Charter School Legislation

8/3/2019 Charter School Legislation

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MPS Collaborative Charter School Legislation HF1460/SF1185

This legislation writes a new section of law under which a school district authorizer could charter a

school and not lose enrollment base. The proposal would rely on voluntary, mutual agreementsbetween authorizers and charter schools or other authorizers. A number of school districts are trying

more collaborative relationships with charters: this legislation supports that goal.

The law does not amend current charter stature but makes a new chapter so anyone who likes their

current deal experiences no changes. I worked very closely with Jon Bacall to get this draft

introduced. Rep. Linda Slocum is the House sponsor along with Sandy Peterson, a former MFT

president, and Representative Jim Davnie. Sen. Torres Ray is the Senate sponsor.

Collaboratively chartered school kids would:

Count in the authorizers pupil count Count in the authorizers academic achievement reporting. Students Graduate with an MPS charter School Diploma.

The Charter School:

Retains complete autonomy. Employs, retains and dismisses their employees. May opt to accept an attendance area, transportation services, start-time.

o May opt out of district attendance area transportation and start-time. Receives per pupil funding directly from MDE May contract with authorizer to provide back office services.

Corrects problem with current law architecture:

Use of open enrollment as a template creates Us v. Them. o If MFT59 becomes an authorizer and charters a school then the enrollment in their

authorized school drives lay-offs on the MPS side of the ledger.

Transportation area and special education cross subsidy issues. Creates opportunity for charters to partner with an authorizer to bolster their vulnerabilities:

o Facilitieso Finances (aid payment shift shelter)o Referendum revenue


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Benefit for School Districts

Creates a new brand opportunity for MPSo The District Collaborative Charter School pupil is a Minneapolis Public School pupil.

MPS entrance into the charter market can shape outcomes in the market place by offeringinducements/advantages to those charters who wish to collaborate with MPS.

o Facilitieso Finances (aid payment shift shelter)o Referendum revenue

Allows MPS to build a charter book of business Long term Benefits for Charter Sector

The Charter sector faces contraction due to:o New authorizer responsibilities under 2009 reforms lead to decrease in the number of

authorizers and capacity of remaining authorizers.

o Increase in the education aids payment shift creates dire financial consequences forcharters.

Neutralizes growth in lease aido Rapid growth of lease aid is a political liability.

Lease aid under this model could simply cover facility operating costs while debtservice and operating capital costs are carried by the district.

o Shifting facility costs to school district authorizers is far more efficient.o School boards use their facility powers for their students paid for by their taxpayers.

This link takes you to the actual bill language:

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bin/bldbill.php?bill=H1460.0.html&session=ls87

** The Bill is also attached.
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bin/bldbill.php?bill=H1460.0.html&session=ls87https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bin/bldbill.php?bill=H1460.0.html&session=ls87https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bin/bldbill.php?bill=H1460.0.html&session=ls87


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Charter School Legislation

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