3. Indiana State Charter School Board Creates a new statewide charter school board. The charter board’s purpose is to sponsor charter schools throughout the state. Seven (7) members will be appointed to four-year terms, with the governor appointing the chair. Governor appoints two (2) members, Supt. of Public Instruction appoints one (1) member and IN General Assembly appoints the remaining (4) members. 3
4. Eligible Sponsoring Colleges • Adds a non-profit college or university that provides a four-year education program for which it awards a baccalaureate or advanced degrees including: Anderson University; Bethel College; Butler University; Calumet College; DePauw University; Earlham College; Franklin University; Goshen College; Grace College; Hanover College; Holy Cross College; Huntington University; Indiana Tech; Indiana Wesleyan University; Manchester College; Marian University; Martin University; Oakland City University; Rose‐Hulman Institute of Technology College; Saint Joseph’s; Saint Mary of the Woods College; Saint Mary’s College; Taylor University; Trine University; University of Evansville; University of Indianapolis; University of Notre Dame; University of Saint Francis; Valparaiso University; Wabash College.
5. Charter School Fees Charter school sponsors may claim 3 percent of total funding as a form of administrative fee. That fee may not include any costs incurred in delivering services that a charter school may purchase at its discretion from the sponsor. Charter schools may purchase services and/or products from charter sponsors but are not required to do so. 5
6. Standards The bill sets monitoring and accountability standards for charter schools. Allows for a charter to request a waiver for lack of successful performance under certain circumstances. 6
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8. Public School Building Acquisition Allows charter schools to acquire a vacant public school building following a two‐year posting period at a cost of $1 per year and day‐to‐day maintenance costs of the building. The local school corporation continues to be responsible for major maintenance costs, e.g. new roof or parking lot, etc., and ongoing payment of any debt (bond) on the building. 8
9. Conversion Charter Schools Traditional public schools may be converted to charter schools if: 51 percent of parents sign a petition to convert the school to a charter and; The school has been placed in either of the two lowest performance categories for two consecutive years and; The governing body of the school votes to convert the school to a charter school. 9
10. Teachers in Conversion Charters When drafted, the charter determines employment status for teachers. It determines whether teachers fall under a collective bargaining agreement, are part of a sick leave bank and/or have seniority rights within the traditional school corporation agreement. 10
11. Contact your UniServ Director if you have additional questions or would like more information: http://www.ista-in.org/directory2.aspx 11