Bill Summary for Bill Number SB12-061

Date: 03/21/2012

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB12-061

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Adopt prepared Amendment L.010 (Attachment A). The Adopt prepared Amendment L.011 (Attachment B). The Refer Senate Bill 12-061, as amended, to the House	Pass Without Objection Pass Without Objection PASS

12:05 PM -- Senate Bill 12-061

Representative Massey, sponsor of Senate Bill 12-061, presented the bill. The bill repeals and reenacts sections of law related to the minimum elements of charter school applications, the deadlines for filing applications and authorizing new charters, the review and renewal of charters, and the process by which an authorizer may revoke a charter. Authorizers of charter schools are local school district boards of education and the state Charter School Institute.

Under the bill, some of the new requirements for charter school applications include:

• showing evidence of proper insurance coverage;
• a statement of any plans to include food services;
• a facilities plan;
• discipline policies;
• plans for serving special needs and at-risk students; and
• detailed information concerning plans to use an education management provider.

A charter school's initial period of operation is increased from three to four years. At least annually, the authorizer and charter school must jointly review the school's academic performance and most recent financial audit. If, under the state's education accountability laws, a charter school is required to implement a turnaround plan for two consecutive years, the school must provide evidence to the authorizer that the school is making sufficient improvement. If the authorizer finds that evidence is not sufficient, or if the charter school is required to implement a turnaround plan for three consecutive years, the authorizer may revoke the charter. Charter school authorizers must adopt procedures and time lines for the review and renewal process, and adopt a policy for closing a charter school following revocation or nonrenewal of a charter.

The following persons testified:

12:09 PM -- Vinny Badolato, Colorado League of Charter Schools, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Badolato stated that the bill is a collaborative effort and reflects many of the recommendations brought forward by the "1412 Committee." He stated that the bill makes clear what it means to be a high quality charter school.

12:11 PM -- Dr. Jane Urschel, Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB), testified in support of the bill. Dr. Urschel discussed the collaboration that went into creating the bill. She said that the bill clarifies the application and renewal process for authorizers and charter schools.

12:12 PM -- Mary Medley, Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants, testified on support of the bill. Ms. Medley discussed Amendment L.010 (Attachment A) to the bill. She stated that the amendment correctly addresses the audit standards in the bill.

Representative Massey distributed Amendment L.010 (Attachment A) and Amendment L.011 (Attachment B), and explained their content.


BILL:	SB12-061
TIME:	12:13:27 PM
MOVED:	Massey
MOTION:	Adopt prepared Amendment L.010 (Attachment A). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Holbert
		VOTE
	Hamner
	Holbert
	Joshi
	Kerr A.
	Murray
	Peniston
	Ramirez
	Schafer S.
	Solano
	Summers
	Todd
	Beezley
	Massey

YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	SB12-061
TIME:	12:13:51 PM
MOVED:	Massey
MOTION:	Adopt prepared Amendment L.011 (Attachment B). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Holbert
		VOTE
	Hamner
	Holbert
	Joshi
	Kerr A.
	Murray
	Peniston
	Ramirez
	Schafer S.
	Solano
	Summers
	Todd
	Beezley
	Massey

YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	SB12-061
TIME:	12:14:26 PM
MOVED:	Massey
MOTION:	Refer Senate Bill 12-061, as amended, to the House Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a roll call vote of 12-0.
SECONDED:	Holbert
		VOTE
	Hamner	Yes
	Holbert	Yes
	Joshi	Yes
	Kerr A.	Yes
	Murray	Excused
	Peniston	Yes
	Ramirez	Yes
	Schafer S.	Yes
	Solano	Yes
	Summers	Yes
	Todd	Yes
	Beezley	Yes
	Massey	Yes

Final YES: 12 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

12:16 PM

The committee adjourned.