of the charter school.]

10

Section 3.6.  Section 1720-A of the act, amended July 9, 2008

11

(P.L.846, No.61), is repealed:

12

[Section 1720-A.  Term and Form of Charter.--(a)  Upon

13

approval of a charter application under section 1717-A, a

14

written charter shall be developed which shall contain the

15

provisions of the charter application and which shall be signed

16

by the local board of school directors of a school district, by

17

the local boards of school directors of a school district in the

18

case of a regional charter school or by the chairman of the

19

appeal board pursuant to section 1717-A(i)(5) and the board of

20

trustees of the charter school. This written charter, when duly

21

signed by the local board of school directors of a school

22

district, or by the local boards of school directors of a school

23

district in the case of a regional charter school, and the

24

charter school's board of trustees, shall act as legal

25

authorization for the establishment of a charter school. This

26

written charter shall be legally binding on both the local board

27

of school directors of a school district and the charter

28

school's board of trustees. Except as otherwise provided in

29

subsection (b), the charter shall be for a period of no less

30

than three (3) nor more than five (5) years and may be renewed

- 19 -

 


1

for five (5) year periods upon reauthorization by the local

2

board of school directors of a school district or the appeal

3

board. A charter will be granted only for a school organized as

4

a public, nonprofit corporation.

5

(b)  (1)  Notwithstanding subsection (a), a governing board

6

of a school district of the first class may renew a charter for

7

a period of one (1) year if the board of school directors

8

determines that there is insufficient data concerning the

9

charter school's academic performance to adequately assess that

10

performance and determines that an additional year of

11

performance data would yield sufficient data to assist the

12

governing board in its decision whether to renew the charter for

13

a period of five (5) years.

14

(2)  A one-year renewal pursuant to paragraph (1) shall not

15

be considered an adjudication and may not be appealed to the

16

State Charter School Appeal Board.

17

(3)  A governing board of a school district of the first

18

class does not have the authority to renew a charter for

19

successive one (1) year periods.]

20

Section 3.7.  Section 1721-A of the act, added June 19, 1997

21

(P.L.225, No.22), is repealed:

22

[Section 1721-A.  State Charter School Appeal Board.--(a)

23

The State Charter School Appeal Board shall consist of the

24

Secretary of Education and six (6) members who shall be

25

appointed by the Governor by and with the consent of a majority

26

of all the members of the Senate. Appointments by the Governor

27

shall not occur prior to January 1, 1999. The Governor shall

28

select the chairman of the appeal board to serve at the pleasure

29

of the Governor. The members shall include:

30

(1)  A parent of a school-aged child.

- 20 -

 


1

(2)  A school board member.

2

(3)  A certified teacher actively employed in a public

3

school.

4

(4)  A faculty member or administrative employe of an

5

institution of higher education.

6

(5)  A member of the business community.

7

(6)  A member of the State Board of Education.

8

The term of office of members of the appeal board, other than

9

the secretary, shall be for a period of four (4) years or until

10

a successor is appointed and qualified, except that, of the

11

initial appointees, the Governor shall designate two (2) members

12

to serve terms of two (2) years, two (2) members to serve terms

13

of three (3) years and two (2) members to serve terms of four

14

(4) years. Any appointment to fill any vacancy shall be for the

15

period of the unexpired term or until a successor is appointed

16

and qualified.

17

(b)  The appeal board shall meet as needed to fulfill the

18

purposes provided in this subsection. A majority of the members

19

of the appeal board shall constitute a quorum, and a majority of

20

the members of the appeal board shall have authority to act upon

21

any matter properly before the appeal board. The appeal board is

22

authorized to establish rules for its operation.

23

(c)  The members shall receive no payment for their services.

24

Members who are not employes of State government shall be

25

reimbursed for expenses incurred in the course of their official

26

duties from funds appropriated for the general government

27

operations of the department.

28

(d)  The department shall provide assistance and staffing for

29

the appeal board. The Governor, through the Governor's General

30

Counsel, shall provide such legal advice and assistance as the

- 21 -

 


1

appeal board may require.

2

(e)  Meetings of the appeal board shall be conducted under

3

the act of July 3, 1986 (P.L.388, No.84), known as the "Sunshine

4

Act." Documents of the appeal board shall be subject to the act

5

of June 21, 1957 (P.L.390, No.212), referred to as the Right-to-

6

Know Law.]

7

Section 3.8.  Section 1722-A of the act, amended November 17,

8

2010 (P.L.996, No.104) and repealed in part July 4, 2004

9

(P.L.536, No.70), is repealed:

10

[Section 1722-A.  Facilities.--(a)  A charter school may be

11

located in an existing public school building, in a part of an

12

existing public school building, in space provided on a

13

privately owned site, in a public building or in any other

14

suitable location.

15

(b)  The charter school facility shall be exempt from public

16

school facility regulations except those pertaining to the

17

health or safety of the pupils.

18

(d)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this act, a

19

school district of the first class may, in its discretion,

20

permit a charter school to operate its school at more than one

21

location.

22

(e)  (1)  Notwithstanding the provisions of section 204 of

23

the act of May 22, 1933 (P.L.853, No.155), known as The General

24

County Assessment Law, all school property, real and personal,

25

owned by any charter school, cyber charter school or an

26

associated nonprofit foundation, or owned by a nonprofit

27

corporation or nonprofit foundation and leased to a charter

28

school, cyber charter school or associated nonprofit foundation

29

at or below fair market value, that is occupied and used by any

30

charter school or cyber charter school for public school,

- 22 -

 


1

recreation or any other purposes provided for by this act, shall

2

be made exempt from every kind of State, county, city, borough,

3

township or other real estate tax, including payments in lieu of

4

taxes established through agreement with the Commonwealth or any

5

local taxing authority, as well as from all costs or expenses

6

for paving, curbing, sidewalks, sewers or other municipal

7

improvements, Provided, That any charter school or cyber charter

8

school or owner of property leased to a charter school or cyber

9

charter school may make a municipal improvement in a street on

10

which its school property abuts or may contribute a sum toward

11

the cost of the improvement.

12

(2)  Any agreement entered into by a charter school, cyber

13

charter school or associated nonprofit foundation with the

14

Commonwealth or a local taxing authority for payments in lieu of

15

taxes prior to December 31, 2009, shall be null and void.

16

(3)  This subsection shall apply retroactively to all charter

17

schools, cyber charter schools and associated nonprofit

18

foundations that filed an appeal from an assessment, as provided

19

in Article V of The General County Assessment Law, prior to the

20

effective date of this subsection.

21

(4)  For purposes of this subsection, "local taxing

22

authority" shall include, but not be limited to, a county, city,

23

borough, incorporated town, township or school district.]

24

Section 3.9.  Section 1723-A of the act, amended or added

25

June 26, 1999 (P.L.394, No.36) and July 9, 2008 (P.L.846,

26

No.61), is repealed:

27

[Section 1723-A.  Enrollment.--(a)  All resident children in

28

this Commonwealth qualify for admission to a charter school

29

within the provisions of subsection (b). If more students apply

30

to the charter school than the number of attendance slots

- 23 -

 


1

available in the school, then students must be selected on a

2

random basis from a pool of qualified applicants meeting the

3

established eligibility criteria and submitting an application

4

by the deadline established by the charter school, except that

5

the charter school may give preference in enrollment to a child

6

of a parent who has actively participated in the development of

7

the charter school and to siblings of students presently

8

enrolled in the charter school. First preference shall be given

9

to students who reside in the district or districts.

10

(b)  (1)  A charter school shall not discriminate in its

11

admission policies or practices on the basis of intellectual

12

ability, except as provided in paragraph (2), or athletic

13

ability, measures of achievement or aptitude, status as a person

14

with a disability, proficiency in the English language or any

15

other basis that would be illegal if used by a school district.

16

(2)  A charter school may limit admission to a particular

17

grade level, a targeted population group composed of at-risk

18

students, or areas of concentration of the school such as

19

mathematics, science or the arts. A charter school may establish

20

reasonable criteria to evaluate prospective students which shall

21

be outlined in the school's charter.

22

(c)  If available classroom space permits, a charter school

23

may enroll nonresident students on a space-available basis, and

24

the student's district of residence shall permit the student to

25

attend the charter school. The terms and conditions of the

26

enrollment shall be outlined in the school's charter.

27

(d)  (1)  Enrollment of students in a charter school or cyber

28

charter school shall not be subject to a cap or otherwise

29

limited by any past or future action of a board of school

30

directors, a board of control established under Article XVII-B,

- 24 -

 


1

a special board of control established under section 692 or any

2

other governing authority, unless agreed to by the charter

3

school or cyber charter school as part of a written charter

4

pursuant to section 1720-A.

5

(2)  The provisions of this subsection shall apply to a

6

charter school or cyber charter school regardless of whether the

7

charter was approved prior to or is approved subsequent to the

8

effective date of this subsection.]

9

Section 3.10.  Section 1724-A of the act, added June 29, 1997

10

(P.L.225, No.22), is repealed:

11

[Section 1724-A.  School Staff.--(a)  The board of trustees

12

shall determine the level of compensation and all terms and

13

conditions of employment of the staff except as may otherwise be

14

provided in this article. At least seventy-five per centum of

15

the professional staff members of a charter school shall hold

16

appropriate State certification. Employes of a charter school

17

may organize under the act of July 23, 1970 (P.L.563, No.195),

18

known as the "Public Employe Relations Act." The board of

19

trustees of a charter school shall be considered an employer for

20

the purposes of Article XI-A. Upon formation of one or more

21

collective bargaining units at the school, the board of trustees

22

shall bargain with the employes based on the provisions of this

23

article, Article XI-A and the "Public Employe Relations Act."

24

Collective bargaining units at a charter school shall be

25

separate from any collective bargaining unit of the school

26

district in which the charter school is located and shall be

27

separate from any other collective bargaining unit. A charter

28

school shall be considered a school entity as provided for in

29

section 1161-A for the purpose of the secretary seeking an

30

injunction requiring the charter school to meet the minimum

- 25 -

 


1

requirements for instruction as provided for in this article.

2

(b)  Each charter application shall list the general

3

qualifications needed to staff any noncertified positions.

4

Professional employes who do not hold appropriate Pennsylvania

5

certification must present evidence that they:

6

(i)  Meet the qualifications in sections 1109 and 1209.

7

(ii)  Have demonstrated satisfactorily a combination of

8

experience, achievement and qualifications as defined in the

9

charter school application in basic skills, general knowledge,

10

professional knowledge and practice and subject matter knowledge

11

in the subject area where an individual will teach.

12

(c)  All employes of a charter school shall be enrolled in

13

the Public School Employee's Retirement System in the same

14

manner as set forth in 24 Pa.C.S. § 8301(a) (relating to

15

mandatory and optional membership) unless at the time of the

16

application for the charter school the sponsoring district or

17

the board of trustees of the charter school has a retirement

18

program which covers the employes or the employe is currently

19

enrolled in another retirement program. The Commonwealth shall

20

make contributions on behalf of charter school employes, and the

21

charter school shall be considered a school district and shall

22

make payments by employers and payments on account of Social

23

Security as established under 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV (relating to

24

retirement for school employees). For purposes of payments by

25

employers, a charter school shall be considered a school

26

district under 24 Pa.C.S. § 8329(a)(1) (relating to payments on

27

account of social security deductions from appropriations). The

28

market value/income aid ratio used in calculating payments as

29

prescribed in this subsection shall be the market value/income

30

aid ratio for the school district in which the charter school is

- 26 -

 


1

located or, in the case of a regional charter school, shall be a

2

composite market value/income aid ratio for the participating

3

school districts as determined by the department. Except as

4

otherwise provided, employes of a charter school shall make

5

regular member contributions as required for active members

6

under 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV. If the employes of the charter school

7

participate in another retirement plan, then those employes

8

shall have no concurrent claim on the benefits provided to

9

public school employes under 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV. For purposes of

10

this subsection, a charter school shall be deemed to be a

11

"public school" as defined in 24 Pa.C.S. § 8102 (relating to

12

definitions).

13

(d)  Every employe of a charter school shall be provided the

14

same health care benefits as the employe would be provided if he

15

or she were an employe of the local district. The local board of

16

school directors may require the charter school to provide the

17

same terms and conditions with regard to health insurance as the

18

collective bargaining agreement of the school district to

19

include employe contributions to the district's health benefits

20

plan. The charter school shall make any required employer's

21

contribution to the district's health plan to an insurer, a

22

local board of school directors or a contractual representative

23

of school employes, whichever is appropriate to provide the

24

required coverage.

25

(e)  Any public school employe of a school entity may request

26

a leave of absence for up to five (5) years in order to work in

27

a charter school located in the district of employment or in a

28

regional charter school in which the employing school district

29

is a participant. Approval for a leave shall not be unreasonably

30

withheld.

- 27 -

 


1

(f)  Temporary professional employes on leave from a school

2

district may accrue tenure in the non-charter public school

3

system at the discretion of the local board of school directors,

4

the same as they would under Article XI if they had continued to

5

be employed by that district. Professional employes on leave

6

from a school district shall retain their tenure rights, as

7

defined in Article XI, in the school entity from which they

8

came. No temporary professional employe or professional employe

9

shall have tenure rights as against a charter school. Both

10

temporary professional employes and professional employes shall

11

continue to accrue seniority in the school entity from which

12

they came if they return to that school entity when the leave

13

ends.

14

(g)  Professional employes who hold a first level teaching or

15

administrative certificate may, at their option, have the time

16

completed in satisfactory service in a charter school applied to

17

the length of service requirements for the next level of

18

certification.

19

(h)  (1)  Any temporary professional employe or professional

20

employe who leaves employment at a charter school shall have the

21

right to return to a comparable position for which the person is

22

properly certified in the school entity which granted the leave

23

of absence. In the case where a teacher has been dismissed by

24

the charter school, the school entity which granted the leave of

25

absence is to be provided by the charter school with the reasons

26

for such dismissal at the time it occurs, a list of any

27

witnesses who were relied on by the charter school in moving for

28

dismissal, a description of and access to any physical evidence

29

used by the charter school in moving for dismissal and a copy of

30

any record developed at any dismissal proceeding conducted by

- 28 -

 


1

the charter school. The record of any such hearing may be

2

admissible in a hearing before the school entity which granted

3

the leave of absence. Nothing in this section shall affect the

4

authority of the board of school directors to initiate

5

proceedings under Article XI if the board determines that

6

occurrences at the charter school leading to dismissal of a

7

teacher constitute adequate and independent grounds for

8

discipline under section 1122.

9

(2)  No temporary employe or professional employe who is

10

leaving employment at a charter school shall be returned to a

11

position in the public school district which granted his leave

12

of absence until such public school district is in receipt of a

13

current criminal history record under section 111 and the

14

official clearance statement regarding child injury or abuse

15

from the Department of Public Welfare as required by 23 Pa.C.S.

16

Ch. 63 Subch. C.2 (relating to background checks for employment

17

in schools).

18

(i)  All individuals who shall have direct contact with

19

students shall be required to submit a report of criminal

20

history record information as provided for in section 111 prior

21

to accepting a position with the charter school. This subsection

22

shall also apply to any individual who volunteers to work on a

23

full-time or part-time basis at the charter school.

24

(j)  All applicants for a position as a school employe shall

25

be required to submit the official clearance statement regarding

26

child injury or abuse from the Department of Public Welfare as

27

required by 23 Pa.C.S. Ch. 63 Subch. C.2. This section shall

28

also apply to any individual who volunteers to work on a full-

29

time or part-time basis at a charter school.]

30

Section 3.11.  Section 1725-A of the act, amended or added

- 29 -

 


1

June 19, 1997 (P.L.225, No.22), June 22, 2001 (P.L.530, No.35)

2

and June 29, 2002 (P.L.524, No.88), is repealed:

3

[Section 1725-A.  Funding for Charter Schools.--(a)  Funding

4

for a charter school shall be provided in the following manner:

5

(1)  There shall be no tuition charge for a resident or

6

nonresident student attending a charter school.

7

(2)  For non-special education students, the charter school

8

shall receive for each student enrolled no less than the

9

budgeted total expenditure per average daily membership of the

10

prior school year, as defined in section 2501(20), minus the

11

budgeted expenditures of the district of residence for nonpublic

12

school programs; adult education programs; community/junior

13

college programs; student transportation services; for special

14

education programs; facilities acquisition, construction and

15

improvement services; and other financing uses, including debt

16

service and fund transfers as provided in the Manual of

17

Accounting and Related Financial Procedures for Pennsylvania

18

School Systems established by the department. This amount shall

19

be paid by the district of residence of each student.

20

(3)  For special education students, the charter school shall

21

receive for each student enrolled the same funding as for each

22

non-special education student as provided in clause (2), plus an

23

additional amount determined by dividing the district of

24

residence's total special education expenditure by the product

25

of multiplying the combined percentage of section 2509.5(k)

26

times the district of residence's total average daily membership

27

for the prior school year. This amount shall be paid by the

28

district of residence of each student.

29

(4)  A charter school may request the intermediate unit in

30

which the charter school is located to provide services to

- 30 -

 


1

assist the charter school to address the specific needs of

2

exceptional students. The intermediate unit shall assist the

3

charter school and bill the charter school for the services. The

4

intermediate unit may not charge the charter school more for any

5

service than it charges the constituent districts of the

6

intermediate unit.

7

(5)  Payments shall be made to the charter school in twelve

8

(12) equal monthly payments, by the fifth day of each month,

9

within the operating school year. A student enrolled in a

10

charter school shall be included in the average daily membership

11

of the student's district of residence for the purpose of

12

providing basic education funding payments and special education

13

funding pursuant to Article XXV. If a school district fails to

14

make a payment to a charter school as prescribed in this clause,

15

the secretary shall deduct the estimated amount, as documented

16

by the charter school, from any and all State payments made to

17

the district after receipt of documentation from the charter

18

school.

19

(6)  Within thirty (30) days after the secretary makes the

20

deduction described in clause (5), a school district may notify

21

the secretary that the deduction made from State payments to the

22

district under this subsection is inaccurate. The secretary

23

shall provide the school district with an opportunity to be

24

heard concerning whether the charter school documented that its

25

students were enrolled in the charter school, the period of time

26

during which each student was enrolled, the school district of

27

residence of each student and whether the amounts deducted from

28

the school district were accurate.

29

(b)  The Commonwealth shall provide temporary financial

30

assistance to a school district due to the enrollment of

- 31 -

 


1

students in a charter school who attended a nonpublic school in

2

the prior school year in order to offset the additional costs

3

directly related to the enrollment of those students in a public

4

charter school. The Commonwealth shall pay the school district

5

of residence of a student enrolled in a nonpublic school in the

6

prior school year who is attending a charter school an amount

7

equal to the school district of residence's basic education

8

subsidy for the current school year divided by the district's

9

average daily membership for the prior school year. This payment

10

shall occur only for the first year of the attendance of the

11

student in a charter school, starting with school year

12

1997-1998. Total payments of temporary financial assistance to

13

school districts on behalf of a student enrolling in a charter

14

school who attended a nonpublic school in the prior school year

15

shall be limited to funds appropriated for this program in a

16

fiscal year. If the total of the amount needed for all students

17

enrolled in a nonpublic school in the prior school year who

18

enroll in a charter school exceeds the appropriation for the

19

temporary financial assistance program, the amount paid to a

20

school district for each qualifying student shall be pro rata

21

reduced. Receipt of funds under this subsection shall not

22

preclude a school district from applying for a grant under

23

subsection (c).

24

(c)  The Commonwealth shall create a grant program to provide

25

temporary transitional funding to a school district due to the

26

budgetary impact relating to any student's first-year attendance

27

at a charter school. The department shall develop criteria which

28

shall include, but not be limited to, the overall fiscal impact

29

on the budget of the school district resulting from students of

30

a school district attending a charter school. The criteria shall

- 32 -

 


1

be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. This subsection shall

2

not apply to a public school converted to a charter school under

3

section 1717-A(b). Grants shall be limited to funds appropriated

4

for this purpose.

5

(d)  It shall be lawful for any charter school to receive,

6

hold, manage and use, absolutely or in trust, any devise,

7

bequest, grant, endowment, gift or donation of any property,

8

real or personal and/or mixed, which shall be made to the

9

charter school for any of the purposes of this article.

10

(e)  It shall be unlawful for any trustee of a charter school

11

or any board of trustees of a charter school or any other person

12

affiliated in any way with a charter school to demand or

13

request, directly or indirectly, any gift, donation or

14

contribution of any kind from any parent, teacher, employe or

15

any other person affiliated with the charter school as a

16

condition for employment or enrollment and/or continued

17

attendance of any pupil. Any donation, gift or contribution

18

received by a charter school shall be given freely and

19

voluntarily.]

