Bill Summary for H 354 (2015-2016)

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Summary date: 

Mar 25 2015

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details2015-2016 Session
House Bill 354 (Public) Filed Wednesday, March 25, 2015
AN ACT TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY IN THE OPERATION OF CHARTER SCHOOLS.
Intro. by Cotham.

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Bill summary

Amends GS 115C-218.1 to require that a charter school application also include the principal officer responsible for making funding requests to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI).

Enacts new GS 115C-218.17 allowing the board of directors of a charter school to contract with a vendor or company to perform services in connection with the school's operation. Requires the board of directors to ensure that all operational activities of the management company are conducted in compliance with state and federal law and the school's charter. Requires the charter school board of directors to notify the State Board of Education (SBOE) and DPI of any contract entered into under this statute. Requires the board of directors to submit a copy of the contract and a list of all employees paid by the vendor or company assigned to manage or work at the school, a budget and expenditure report, and corporate structure of the vendor or company within 30 days of entering into a contact for educational or financial management (and annually thereafter).  

Amends GS 115C-218.25 to make the inspection of charter school personnel records for those employed directly or indirectly by contract (was, directly employed), by the board of directors subject to Article 21A (privacy of employee personnel records). 

Amends GS 115C-218.100 to require the board of directors of a charter school to transmit final financial information to DPI upon the effective date of closure. Requires that allotments for state and federal funds be adjusted with instructions on how to calculate the final adjustment. Requires DPI to arrange for a closing audit, and requires DPI, if the closing audit indicates that the charter school has overdrawn any funds in the final allotment adjustment, to notify the school's board of directors in writing. Requires the school's board of directors to refund the money to DPI within 20 days following receipt of a notification of overpayment.

Amends GS 115C-218.105 to add that a charter school that has been placed on noncompliance status in finance, governance, or academics by DPI for that school year, or in two prior school years, is not automatically eligible for an annual adjustment to funding based on a projection of up to 20% greater than prior year enrollment. Requires providing documentation supporting increases over prior year enrollment numbers and estimates of expected student attendance. Requires the State Board to provide initial funding based on the prior year's funding for average daily membership and allows for adjustment when the State Board verifies the enrollment increases. Applies beginning with the 2015-16 school year.