Latest change summary
+947 / −1257 words · LargeConfidence: high
This version of SB 239 represents a major rewrite of Indiana's charter school statute, removing several enforcement mechanisms while adding extensive new operational requirements. The bill eliminates existing penalties and remedies—including a $10,000-per-day liquidated damages provision, a 25% state tuition support reduction for late reporting, and civil action rights for charter schools regarding property transfers. Simultaneously, it establishes a comprehensive new framework for charter school governance, requiring county executives to appoint one member to each charter school board, capping charter terms at 15 years, mandating performance reviews at least every five years, and prescribing detailed renewal procedures with specific timelines (applications by year-end, authorizer decisions by April 1). The bill also creates extensive new accountability requirements, specifying performance metrics including assessment measures, attendance and graduation rates, academic growth, and financial stability, while subjecting charter school records to Indiana's public records law. The changes shift from a penalty-based enforcement model to a process-based oversight and transparency framework.
- Eliminates $10,000-per-day liquidated damages penalty and civil action rights for charter schools against school corporations for property transfer delays
- Eliminates 25% monthly state tuition support reduction penalty for school corporations that fail to submit required reports on time
- Requires county executives to appoint one member to charter school boards, with appointment authority determined by the county where the organizer is incorporated
- Caps charter school authorization terms at 15 years maximum and mandates performance reviews at least every five years to assess academic goal achievement
- Establishes comprehensive accountability framework requiring charter schools to measure performance using statewide assessments, attendance, graduation rates, college/career readiness indicators, academic growth, financial stability, and board stewardship
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