20

Section 3.12.  Section 1726-A of the act, amended July 11,

21

2006 (P.L.1092, No.114) and July 9, 2008 (P.L.846, No.61), is

22

repealed:

23

[Section 1726-A.  Transportation.--(a)  Students who attend a

24

charter school located in their school district of residence, a

25

regional charter school of which the school district is a part

26

or a charter school located outside district boundaries at a

27

distance not exceeding ten (10) miles by the nearest public

28

highway shall be provided free transportation to the charter

29

school by their school district of residence on such dates and

30

periods that the charter school is in regular session whether or

- 33 -

 


1

not transportation is provided on such dates and periods to

2

students attending schools of the district. Transportation is

3

not required for elementary students, including kindergarten

4

students, residing within one and one-half (1.5) miles or for

5

secondary students residing within two (2) miles of the nearest

6

public highway from the charter school in which the students are

7

enrolled unless the road or traffic conditions are such that

8

walking constitutes a hazard to the safety of the students when

9

so certified by the Department of Transportation, except that if

10

the school district provides transportation to the public

11

schools of the school district for elementary students,

12

including kindergarten students, residing within one and one-

13

half (1.5) miles or for secondary students residing within two

14

(2) miles of the nearest public highway under nonhazardous

15

conditions, transportation shall also be provided to charter

16

schools under the same conditions. Districts providing

17

transportation to a charter school outside the district and, for

18

the 2007-2008 school year and each school year thereafter,

19

districts providing transportation to a charter school within

20

the district shall be eligible for payments under section 2509.3

21

for each public school student transported.

22

(a.1)  In addition to any other requirements in this section,

23

school districts of the first class shall provide transportation

24

to students who attend a charter school if they are the same age

25

or are enrolled in the same grade, grades or their grade

26

equivalents as any of the students of the school district for

27

whom transportation is provided under any program or policy to

28

the schools of the school district.

29

(b)  In the event that the Secretary of Education determines

30

that a school district is not providing the required

- 34 -

 


1

transportation to students to the charter school, the Department

2

of Education shall pay directly to the charter school funds for

3

costs incurred in the transportation of its students. Payments

4

to a charter school shall be determined in the following manner:

5

for each eligible student transported, the charter school shall

6

receive a payment equal to the total expenditures for

7

transportation of the school district divided by the total

8

number of school students transported by the school district

9

under any program or policy.

10

(c)  The department shall deduct the amount paid to the

11

charter school under subsection (b) from any and all payments

12

made to the district.

13

(d)  A school district of the first class shall submit a copy

14

of its current transportation policy to the department no later

15

than August 1 of each year.]

16

Section 3.13.  Sections 1727-A and 1728-A of the act, added

17

June 19, 1997 (P.L.225, No.22), are repealed:

18

[Section 1727-A.  Tort Liability.--For purposes of tort

19

liability, employes of the charter school shall be considered

20

public employes and the board of trustees shall be considered

21

the public employer in the same manner as political subdivisions

22

and local agencies. The board of trustees of a charter school

23

and the charter school shall be solely liable for any and all

24

damages of any kind resulting from any legal challenge involving

25

the operation of a charter school. Notwithstanding this

26

requirement, the local board of directors of a school entity

27

shall not be held liable for any activity or operation related

28

to the program of the charter school.

29

Section 1728-A.  Annual Reports and Assessments.--(a)  The

30

local board of school directors shall annually assess whether

- 35 -

 


1

each charter school is meeting the goals of its charter and

2

shall conduct a comprehensive review prior to granting a five

3

(5) year renewal of the charter. The local board of school

4

directors shall have ongoing access to the records and

5

facilities of the charter school to ensure that the charter

6

school is in compliance with its charter and this act and that

7

requirements for testing, civil rights and student health and

8

safety are being met.

9

(b)  In order to facilitate the local board's review and

10

secretary's report, each charter school shall submit an annual

11

report no later than August 1 of each year to the local board of

12

school directors and the secretary in the form prescribed by the

13

secretary.

14

(c)  Five (5) years following the effective date of this

15

article, the secretary shall contract with an independent

16

professional consultant with expertise in public and private

17

education. The consultant shall receive input from members of

18

the educational community and the public on the charter school

19

program. The consultant shall submit a report to the secretary,

20

the Governor and the General Assembly and an evaluation of the

21

charter school program, which shall include a recommendation on

22

the advisability of the continuation, modification, expansion or

23

termination of the program and any recommendations for changes

24

in the structure of the program.]

25

Section 3.14.  Section 1729-A of the act, amended or added

26

June 19, 1997 (P.L.225, No.22), July 4, 2004 (P.L.536, No.70)

27

and July 9, 2008 (P.L.846, No.61), is repealed:

28

[Section 1729-A.  Causes for Nonrenewal or Termination.--(a)

29

During the term of the charter or at the end of the term of the

30

charter, the local board of school directors may choose to

- 36 -

 


1

revoke or not to renew the charter based on any of the

2

following:

3

(1)  One or more material violations of any of the

4

conditions, standards or procedures contained in the written

5

charter signed pursuant to section 1720-A.

6

(2)  Failure to meet the requirements for student performance

7

set forth in 22 Pa. Code Ch. 5 (relating to curriculum) or

8

subsequent regulations promulgated to replace 22 Pa. Code Ch. 5

9

or failure to meet any performance standard set forth in the

10

written charter signed pursuant to section 1716-A.

11

(3)  Failure to meet generally accepted standards of fiscal

12

management or audit requirements.

13

(4)  Violation of provisions of this article.

14

(5)  Violation of any provision of law from which the charter

15

school has not been exempted, including Federal laws and

16

regulations governing children with disabilities.

17

(6)  The charter school has been convicted of fraud.

18

(a.1)  When a charter school located in a school district of

19

the first class is in corrective action status and seeks renewal

20

of its charter, if the governing body of the school district of

21

the first class renews the charter, it may place specific

22

conditions in the charter that require the charter school to

23

meet specific student performance targets within stated periods

24

of time subject to the following:

25

(i)  The performance targets and the periods of time in which

26

the performance targets must be met shall be reasonable.

27

(ii)  The placement of conditions in a charter as specified

28

in this subsection shall not be considered an adjudication and

29

may not be appealed to the State Charter School Appeal Board.

30

(iii)  If the charter school fails to meet the performance

- 37 -

 


1

targets within the stated period of time, such failure shall be

2

sufficient cause for revocation of the charter.

3

(b)  A member of the board of trustees who is convicted of a

4

felony or any crime involving moral turpitude shall be

5

immediately disqualified from serving on the board of trustees.

6

(c)  Any notice of revocation or nonrenewal of a charter

7

given by the local board of school directors of a school

8

district shall state the grounds for such action with reasonable

9

specificity and give reasonable notice to the governing board of

10

the charter school of the date on which a public hearing

11

concerning the revocation or nonrenewal will be held. The local

12

board of school directors shall conduct such hearing, present

13

evidence in support of the grounds for revocation or nonrenewal

14

stated in its notice and give the charter school reasonable

15

opportunity to offer testimony before taking final action.

16

Formal action revoking or not renewing a charter shall be taken

17

by the local board of school directors at a public meeting

18

pursuant to the act of July 3, 1986 (P.L.388, No.84), known as

19

the "Sunshine Act," after the public has had thirty (30) days to

20

provide comments to the board. All proceedings of the local

21

board pursuant to this subsection shall be subject to 2 Pa.C.S.

22

Ch. 5 Subch. B (relating to practice and procedure of local

23

agencies). Except as provided in subsection (d), the decision of

24

the local board shall not be subject to 2 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 Subch. B

25

(relating to judicial review of local agency action).

26

(d)  Following the appointment and confirmation of the appeal

27

board, but not before July 1, 1999, the charter school may

28

appeal the decision of the local board of school directors to

29

revoke or not renew the charter to the appeal board. The appeal

30

board shall have the exclusive review of a decision not to renew

- 38 -

 


1

or revoke a charter. The appeal board shall review the record

2

and shall have the discretion to supplement the record if the

3

supplemental information was previously unavailable. The appeal

4

board may consider the charter school plan, annual reports,

5

student performance and employe and community support for the

6

charter school in addition to the record. The appeal board shall

7

give due consideration to the findings of the local board of

8

directors and specifically articulate its reasons for agreeing

9

or disagreeing with those findings in its written decision.

10

(e)  If the appeal board determines that the charter should

11

not be revoked or should be renewed, the appeal board shall

12

order the local board of directors to rescind its revocation or

13

nonrenewal decision.

14

(f)  Except as provided in subsection (g), the charter shall

15

remain in effect until final disposition by the appeal board.

16

(g)  In cases where the health or safety of the school's

17

pupils, staff or both is at serious risk, the local board of

18

school directors may take immediate action to revoke a charter.

19

(h)  All decisions of the charter school appeal board shall

20

be subject to appellate review by the Commonwealth Court.

21

(i)  When a charter is revoked, not renewed, forfeited,

22

surrendered or otherwise ceases to operate, the charter school

23

shall be dissolved. After the disposition of any liabilities and

24

obligations of the charter school, any remaining assets of the

25

charter school, both real and personal, shall be distributed on

26

a proportional basis to the school entities with students

27

enrolled in the charter school for the last full or partial

28

school year of the charter school. In no event shall such school

29

entities or the Commonwealth be liable for any outstanding

30

liabilities or obligations of the charter school.

- 39 -

 


1

(j)  When a charter is revoked or is not renewed, a student

2

who attended the charter school shall apply to another public

3

school in the student's school district of residence. Normal

4

application deadlines will be disregarded under these

5

circumstances. All student records maintained by the charter

6

school shall be forwarded to the student's district of

7

residence.]

8

Section 3.15.  Sections 1730-A and 1731-A of the act, added

9

June 19, 1997 (P.L.225, No.22), are repealed:

10

[Section 1730-A.  Desegregation Orders.--The local board of

11

school directors of a school district which is operating under a

12

desegregation plan approved by the Pennsylvania Human Relations

13

Commission or a desegregation order by a Federal or State court

14

shall not approve a charter school application if such charter

15

school would place the school district in noncompliance with its

16

desegregation order.

17

Section 1731-A.  Charter School Grants.--(a)  The secretary

18

shall allocate grants for planning and start-up funding to

19

eligible applicants under section 1717-A from funds appropriated

20

for the implementation of this act.

21

(1)  Planning grant applications shall be filed on a form and

22

by a date determined by the secretary. The amount of a grant may

23

vary depending on the size and scope of the planning needed by

24

the applicant. The application shall address the manner in which

25

the applicant plans to address the criteria established for

26

charter schools in sections 1715-A and 1717-A.

27

(2)  Start-up funding grant applications shall be filed on a

28

form and by a date determined by the secretary. The applicant

29

for the charter school shall submit its application for a

30

charter when applying for the grant. A grant for start-up

- 40 -

 


1

funding may vary depending on the size and special

2

characteristics of the charter school. A start-up grant may be

3

used to meet the expenses of the charter school as established

4

in their charter and as authorized in the provisions of this

5

article.

6

(b)  The applicant shall include a copy of a letter informing

7

the local board of school directors of the school district of

8

the application for the planning grant if the location of the

9

proposed charter school is known. An applicant receiving a

10

start-up funding grant shall notify the school district or

11

districts signing the charter of receipt of this grant.]

12

Section 3.16.  Section 1732-A, Subdivision (c) heading and

13

sections 1741-A, 1742-A, 1743-A, 1744-A, 1745-A, 1746-A, 1747-A,

14

1748-A, 1749-A, 1750-A and 1751-A of the act, amended or added

15

June 29, 2002 (P.L.524, No.88), are repealed:

16

[Section 1732-A.  Provisions Applicable to Charter Schools.--

17

(a)  Charter schools shall be subject to the following:

18

Sections 108, 110, 111, 321, 325, 326, 327, 431, 436, 443,

19

510, 518, 527, 708, 736, 737, 738, 739, 740, 741, 752, 753, 755,

20

771, 776, 777, 808, 809, 810, 1109, 1111, 1112(a), 1301, 1310,

21

1317, 1317.1, 1317.2, 1318, 1327, 1330, 1332, 1303-A, 1513,

22

1517, 1518, 1521, 1523, 1531, 1547, 2014-A, Article XIII-A and

23

Article XIV.

24

Act of July 17, 1961 (P.L.776, No.341), known as the

25

"Pennsylvania Fair Educational Opportunities Act."

26

Act of July 19, 1965 (P.L.215, No.116), entitled "An act

27

providing for the use of eye protective devices by persons

28

engaged in hazardous activities or exposed to known dangers in

29

schools, colleges and universities."

30

Section 4 of the act of January 25, 1966 (1965 P.L.1546,

- 41 -

 


1

No.541), entitled "An act providing scholarships and providing

2

funds to secure Federal funds for qualified students of the

3

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who need financial assistance to

4

attend postsecondary institutions of higher learning, making an

5

appropriation, and providing for the administration of this

6

act."

7

Act of July 12, 1972 (P.L.765, No.181), entitled "An act

8

relating to drugs and alcohol and their abuse, providing for

9

projects and programs and grants to educational agencies, other

10

public or private agencies, institutions or organizations."

11

Act of December 15, 1986 (P.L.1595, No.175), known as the

12

"Antihazing Law."

13

(b)  Charter schools shall be subject to the following

14

provisions of 22 Pa. Code:

15

Section 5.216 (relating to ESOL).

16

Section 5.4 (relating to general policies).

17

Chapter 11 (relating to pupil attendance).

18

Chapter 12 (relating to students).

19

Section 32.3 (relating to assurances).

20

Section 121.3 (relating to discrimination prohibited).

21

Section 235.4 (relating to practices).

22

Section 235.8 (relating to civil rights).

23

Chapter 711 (relating to charter school services and programs

24

for children with disabilities).

25

(c)  (1)  The secretary may promulgate additional regulations

26

relating to charter schools.

27

(2)  The secretary shall have the authority and the

28

responsibility to ensure that charter schools comply with

29

Federal laws and regulations governing children with

30

disabilities. The secretary shall promulgate regulations to

- 42 -

 


1

implement this provision.

2

(c)  Cyber Charter Schools.

3

Section 1741-A.  Powers and duties of department.

4

(a)  Powers and duties.--The department shall:

5

(1)  Receive, review and act on applications for the

6

creation of a cyber charter school and have the power to

7

request further information from applicants, obtain input

8

from interested persons or entities and hold hearings

9

regarding applications.

10

(2)  Renew the charter of cyber charter school and renew

11

the charter of a charter school approved under section 1717-A

12

or 1718-A which provides instruction through the Internet or

13

other electronic means. Upon renewal of a charter of a

14

charter school approved under section 1717-A or 1718-A, the

15

charter school shall qualify as a cyber charter school under

16

this subdivision and shall be subject to the provisions of

17

this subdivision.

18

(3)  Revoke or deny renewal of a cyber charter school's

19

charter under the provisions of section 1729-A.

20

(i)  Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1729-

21

A(i), when the department has revoked or denied renewal

22

of a charter, the cyber charter school shall be

23

dissolved. After the disposition of the liabilities and

24

obligations of the cyber charter school, any remaining

25

assets of the cyber charter school shall be given over to

26

the intermediate unit in which the cyber charter school's

27

administrative office was located for distribution to the

28

school districts in which the students enrolled in the

29

cyber charter school reside at the time of dissolution.

30

(ii)  Notwithstanding any laws to the contrary, the

- 43 -

 


1

department may, after notice and hearing, take immediate

2

action to revoke a charter if:

3

(A)  a material component of the student's

4

education as required under this subdivision is not

5

being provided; or

6

(B)  the cyber charter school has failed to

7

maintain the financial ability to provide services as

8

required under this subdivision.

9

(4)  Execute charters after approval.

10

(5)  Develop forms, including the notification form under

11

section 1748-A(b), necessary to carry out the provisions of

12

this subdivision.

13

(b)  Hearings.--Hearings conducted by the department shall be

14

conducted under 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 (relating to open meetings).

15

(c)  Documents.--Documents of the appeal board shall be

16

subject to the act of June 21, 1957 (P.L.390, No.212), referred

17

to as the Right-to-Know Law.

18

Section 1742-A.  Assessment and evaluation.

19

The department shall:

20

(1)  Annually assess whether each cyber charter school is

21

meeting the goals of its charter and is in compliance with

22

the provisions of the charter and conduct a comprehensive

23

review prior to granting a five-year renewal of the charter.

24

(2)  Annually review each cyber charter school's

25

performance on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment

26

test, standardized tests and other performance indicators to

27

ensure compliance with 22 Pa. Code Ch. 4 (relating to

28

academic standards and assessment) or subsequent regulations

29

promulgated to replace 22 Pa. Code Ch. 4.

30

(3)  Have ongoing access to all records, instructional

- 44 -

 


1

materials and student and staff records of each cyber charter

2

school and to every cyber charter school facility to ensure

3

the cyber charter school is in compliance with its charter

4

and this subdivision.

5

Section 1743-A.  Cyber charter school requirements and

6

prohibitions.

7

(a)  Special financial requirements prohibited.--A cyber

8

charter school shall not:

9

(1)  provide discounts to a school district or waive

10

payments under section 1725-A for any student;

11

(2)  except as provided for in subsection (e), provide

12

payments to parents or guardians for the purchase of

13

instructional materials; or

14

(3)  except as compensation for the provision of specific

15

services, enter into agreements to provide funds to a school

16

entity.

17

(b)  Enrollment.--A cyber charter school shall report to the

18

department an increase or a decrease of 30% or more in its

19

anticipated enrollment set forth in the application under

20

section 1747-A(11).

21

(c)  School district.--A cyber charter school shall make

22

available upon request, either in writing or electronically, to

23

each student's school district of residence the following:

24

(1)  A copy of the charter.

25

(2)  A copy of the cyber charter school application.

26

(3)  A copy of all annual reports prepared by the cyber

27

charter school.

28

(4)  A list of all students from that school district

29

enrolled in the cyber charter school.

30

(d)  Parent or guardian.--Upon request and prior to the

- 45 -

 


1

student's first day in a cyber charter school, the cyber charter

2

school shall, either in writing or electronically, provide to

3

the parent or guardian of a student the following:

4

(1)  A list and brief description of the courses of

5

instruction the student will receive. The list shall be

6

updated annually for each grade level in which the student is

7

enrolled.

8

(2)  A description of the lessons and activities to be

9

offered both online and offline.

10

(3)  The manner in which attendance will be reported and

11

work will be authenticated.

12

(4)  A list of all standardized tests the student will be

13

required to take during the school year and the place where

14

the test will be administered, if available.

15

(5)  The meetings to be held during the school year

16

between a parent or guardian and a teacher and among other

17

school officials or parents or guardians and the manner in

18

which the parent or guardian will be notified of the time and

19

place for the meeting.

20

(6)  The address of the cyber charter school and the

21

name, telephone number and e-mail address of the school

22

administrator and other school personnel.

23

(7)  A list of any extracurricular activities provided by

24

the cyber charter school.

25

(8)  The names of the student's teachers, if available,

26

and the manner in which each teacher can be contacted by the

27

student or the parent or guardian.

28

(9)  A list of all services that will be provided to the

29

student by the cyber charter school.

30

(10)  Copies of policies relating to computer security

- 46 -

 


1

and privacy, truancy, absences, discipline and withdrawal or

2

expulsion of students.

3

(11)  Information on:

4

(i)  The cyber charter school's professional staff,

5

including the number of staff personnel, their education

6

level and experience.

7

(ii)  The cyber charter school's performance on the

8

PSSA and other standardized test scores.

9

(12)  Information regarding the proper usage of equipment

10

and materials and the process for returning equipment and

11

materials supplied to the students by the cyber charter

12

school. A parent or guardian shall acknowledge, either in

13

writing or electronically, the receipt of this information.

14

(13)  A description of the school calendar, including,

15

but not limited to, the time frame that will constitute a

16

school year and a school week, holidays and term breaks.

17

(e)  Students.--For each student enrolled, a cyber charter

18

school shall:

19

(1)  provide all instructional materials;

20

(2)  provide all equipment, including, but not limited

21

to, a computer, computer monitor and printer; and

22

(3)  provide or reimburse for all technology and services

23

necessary for the on-line delivery of the curriculum and

24

instruction.

25

The Commonwealth shall not be liable for any reimbursement owed

26

to students, parents or guardians by a cyber charter school

27

under paragraph (3).

28

(f)  Annual report.--A cyber charter school shall submit an

29

annual report no later than August 1 of each year to the

30

department in the form prescribed by the department.

- 47 -

 


1

(g)  Records and facilities.--A cyber charter school shall

2

provide the department with ongoing access to all records and

3

facilities necessary for the department to assess the cyber

4

charter school in accordance with the provisions of this

5

subdivision.

6

(h)  Offices and facilities.--A cyber charter school shall

7

maintain an administrative office within this Commonwealth where

8

all student records shall be maintained at all times and shall

9

provide the department with the addresses of all offices and

10

facilities of the cyber charter school, the ownership thereof

11

and any lease arrangements. The administrative office of the

12

cyber charter school shall be considered as the principal place

13

of business for service of process for any action brought

14

against the cyber charter school or cyber charter school staff

15

members. The cyber charter school shall notify the department of

16

any changes in this information within ten days of the change.

17

(i)  Applicable law.--Any action taken against the cyber

18

charter school, its successors or assigns or its employees,

19

including any cyber charter school staff member as defined in

20

the act of December 12, 1973 (P.L.397, No.141), known as the

21

Professional Educator Discipline Act, shall be governed by the

22

laws of this Commonwealth. If the department initiates an

23

investigation or pursues an action pursuant to the Professional

24

Educator Discipline Act involving any current or former charter

25

school staff member outside this Commonwealth, any reasonable

26

expenses incurred by the department in such investigation or

27

action shall be paid by the cyber charter school which employed

28

that staff member at the time of the alleged misconduct.

29

Section 1744-A.  School district and intermediate unit

30

responsibilities.

- 48 -

 


1

An intermediate unit or a school district in which a student

2

enrolled in a cyber charter school resides shall do all of the

3

following:

4

(1)  Provide the cyber charter school within ten days of

5

receipt of the notice of the admission of the student under

6

section 1748-A(a) with all records relating to the student,

7

including transcripts, test scores and a copy of any

8

individualized education program for that student.

9

(2)  Provide the cyber charter school with reasonable

10

access to its facilities for the administration of

11

standardized tests required under this subdivision.

12

(3)  Upon request, provide assistance to the cyber

13

charter school in the delivery of services to a student with

14

disabilities. The school district or intermediate unit shall

15

not charge the cyber charter school more for a service than

16

it charges a school district.

17

(4)  Make payments to the cyber charter school under

18

section 1725-A.

19

Section 1745-A.  Establishment of cyber charter school.

20

(a)  Establishment.--A cyber charter school may be

21

established by an individual; one or more teachers who will

22

teach at the proposed cyber charter school; parents or guardians

23

of students who will enroll in the cyber charter school; a

24

nonsectarian college, university or museum located in this

25

Commonwealth; a nonsectarian corporation not-for-profit as

26

defined in 15 Pa.C.S. § 5103 (relating to definitions); a

27

corporation, association or partnership; or any combination of

28

the foregoing. Section 1327.1 shall not apply to a cyber charter

29

school established under this subdivision.

30

(b)  Sectarian entities.--No cyber charter school shall be

- 49 -

 


1

established or funded by and no charter shall be granted to a

2

sectarian school, institution or other entity.

3

(c)  Attendance.--Attendance at a cyber charter school shall

4

satisfy requirements for compulsory attendance.

5

(d)  Application.--An application to establish a cyber

6

charter school shall be submitted to the department by October 1

7

of the school year preceding the school year in which the cyber

8

charter school proposes to commence operation.

9

(e)  Grant or denial.--Within 120 days of receipt of an

10

application, the department shall grant or deny the application.

11

The department shall review the application and shall hold at

12

least one public hearing under 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 (relating to

13

open meetings). At least 30 days prior to the hearing, the

14

department shall publish in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and on the

15

department's World Wide Web site notice of the hearing and the

16

purpose of the application.

17

(f)  Evaluation criteria.--

18

(1)  A cyber charter school application submitted under

19

this subdivision shall be evaluated by the department based

20

on the following criteria:

21

(i)  The demonstrated, sustainable support for the

22

cyber charter school plan by teachers, parents or

23

guardians and students.

24

(ii)  The capability of the cyber charter school

25

applicant, in terms of support and planning, to provide

26

comprehensive learning experiences to students under the

27

charter.

28

(iii)  The extent to which the programs outlined in

29

the application will enable students to meet the academic

30

standards under 22 Pa. Code Ch. 4 (relating to academic

- 50 -

 


1

standards and assessment) or subsequent regulations

2

promulgated to replace 22 Pa. Code Ch. 4.

3

(iv)  The extent to which the application meets the

4

requirements of section 1747-A.

5

(v)  The extent to which the cyber charter school may

6

serve as a model for other public schools.

7

(2)  Written notice of the action of the department shall

8

be sent by certified mail to the applicant and published on

9

the department's World Wide Web site. If the application is

10

denied, the reasons for denial, including a description of

11

deficiencies in the application, shall be clearly stated in

12

the notice.

13

(3)  Upon approval of a cyber charter school application,

14

a written charter shall be developed which shall contain the

15

provisions of the charter application and be signed by the

16

secretary and each member of the board of trustees of the

17

cyber charter school. The charter, when duly signed, shall

18

act as legal authorization of the establishment of a cyber

19

charter school. The charter shall be legally binding on the

20

department, the cyber charter school and its board of

21

trustees. The charter shall be for a period of no less than

22

three years nor more than five years and may be renewed for a

23

period of five years by the department.

24

(4)  The decision of the department to deny an

25

application may be appealed to the appeal board.

26

(g)  Denied application.--A cyber charter school applicant

27

may revise and resubmit a denied application to the department.

28

The department shall grant or deny the revised application

29

within 60 days after its receipt.

30

(h)  Appeal.--If the department fails to hold the required

- 51 -

 


1

public hearing or to approve or disapprove the charter, the

2

applicant may file its application as an appeal to the appeal

3

board. The appeal board shall review the application and make a

4

decision to approve or disapprove the charter based on the

5

criteria in subsection (f).

6

Section 1746-A.  State Charter School Appeal Board review.

7

(a)  Jurisdiction.--The appeal board shall have the exclusive

8

review of an appeal by a cyber charter school applicant or by

9

the board of trustees of a cyber charter school on the decisions

10

of the department, including:

11

(1)  The denial of an application for a charter.

12

(2)  The denial of a renewal of a charter.

13

(3)  The revocation of a charter.

14

(4)  An appeal under section 1745-A(h).

15

(b)  Procedure.--The appeal board shall:

16

(1)  Review the decision made by the department under

17

subsection (a) on the record as certified by the department.

18

The secretary shall recuse himself from all cyber charter

19

school appeals and shall not participate in a hearing,

20

deliberation or vote on a cyber charter school appeal. The

21

appeal board may allow the department, the cyber charter

22

school applicant or the board of trustees of a cyber charter

23

school to supplement the record if the supplemental

24

information was previously unavailable.

25

(2)  Meet to officially review the certified record no

26

later than 30 days after the date of filing the appeal.

27

(3)  Issue a written decision affirming or denying the

28

appeal no later than 60 days following its review.

29

(4)  In the case of a decision by the department to deny

30

a cyber charter application, make its decision based on

- 52 -

 


1

section 1745-A(f)(1). A decision by the appeal board to

2

reverse the decision of the department and grant a charter

3

shall serve as a requirement for the secretary to sign the

4

written charter of the cyber charter school.

5

(5)  In the case of a decision by the department to

6

revoke or deny renewal of a cyber school charter in

7

accordance with section 1741-A(a)(3), make its decision based

8

on section 1729-A(a). A decision of the appeal board to

9

reverse the decision of the department to not revoke or deny

10

renewal of a charter shall serve as a requirement of the

11

department to not revoke or to not deny renewal of the

12

charter of the cyber charter school.

13

(c)  Stay.--If the department appeals the decision of the

14

appeal board, the appeal board's decision shall be stayed only

15

upon order of the appeal board, the Commonwealth Court or the

16

Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

17

(d)  Review.--All decisions of the appeal board shall be

18

subject to appellate review by the Commonwealth Court.

19

Section 1747-A.  Cyber charter school application.

20

In addition to the provisions of section 1719-A, an

21

application to establish a cyber charter school shall also

22

include the following:

23

(1)  The curriculum to be offered and how it meets the

24

requirements of 22 Pa. Code Ch. 4 (relating to academic

25

standards and assessment) or subsequent regulations

26

promulgated to replace 22 Pa. Code Ch. 4.

27

(2)  The number of courses required for elementary and

28

secondary students.

29

(3)  An explanation of the amount of on-line time

30

required for elementary and secondary students.

- 53 -

 


1

(4)  The manner in which teachers will deliver

2

instruction, assess academic progress and communicate with

3

students to provide assistance.

4

(5)  A specific explanation of any cooperative learning

5

opportunities, meetings with students, parents and guardians,

6

field trips or study sessions.

7

(6)  The technology, including types of hardware and

8

software, equipment and other materials which will be

9

provided by the cyber charter school to the student.

10

(7)  A description of how the cyber charter school will

11

define and monitor a student's school day, including the

12

delineation of on-line and off-line time.

13

(8)  A description of commercially prepared standardized

14

achievement tests that will be used by the cyber charter

15

school in addition to the Pennsylvania System of School

16

Assessment test, including the grade levels that will be

17

tested and how the data collected from the tests will be used

18

to improve instruction.

19

(9)  The technical support that will be available to

20

students and parents or guardians.

21

(10)  The privacy and security measures to ensure the

22

confidentiality of data gathered online.

23

(11)  The level of anticipated enrollment during each

24

school year of the proposed charter, including expected

25

increases due to the addition of grade levels.

26

(12)  The methods to be used to insure the authenticity

27

of student work and adequate proctoring of examinations.

28

(13)  The provision of education and related services to

29

students with disabilities, including evaluation and the

30

development and revision of individualized education

- 54 -

 


1

programs.

2

(14)  Policies regarding truancy, absences and withdrawal

3

of students, including the manner in which the cyber charter

4

school will monitor attendance consistent with the provisions

5

of section 1715-A(9).

6

(15)  The types and frequency of communication between

7

the cyber charter school and the student and the manner in

8

which the cyber charter school will communicate with parents

9

and guardians.

10

(16)  The addresses of all facilities and offices of the

11

cyber charter school, the ownership thereof and any lease

12

arrangements.

13

Section 1748-A.  Enrollment and notification.

14

(a)  Notice to school district.--

15

(1)  Within 15 days of the enrollment of a student to a

16

cyber charter school, the parent or guardian and the cyber

17

charter school shall notify the student's school district of

18

residence of the enrollment through the use of the

19

notification form under subsection (b).

20

(2)  If a school district which has received notice under

21

paragraph (1) determines that a student is not a resident of

22

the school district, the following apply:

23

(i)  Within seven days of receipt of the notice under

24

paragraph (1), the school district shall notify the cyber

25

charter school and the department that the student is not

26

a resident of the school district. Notification of

27

nonresidence shall include the basis for the

28

determination.

29

(ii)  Within seven days of notification under

30

subparagraph (i), the cyber charter school shall review

- 55 -

 


1

the notification of nonresidence, respond to the school

2

district and provide a copy of the response to the

3

department. If the cyber charter school agrees that a

4

student is not a resident of the school district, it

5

shall determine the proper district of residence of the

6

student before requesting funds from another school

7

district.

8

(iii)  Within seven days of receipt of the response

9

under subparagraph (ii), the school district shall notify

10

the cyber charter school that it agrees with the cyber

11

charter school's determination or does not agree with the

12

cyber charter school's determination.

13

(iv)  A school district that has notified the cyber

14

charter school that it does not agree with the cyber

15

charter school's determination under subparagraph (iii)

16

shall appeal to the department for a final determination.

17

(v)  All decisions of the department regarding the

18

school district of residence of a student shall be

19

subject to review by the Commonwealth Court.

20

(vi)  A school district shall continue to make

21

payments to a cyber charter school under section 1725-A

22

during the time in which the school district of residence

23

of a student is in dispute.

24

(vii)  If a final determination is made that a

25

student is not a resident of an appealing school

26

district, the cyber charter school shall return all funds

27

provided on behalf of that student to the school district

28

within 30 days.

29

(b)  Notification form.--The department shall develop a

30

notification form for use under subsection (a). The notification

- 56 -

 


1

shall include:

2

(1)  The name, home address and mailing address of the

3

student.

4

(2)  The grade in which the student is being enrolled.

5

(3)  The date the student will be enrolled.

6

(4)  The name and address of the cyber charter school and

7

the name and telephone number of a contact person able to

8

provide information regarding the cyber charter school.

9

(5)  The signature of the parent or guardian and an

10

authorized representative of the cyber charter school.

11

(c)  Withdrawal.--The cyber charter school and the parent or

12

guardian of a student enrolled in a cyber charter school shall

13

provide written notification to the student's school district of

14

residence within 15 days following the withdrawal of a student

15

from the cyber charter school.

16

Section 1749-A.  Applicability of other provisions of this

17

act and of other acts and regulations.

18

(a)  General requirements.--Cyber charter schools shall be

19

subject to the following:

20

(1)  Sections 108, 110, 111, 321, 325, 326, 327, 431,

21

436, 443, 510, 518, 527, 708, 752, 753, 755, 771, 776, 777,

22

808, 809, 810, 1109, 1111, 1112(a), 1205.1, 1205.2, 1301,

23

1302, 1310, 1317.2, 1318, 1330, 1332, 1303-A, 1518, 1521,

24

1523, 1531, 1547, 1702-A, 1703-A, 1714-A, 1715-A, 1716-A,

25

1719-A, 1721-A, 1722-A, 1723-A(a) and (b), 1724-A, 1725-A,

26

1727-A, 1729-A, 1730-A, 1731-A(a)(1) and (b) and 2014-A and

27

Articles XII-A, XIII-A and XIV.

28

(2)  The act of July 17, 1961 (P.L.776, No.341), known as

29

the Pennsylvania Fair Educational Opportunities Act.

30

(3)  The act of July 19, 1965 (P.L.215, No.116), entitled

- 57 -

 


1

"An act providing for the use of eye protective devices by

2

persons engaged in hazardous activities or exposed to known

3

dangers in schools, colleges and universities."

4

(4)  Section 4 of the act of January 25, 1966 (1965

5

P.L.1546, No.541), entitled "An act providing scholarships

6

and providing funds to secure Federal funds for qualified

7

students of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who need

8

financial assistance to attend postsecondary institutions of

9

higher learning, making an appropriation, and providing for

10

the administration of this act."

11

(5)  The act of July 12, 1972 (P.L.765, No.181) entitled

12

"An act relating to drugs and alcohol and their abuse,

13

providing for projects and programs and grants to educational

14

agencies, other public or private agencies, institutions or

15

organizations."

16

(6)  The act of December 15, 1986 (P.L.1595, No.175),

17

known as the Antihazing Law.

18

(b)  Regulations.--Cyber charter schools shall be subject to

19

the following provisions of 22 Pa. Code (relating to education):

20

(1)  Chapter 4 (relating to academic standards and

21

assessment).

22

(2)  Chapter 11 (relating to pupil attendance).

23

(3)  Chapter 12 (relating to students).

24

(4)  Section 32.3 (relating to assurances).

25

(5)  Section 121.3 (relating to discrimination

26

prohibited).

27

(6)  Section 235.4 (relating to practices).

28

(7)  Section 235.8 (relating to civil rights).

29

(8)  Chapter 711 (relating to charter school services and

30

programs for children with disabilities).

- 58 -

 


1

(c)  Existing charter schools.--

2

(1)  The charter of a charter school approved under

3

section 1717-A or 1718-A which provides instruction through

4

the Internet or other electronic means shall remain in effect

5

for the duration of the charter and shall be subject to the

6

provisions of Subdivision (b).

7

(2)  In addition to subsections (a) and (b), the

8

following provisions of this subdivision shall apply to a

9

charter school approved under section 1717-A or 1718-A which

10

provides instruction through the Internet or other electronic

11

means:

12

(i)  Section 1743-A(c), (d), (e), (h) and (i).

13

(ii)  Section 1744-A.

14

(iii)  Section 1748-A.

15

Section 1750-A.  Effect on certain existing charter schools.

16

(a)  Determination.--For a charter school approved under

17

section 1717-A or 1718-A which provides instruction through the

18

Internet or other electronic means, prior to August 15, 2002,

19

the department shall determine:

20

(1)  whether the charter school is in compliance with

21

this subdivision;

22

(2)  whether the charter school has provided notification

23

of the enrollment of each existing student to the school

24

district of residence; and

25

(3)  how the charter school plans to comply with section

26

1743-A(d).

27

(b)  Notification of compliance.--Prior to August 15, 2002,

28

the department shall:

29

(1)  Notify each charter school and the chartering school

30

district of the department's determination under subsection

- 59 -

 


1

(a). The notification shall include specific requirements

2

with which the charter school has failed to comply.

3

(2)  Publish a copy of the notification on the

4

department's World Wide Web site.

5

(c)  Charter school requirement.--A charter school subject to

6

the requirements of this section shall, either in writing or

7

electronically, provide the parent or guardian of any student

8

enrolled in the charter school a copy of the department's

9

determination under subsection (b).

10

(d)  School districts.--A school district shall not renew the

11

charter of a charter school approved under section 1717-A or

12

1718-A which provides instruction through the Internet or other

13

electronic means or approve a charter for a cyber charter

14

school.

15

(e)  Renewal of charter for certain existing charter

16

schools.--Upon the expiration of its charter, a charter school

17

approved under section 1717-A or 1718-A which provides

18

instruction through the Internet or other electronic means shall

19

seek renewal of its charter from the department under this

20

subdivision. The charter shall be amended as needed to reflect

21

the requirements of this subdivision.

22

Section 1751-A.  Regulations.

23

The department may issue regulations to implement this

24

subdivision.]

25

Section 4.  The act is amended by adding an article to read:

26

ARTICLE XVII-C

27

CHARTER SCHOOLS AND CYBER CHARTER SCHOOLS

28

SUBARTICLE A

29

PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS

30

Section 1701-C.  Scope of article.

- 60 -

 


1

This article relates to charter schools and cyber charter

2

schools.

3

Section 1702-C.  Legislative intent.

4

It is the intent of the General Assembly to provide pupils

5

and community members the ability to establish and maintain

6

schools that operate independently from the existing school

7

district structure as a method to accomplish all of the

8

following:

9

(1)  Improve pupil learning.

10

(2)  Increase learning opportunities for all pupils.

11

(3)  Encourage the use of different and innovative

12

teaching methods.

13

(4)  Create new professional opportunities for teachers,

14

including the opportunity to be responsible for the learning

15

program at the school site.

16

(5)  Provide parents and pupils with expanded choices in

17

the types of educational opportunities that are available

18

within the public school system.

19

(6)  Hold the schools established under this article

20

accountable for meeting measurable academic standards and

21

provide the school with a method to establish accountability

22

systems.

23

Section 1703-C.  Definitions.

24

The following words and phrases when used in this article

25

shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

26

context clearly indicates otherwise:

27

"Administrator."  The term includes those employees of a

28

charter school or cyber charter school, including the chief

29

administrator of a charter school or cyber charter school and

30

all other employees, who by virtue of their positions are

- 61 -

 


1

responsible for taking or recommending official action of a

2

nonministerial nature with regard to contracting or procurement,

3

administering or monitoring grants or subsidies, managing or

4

regulating staff, student and school activities or any activity

5

where the official action has an economic impact of greater than

6

a de minimis nature on the interests of any person.

7

"At-risk student."  A student at risk of educational failure

8

because of limited English proficiency, poverty, community

9

factors, truancy, academic difficulties or economic

10

disadvantage.

11

"Authorizer."  The commission, a local board of school

12

directors or a governing board of an institution of higher

13

education that meets the requirements of section 1718-C(d)(1)

14

(iii).

15

"Charter school."  An independent public school established

16

and operated under a charter from an authorizer and in which

17

students are enrolled or attend. A charter school must be

18

organized as a public, nonprofit corporation. A charter may not

19

be granted to any for-profit entity.

20

"Charter school foundation."  A nonprofit organization, as

21

defined under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of

22

1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3)), that provides

23

funding, resources or otherwise serves to support a charter

24

school or cyber charter school, either directly or through an

25

affiliated entity.

26

"Chief administrator."  An individual appointed by the board

27

of trustees to oversee and manage the operation of the charter

28

school or cyber charter school. The term shall not include a

29

professional staff member under this article.

30

"Commission."  The State Commission on Charter Schools and

- 62 -

 


1

Cyber Charter Schools.

2

"Committee."  The Charter School and Cyber Charter School

3

Funding Advisory Committee.

4

"Cyber charter school."  An independent public school

5

established and operated under a charter from the commission and

6

which uses technology in order to provide a significant portion

7

of its curriculum and to deliver a significant portion of

8

instruction to its students through the Internet or other

9

electronic means. A cyber charter school must be organized as a

10

public, nonprofit corporation. A charter may not be granted to

11

any for-profit entity.

12

"Department."  The Department of Education of the

13

Commonwealth.

14

"Educational management service provider."  A for-profit

15

education management organization, nonprofit charter management

16

organization, school design provider, business manager or any

17

other partner entity with which a charter school or cyber

18

charter school intends to contract for educational design,

19

implementation, business or comprehensive management. The term

20

does not include a charter school foundation.

21

"Fund."  The State Charter School and Cyber Charter School

22

Assessment Fund.

23

"Governing board."  The board of trustees or council of

24

trustees of an institution of higher education.

25

"History of extraordinarily low test performance."  A

26

combined average of 60% or more of students scoring in the

27

bottom measured group of 25% or below basic level of performance

28

on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment tests under 22

29

Pa. Code Ch. 4 (relating to academic standards and assessment)

30

in mathematics and reading in the most recent two school years

- 63 -

 


1

for which scores are available in those grades that have been

2

served for three years or more by the charter school or cyber

3

charter school.

4

"Immediate family member."  A parent, spouse, child, brother

5

or sister.

6

"Institution of higher education."  Any of the following:

7

(1)  A nonsectarian accredited college or university to

8

which 24 Pa.C.S. Ch. 65 (relating to private colleges,

9

universities and seminaries) applies.

10

(2)  An institution under Article XX-A.

11

(3)  A community college under Article XIX-A.

12

"Local board of school directors."  The board of directors of

13

a school district in which a proposed or an approved charter

14

school is located. The term shall include a special board of

15

control established under section 692 or a School Reform

16

Commission established under section 696.

17

"Nonrelated."  An individual who is not an immediate family

18

member.

19

"Regional charter school."  An independent public school that

20

is a charter school established and operated under a charter

21

from more than one authorizer and in which students are enrolled

22

or attend. A regional charter school must be organized as a

23

public, nonprofit corporation. A charter may not be granted to

24

any for-profit entity.

25

"School district of residence."  The school district in this

26

Commonwealth in which the parents or guardians of a child

27

reside.

28

"School entity."  A school district, intermediate unit, joint

29

school or area vocational-technical school.

30

"Secretary."  The Secretary of Education of the Commonwealth.

- 64 -

 


1

"State board."  The State Board of Education of the

2

Commonwealth.

3

Section 1704-C.  State Commission on Charter Schools and Cyber

4

Charter Schools.

5

(a)  Establishment.--The State Commission on Charter Schools

6

and Cyber Charter Schools is established as an independent

7

administrative commission.

8

(b)  Composition.--The commission shall consist of citizens

9

of this Commonwealth who shall be appointed as follows:

10

(1)  Three members who shall be appointed by the Governor

11

by and with the consent of a majority of all of the members

12

of the Senate. The members shall include:

13

(i)  A member of the State board.

14

(ii)  A faculty member or administrative employee of

15

an institution of higher education.

16

(iii)  A school board member.

17

(2)  Four members who shall be appointed by the General

18

Assembly as follows:

19

(i)  The majority leader of the Senate shall appoint

20

an administrator or board of trustee member of a charter

21

school or cyber charter school.

22

(ii)  The minority leader of the Senate shall appoint

23

a certificated teacher actively employed in a public

24

school, including a charter school or cyber charter

25

school.

26

(iii)  The majority leader of the House of

27

Representatives shall appoint a member of the business

28

community.

29

(iv)  The minority leader of the House of

30

Representatives shall appoint a parent of a school-aged

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1

child currently enrolled in a charter or cyber charter

2

school, who shall be eligible to serve only so long as

3

the child is attending the charter school or cyber

4

charter school.

5

(c)  Terms.--

6

(1)  The members initially appointed by the Governor

7

shall serve for terms of two, three and four years,

8

respectively, the particular term of each to be designated by

9

the Governor at the time of appointment.

10

(2)  (i)  Except for subparagraph (ii), the members

11

initially appointed by the General Assembly under

12

subsection (b)(2)(i), (ii) and (iii) shall serve for

13

terms of four years and the terms of those members'

14

successors shall be four years each.

15

(ii)  Any person appointed to fill a vacancy for a

16

member appointed under subsection (b)(2)(i), (ii) and

17

(iii) shall serve only for the unexpired term or until a

18

successor is appointed and qualified.

19

(iii)  A member appointed under subsection (b)(2)(iv)

20

shall serve a term of four years as long as the member's

21

child remains enrolled in the charter school or cyber

22

charter school. The term for that member's successor

23

shall be subject to the same condition.

24

(3)  Any appointed member of the commission shall be

25

eligible for reappointment.

26

(4)  Annually at the first meeting held during the

27

calendar year, the members shall elect one of the members to

28

serve as chairperson.

29

(d)  Meetings.--The commission shall meet as needed to

30

fulfill the purposes provided under this section. A majority of

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1

the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum, and a

2

majority of the members of the commission shall have authority

3

to act upon any matter properly before the commission. The

4

commission is authorized to establish rules for its operation.

5

(e)  Compensation.--The members shall receive no payment for

6

their services. Members who are not employees of State

7

government shall be reimbursed from the fund for expenses

8

incurred in the course of their official duties.

9

(f)  Executive director.--An executive director shall be

10

appointed by the members of the commission. The executive

11

director shall be paid compensation as the commission may

12

determine. The executive director may employ personnel and

13

contract for consulting services as may be necessary and

14

authorized to carry out the purposes of this article if the

15

services are procured through a competitive bidding process.

16

Staff of the commission, other than the executive director,

17

shall be employed in accordance with the act of August 5, 1941

18

(P.L.752, No.286), known as the Civil Service Act.

19

(g)  Open meetings and documents.--Meetings of the commission

20

shall be conducted under 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 (relating to open

21

meetings) and all hearings shall be conducted in accordance with

22

2 Pa.C.S. Ch. 5 Subch. A (relating to practice and procedure of

23

Commonwealth agencies). Documents of the commission shall be

24

subject to the act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6, No.3), known as

25

the Right-to-Know Law.

26

(h)  Powers and duties.--The commission shall have the

27

following powers and duties:

28

(1)  Implement the provisions of this article and

29

promulgate regulations.

30

(2)  Serve as an authorizer for charter schools and cyber

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1

charter schools.

2

(3)  Collect, develop and disseminate information,

3

policies, strategies and best practices for the effective

4

management and operation of charter schools and cyber charter

5

schools.

6

(4)  Provide technical support and assistance to charter

7

schools, cyber charter schools and authorizers, including

8

mentoring and building collaborative partnerships within the

9

community, the authorizer and the charter school.

10

(5)  Identify model charter school and cyber charter

11

school applications and provide best practices.

12

(6)  Collaborate with intermediate units and other

13

entities to make continuing education training and

14

professional development available for members of the board

15

of trustees, administrators, faculty and staff of a charter

16

school or cyber charter school.

17

(7)  Develop and issue standardized forms that shall be

18

used by all applicants, authorizers, charter schools and

19

cyber charter schools as required under sections 1721-C,

20

1726-C, 1731-C and 1735-C.

21

(8)  Receive, review and act on applications for the

22

creation of a charter school or a cyber charter school and

23

have the power to request further information from

24

applicants, obtain input from interested persons or entities

25

and hold hearings regarding applications.

26

(9)  Direct all authorizers, charter schools and cyber

27

charter schools to submit an annual report to the commission

28

no later than September 1 of each year and to publish the

29

same on the commission's Internet website on an annual basis.

30

(10)  Oversee the performance and effectiveness of all

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1

charter schools and cyber charter schools.

2

(11)  Refer to the district attorney with jurisdiction or

3

to the Office of Attorney General for prosecution if the

4

commission discovers or receives information about possible

5

violations of law by any person affiliated with or employed

6

by an authorizer, charter school or cyber charter school.

7

(12)  Fix assessment fees as required under section

8

1705-C.

9

(13)  Renew, revoke or deny renewal of a charter school

10

or cyber charter school's charter under section 1723-C.

11

(14)  Review appeals and render decisions under section

12

1724-C.

13

(15)  Oversee and enforce the timely payment to charter

14

schools and cyber charter schools as required under section

15

1728-C.

16

(16)  Provide a list of approved qualified independent

17

certified public accountants to conduct independent audits as

18

required under section 1731-C.

19

(17)  Ensure that charter schools and cyber charter

20

schools comply with Federal laws and regulations governing

21

children with disabilities.

22

(18)  Receive, review and act on charter school transfers

23

under section 1734-C(c).

24

(19)  Receive, review and act on multiple charter school

25

organization requests under section 1735-C.

26

Section 1705-C.  State Charter School and Cyber Charter School

27

Assessment Fund.

28

(a)  Establishment.--There is established the State Charter

29

School and Cyber Charter School Assessment Fund within the State

30

Treasury.

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1

(b)  Funding.--

2

(1)  Funding for the commission shall be sought each year

3

through Federal and nonprofit grants. To the extent that

4

additional revenues to fund the commission are necessary,

5

each charter school and cyber charter school shall be

6

assessed an annual fee for the purposes of financing the

7

commission. The fee shall be assessed based on the charter

8

school or cyber charter school's student population not to

9

exceed the following:

10

1 to 399 students...............

$2,500

11

400 to 999 students.............

$5,000

12

1,000 to 4,999 students.........

$10,000

13

More than 5,000 students........

$15,000.

14

(2)  The commission shall file a proposed budget annually

15

with the Appropriations Committee of the Senate and the

16

Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives and

17

the Education Committee of the Senate and the Education

18

Committee of the House of Representatives. If the revenues

19

generated by fees in accordance with this article are not

20

sufficient to match expenditures over a two-year period or

21

are inadequate to meet the minimum enforcement efforts

22

required, the commission may set additional fees by

23

regulation in accordance with the index provided for under

24

the act of June 27, 2006 (1st Sp.Sess., P.L.1873, No.1),

25

known as the Taxpayer Relief Act, and subject to review in

26

accordance with the act of June 25, 1982 (P.L.633, No.181),

27

known as the Regulatory Review Act, so that projected

28

revenues will meet or exceed projected expenditures.

29

(c)  Fees.--Fees shall be collected annually and deposited

30

within the fund. Money in the fund is appropriated to the

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1

commission on a continuing basis for the purposes of fulfilling

2

the requirements of this article.

3

Section 1706-C.  Charter School and Cyber Charter School Funding

4

Advisory Committee.

5

(a)  Convention.--

6

(1)  The department shall immediately convene a Statewide

7

advisory committee to examine the financing of charter

8

schools and cyber charter schools in the public education

9

system. The committee shall examine how charter school and

10

cyber charter school finances affect opportunities for

11

teachers, parents, pupils and community members to establish

12

and maintain schools that operate independently from the

13

existing school district structure as a method to accomplish

14

the requirements of section 1702-C. The department shall

15

provide administrative support, meeting space and any other

16

assistance required by the committee to carry out its duties

17

under this section.

18

(2)  The committee shall consist of the following

19

members:

20

(i)  The chairman and minority chairman of the

21

Education Committee of the Senate and the chairman and

22

the minority chairman of the Education Committee of the

23

House of Representatives or their designees.

24

(ii)  The secretary or a designee.

25

(iii)  The chairman of the State board or a designee.

26

(iv)  The following members, who shall be appointed

27

by the secretary:

28

(A)  One member who shall represent charter

29

schools.

30

(B)  One member who shall represent cyber charter

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1

schools.

2

(C)  One member who shall represent teachers, who

3

may be a public school teacher, a charter school

4

teacher, a cyber charter school teacher or a

5

nonpublic school teacher.

6

(D)  One member who shall represent school

7

administrators.

8

(E)  One member who shall represent school board

9

members.

10

(F)  One member who shall represent a business

11

manager of a school district.

12

(G)  One member who shall represent a parent of a

13

child attending a charter school or cyber charter

14

school.

15

(H)  Two members who shall represent institutions

16

of higher education.

17

(3)  Members of the committee shall be appointed within

18

45 days of the effective date of this section. Any vacancy on

19

the committee shall be filled by the original appointing

20

officer or agency. The committee shall select a chairman and

21

vice chairman from among its membership at an organizational

22

meeting. The organizational meeting shall take place no later

23

than 90 days following the effective date of this section.

24

(4)  The committee shall hold meetings at the call of the

25

chairman. The committee may also hold public hearings on the

26

matters to be considered by the committee at locations

27

throughout this Commonwealth. All meetings and public

28

hearings of the committee shall be deemed public meetings for

29

the purpose of 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 (relating to open meetings).

30

Nine members of the committee shall constitute a quorum at

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1

any meeting. Each member of the committee may designate

2

another person to represent that member at meetings of the

3

committee.

4

(5)  Committee members shall receive no compensation for

5

their services but shall be reimbursed for all necessary

6

travel and other reasonable expenses incurred in connection

7

with the performance of their duties as members. Whenever

8

possible, the committee shall utilize the services and

9

expertise of existing personnel and staff of State

10

government.

11

(6)  The committee shall have the following powers and

12

duties:

13

(i)  Meet with current charter school and cyber

14

charter school operators within this Commonwealth,

15

including cyber charter schools and blended programs.

16

(ii)  Review charter school and cyber charter school

17

financing laws in operation throughout the United States.

18

(iii)  Evaluate and make recommendations on the

19

following:

20

(A)  Powers and duties extended to charter

21

schools and cyber charter schools as they relate to

22

financing.

23

(B)  Funding formulas for charter schools,

24

regional charter schools and cyber charter schools,

25

including reimbursement procedures and funding under

26

Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act

27

of 1965 (Public Law 89-10, 20 U.S.C. Ch. 63 et seq.).

28

(C)  The process by which charter schools and

29

cyber charter schools are funded under section

30

1728-C.

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1

(D)  Student residency as it relates to funding.

2

(E)  Special education and other special program

3

funding.

4

(F)  Charter school and cyber charter school

5

transportation.

6

(G)  Charter school and cyber charter school

7

eligibility to receive grants and funding.

8

(H)  Appropriate assessment fees on charter

9

schools and cyber charter schools.

10

(I)  Consideration of recognizing charter schools

11

and cyber charter schools for additional designations

12

as a local education agency.

13

(iv)  The committee shall, no later than November 30,

14

2012, issue a report of its findings and recommendations

15

to the Governor, the President pro tempore of the Senate,

16

the Minority Leader of the Senate, the chairman and

17

minority chairman of the Education Committee of the

18

Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the

19

Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and the

20

chairman and minority chairman of the Education Committee

21

of the House of Representatives.

22

(b)  (Reserved).

23

SUBARTICLE B

24

CHARTER SCHOOLS AND CYBER CHARTER SCHOOLS

25

Section 1714-C.  Powers.

26

(a)  Body corporate.--A charter school or cyber charter

27

school established under this article is a body corporate and

28

shall have all powers necessary or desirable for carrying out

29

its charter, including the power to:

30

(1)  Adopt a name and corporate seal; however, any name

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1

selected shall include the words "charter school" or "cyber

2

charter school."

3

(2)  Sue and be sued, but only to the same extent and

4

upon the same condition that political subdivisions and local

5

agencies can be sued.

6

(3)  Acquire real property from public or private sources

7

by purchase, lease, lease with an option to purchase or gift

8

for use as a charter school or cyber charter school facility.

9

(4)  Receive and disburse funds for charter school or

10

cyber charter school purposes only.

11

(5)  Make contracts and leases for the procurement of

12

services, including services to fulfill the duties of the

13

administrators and chief administrator for the charter school

14

or cyber charter school, equipment and supplies.

15

(6)  Incur temporary debts in anticipation of the receipt

16

of funds.

17

(7)  Incur debt for the construction of school

18

facilities.

19

(8)  Solicit and accept any gifts or grants for charter

20

school or cyber charter school purposes.

21

(9)  Enter into a concurrent enrollment agreement under

22

Article XVI-B with an institution of higher education.

23

(b)  Necessary powers.--A charter school or cyber charter

24

school shall have other powers as are necessary to fulfill its

25

charter and which are not inconsistent with this article.

26

(c)  Liability for indebtedness.--Any indebtedness incurred

27

by a charter school or cyber charter school in the exercise of

28

the powers specified under this section shall not impose any

29

liability or legal obligation upon a school entity or upon the

30

Commonwealth.

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1

Section 1715-C.  Requirements.

2

(a)  Compliance.--Charter schools and cyber charter schools

3

shall be required to comply with the following:

4

(1)  Except as otherwise provided under this article, a

5

charter school or cyber charter school shall be exempt from

6

statutory requirements established under this act, from

7

regulations of the State board and from standards of the

8

secretary not specifically applicable to charter schools and

9

cyber charter schools. Charter schools and cyber charter

10

schools shall not be exempt from statutes applicable to

11

public schools other than under this article.

12

(2)  A charter school or cyber charter school shall be

13

accountable to the parents, the public and the Commonwealth,

14

with the delineation of that accountability reflected in the

15

charter. Strategies for meaningful parent and community

16

involvement shall be developed and implemented by each

17

school.

18

(3)  A charter school or cyber charter school shall not

19

unlawfully discriminate in admissions, hiring or operation.

20

(4)  A charter school or cyber charter school shall be

21

nonsectarian in all operations.

22

(5)  A charter school or cyber charter school shall not

23

provide any religious instruction, nor shall it display

24

religious objects and symbols on the premises of the school

25

with the intention of advancing or endorsing religion. It

26

shall not be a violation of this section for a charter school

27

or cyber charter school to utilize:

28

(i)  A sectarian facility if the religious objects

29

and symbols within the portions of the facility utilized

30

by the school are covered or removed to the extent

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1

reasonably feasible.

2

(ii)  A sectarian facility where the unused portion

3

of the facility or its common areas contain religious

4

symbols and objects.

5

(6)  A charter school or cyber charter school shall not

6

advocate unlawful behavior.

7

(7)  Consistent with section 220, a charter school or

8

cyber charter school shall participate in the Pennsylvania

9

State Assessment System as provided for in 22 Pa. Code Ch. 4

10

(relating to academic standards and assessment) or subsequent

11

regulations promulgated to replace 22 Pa. Code Ch. 4. A

12

charter school or cyber charter school shall be treated in

13

the same manner as a school district for the purposes of

14

measuring the charter school or cyber charter school's

15

adequate yearly progress under the No Child Left Behind Act

16

of 2001.

17

(8)  A charter school or cyber charter school shall

18

provide a minimum of 180 days of instruction or 900 hours per

19

year of instruction at the elementary level or 990 hours per

20

year of instruction at the secondary level. Attendance at a

21

cyber charter school shall satisfy requirements for

22

compulsory attendance. Nothing in this paragraph shall

23

preclude the use of computer and satellite linkages for

24

delivering instruction to students.

25

(b)  (Reserved).

26

Section 1716-C.  Board of trustees.

27

(a)  Public officials.--

28

(1)  All members of the board of trustees of a charter

29

school or cyber charter school shall be public officials and

30

subject to 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 11 (relating to ethics standards

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1

and financial disclosure) and shall file a statement of

2

financial interests for the preceding calendar year with the

3

State Ethics Commission and the commission no later than May

4

1 of each year that members hold the position and of the year

5

after a member leaves the position.

6

(2)  All members of the board of trustees of a charter

7

school or cyber charter school shall take the oath of office

8

as required under section 321 before entering upon the duties

9

of their office.

10

(b)  Powers.--The board of trustees of a charter school or

11

cyber charter school shall have the authority to decide matters

12

related to the operation of the school, including budgeting,

13

curriculum and operating procedures, subject to the school's

14

charter. The board shall have the authority to employ, discharge

15

and contract with necessary professional and nonprofessional

16

employees, subject to the school's charter and this article.

17

(c)  Restrictions.--The following shall apply to all members

18

of the board of trustees of a charter school or a cyber charter

19

school:

20

(1)  No member of the local board of school directors of

21

a school entity shall serve on the board of trustees of a

22

charter school that is located in the member's district.

23

(2)  For all charter schools and cyber charter schools

24

chartered after the effective date of this section, an

25

individual is prohibited from serving as a voting member of

26

the board of trustees of a charter school or a cyber charter

27

school if the individual or an immediate family member

28

receives compensation from or is employed by or is a board

29

member of an authorizer who participates in the initial

30

review, approval, oversight, evaluation or renewal process of

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1

a charter school or cyber charter school chartered by that

2

authorizer with the exception of all current board members.

3

An employee of the authorizer which chartered the charter

4

school or cyber charter school may serve as a member of the

5

board of trustees without voting privileges.

6

(3)  No member of the board of trustees of a charter

7

school or cyber charter school shall participate in the

8

selection, award or administration of any contract if the

9

member has a conflict of interest, as that term is defined in

10

65 Pa.C.S. § 1102 (relating to definitions). Any member of

11

the board of trustees who in the discharge of his official

12

duties would be required to vote on a matter that would

13

result in a conflict of interest shall abstain from voting

14

and follow the procedures required under 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(j)

15

(relating to restricted activities). A member of the board of

16

trustees who knowingly violates this section commits a

17

violation of 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a) and shall be subject to the

18

penalties imposed under the jurisdiction of the State Ethics

19

Commission. Any contract made in violation of this subsection

20

shall be voidable by a court of competent jurisdiction if the

21

suit is commenced within 90 days of the making of the

22

contract.

23

(4)  A member of the board of trustees of a charter

24

school or cyber charter school shall be automatically

25

disqualified and immediately removed from the board upon

26

conviction for an offense graded as a felony, an infamous

27

crime, an offense pertaining to fraud, theft or mismanagement

28

of public funds, any offense pertaining to his official

29

capacity as a board member or any crime involving moral

30

turpitude.

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1

(d)  Board structure.--

2

(1)  The board of trustees of a charter school or cyber

3

charter school shall have a minimum of five nonrelated voting

4

members. If a charter school or cyber charter school has

5

fewer than five nonrelated voting members serving on its

6

board on the effective date of this section, the charter

7

school or cyber charter school shall have one year to appoint

8

additional members to the board to meet the minimum

9

requirements of this section.

10

(2)  Within one year of the effective date of this

11

section, at least one member of the board of trustees of a

12

charter school or cyber charter school shall be a parent of a

13

child currently attending that charter school or cyber

14

charter school. The board member shall be eligible to serve

15

only so long as the child is attending the charter school or

16

cyber charter school.

17

(e)  Organization of meetings of boards of trustees.--

18

(1)  A majority of the members of the board of trustees

19

shall be a quorum. If less than a majority is present at any

20

meeting, no business shall be transacted at the meeting.

21

(2)  The affirmative vote of a majority of all the

22

members of the board of trustees, duly recorded, shall be

23

required in order to take action on the subjects enumerated

24

under subsection (a).

25

(3)  All meetings shall be subject to 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7

26

(relating to open meetings).

27

(f)  Refusal or neglect of duty.--

28

(1)  If a member of the board of trustees refuses or

29

neglects to perform any duty imposed upon it under this

30

article, 25 individuals who are parents or guardians of

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1

students of the charter school or cyber charter school may

2

present a petition in writing of the refusal or neglect,

3

verified by oath or affirmation, to the court of common pleas

4

in the county in which the charter school building is located

5

or, in the case of a cyber charter school, to the

6

Commonwealth Court. The petition shall set forth the facts

7

regarding the board member.

8

(2)  The court shall grant a rule upon the member of the

9

board of trustees, returnable in not less than ten days nor

10

more than 20 days from the date of issue, to show cause why

11

the member should not be removed from the board. The member

12

shall have at least five days' notice of the granting of the

13

rule. On or before the return day of the rule, the member or

14

members, individually or jointly, shall file in writing their

15

answer or answers to the petition, under oath. If the facts

16

set forth in the petition, or any material part of the

17

petition, are denied, the court shall conduct a hearing on

18

the petition. If, after the hearing or if no answer is timely

19

filed denying the facts set forth in the petition, the court

20

finds that any duty imposed on the members required under

21

this article has not been done or has been neglected by them,

22

the court shall have power to remove the member or members

23

and shall direct the commission in conjunction with the

24

school's authorizer to appoint other qualified persons to

25

serve for the duration of the removed members' unexpired

26

terms, subject to this article. The court shall impose the

27

cost of the proceedings on the petitioners, the members or

28

the authorizer or may apportion the cost among them. Any

29

person removed as a member of the board of trustees of a

30

charter school or cyber charter school under this paragraph

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1

shall not be eligible again as a board member for a period of

2

five years from the removal.

3

Section 1717-C.  Administrators.

4

(a)    Public employee.--A person who serves as an

5

administrator for a charter school or cyber charter school shall

6

be a public employee under 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 11 (relating to ethics

7

standards and financial disclosure) and shall file a statement

8

of financial interests for the preceding calendar year with the

9

commission and the board of trustees no later than May 1 of each

10

year that he holds the position and of the year after he leaves

11

the position.

12

(b)  Duties of chief administrator.--The chief administrator

13

shall exercise the duties designated by the board of trustees,

14

including the following:

15

(1)  In accordance with established board policy and

16

bylaws, upon action by the board of trustees to approve any

17

bill or account for payment of money and to prepare and sign

18

an order for the payment of money.

19

(2)  To comply with all reporting requirements of this

20

article.

21

(3)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this article

22

and other laws, to serve as custodian of all records,

23

commissions and property of the charter school or cyber

24

charter school.

25

(4)  To receive and deposit funds in accordance with

26

established board policy consistent with this article and all

27

other laws at the end of each month to make or cause to be

28

made a report to the board of trustees of the amount of funds

29

received and the amount dispersed during the month.

30

(5)  To perform other duties pertaining to the business

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1

of the charter school or cyber charter school as required

2

under this article.

3

(c)  Restrictions.--

4

(1)  A person who serves as an administrator for a

5

charter school or cyber charter school shall not receive

6

compensation from another charter school or cyber charter

7

school or from an educational management service provider

8

except as follows:

9

(i)  The administrator has submitted a sworn

10

statement to each charter school or cyber charter school

11

board of trustees. The sworn statement shall detail the

12

work for the other entity and include the projected

13

number of hours, rate of compensation and projected

14

duration.

15

(ii)  The board of trustees shall grant permission to

16

the administrator by resolution.

17

(iii)  A copy of the sworn statement and the

18

resolution by the board of trustees approving the request

19

shall be kept on file with the charter school or cyber

20

charter school and with the commission.

21

(2)  No administrator of a charter school or cyber

22

charter school or immediate family member is permitted to

23

serve as a voting member of the board of trustees of their

24

charter school or cyber charter school.

25

(3)  No administrator of a charter school or cyber

26

charter school shall participate in the selection, award or

27

administration of a contract if he has a conflict of interest

28

as that term is defined in 65 Pa.C.S. § 1102 (relating to

29

definitions). An administrator who knowingly violates this

30

section commits a violation of 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a) (relating

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1

to restricted activities) and shall be subject to the

2

penalties imposed under the jurisdiction of the State Ethics

3

Commission. Any contract made in violation of this subsection

4

shall be voidable by the board of trustees of the charter

5

school or cyber charter school.

6

(4)  An administrator shall be immediately dismissed upon

7

conviction for an offense graded as a felony, an infamous

8

crime, an offense pertaining to fraud, theft or mismanagement

9

of public funds or any crime involving moral turpitude.

10

Section 1718-C.  Establishment.

11

(a)  Entities.--

12

(1)  A charter school or cyber charter school may be

13

established by any of the following:

14

(i)  An individual.

15

(ii)  One or more teachers who will teach at the

16

proposed school.

17

(iii)  Parents or guardians of students who will

18

enroll at the school.

19

(iv)  A nonsectarian college, university or museum

20

located in this Commonwealth.

21

(v)  A nonsectarian corporation not-for-profit, as

22

defined in 15 Pa.C.S. (relating to corporations and

23

unincorporated associations).

24

(vi)  A corporation, association or partnership.

25

(vii)  A combination of any of the entities listed

26

under this subsection.

27

(2)  No charter school or cyber charter school shall be

28

established or funded by and no charter shall be granted to

29

any sectarian school, institution or other entity. No funds

30

allocated or disbursed under this article shall be used to

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1

directly support instruction under section 1327.1.

2

(b)  Establishment of a charter school by conversion.--

3

(1)  A charter school may be established by converting an

4

existing public school or a portion of an existing public

5

school. The conversion of an existing public school or

6

portion of an existing public school to a charter school may

7

be initiated by any individual or entity authorized to

8

establish a charter school under subsection (a) or by the

9

school district where the existing public school is located.

10

(2)  The local board of school directors, the special

11

board of control established under section 692 or the School

12

Reform Commission established under section 696 which desires

13

to convert an existing public school or a portion of an

14

existing public school to a charter school may designate and

15

approve the existing public school or portion of an existing

16

public school that it seeks to convert to a charter school.

17

The local board of school directors, the special board of

18

control established under section 692 or the School Reform

19

Commission established under section 696 may accept

20

applications by any individual or entity authorized to

21

establish a charter school under subsection (a) to operate

22

the converted charter school. There shall be no limit on the

23

number of public schools in a school district that can be

24

converted to a charter school.

25

(3)  The authorizer shall not serve as the board of

26

trustees of an existing school which is converted to a

27

charter school under this subsection.

28

(4)  This article shall apply to an existing public

29

school converted to a charter school.

30

(5)  In the case of an existing school being converted to

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1

a charter school, the local board of school directors, the

2

special board of control established under section 692 or the

3

School Reform Commission established under section 696 shall

4

establish the alternative arrangements for current students

5

who choose not to attend the charter school.

6

(c)  Establishment of a cyber charter school by a local board

7

of school directors or intermediate unit.--A cyber charter

8

school may be established by a local board of school directors

9

or an intermediate unit if they follow the procedures and

10

requirements of this article. Nothing under this article shall

11

preclude a school district or an intermediate unit from offering

12

instruction via the Internet or other electronic means, except

13

that the instruction shall not be recognized as a cyber charter

14

school under this article.

15

(d)  Legal authorizers.--

16

(1)  The following entities shall be authorizers of a

17

charter school:

18

(i)  The commission.

19

(ii)  A local board of school directors.

20

(iii)  The governing board of an institution of

21

higher education which elects by affirmative vote of a

22

majority of all members to become an authorizer. A

23

governing board of an institution of higher education

24

that does not vote affirmatively to become an authorizer

25

shall not be subject to this article.

26

(2)  The commission shall be the authorizer of a cyber

27

charter school.

28

(e)  Initial application procedure.--

29

(1)  An application to establish a charter school or

30

cyber charter school shall be submitted to the appropriate

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1

authorizer by October 1 of the school year preceding the

2

school year in which the charter school or cyber charter

3

school proposes to commence operation.

4

(2)  Within 45 days of receipt of an application, the

5

authorizer shall hold at least one public hearing on the

6

charter application under 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 (relating to open

7

meetings) and section 1720-C. At least 45 days must transpire

8

between the first public hearing and the final decision of

9

the authorizer on the charter application, during which time

10

public comment shall be received and made part of the record.

11

(3)  An application submitted under this article shall be

12

evaluated by the authorizer based on criteria, including the

13

following:

14

(i)  The demonstrated, sustainable support for the

15

charter school plan by teachers, parents, other community

16

members and students, including comments received at the

17

public hearing held under subsection (d)(2).

18

(ii)  The capability of the applicant, in terms of

19

support and planning, to provide comprehensive learning

20

experiences to students pursuant to the adopted charter.

21

(4)  Not later than 75 days after the first public

22

hearing on the application, the authorizer which received the

23

application shall grant or deny the application.

24

(5)  An application shall be deemed approved by the

25

authorizer upon affirmative vote by a majority of all members

26

of the commission, the local board of school directors or

27

members of the governing board of an institution of higher

28

education. Formal action approving or denying the application

29

shall be taken at a public meeting, with notice or

30

consideration of the application given by the authorizer or

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1

commission under 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7. The authorizer shall give

2

the applicant at least 48 hours written or electronic notice

3

of the meeting at which the authorizer will be considering

4

the application.

5

(6)  Written notice of the action of the authorizer shall

6

be sent to the applicant, the department and the commission.

7

If the application is denied, the reasons for the denial,

8

including a description of deficiencies in the application,

9

shall be clearly stated in the notice to the charter school

10

applicant. The written notice shall be issued by the

11

authorizer within 30 days of the denial of the application.

12

(7)  At the option of the applicant, a denied application

13

may be revised and resubmitted to the authorizer which denied

14

the application. If an application is revised and resubmitted

15

to the authorizer which denied the application, the

16

authorizer shall follow the procedures listed under

17

paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6).

18

(8)  The decision of the authorizer to deny the

19

application again after following the procedures under

20

paragraph (7) may be appealed to the commission or to the

21

appropriate court as provided for under section 1724-C.

22

Failure by the authorizer to hold a public hearing and to

23

grant or deny the application for a charter school within the

24

time periods specified under paragraphs (2), (4), (5) and (6)

25

shall permit the applicant for a charter to file its

26

application to the commission or the appropriate court as

27

provided for under section 1724-C.

28

Section 1719-C.  Regional charter school.

29

(a)  Establishment.--

30

(1)  A regional charter school may be established by any

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1

of the following:

2

(i)  An individual.

3

(ii)  One or more teachers who will teach at the

4

proposed charter school.

5

(iii)  Parents or guardians of students who will

6

attend the charter school.

7

(iv)  A nonsectarian college, university or museum

8

located in this Commonwealth.

9

(v)  A nonsectarian corporation not-for-profit, as

10

defined in 15 Pa.C.S. (relating to corporations and

11

unincorporated associations).

12

(vi)  A corporation, association or partnership.

13

(vii)  A combination of any of the entities under

14

this subsection.

15

(2)  A regional charter school may be established by

16

creating a new school or by converting an existing public

17

school or a portion of an existing public school. Conversion

18

of an existing public school to a regional charter school

19

shall be accomplished in accordance with section 1718-C(b).

20

(3)  No regional charter school shall be established or

21

funded by and no charter shall be granted to any sectarian

22

school, institution or other entity.

23

(b)  Application.--The boards of school directors of one or

24

more school districts, or the governing board of any combination

25

of one or more authorizers, may act jointly to receive and

26

consider an application for a regional charter school. Any

27

action to approve an application for a charter or to sign a

28

written charter of an applicant shall require an affirmative

29

vote of a majority of all the directors of each of the school

30

districts or a majority of the members of the governing board of

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1

each of the initial approving authorities involved.

2

(c)  Special conditions.--The provisions of this article as

3

they pertain to charter schools and the powers and duties of

4

authorizers and the commission shall apply to regional charter

5

schools, except as provided under this section or as otherwise

6

stated under this article.

7

Section 1720-C.  Hearings.

8

All hearings held by authorizers under this article shall be

9

conducted as follows:

10

(1)  If the hearing is conducted by a local board of

11

school directors, the hearing shall be conducted in

12

accordance with 2 Pa.C.S. Ch. 5 Subch. B (relating to

13

practice and procedure of local agencies).

14

(2)  If the hearing is conducted by the commission, the

15

council of trustees of an individual institution under

16

Article XX-A, or a board of trustees of a community college

17

under Article XIX-A, the hearing shall be conducted in

18

accordance with 2 Pa.C.S. Ch. 5 Subch. A (relating to

19

practice and procedure of Commonwealth agencies).

20

(3)  If the hearing is conducted by the board of trustees

21

or other governing authority of a public nonsectarian

22

accredited college or university under 24 Pa.C.S. § 6501

23

(relating to applicability of chapter), the hearing shall be

24

conducted pursuant to established procedures consistent with

25

2 Pa.C.S. Ch. 5 Subch. A.

26

Section 1721-C.  Contents of application.

27

(a)  Charter school application.--The commission shall

28

develop and issue a standard application form that shall be used

29

by all applicants to establish a charter school. The application

30

to establish a charter school shall include all of the following

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1

information:

2

(1)  The identification of the charter applicant.

3

(2)  The name of the proposed charter school.

4

(3)  The grade or age levels served by the school.

5

(4)  An organization chart clearly presenting the

6

proposed governance structure of the charter school,

7

including lines of authority and reporting between the board

8

of trustees, administrators, staff and any educational

9

management service provider that will play a role in

10

providing management services to the charter school or cyber

11

charter school.

12

(5)  A clear description of the roles and

13

responsibilities for the board of trustees, administrators

14

and any other entities, including a charter school

15

foundation, shown in the organization chart.

16

(6)  A clear description and method for the appointment

17

or election of members of the board of trustees.

18

(7)  Standards for board performance, including

19

compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and terms of

20

the charter.

21

(8)  If the charter school intends to contract with an

22

educational management service provider for services, the

23

charter applicant shall do all of the following:

24

(i)  Provide evidence of the education management

25

service provider's record in serving student populations,

26

including demonstrated academic achievement and

27

demonstrated management of nonacademic school functions,

28

including proficiency with public school-based

29

accounting, if applicable.

30

(ii)  Provide a term sheet setting forth all of the

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1

following:

2

(A)  The proposed duration of the service

3

contract.

4

(B)  Roles and responsibilities of the governing

5

board, the school staff and the educational

6

management service provider.

7

(C)  The scope of services and resources to be

8

provided by the educational management service

9

provider.

10

(D)  Performance evaluation measures and

11

timelines.

12

(E)  The compensation structure, including clear

13

identification of all fees to be paid to the

14

educational management service provider.

15

(F)  Methods of contract oversight and

16

enforcement.

17

(G)  Investment disclosure or the advance of

18

moneys by the educational management service provider

19

on behalf of the charter school or cyber charter

20

school.

21

(H)  Conditions for renewal and termination of

22

the contract.

23

(iii)  Disclose and explain any existing or potential

24

conflicts of interest between the members of the board of

25

trustees and the proposed educational management service

26

provider or any affiliated business entities, including a

27

charter school foundation qualified as a support

28

organization under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986

29

(Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.).

30

(9)  The mission and education goals of the charter

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1

school, the curriculum to be offered and the methods of

2

assessing whether students are meeting educational goals.

3

(10)  The admission policy and criteria for evaluating

4

the admission of students, which shall comply with section

5

1726-C.

6

(11)  Procedures which will be used regarding the

7

suspension or expulsion of pupils. The procedures shall

8

comply with section 1318.

9

(12)  Information on the manner in which community groups

10

will be involved in the charter school planning process.

11

(13)  The financial plan for the charter school and the

12

provisions which will be made for auditing the school under

13

section 437, including the role of any charter school

14

foundation.

15

(14)  Procedures which shall be established to review

16

complaints of parents regarding the operation of the charter

17

school.

18

(15)  A description and address of the physical facility,

19

if already determined, in which the charter school will be

20

located and the ownership thereof and any lease arrangements.

21

(16)  Information on the proposed school calendar for the

22

charter school, including the length of the school day and

23

school year, consistent with section 1502.

24

(17)  The proposed faculty, if already determined, and a

25

professional development and continuing education plan for

26

the faculty and administrative staff of a charter school.

27

(18)  Whether any agreements have been entered into or

28

plans developed with the local school district regarding

29

participation of the charter school students in

30

extracurricular activities within the school district.

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1

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, no school

2

district of residence shall prohibit a student of a charter

3

school from participating in any extracurricular activity of

4

that school district of residence, provided that the student

5

is able to fulfill all of the requirements of participation

6

in such activity and the charter school does not provide the

7

same extracurricular activity.

8

(19)  A report of criminal history record, under section

9

111, for all board members, employees and volunteers

10

identified in the application who shall have direct contact

11

with students.

12

(20)  An official clearance statement regarding child

13

injury or abuse from the Department of Public Welfare as

14

required under 23 Pa.C.S. Ch. 63 Subch. C.2 (relating to

15

background checks for employment in schools) for all board

16

members, employees and volunteers identified in the

17

application who shall have direct contact with students.

18

(21)  How the charter school will provide adequate

19

liability and other appropriate insurance for the charter

20

school, its employees and the board of trustees of the

21

charter school.

22

(22)  Policies regarding truancy, absences and withdrawal

23

of students, including the manner in which the charter school

24

will monitor attendance consistent with section 1715-C(a)(8).

25

A charter school may elect to directly enforce the compulsory

26

attendance laws in accordance with this article and shall

27

notify the school district of residence of this action by

28

certified mail. If a charter school elects to directly

29

enforce the compulsory attendance laws, it shall state that

30

in its charter application or in its notice of renewal or in

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1

an amendment to its charter. If a charter school does not

2

include a statement of its election to directly enforce the

3

compulsory attendance laws in its charter application or in

4

its notice of renewal or through amendment, the school

5

district of residence of the student shall be responsible for

6

enforcing the compulsory attendance laws. A charter school's

7

election to directly enforce the compulsory attendance laws

8

or its failure to make the election shall not be a basis to

9

deny a charter application or renewal of a charter. Nothing

10

in this paragraph shall excuse a charter school from

11

complying with section 1715-C(a)(8).

12

(b)  Cyber charter school application.--The commission shall

13

develop a standard application form for cyber charter school

14

applicants. In addition to the requirements of subsection (a),

15

an application to establish a cyber charter school shall also

16

include the following:

17

(1)  The curriculum to be offered and how it meets the

18

requirements of 22 Pa. Code Ch. 4 (relating to academic

19

standards and assessment) or subsequent regulations

20

promulgated to replace 22 Pa. Code Ch. 4.

21

(2)  The number of courses required for elementary and

22

secondary students.

23

(3)  An explanation of the amount of online time required

24

for elementary and secondary students.

25

(4)  The manner in which teachers will deliver

26

instruction, assess academic progress and communicate with

27

students to provide assistance.

28

(5)  A specific explanation of any cooperative learning

29

opportunities, meetings with students, parents and guardians,

30

field trips or study sessions.

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1

(6)  The technology, including types of hardware and

2

software, equipment and other materials which will be

3

provided by the cyber charter school to the student.

4

(7)  A description of how the cyber charter school will

5

define and monitor a student's school day, including the

6

delineation of online and offline time.

7

(8)  A description of commercially prepared standardized

8

achievement tests that will be used by the cyber charter

9

school in addition to the Pennsylvania System of School

10

Assessment test, including the grade levels that will be

11

tested and how the data collected from the tests will be used

12

to improve instruction.

13

(9)  The technical support that will be available to

14

students and parents or guardians.

15

(10)  The privacy and security measures to ensure the

16

confidentiality of data gathered online.

17

(11)  The level of anticipated enrollment during each

18

school year of the proposed charter, including expected

19

increases due to the addition of grade levels.

20

(12)  The methods to be used to ensure the authenticity

21

of student work and adequate proctoring of examinations.

22

(13)  The provision of education and related services to

23

students with disabilities, including evaluation and the

24

development and revision of individualized education

25

programs.

26

(14)  Policies regarding truancy, absences and withdrawal

27

of students, including the manner in which the cyber charter

28

school will monitor attendance consistent with section

29

1715-C(a)(9).

30

(15)  The types and frequency of communication between

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1

the cyber charter school and the student and the manner in

2

which the cyber charter school will communicate with parents

3

and guardians.

4

(16)  The addresses of all facilities and offices of the

5

cyber charter school, the ownership thereof and any lease

6

arrangements.

7

(c)  Additional terms.--An authorizer may not impose

8

additional terms or require additional information outside the

9

standard application form required under subsection (a).

10

Section 1722-C.  Charter.

11

(a)  Development.--Upon approval of an application under

12

section 1718-C, a written charter shall be developed which shall

13

contain the provisions of the application required under section

14

1721-C and which shall be signed by the authorizer and the board

15

of trustees of the charter school or cyber charter school. The

16

written charter, when duly signed by the authorizer and the

17

school's board of trustees, shall act as legal authorization for

18

the establishment of a charter school or cyber charter school

19

and shall be legally binding on both the board of trustees and

20

on the authorizer. A charter will be granted only for a school

21

organized as a public, nonprofit corporation.

22

(b)  Amendments.--A charter school or cyber charter school

23

shall have the ability to request amendments to its approved

24

written charter by filing a written document describing the

25

requested amendment to the authorizer. Within 45 days of its

26

receipt of the request for an amendment, the authorizer shall

27

hold a public hearing on the requested amendment under 65

28

Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 (relating to open meetings) and section 1720-C.

29

Within 45 days after the hearing, the authorizer must grant or

30

deny the requested amendment. Failure by the authorizer to hold

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1

a public hearing and to grant or deny the amendments within the

2

time period specified shall permit the applicant for the

3

amendments to file its request for an amendment with the

4

commission or appropriate court provided for under section

5

1724-C. An applicant for an amendment shall have the right to

6

appeal the denial of a requested amendment to the commission or

7

appropriate court provided for under section 1724-C.

8

Section 1723-C.  Renewal, nonrenewal and termination.

9

(a)  Terms.--An initial written charter shall be valid for a

10

period of not less than five years and shall be renewed for ten-

11

year periods upon reauthorization by an authorizer.

12

(b)  Renewal process.--A charter school or cyber charter

13

school seeking renewal shall send an intent to renew letter to

14

the original authorizer no later than October 1 of the final

15

school year of the charter school's current charter. The

16

authorizer shall conduct a comprehensive review of the annual

17

reports and assessments required under section 1731-C, and, if

18

appropriate, renew the charter for a ten-year period. If an

19

authorizer fails to formally renew a charter upon the expiration

20

of initial or renewed charter, the charter shall be deemed to be

21

renewed for a period of ten years.

22

(c)  Authorizer review.--

23

(1)  During the term of the charter or at the end of the

24

term of the charter, the authorizer may choose to revoke or

25

not to renew the charter based on any of the following:

26

(i)  One or more material violations of any of the

27

conditions, standards or procedures contained in the

28

written charter signed under section 1722-C.

29

(ii)  Failure to meet the requirements for student

30

performance or failure to meet any performance standard

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1

set forth in the written charter signed under section

2

1722-C.

3

(iii)  Failure to meet generally accepted standards

4

of fiscal management or audit requirements.

5

(iv)  Failure to maintain the financial ability to

6

continue as an ongoing concern according to generally

7

accepted accounting principles.

8

(v)  Violation of the provisions of this article.

9

(vi)  Violation of any provision of law from which

10

the charter school or cyber charter school has not been

11

exempted, including Federal laws and regulations

12

governing children with disabilities.

13

(2)  If the health or safety of the school's pupils,

14

staff or both is at serious risk, the authorizer may take

15

immediate action to revoke a charter.

16

(3)  If a charter school is in corrective action status, 

17

as that term is defined in section 102, and seeks renewal of

18

its charter, and the authorizer renews the charter, it shall

19

collaborate with the charter school on specific conditions in

20

the charter that require the charter school to meet specific

21

student performance targets within stated periods of time

22

subject to the following:

23

(i)  The performance targets and the periods of time

24

in which the performance targets must be met shall be

25

reasonable and shall be agreed upon by both the

26

authorizer and the charter school.

27

(ii)  The placement of conditions in a charter as

28

specified under this subsection shall not be considered

29

an adjudication and may not be appealed to the

30

appropriate court.

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1

(iii)  If the charter school fails to meet the

2

performance targets within the stated period of time,

3

such failure shall be sufficient cause for revocation of

4

the charter.

5

(d)  Removal of board member or administrator.--If, after a

6

hearing under this section, an authorizer proves by a

7

preponderance of the evidence that an administrator or board

8

member has violated this article, the terms and conditions of

9

the charter, or any other violation of law, the authorizer shall

10

have the authority to require the charter school or cyber

11

charter school to replace the administrator or board member in

12

order to obtain renewal of the charter. The authorizer may refer

13

its findings to the district attorney with jurisdiction or to

14

the Office of Attorney General for prosecution if the authorizer

15

discovers or receives information about possible violations of

16

law by any person affiliated with or employed by a charter

17

school or cyber charter school.

18

(e)  Notice of revocation or nonrenewal.--Any notice of

19

revocation or nonrenewal of a charter shall state the grounds

20

for such action with reasonable specificity and give reasonable

21

notice to the board of trustees of the charter school or cyber

22

charter school of the date on which a public hearing concerning

23

the revocation or nonrenewal will be held. The authorizer shall

24

conduct the hearing under section 1720-C and present evidence in

25

support of the grounds for revocation or nonrenewal stated in

26

its notice and give the charter school or cyber charter school

27

reasonable opportunity to offer testimony and amendments under

28

section 1722-C(b) before taking final action. Formal action

29

revoking or not renewing a charter shall be taken by the

30

authorizer at a public meeting under 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 (relating

- 100 -

 


1

to open meetings) and section 1720-C after the public has had 30

2

days to provide comments to the members of the commission or the

3

local board of school directors or the governing board of an

4

institution of higher education.

5

(f)  Dissolution.--If a charter is revoked, not renewed,

6

forfeited, surrendered or otherwise ceases to operate, the

7

charter school or cyber charter school shall be dissolved. After

8

the disposition of any liabilities and obligations of a charter

9

school, any remaining assets of the school, both real and

10

personal, shall be distributed on a proportional basis to the

11

school entities with students enrolled in the charter school for

12

the last full or partial school year of the charter school.

13

After the disposition of any liabilities and obligations of a

14

cyber charter school, any remaining assets of the school shall

15

be given over to the intermediate unit in which the cyber

16

charter school's administrative office was located for

17

distribution to the school districts in which the students

18

enrolled in the cyber charter school reside at the time of

19

dissolution. School entities or the Commonwealth shall not be

20

liable for any outstanding liabilities or obligations of the

21

charter school or cyber charter school.

22

(g)  Student application.--If a charter is revoked or is not

23

renewed, a student who attended the charter school or cyber

24

charter school shall apply to another public school in the

25

student's school district of residence. Normal application

26

deadlines shall not apply. All student records maintained by the

27

charter school or cyber charter school shall be forwarded to the

28

student's district of residence.

29

Section 1724-C.  Appeal process.

30

(a)  Review by commission.--The following shall apply:

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1

(1)  For all charter schools authorized by a local board

2

of school directors or a governing board of an institution of

3

higher education, the commission shall have the exclusive

4

review of an appeal by a charter school applicant, or by the

5

board of trustees of an existing charter school, of a

6

decision made by a local board of school directors or a

7

governing board of an institution of higher education to:

8

(i)  Deny a charter under section 1718-C.

9

(ii)  Deny amendments to a charter under section

10

1722-C.

11

(iii)  Revoke or refuse to renew a charter under

12

section 1723-C.

13

(2)  In an appeal under this section, the decision made

14

by the local board of school directors or governing board of

15

an institution of higher education shall be reviewed by the

16

commission. The commission shall accept all appeals within 30

17

days of receipt of the appeal. The commission shall give due

18

consideration to the findings of the local board of school

19

directors or governing board of an institution of higher

20

education and specifically articulate its reasons for

21

agreeing or disagreeing with those findings in its written

22

decision. The commission shall have discretion to allow the

23

local board of school directors or governing board of an

24

institution of higher education and the charter school

25

applicant to supplement the record if the supplemental

26

information was previously unavailable.

27

(3)  Not later than 30 days after the date of notice of

28

acceptance of the appeal, the commission shall meet to

29

officially review the certified record.

30

(4)  Not later than 60 days after the review conducted

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1

under paragraph (2), the commission shall issue a written

2

decision affirming or denying the appeal. If the commission

3

has affirmed the decision of the local board of school

4

directors or governing board of an institution of higher

5

education, notice shall be provided to both parties.

6

(5)  In the case of a review by the commission of an

7

initial application denied by a local board of school

8

directors or governing board of an institution of higher

9

education, the decision of the commission to reverse the

10

decision of the local board of school directors or governing

11

board of an institution of higher education shall serve as a

12

requirement for the local board of school directors or

13

governing board of an institution of higher education to

14

grant the application and sign the written charter of the

15

charter school under section 1722-C. If the local board of

16

school directors or governing board of an institution of

17

higher education fails to grant the application and sign the

18

charter within ten days of notice of the reversal of the

19

decision of the local board of school directors or governing

20

board of an institution of higher education, the charter

21

shall be deemed to be approved and shall be signed by the

22

chairman of the commission.

23

(6)  In the case of a review by the commission of an

24

amendment to a written charter denied by a local board of

25

school directors or governing board of an institution of

26

higher education, the decision of the commission to reverse

27

the decision of the local board of school directors or

28

governing board of an institution of higher education shall

29

serve as a requirement for the local board of school

30

directors or governing board of an institution of higher

- 103 -

 


1

education to grant the amendment and sign the revised charter

2

of the charter school under section 1722-C. If the local

3

board of school directors or governing board of an

4

institution of higher education fails to grant the amendment

5

and sign the revised charter within ten days of notice of the

6

reversal of the decision of the local board of school

7

directors or governing board of an institution of higher

8

education, the charter shall be deemed to be approved and

9

shall be signed by the chairman of the commission.

10

(7)  In the case of a review by the commission of an

11

application that is revoked or not renewed, the commission

12

shall review the record and have discretion to supplement the

13

record if the supplemental information was previously

14

unavailable. The commission may consider the charter school

15

plan, annual reports, student performance and employee and

16

community support for the charter school in addition to the

17

record. The commission shall give due consideration to the

18

findings of the local board of school directors or governing

19

board of an institution of higher education and specifically

20

articulate its reasons for agreeing or disagreeing with those

21

findings in its written decision. If the commission

22

determines that the charter should not be revoked or should

23

be renewed, the commission shall order the local board of

24

school directors or governing board of an institution of

25

higher education to rescind its revocation or nonrenewal

26

decision. If the local board of school directors or governing

27

board of an institution of higher education fails to rescind

28

its revocation or nonrenewal decision and sign the notice

29

within ten days of notice of the reversal of the decision of

30

the authorizer, the renewed charter shall be deemed to be

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1

approved and shall be signed by the chairman of the

2

commission.

3

(b)  Review by Commonwealth Court.--The following shall

4

apply:

5

(1)  For all charter schools or cyber charter schools

6

authorized by the commission, the Commonwealth Court shall

7

have exclusive review of an appeal by a charter school or

8

cyber charter school applicant or by the board of trustees of

9

an existing charter school or cyber charter school of a

10

decision made by the commission to:

11

(i)  Deny a charter under section 1718-C.

12

(ii)  Deny amendments to a charter as provided under

13

section 1722-C.

14

(iii)  Revoke or not renew a charter as provided

15

under section 1723-C.

16

(2)  The Commonwealth Court may follow the procedures

17

outlined under subsection (a)(2), (3), (4), (5), (6) and (7)

18

for the appeal process. If the commission fails to follow any

19

decision of the court within ten days of notice of the

20

reversal of the decision of the commission, the charter shall

21

be deemed to be approved and shall be signed by the presiding

22

judge.

23

(c)  Appellate review.--Decisions of the commission shall be

24

subject to appellate review by the Commonwealth Court.

25

(d)  Effect of appeal.--The charter shall remain in effect

26

until final disposition by the court.

27

Section 1725-C.  Facilities.

28

(a)  Location.--A charter school or cyber charter school may

29

be located in an existing public school building, in a part of

30

an existing public school building, in space provided on a

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1

privately owned site, in a public building or in any other

2

suitable location.

3

(b)  Report.--The following shall apply:

4

(1)  All school districts shall submit an annual report

5

of the unused facilities that are owned by the school

6

district that may be suitable for the operation of a charter

7

school or cyber charter school to the department no later

8

than July 1 of each year. The department, in conjunction with

9

the Department of General Services, shall compile a list of

10

unused facilities, including unused facilities owned by this

11

Commonwealth, and publish it on its Internet website by

12

September 1 of each year. As used in this paragraph, "unused

13

facility" refers to any building owned by a school district

14

or the Commonwealth that is not used by the school district

15

or the Commonwealth for its own programs or that is leased to

16

a third party for consideration. The department shall make

17

the list of unused facilities available to existing charter

18

schools, cyber charter schools and applicants. The list shall

19

include the address of each building, the name of the owner

20

of the building, a short description of the building and a

21

description of its structural condition, including full

22

disclosure on all problems associated with each building,

23

including structural issues, HVAC, plumbing, electrical,

24

mold, drinking water, insect and rodent infestation and any

25

other health or safety issue.

26

(2)  Each school district shall make any unused facility

27

available to charter schools and cyber charter schools

28

operating within that school district. The terms of the use

29

of the facility by the charter school or cyber charter school

30

shall be subject to negotiation between the school district

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1

and the school and shall be memorialized as a separate

2

agreement between all parties. The agreement shall outline

3

which party is responsible for actual costs related to the

4

facility, including maintenance, insurance and other factors.

5

No school district shall charge a charter school or cyber

6

charter school greater than fair market value price for the

7

sale, lease or rental of the existing facility or for

8

property formerly used by the school district. A charter

9

school or cyber charter school allowed to use a facility

10

under an agreement under this subsection may not sell or

11

dispose of any interest in the property without written

12

permission of the school district. A school district shall

13

give a charter school or cyber charter school using a school

14

district's unused facility at least 180 days' notice before

15

selling, leasing or otherwise disposing of the unused

16

facility to a third party.

17

(c)  Exemption from regulations.--The charter school or cyber

18

charter school facility shall be exempt from public school

19

facility regulations except those pertaining to health or safety

20

of students.

21

(d)  Multiple locations.--Notwithstanding any other provision

22

of this article, an authorizer, in its discretion, may permit a

23

charter school or cyber charter school to operate at more than

24

one location.

25

(e)  Exemption from taxation.--The following shall apply:

26

(1)  Notwithstanding section 204 of the act of May 22,

27

1933 (P.L.853, No.155), known as The General County

28

Assessment Law, all school property, real and personal, owned

29

by a charter school, cyber charter school or an associated

30

nonprofit foundation, or owned by a nonprofit corporation or

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1

nonprofit foundation and leased to a charter school, cyber

2

charter school or associated nonprofit foundation at or below

3

fair market value, that is occupied and used by any charter

4

school or cyber charter school for public school, recreation

5

or any other purposes provided for under this article shall

6

be made exempt from every type of State, county, city,

7

borough, township or other real estate tax, including

8

payments in lieu of taxes established through agreement with

9

the Commonwealth or any local taxing authority, as well as

10

from all costs or expenses for paving, curbing, sidewalks,

11

sewers or other municipal improvements, except that a charter

12

school or cyber charter school or owner of property leased to

13

a charter school or cyber charter school may make a municipal

14

improvement in a street on which its school property abuts or

15

may contribute a sum toward the cost of the improvement.

16

(2)  Any agreement entered into by a charter school,

17

cyber charter school or associated nonprofit foundation with

18

the Commonwealth or a local taxing authority for payments in

19

lieu of taxes prior to December 31, 2009, shall be null and

20

void.

21

(3)  This subsection shall apply retroactively to all

22

charter schools, cyber charter schools and associated

23

nonprofit foundations that filed an appeal from an

24

assessment, as provided under Article V of The General County

25

Assessment Law prior to the effective date of this

26

subsection.

27

(4)  For purposes of this subsection, "local taxing

28

authority" shall include a county, city, borough,

29

incorporated town, township or school district.

30

(f)  Alcoholic beverages.--The following shall apply:

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1

(1)  Alcoholic beverages shall not be available for

2

consumption, purchase or sale in any charter school facility

3

or cyber charter school facility.

4

(2)  If the secretary reasonably believes that alcoholic

5

beverages have been made available for consumption, purchase

6

or sale in any charter school facility or cyber charter

7

school facility, the department shall order the following

8

forfeitures against the charter school or cyber charter

9

school:

10

(i)  $1,000 for the first violation.

11

(ii)  $5,000 for the second or subsequent violation.

12

(3)  The charter school or cyber charter school may

13

appeal the order of the secretary under 2 Pa.C.S. Chs. 5

14

(relating to practice and procedure) and 7 (relating to

15

judicial review).

16

(g)  Construction projects and related work.--Boards of

17

trustees and contractors of charter schools and cyber charter

18

schools shall be subject to the following statutory requirements

19

governing construction projects and construction-related work:

20

(1)  The following provisions of this act:

21

(i)  Sections 751 and 751.1.

22

(ii)  Sections 756 and 757 insofar as they are

23

consistent with the act of December 20, 1967 (P.L.869,

24

No.385), known as the Public Works Contractors' Bond Law

25

of 1967.

26

(2)  Section 1 of the act of May 1, 1913 (P.L.155,

27

No.104), entitled "An act regulating the letting of certain

28

contracts for the erection, construction, and alteration of

29

public buildings."

30

(3)  The act of August 15, 1961 (P.L.987, No.442), known

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1

as the Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act.

2

(4)  The Public Works Contractors' Bond Law of 1967.

3

(5)  The act of March 3, 1978 (P.L.6, No.3), known as the

4

Steel Products Procurement Act.

5

Section 1726-C.  Enrollment and notification.

6

(a)  Enrollment.--The following shall apply:

7

(1)  Enrollment of students in a charter school or cyber

8

charter school shall not be subject to a cap or otherwise

9

limited by any past or future action of a local board of

10

school directors, a special board of control established

11

under section 692, a School Reform Commission established

12

under section 696 or any other governing authority of an

13

authorizer.

14

(2)  This subsection shall apply to a charter school or

15

cyber charter school regardless of whether the charter was

16

approved prior to or is approved subsequent to the effective

17

date of this subsection.

18

(3)  All resident children in this Commonwealth qualify

19

for admission to a charter school or cyber charter school as

20

set forth under paragraph (4). If more students apply to the

21

charter school or cyber charter school than the number of

22

attendance slots available in the school, students shall be

23

selected on a random basis from a pool of qualified

24

applicants meeting the established eligibility criteria and

25

submitting an application by the deadline set by the school,

26

except that the school may give preference in enrollment to a

27

child of a parent who has actively participated in

28

development of the school and siblings of students presently

29

enrolled in the school. For charter schools, first preference

30

shall be given to students who reside in the district or

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1

districts where the school is located.

2

(4)  (i)  A charter school or cyber charter school shall

3

not discriminate in its admission policies or practices

4

on the basis of intellectual ability, except as provided

5

under subparagraph (ii), or athletic ability, measures of

6

achievement or aptitude, status as a person with a

7

disability, proficiency in the English language or any

8

other basis that would be illegal if utilized by a school

9

district.

10

(ii)  A charter school or cyber charter school may

11

limit admission to a particular grade level, a targeted

12

population group composed of at-risk students or one or

13

more areas of concentration such as mathematics, science

14

or the arts. A charter school or cyber charter school may

15

establish reasonable criteria to evaluate prospective

16

students which shall be outlined in the school's charter.

17

(5)  If there is available classroom space, a charter

18

school may enroll nonresident students on a space-available

19

basis, and the student's district of residence shall permit

20

the student to attend the charter school. Terms and

21

conditions of enrollment shall be outlined in the school's

22

charter.

23

(6)  A cyber charter school shall report to the

24

commission an increase or a decrease of 30% or more in its

25

anticipated enrollment set forth in the application under

26

section 1718-C.

27

(b)  Notification.--The following shall apply:

28

(1)  Within ten days of enrollment of a student to a

29

charter school or cyber charter school, the parent or

30

guardian and the school shall notify the student's school

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1

district of residence and intermediate unit of the enrollment

2

through the use of a notification form developed by the

3

commission. The notification shall include:

4

(i)  The name, home address and mailing address of

5

the student.

6

(ii)  The grade in which the student is being

7

enrolled.

8

(iii)  The date the student will be enrolled.

9

(iv)  The name and address of the charter school or

10

cyber charter school and the name and telephone number of

11

a contact person able to provide information regarding

12

the school.

13

(v)  The signature of the parent or guardian and an

14

authorized representative of the charter school or cyber

15

charter school.

16

(2)  If a school district which has received notice under

17

paragraph (1) determines that a student is not a resident of

18

the school district, the following apply:

19

(i)  Within ten days of receipt of the notice under

20

paragraph (1), the school district shall notify the

21

charter school or cyber charter school and the department

22

that the student is not a resident of the school

23

district. Notification of nonresidence shall include the

24

basis for the determination.

25

(ii)  Within seven days of notification under

26

subparagraph (i), the charter school or cyber charter

27

school shall review the notification of nonresidence,

28

respond to the school district and provide a copy of the

29

response to the department. If the charter school or

30

cyber charter school agrees that a student is not a

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1

resident of the school district, it shall determine the

2

proper district of residence of the student.

3

(iii)  Within seven days of receipt of a response

4

under subparagraph (ii), the school district shall notify

5

the charter school or cyber charter school that it agrees

6

or does not agree with the charter school or cyber

7

charter school's determination.

8

(iv)  A school district that has notified the charter

9

school or cyber charter school that it does not agree

10

shall appeal to the department for a final determination.

11

(v)  Decisions of the department regarding the school

12

district of residence of a student shall be subject to

13

review by the Commonwealth Court.

14

(vi)  The secretary shall continue to make payments

15

to a charter school or cyber charter school under section

16

1728-C during the time in which the school district of

17

residence of a student is in dispute.

18

(vii)  If a final determination is made that a

19

student is not a resident of an appealing school

20

district, the charter school or cyber charter school

21

shall return all funds provided on behalf of that student

22

to the school district within 30 days.

23

(3)  Within ten days of receipt of the notification form,

24

the local school district or intermediate unit shall provide

25

the charter school or cyber charter school with all records

26

relating to the student, including transcripts, test scores

27

and a copy of any individualized education program for that

28

student. If a school district fails to provide the student's

29

record within 30 days after receiving the documentation from

30

the charter school or cyber charter school, the secretary

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1

shall deduct and pay to the charter school or cyber charter

2

school the estimated amount, as documented by the charter

3

school or cyber charter school, from all State payments made

4

to the district, or if no payments have been made to the

5

district, from all State payments reasonably expected to be

6

made, after receipt of documentation from the charter school

7

or cyber charter school. The district from which the

8

estimated payment has been deducted may request a hearing

9

from the department which the secretary shall hold within 30

10

days of the request. The secretary shall render a decision

11

after the hearing and shall not delegate this duty unless

12

there is a conflict from which the secretary must recuse

13

himself after full disclosure. The district shall be liable

14

for reasonable legal fees incurred by a charter school in

15

attempting to obtain student records. Supersedeas shall not

16

be granted to the department or the school district. Absent a

17

court order, the department shall not hold any payments in

18

escrow.

19

(c)  Withdrawal.--The charter school or the cyber charter

20

school and parent or guardian of a student enrolled in the

21

school shall provide written notification to the student's

22

school district of residence within ten days after withdrawal of

23

a student from the charter school or cyber charter school.

24

Section 1727-C.  School staff.

25

(a)  General rule.--The board of trustees of a charter school

26

or cyber charter school shall determine the level of

27

compensation and all terms and conditions of employment of the

28

staff except as otherwise provided under this article. At least

29

75% of the professional staff members of a charter school or

30

cyber charter school shall hold appropriate State certification.

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1

Employees of a charter school or cyber charter school may

2

organize under the act of July 23, 1970 (P.L.563, No.195), known

3

as the Public Employe Relations Act. The board of trustees of a

4

charter school or cyber charter school shall be considered an

5

employer for purposes of Article XI-A. Upon formation of one or

6

more collective bargaining units at the school, the board of

7

trustees shall bargain with the employees based on this article,

8

Article XI-A and the Public Employe Relations Act. Collective

9

bargaining units at a charter school or cyber charter school

10

shall be separate from any collective bargaining unit of the

11

school district in which the charter school is located and shall

12

be separate from any other collective bargaining unit. A charter

13

school or cyber charter school shall be considered a school

14

entity as provided for under section 1161-A for the purpose of

15

the secretary's seeking an injunction requiring the charter

16

school or cyber charter school to meet the minimum requirements

17

for instruction as provided for under this article.

18

(b)  Charter applications.--Each charter application shall

19

list the general qualifications needed to staff any noncertified

20

positions. Professional employees who do not hold appropriate

21

Pennsylvania certification must present evidence that they:

22

(1)  Meet the qualifications under sections 1109 and

23

1209.

24

(2)  Have demonstrated satisfactorily a combination of

25

experience, achievement and qualifications as defined in the

26

charter school application in basic skills, general

27

knowledge, professional knowledge and practice and subject

28

matter knowledge in the subject area which an individual will

29

teach.

30

(c)  Employees.--

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1

(1)  All employees of a charter school or cyber charter

2

school shall be enrolled in the Public School Employees'

3

Retirement System in the same manner as set forth under 24

4

Pa.C.S. § 8301(a) (relating to mandatory and optional

5

membership) unless at the time of the application for the

6

charter school or cyber charter school the sponsoring

7

district or the board of trustees of the charter school or

8

cyber charter school has a retirement program which covers

9

the employees or the employee is currently enrolled in

10

another retirement program.

11

(2)  The Commonwealth shall make contributions on behalf

12

of charter school and cyber charter school employees, and the

13

charter school or cyber charter school shall be considered a

14

school district and shall make payments by employers and

15

payments on account of Social Security as established under

16

24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV (relating to retirement for school

17

employees). For purposes of payments by employers, a charter

18

school or cyber charter school shall be considered a school

19

district under 24 Pa.C.S. § 8329(a)(1) (relating to payments

20

on account of social security deductions from

21

appropriations).

22

(3)  The market value/income aid ratio used in

23

calculating payments as prescribed under this subsection

24

shall be the market value/income aid ratio for the school

25

district in which the charter school is located or, in the

26

case of a regional charter school, shall be a composite

27

market value/income aid ratio for the participating school

28

districts as determined by the department.

29

(4)  Except as otherwise provided, employees of a charter

30

school or cyber charter school shall make regular member

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1

contributions as required for active members under 24 Pa.C.S.

2

Pt. IV.

3

(5)  If the employees of the charter school or cyber

4

charter school participate in another retirement plan, those

5

employees shall have no concurrent claim on the benefits

6

provided to public school employees under 24 Pa.C.S. Pt. IV.

7

(6)  For purposes of this subsection, a charter school or

8

cyber charter school shall be deemed to be a "public school"

9

as defined in 24 Pa.C.S. § 8102 (relating to definitions).

10

(d)  Benefits.--Every employee of a charter school shall be

11

provided similar health care benefits as the employee would be

12

provided if he or she were an employee of the local district.

13

The local board of school directors may require the charter

14

school to provide similar terms and conditions with regard to

15

health insurance as the collective bargaining agreement of the

16

school district to include employee contributions to the

17

district's health benefits plan. The charter school shall make

18

any required employer's contribution to the district's health

19

plan to an insurer, an authorizer or a contractual

20

representative of school employees, whichever is appropriate to

21

provide the required coverage.

22

(e)  Leave of absence.--A public school employee of a school

23

entity may request a leave of absence for up to five years in

24

order to work in a charter school located in the district of

25

employment or in a regional charter school in which the

26

employing school district is a participant. Approval for a leave

27

shall not be unreasonably withheld.

28

(f)  Temporary employees.--Temporary professional employees

29

on leave from a school district may accrue tenure in the

30

noncharter public school system at the discretion of the local

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1

board of school directors, the same as they would under Article

2

XI if they had continued to be employed by that district.

3

Professional employees on leave from a school district shall

4

retain their tenure rights, as defined in Article XI, in the

5

school entity from which they came. No temporary professional

6

employee or professional employee shall have tenure rights

7

against a charter school. Both temporary professional employees

8

and professional employees shall continue to accrue seniority in

9

the school entity from which they came if they return to that

10

school entity when the leave ends.

11

(g)  Professional employees.--Professional employees who hold

12

a first-level teaching or administrative certificate may, at

13

their option, have the time completed in satisfactory service in

14

a charter school or cyber charter school applied to the length

15

of service requirements for the next level of certification.

16

(h)  Right to return.--The following shall apply:

17

(1)  A temporary professional employee or professional

18

employee who leaves employment at a charter school shall have

19

the right to return to a comparable position for which the

20

person is properly certified in the school entity which

21

granted the leave of absence. In the case where a teacher has

22

been dismissed by the charter school, the school entity which

23

granted the leave of absence is to be provided by the charter

24

school with the reasons for the dismissal at the time it

25

occurs, a list of any witnesses who were relied on by the

26

charter school in moving for dismissal, a description of and

27

access to any physical evidence used by the charter school in

28

moving for dismissal and a copy of any record developed at

29

any dismissal proceeding conducted by the charter school. The

30

record of the hearing may be admissible in a hearing before

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1

the school entity which granted the leave of absence. Nothing

2

under this section shall affect the authority of the board of

3

school directors to initiate proceedings under Article XI if

4

the board determines that occurrences at the charter school

5

leading to dismissal of a teacher constitute adequate and

6

independent grounds for discipline under section 1122.

7

(2)  No temporary employee or professional employee who

8

is leaving employment at a charter school shall be returned

9

to a position in the public school district which granted his

10

leave of absence until the public school district is in

11

receipt of a current criminal history record under section

12

111 and the official clearance statement regarding child

13

injury or abuse from the Department of Public Welfare as

14

required under 23 Pa.C.S. Ch. 63 Subch. C.2 (relating to

15

background checks for employment in schools).

16

(i)  Criminal history.--All individuals who shall have direct

17

contact with students shall be required to submit a report of

18

criminal history record information as provided for in section

19

111 prior to accepting a position with the charter school. This

20

subsection shall also apply to any individual who volunteers to

21

work on a full-time or part-time basis at the charter school or

22

cyber charter school.

23

(j)  Official clearance statement.--All applicants for a

24

position as a school employee and any individual who volunteers

25

to work on a full-time or part-time basis at a charter school or

26

cyber charter school shall be required to submit the official

27

clearance statement regarding child injury or abuse from the

28

Department of Public Welfare as required under 23 Pa.C.S. Ch. 63

29

Subch. C.2.

30

Section 1728-C.  Funding.

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1

(a)  General rule.--Funding for a charter school or cyber

2

charter school shall be provided in the following manner:

3

(1)  There shall be no tuition charge for a resident or

4

nonresident student attending a charter school or cyber

5

charter school.

6

(2)  (i)  For nonspecial education students, the charter

7

school or cyber charter school shall receive for each

8

student enrolled no less than the budgeted total

9

expenditure per average daily membership of the prior

10

school year, as defined in section 2501(20), minus the

11

budgeted expenditures of the district of residence for

12

nonpublic school programs; adult education programs;

13

community and junior college programs; student

14

transportation services; special education programs;

15

facilities acquisition, construction and improvement

16

services; and other financing uses, including debt

17

service and fund transfers as provided in the Manual of

18

Accounting and Related Financial Procedures for

19

Pennsylvania School Systems established by the

20

department.

21

(ii)  The amount under subparagraph (i) shall be paid

22

by the district of residence of each student by deduction

23

and transfer from all State payments to the district as

24

provided under paragraph (5). If a charter or cyber

25

charter school disputes the accuracy of a district's

26

calculation under this paragraph, the charter school or

27

cyber charter school shall file a notice of the dispute

28

with the secretary, who shall hold a hearing to determine

29

the accuracy of the district's calculation within 30 days

30

of the notice. The secretary shall determine the accuracy

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1

of the district's calculation within 30 days of the

2

hearing. The district shall bear the burden of production

3

and proof with respect to its calculation under this

4

paragraph. The district shall be liable for the

5

reasonable legal fees incurred by a charter school or

6

cyber charter school if the charter school or cyber

7

charter school is the substantially prevailing party

8

after a hearing under this paragraph. All decisions of

9

the secretary under this paragraph shall be subject to

10

appellate review by the Commonwealth Court.

11

(3)  For special education students, the charter school

12

or cyber charter school shall receive for each student

13

enrolled the same funding as for each nonspecial education

14

student as provided under paragraph (2), plus an additional

15

amount determined by dividing the district of residence's

16

total special education expenditure by the product of

17

multiplying the combined percentage of section 2509.5(k) or a

18

subsequent section times the district of residence's total

19

average daily membership for the prior school year. This

20

amount shall be paid by the district of residence of each

21

student by deduction and transfer from all State payments to

22

the district as provided in paragraph (5). If a charter or

23

cyber charter school disputes the accuracy of a district's

24

calculation under this paragraph, the charter school or cyber

25

charter school shall file a notice of the dispute with the

26

secretary, who shall hold a hearing to determine the accuracy

27

of the district's calculation within 30 days of the notice.

28

The secretary shall determine the accuracy of the district's

29

calculation within 30 days of the hearing. The district shall

30

bear the burden of production and proof with respect to its

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1

calculation under this paragraph. The district shall be

2

liable for the reasonable legal fees incurred by a charter

3

school or cyber charter school if the charter school or cyber

4

charter school is the substantially prevailing party after a

5

hearing under this paragraph. All decisions of the secretary

6

under this paragraph shall be subject to appellate review by

7

the Commonwealth Court.

8

(4)  A charter school or cyber charter school may request

9

the intermediate unit or school district in which the school

10

is located to provide services to assist the school to

11

address the specific needs of exceptional students. The

12

intermediate unit or school district shall assist the charter

13

school or cyber charter school and bill the school for the

14

services. The intermediate unit may not charge the charter

15

school or cyber charter school more for any service than it

16

charges the constituent districts of the intermediate unit.

17

(5)  Payments shall be made to the charter school or

18

cyber charter school in 12 equal monthly payments, by the

19

fifth day of each month, within the operating school year.

20

Payments shall be made by the secretary deducting and paying

21

to the charter school or cyber charter school the estimated

22

amount, as documented by the charter school or cyber charter

23

school, from all State payments made to the district, or if

24

no payments have been made to the district, from all State

25

payments reasonably expected to be made, after receipt of

26

documentation from the school as to its enrollment. The

27

secretary's obligation to make payments under this paragraph

28

is mandatory and ministerial. If there are insufficient State

29

payments being made to a district to cover all charter school

30

and cyber charter school deductions and transfers, the

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1

district shall be responsible for paying the unpaid balance

2

directly to the charter school or cyber charter school by the

3

15th day of each month. A student enrolled in a charter

4

school or cyber charter school shall be included in the

5

average daily membership of the student's district of

6

residence for the purpose of providing basic education

7

funding payments and special education funding under Article

8

XXV.

9

(6)  Within 30 days after the secretary transfers the

10

funds described under paragraph (5), a school district may

11

notify the secretary that the deduction made from State

12

payments to the district under this subsection is inaccurate.

13

The secretary shall provide the school district with an

14

opportunity to be heard concerning whether the charter school

15

or cyber charter school documented that its students were

16

enrolled in the charter school or cyber charter school, the

17

period of time during which each student was enrolled, the

18

school district of residence of each student and whether the

19

amounts deducted from the school district were accurate. The

20

burden of proof and production at the hearing shall be on the

21

school district. A hearing shall not be held before the

22

secretary deducts and transfers to the charter school or

23

cyber charter school the amount estimated by the charter

24

school or cyber charter school. The district shall be liable

25

for the reasonable legal fees incurred by a charter school or

26

cyber charter school if the charter school or cyber charter

27

school is the substantially prevailing party after a hearing

28

under this paragraph. All decisions of the secretary under

29

this paragraph shall be subject to appellate review by the

30

Commonwealth Court. Supersedeas shall not be granted to the

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1

secretary or to a school district on an appeal from the

2

decision of the secretary under this paragraph. Absent a

3

court order, the secretary shall not hold any payments in

4

escrow.

5

(b)  Temporary financial assistance.--The Commonwealth shall

6

provide temporary financial assistance to a school district due

7

to the enrollment of students in a charter school or cyber

8

charter school who attended a nonpublic school in the prior

9

school year in order to offset the additional costs directly

10

related to the enrollment of those students in a public charter

11

school or cyber charter school. The Commonwealth shall pay the

12

school district of residence of a student enrolled in a

13

nonpublic school in the prior school year who is attending a

14

charter school or cyber charter school an amount equal to the

15

school district of residence's basic education subsidy for the

16

current school year divided by the district's average daily

17

membership for the prior school year. This payment shall occur

18

only for the first year of the attendance of the student in a

19

charter school or cyber charter school, starting with school

20

year 1997-1998. Total payments of temporary financial assistance

21

to school districts on behalf of a student enrolling in a

22

charter school or cyber charter school who attended a nonpublic

23

school in the prior school year shall be limited to funds

24

appropriated for this program in a fiscal year. If the total of

25

the amount needed for all students enrolled in a nonpublic

26

school in the prior school year who enroll in a charter school

27

or cyber charter school exceeds the appropriation for the

28

temporary financial assistance program, the amount paid to a

29

school district for each qualifying student shall be pro rata

30

reduced.

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1

(c)  Gifts and donations.--It shall be lawful for any charter

2

school or cyber charter school to receive, hold, manage and use,

3

absolutely or in trust, any devise, bequest, grant, endowment,

4

gift or donation of any property, real or personal and mixed,

5

which shall be made to the charter school or cyber charter

6

school for any purpose of this article.

7

(d)  Requests or demands for gifts.--It shall be unlawful for

8

any trustee of a charter school, cyber charter school or any

9

board of trustees of a charter school or cyber charter school or

10

any other person affiliated in any way with a charter school or

11

cyber charter school to demand or request, directly or

12

indirectly, any gift, donation or contribution of any kind from

13

any parent, teacher, employee or any other person affiliated

14

with the school as a condition for employment or enrollment and

15

continued attendance of any pupil. Any donation, gift or

16

contribution received by a charter school and cyber charter

17

school shall be given freely and voluntarily.

18

(e)  Discounts.--A cyber charter school shall not provide

19

discounts to a school district or waive payments under this

20

section for any student.

21

Section 1729-C.  Transportation.

22

(a)  General rule.--

23

(1)  Except as provided under paragraph (2), students who

24

attend a charter school located in their school district of

25

residence, a regional charter school of which the school

26

district is a part or a charter school located outside

27

district boundaries at a distance not exceeding ten miles by

28

the nearest public highway shall be provided free

29

transportation to the charter school by their school district

30

of residence on the dates and periods that the charter school

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1

is in session whether or not transportation is provided on

2

the dates and periods to students attending schools of the

3

district.

4

(2)  Transportation shall not be required for elementary

5

students, including kindergarten students, residing within

6

1.5 miles or for secondary students residing within 2 miles

7

of the nearest public highway from the charter school in

8

which the students are enrolled unless the road or traffic

9

conditions are such that walking constitutes a hazard to the

10

safety of the students when certified by the Department of

11

Transportation, except that if the school district provides

12

transportation to the public schools of the school district

13

for elementary students, including kindergarten students,

14

residing within 1.5 miles or for secondary students residing

15

within 2 miles of the nearest public highway under

16

nonhazardous conditions, transportation shall also be

17

provided to charter schools under the same conditions.

18

(3)  Districts providing transportation to a charter

19

school outside the district and, for the 2007-2008 school

20

year and each school year thereafter, districts providing

21

transportation to a charter school within the district shall

22

be eligible for payments under section 2509.3 for each public

23

school student transported. A school district shall not be

24

responsible for providing transportation to a charter school

25

located outside the borders of this Commonwealth.

26

(4)  If a school district does not provide transportation

27

to a charter school or cyber charter school student because

28

the student's placement is outside the district boundaries at

29

a distance of more than ten miles by the nearest public

30

highway, when determining the per pupil subsidy to be paid

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1

under section 1728-C by the school district to the charter

2

school or cyber charter school for that student, the district

3

shall not be entitled to subtract its student transportation

4

services expenses.

5

(b)  Additional rules.--In addition to any other requirements

6

under this section, school districts of the first class shall

7

provide transportation to students who attend a charter school

8

if they are the same age or are enrolled in the same grade,

9

grades or their grade equivalents as any of the students of the

10

school district for whom transportation is provided under any

11

program or policy to the schools of the school district.

12

(c)  Students with disabilities.--In addition to any other

13

requirements under this section, the school district of

14

residence of a student who is eligible under the Individuals

15

with Disabilities Education Act (Public Law 91-230, 20 U.S.C. §

16

1400 et seq.) or is a protected student with disabilities under

17

section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Public Law

18

93-112, 29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.) who is enrolled in a charter

19

school or a cyber charter school shall be responsible for

20

providing free transportation to the charter school or cyber

21

charter school student to any alternative location, school or

22

building in which the charter school or cyber charter school

23

student has been alternatively placed, provided that the

24

alternative locations, schools or buildings are located within

25

the district boundaries or outside the district boundaries at a

26

distance not exceeding ten miles by the nearest public highway.

27

The transportation shall be provided on the dates and periods as

28

required by the student's individualized education program or

29

section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 service agreement

30

whether or not transportation is provided on the dates and

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1

periods to students attending schools of the district. If a

2

school district does not provide transportation to an

3

alternatively placed student because the student's alternative

4

placement is outside the district boundaries at a distance of

5

more than ten miles by the nearest public highway, when

6

determining the per pupil subsidy to be paid under section 1728-

7

C by the school district to the charter school or cyber charter

8

school for that student, the district shall not be entitled to

9

subtract its student transportation services expenses.

10

(d)  Payment.--If the secretary determines that a school

11

district is not providing the required transportation to

12

students to the charter school, the department shall pay

13

directly to the charter school funds for costs incurred in the

14

transportation of its students. Payments to a charter school

15

shall be determined in the following manner: for each eligible

16

student transported, the charter school shall receive a payment

17

equal to the total expenditures for transportation of the school

18

district divided by the total number of school students

19

transported by the school district under any program or policy.

20

Within 30 days after receipt of the documentation from the

21

charter school, the secretary shall deduct and pay the charter

22

school the estimated amount, as documented by the charter

23

school, from the State payment made to the district for

24

transportation. The district from which the estimated

25

transportation payment has been deducted may request a hearing

26

from the department which the secretary shall hold within 30

27

days of the request. The secretary shall render a decision after

28

the hearing and shall not delegate this duty unless there is a

29

conflict from which he must recuse himself after full

30

disclosure. The district shall be liable for the reasonable

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1

legal fees incurred by a charter school in attempting to obtain

2

payment by the district. Supersedeas shall not be granted to the

3

department or the school district. Absent a court order, the

4

department shall not hold any payments in escrow.

5

(e)  Deduction.--The department shall deduct the amount paid

6

to the charter school under subsection (b) from all payments

7

made to the district.

8

(f)  Current transportation policy.--A school district of the

9

first class shall submit a copy of its current transportation

10

policy to the department no later than August 1 of each year.

11

Section 1730-C. Tort liability.

12

For purposes of tort liability, employees of the charter

13

school or cyber charter school shall be considered public

14

employees, and the board of trustees shall be considered the

15

public employer in the same manner as political subdivisions and

16

local agencies. The board of trustees of a charter school and

17

cyber charter school and the charter school or cyber charter

18

school shall be solely liable for all damages of any kind

19

resulting from any legal challenge involving the operation of a

20

charter school or cyber charter school. Notwithstanding this

21

section, the local board of directors of a school entity or an

22

authorizer shall not be held liable for any activity or

23

operation related to the program of the charter school or cyber

24

charter school.

25

Section 1731-C.  Annual reports and assessments.

26

(a)  General rule.--The authorizer shall annually assess on a

27

standard form developed by the commission whether each charter

28

school or cyber charter school is meeting the goals of its

29

charter and shall conduct a comprehensive review prior to

30

granting a ten-year renewal of the charter. The authorizer shall

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1

have ongoing access to the records and facilities of the charter

2

school and cyber charter school to ensure that the school is in

3

compliance with its charter, this article and the requirements

4

for testing, civil rights and student health and safety are

5

being met. Ongoing reasonable access to a charter school or

6

cyber charter school's records shall mean that the authorizer

7

shall have access to records such as financial reports,

8

financial audits, aggregate standardized test scores without

9

student identifying information and teacher certification and

10

personnel records. Schools and their authorizers shall comply

11

fully with the requirements of the Family Educational Rights and

12

Privacy Act of 1974 (Public Law 90-247, 20 U.S.C. § 1232g) and

13

associated regulations. No personally identifiable information

14

from education records shall be provided by the charter school

15

or cyber charter school to its authorizer except in compliance

16

with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.

17

(b)  Annual report.--In order to facilitate the authorizer's

18

review and secretary's report, each charter school and cyber

19

charter school shall submit an annual report on a standard form

20

developed by the commission no later than September 1 of each

21

year to the authorizer and the commission in the form prescribed

22

by the commission. Within ten days of receipt of the annual

23

report, the authorizer and the secretary shall each certify to

24

the charter school and cyber charter school that the annual

25

report has been received with an indication of the date of

26

receipt. Within 30 days of the date of receipt, the authorizer

27

and the secretary shall each certify to the charter school or

28

cyber charter school that the annual report has been reviewed

29

and is complete, or alternatively, has been reviewed and is

30

missing specific information referenced in the certification.

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1

(c)  Independent audit committee.--Every charter school or

2

cyber charter school shall form an independent audit committee

3

of its board members which shall review at the close of each

4

fiscal year a complete certified audit of the operations of the

5

charter school or cyber charter school. The audit shall be

6

conducted by a qualified independent certified public accountant

7

as selected from a list of approved providers established by the

8

commission. The audit shall be conducted under generally

9

accepted audit standards of the Governmental Accounting

10

Standards Board (GASB) and shall include the following:

11

(1)  An enrollment test to verify the accuracy of student

12

enrollment and reporting to the State.

13

(2)  Full review of expense reimbursements for board

14

members and administrators, including sampling of all

15

reimbursements.

16

(3)  Review of internal controls, including review of

17

receipts and disbursements.

18

(4)  Review of annual Federal and State tax filings,

19

including the Internal Revenue Service Code Form 990, Return

20

of Organization Exempt from Income Tax and all related

21

schedules and appendices for the charter school and charter

22

school foundation, if applicable.

23

(5)  Review of the financial statements of any charter

24

school foundation which shall be included in the independent

25

audit.

26

(6)  Review the selection and acceptance process of all

27

contracts publicly bid pursuant to section 751.

28

(7)  Review of all board policies and procedures with

29

regard to internal controls, code of ethics, conflicts of

30

interest, whistle-blower protections, complaints from parents

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1

or the public, compliance with 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 (relating to

2

open meetings), compliance with the act of February 14, 2008

3

(P.L.6, No.3), known as the Right-to-Know Law, finances,

4

budgeting, audits, public bidding and bonding.

5

(8)  Any other test the commission deems appropriate.

6

(d)  Public document.--The certified audit under subsection

7

(c) is a public document and shall be made available on the

8

commission's Internet website and the charter school or cyber

9

charter school's Internet website, if applicable.

10

(e)  Annual audit.--Charter schools and cyber charter schools

11

may be subject to an annual audit by the commission or the

12

Auditor General, in addition to any other audits required by

13

Federal law or this article.

14

(f)  Annual budget.--Charter schools and cyber charter

15

schools shall annually provide a copy of the annual budget for

16

the operation of the school that identifies the following:

17

(1)  The source of funding for all expenditures as part

18

of its reporting under subsection (a).

19

(2)  Where funding is provided by a charter school

20

foundation, the amount of funds and a description of the use

21

of the funds.

22

(3)  The salaries of all administrators of the charter

23

school or cyber charter school.

24

(g)  Tax filings.--Notwithstanding any other provision of

25

law, the charter school, cyber charter school and any affiliated

26

charter school foundations shall make copies of its annual

27

Federal and State tax filings available upon request and on the

28

foundation's or charter school's Internet website, if

29

applicable, including Internal Revenue Service Code Form 990,

30

Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax and all related

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1

schedules and appendices. The charter school foundation shall

2

also make copies of its annual budget available upon request and

3

on the foundation's or the charter school's Internet website

4

within 30 days of the close of the foundation's fiscal year. The

5

annual budget must include the salaries of all employees of the

6

charter school foundation.

7

Section 1732-C.  Desegregation orders.

8

If a school district is operating under a desegregation plan

9

approved by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission or a

10

desegregation order by a Federal or State court, an authorizer

11

shall not approve a charter school or cyber charter school

12

application if the school would place the school district in

13

noncompliance with its desegregation order.

14

Section 1733-C.  Applicable provisions.

15

(a)  Charter and cyber charter schools.--Charter schools and

16

cyber charter schools shall be subject to the following:

17

(1)  Sections 108, 110, 111, 321, 325, 326, 327, 431,

18

436, 443, 510, 518, 527, 708, 736, 737, 738, 739, 740, 741,

19

752, 753, 771, 776, 777, 808, 809, 810, 1109, 1111, 1112(a),

20

1205.1, 1205.2, 1205.3, 1205.5, 1301, 1302, 1310, 1317,

21

1317.1, 1317.2, 1318, 1327, 1330, 1332, 1513, 1517, 1518,

22

1521, 1523, 1531, 1547, 2014-A, Article XIII-A and Article

23

XIV.

24

(2)  The act of July 17, 1961 (P.L.776, No.341), known as

25

the Pennsylvania Fair Educational Opportunities Act.

26

(3)  The act of July 19, 1965 (P.L.215, No.116), entitled

27

"An act providing for the use of eye protective devices by

28

persons engaged in hazardous activities or exposed to known

29

dangers in schools, colleges and universities."

30

(4)  Section 4 of the act of January 25, 1966 (1965

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1

P.L.1546, No.541), entitled "An act providing scholarships

2

and providing funds to secure Federal funds for qualified

3

students of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who need

4

financial assistance to attend postsecondary institutions of

5

higher learning, making an appropriation, and providing for

6

the administration of this act."

7

(5)  The act of July 12, 1972 (P.L.765, No.181), entitled

8

"An act relating to drugs and alcohol and their abuse,

9

providing for projects and programs and grants to educational

10

agencies, other public or private agencies, institutions or

11

organizations."

12

(6)  The act of December 15, 1986 (P.L.1595, No.175),

13

known as the Antihazing Law.

14

(7)  The act of July 19, 1957 (P.L.1017, No.451), known

15

as the State Adverse Interest Act.

16

(8)  The act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6, No.3), known as

17

the Right-to-Know Law.

18

(9)  65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 (relating to open meetings).

19

(10)  65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 11 (relating to ethics standards and

20

financial disclosure).

21

(b)    Charter schools.--Charter schools shall be subject to

22

sections 1205.4, 1303 and 1317.3.

23

(c)  Regulations.--Charter schools and cyber charter schools

24

shall be subject to the following provisions of 22 Pa. Code

25

(relating to education):

26

(1)  Ch. 4 (relating to academic standards and

27

assessment).

28

(2)  Ch. 11 (relating to student attendance).

29

(3)  Ch. 12 (relating to students and student services).

30

(4)  Section 32.3 (relating to assurances).

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1

(5)  Section 121.3 (relating to discrimination

2

prohibited).

3

(6)  Section 235.4 (relating to practices).

4

(7)  Section 235.8 (relating to civil rights).

5

(8)  Ch. 711 (relating to charter school and cyber

6

charter school services and programs for children with

7

disabilities).

8

(d)  Additional regulations.--The commission shall have

9

authority and the responsibility to ensure that charter schools

10

and cyber charter schools comply with Federal laws and

11

regulations governing children with disabilities. The commission

12

shall promulgate regulations to implement this provision.

13

Section 1734-C.  Effect on certain existing charter schools and

14

cyber charter schools.

15

(a)  General rule.--A charter school approved by a local

16

board of school directors, a special board of control

17

established under section 692 or a School Reform Commission

18

established under section 696 prior to the effective date of

19

this section shall continue to operate under the current

20

charter. All charter schools approved after the effective date

21

of this section shall be in full compliance with this article.

22

(b)  Expiration of charters approved under this article.--

23

Upon expiration of its charter, a charter school approved under

24

section 1718-C or 1719-C shall seek renewal of its charter from

25

the appropriate authorizer. The charter shall be amended as

26

needed to reflect the requirements of this article.

27

(c)  Transfer of charter.--A charter school approved by a

28

local board of school directors, a special board of control

29

established under section 692 or a School Reform Commission

30

established under section 696 prior to the effective date of

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1

this section may transfer its charter to the oversight of the

2

commission at any time. The board of trustees of the charter

3

school shall submit the charter school's current charter and

4

annual report to the commission and request that the commission

5

become the authorizer of the charter school. Upon receipt of a

6

transfer request and all necessary documentation as required by

7

the commission, the request shall be deemed approved unless,

8

within 30 days of that date, the commission schedules a public

9

hearing concerning the transfer request. The transfer shall be

10

presumed approved and be denied only if the commission

11

determines that the charter school would otherwise be subject to

12

revocation or nonrenewal pursuant to the criteria in section

13

1723-C(c). The commission shall conduct the hearing under

14

section 1720-C, present evidence in support of the transfer

15

denial stated in its notice and give the charter school

16

reasonable opportunity to offer testimony before taking final

17

action. If a hearing does occur relating to a charter school's

18

transfer request, formal action approving or denying the

19

transfer shall be taken by the commission at a public meeting

20

under section 1720-C and 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 (relating to open

21

meetings) after the public has had 30 days to provide comments

22

to the members of the commission. If the commission approves the

23

transfer, the commission shall provide notification by certified

24

board resolution to the local board of school directors, the

25

special board of control established under section 692 or the

26

School Reform Commission established under section 696 which

27

initially approved the charter. No later than 30 days after

28

receipt of the certified board resolution, the local board of

29

school directors, the special board of control established under

30

section 692 or the School Reform Commission established under

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1

section 696 which initially approved the charter shall transfer

2

to the commission all records regarding oversight of the charter

3

school. The school's charter term shall remain in effect until

4

the time of expiration, at which time the commission shall

5

undertake a comprehensive review prior to granting a ten-year

6

charter renewal. The Commonwealth Court shall have exclusive

7

review of an appeal by a charter school of a decision made by

8

the commission to deny a charter transfer.

9

(d)  Existing schools.--A cyber charter school approved by

10

the department prior to the effective date of this section shall

11

continue to operate under the current charter, but all oversight

12

shall be transferred to the commission.

13

(e)  Expiration of existing charters.--Upon expiration of its

14

charter, a cyber charter school approved prior to the effective

15

date of this section shall seek renewal of its charter from the

16

commission under this article. The charter shall be amended as

17

needed to reflect the requirements of this article. All cyber

18

charter schools approved or renewed after the effective date of

19

this section shall be in full compliance with this article.

20

(f)  Merge.--

21

(1)  A charter school that was approved by a local board

22

of school directors, a special board of control established

23

under section 692 or a School Reform Commission established

24

under section 696 prior to the effective date of this

25

section, which chooses to merge into a multiple charter

26

organization under section 1735-C, may apply to the

27

commission to consolidate all affiliated school charters into

28

a single charter within one year after the effective date of

29

this section.

30

(2)  The board of trustees of each charter school shall

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1

jointly submit their charter school's current charter and

2

annual report to the commission and request that the

3

commission become the authorizer of the charter school.

4

(3)  Upon receipt of the consolidation and transfer

5

request and all necessary documentation as required by the

6

commission, the commission shall have 30 days to approve or

7

deny the consolidation and transfer request by a majority

8

vote. If the commission approves the consolidation and

9

transfer, the commission shall provide notification by

10

certified board resolution to the local board of school

11

directors, the special board of control established under

12

section 692 or the School Reform Commission established under

13

section 696 which initially approved the charter.

14

(4)  No later than 30 days after the receipt of the

15

certified board resolution, the local board of school

16

directors, the special board of control established under

17

section 692 or the School Reform Commission established under

18

section 696 which initially approved the charter shall

19

transfer to the commission all records regarding oversight of

20

the charter school.

21

(5)  The school's charter term shall remain in effect

22

until the time of expiration, at which time the commission

23

will undertake a comprehensive review prior to granting a

24

ten-year charter renewal.

25

Section 1735-C.  Multiple charter school organization.

26

(a)  Establishment.--Subject to the requirements of section

27

1734-C(f), two or more charter schools may merge or consolidate

28

under 15 Pa.C.S. Pt. II Subpt. C (relating to nonprofit

29

corporations) into a multiple charter school organization. The

30

multiple charter school organization shall be granted a single

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1

charter to operate two or more individual charter schools under

2

the oversight of a single board of trustees and a chief

3

administrator who shall oversee and manage the operation of the

4

individual charter schools under its organization. The multiple

5

charter school organization shall be considered a charter school

6

as defined under this article and shall be subject to all of the

7

requirements of this article unless otherwise provided for under

8

this section. Nothing under this section shall be construed to

9

affect or change the terms or conditions of any individual

10

charter previously granted that is consolidated under this

11

section.

12

(b)  Application.--The commission shall develop and issue a

13

standard application form for multiple charter school

14

organization applicants, which shall contain the following

15

information:

16

(1)  The identification of the multiple charter school

17

organization.

18

(2)  The names of the charter schools seeking merger or

19

consolidation under subsection (a).

20

(3)  A copy of the approved charters of each charter

21

school agreeing to merge or consolidate administrative

22

functions with the commission under subsection (a).

23

(4)  An organization chart clearly presenting the

24

proposed governance structure of the multiple charter school

25

organization, including lines of authority and reporting

26

between the board of trustees, chief administrator,

27

administrators, staff and any educational management service

28

provider that will play a role in providing management

29

services to the charter schools under its jurisdiction.

30

(5)  A clear description of the roles and

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1

responsibilities for the board of trustees, chief

2

administrator, administrators and any other entities,

3

including a charter school foundation, shown in the

4

organization chart.

5

(6)  A clear description and method for the appointment

6

or election of members of the board of trustees.

7

(7)  Standards for board performance, including

8

compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and terms of

9

the charter.

10

(8)  Enrollment procedures for each individual charter

11

school included in its charter.

12

(9)  Any other information as deemed necessary by the

13

commission.

14

(c)  Authorization.--The commission shall serve as the legal

15

authorizer of a multiple charter school organization.

16

(d)  Special conditions.--A multiple charter school

17

organization may:

18

(1)  Participate in the assessment systems in the same

19

manner in which a school district participates, and its

20

individual charter schools shall participate in such

21

assessment systems in the same manner as individual schools

22

in school districts. All data gathered for purposes of

23

evaluation shall be gathered in a like manner.

24

(2)  Add new charter schools to its organization via the

25

application process included under section 1721-C.

26

(3)  Add existing charter schools to its organization or

27

amend the individual charters of each charter school under

28

its organization via the amendment process included under

29

section 1722-C.

30

(4)  Allow students enrolled in an individual charter

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1

school to matriculate to another individual charter school

2

under its oversight so as to complete a course of instruction

3

in an educational institution from kindergarten through grade

4

12.

5

(e)  Annual reports.--The annual report required under

6

section 1731-C shall be provided by the board of trustees and

7

chief administrator of the multiple charter school organization

8

and shall include all information required to provide a basis

9

for evaluation for renewal of each individual charter school

10

under the organization's oversight.

11

(f)  Renewal.--A multiple charter school organization shall

12

be regarded as the holder of the charter of each individual

13

charter school under its oversight, and each such previously or

14

subsequently awarded charter shall be subject to nonrenewal or

15

revocation in accordance with this act. The nonrenewal or

16

revocation shall not affect the status of a charter awarded for

17

any other individual charter school under its oversight.

18

Section 1736-C.  Special cyber charter school requirements.

19

(a)  Special financial requirements.--A cyber charter school

20

shall not:

21

(1)  Except as provided for under subsection (b), provide

22

payments to parents or guardians for the purchase of

23

instructional materials.

24

(2)  Except as compensation for the provision of specific

25

services, enter into agreements to provide funds to a school

26

entity.

27

(b)  Materials.--For each student enrolled, a cyber charter

28

school shall provide all instructional materials and equipment,

29

such as a computer, computer monitor and printer and shall

30

provide, or provide reimbursement for, technology and services

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1

necessary for online delivery of the curriculum and instruction.

2

The Commonwealth shall not be liable for reimbursement owed to

3

students, parents or guardians by a cyber charter school.

4

(c)  Information to school districts.--Upon request in

5

writing or electronically, a cyber charter school shall make

6

available to each student's school district of residence the

7

following:

8

(1)  A copy of the charter.

9

(2)  A copy of the cyber charter school application.

10

(3)  A copy of all annual reports prepared by the cyber

11

charter school.

12

(4)  A list of all students from that school district

13

enrolled in the cyber charter school.

14

(d)  Information to parent or guardian.--Upon request and

15

prior to the student's first day in a cyber charter school, the

16

cyber charter school shall, either in writing or electronically,

17

provide to the parent or guardian of a student the following:

18

(1)  A list and brief description of the courses of

19

instruction the student will receive. The list shall be

20

updated annually for each grade level in which the student is

21

enrolled.

22

(2)  A description of the lessons and activities to be

23

offered both online and offline.

24

(3)  The manner in which attendance will be reported and

25

work will be authenticated.

26

(4)  A list of all standardized tests the student will be

27

required to take during the school year and the place where

28

the test will be administered, if available.

29

(5)  The meetings to be held during the school year

30

between a parent or guardian and a teacher and among other

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1

school officials or parents or guardians and the manner in

2

which the parent or guardian will be notified of the time and

3

place for the meeting.

4

(6)  The address of the cyber charter school and the

5

name, telephone number and e-mail address of the school

6

administrator and other school personnel.

7

(7)  A list of any extracurricular activities provided by

8

the cyber charter school.

9

(8)  The names of the student's teachers, if available,

10

and the manner in which each teacher can be contacted by the

11

student or the parent or guardian.

12

(9)  A list of all services that will be provided to the

13

student by the cyber charter school.

14

(10)  Copies of policies relating to computer security

15

and privacy, truancy, absences, discipline and withdrawal or

16

expulsion of students.

17

(11)  Information concerning:

18

(i)  The cyber charter school's professional staff,

19

including the number of staff personnel, their education

20

level and experience.

21

(ii)  The cyber charter school's performance on the

22

Pennsylvania System of School Assessment and other

23

standardized test scores.

24

(12)  Information regarding the proper usage of equipment

25

and materials and the process for returning equipment and

26

materials supplied to the students by the cyber charter

27

school. A parent or guardian shall acknowledge, either in

28

writing or electronically, the receipt of this information.

29

(13)  A description of the school calendar, including,

30

but not limited to, the time frame that will constitute a

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1

school year and a school week, holidays and term breaks.

2

(e)  Offices and facilities.--A cyber charter school shall

3

maintain an administrative office within this Commonwealth where

4

all student records shall be maintained at all times and shall

5

provide the commission with the addresses of all offices and

6

facilities of the cyber charter school, ownership thereof and

7

any lease arrangements. The administrative office of the cyber

8

charter school shall be considered to be the principal place of

9

business for service of process for any action brought against

10

the cyber charter school or cyber charter school staff members.

11

The cyber charter school shall notify the commission of any

12

changes in this information within ten days of the change.

13

(f)  Applicable law.--Any action taken against the cyber

14

charter school, its successors or assigns or its employees,

15

including any cyber charter school staff member as defined in

16

the act of act of December 12, 1973 (P.L.397, No.141), known as

17

the Professional Educator Discipline Act, shall be governed by

18

the laws of this Commonwealth. If the department initiates an

19

investigation or pursues an action under the Professional

20

Educator Discipline Act involving a current or former charter

21

school staff member outside this Commonwealth, reasonable

22

expenses incurred by the department in the investigation or

23

action shall be paid by the cyber charter school which employed

24

that staff member at the time of the alleged misconduct.

25

(g)  School district and intermediate unit access for

26

testing.--The intermediate unit or school district in which a

27

student enrolled in a cyber charter school resides shall provide

28

the cyber charter school with reasonable access to its

29

facilities for administration of all required standardized

30

tests.

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1

Section 5.  This act shall take effect as follows: 

2

(1)  The following provisions shall take effect

3

immediately:

4

(i)  Section 1706-C of the act.

5

(ii)  This section.

6

(2)  The following provisions shall take effect in 120

7

days:

8

(i)  Section 1704-C of the act.

9

(ii)  Section 1705-C of the act.

10

(iii)  Section 1734-C of the act.

11

(3)  The remainder of this act shall take effect July 1,

12

2012, or immediately, whichever is later.

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