Connecticut 2022 Regular Session Status: In Committee 3 D cosponsors

SB 229 — AN ACT CONCERNING THE PROCESS BY WHICH A CHARTER IS GRANTED AND FUNDING IS PROVIDED FOR A NEW CHARTER SCHOOL.

Last action — FILE NO. 647

Track this bill free

No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2022 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

105 added · 44 removed

105 line(s) added, 44 removed.

→
Previous
Latest
General Assembly Substitute Bill No.
Senate General Assembly File No.
229 February Session, 2022 AN ACT CONCERNING THE PROCESS BY WHICH A CHARTER IS GRANTED AND FUNDING IS PROVIDED FOR A NEW CHARTER SCHOOL.
647 February Session, 2022 Substitute Senate Bill No.
229 Senate, April 26, 2022 The Committee on Appropriations reported through SEN.
OSTEN of the 19th Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the Senate, that the substitute bill ought to pass.
AN ACT CONCERNING THE PROCESS BY WHICH A CHARTER IS GRANTED AND FUNDING IS PROVIDED FOR A NEW CHARTER SCHOOL.
(NEW) (o) Any unexpended funds appropriated for purposes of this section shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year but shall be deposited in the charter school approval grant account, established pursuant to section 1 of this act, and shall be available for expenditure during the next fiscal year in accordance with the provisions of said section.
sSB229 / File No.
LCO \\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00229-R1 of 13 SB.docx Substitute Bill No.
647 1 sSB229 File No.
229 Sec.
647 (NEW) (o) Any unexpended funds appropriated for purposes of this section shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year but shall be deposited in the charter school approval grant account, established pursuant to section 1 of this act, and shall be available for expenditure during the next fiscal year in accordance with the provisions of said section.
Sec.
(3) A charter [or initial certificate of approval for a charter] granted under this section shall not be considered a license, as defined in section 4-166, for the purposes of chapter 54.
sSB229 / File No.
(b) Any not-for-profit organization that is exempt from taxation LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-0022 of 13 R02-SB.docx } Substitute Bill No.
647 2 sSB229 File No.
229 under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time, public or independent institution of higher education, local or regional board of education or two or more boards of education cooperatively, or regional educational service center may apply to the Commissioner of Education, at such time and in such manner as the commissioner prescribes, to [obtain an initial certificate of approval for a charter] establish a charter school, provided no nonpublic elementary or secondary school may be established as a charter school and no parent or group of parents providing home instruction may establish a charter school for such instruction.
647 (3) A charter [or initial certificate of approval for a charter] granted under this section shall not be considered a license, as defined in section 4-166, for the purposes of chapter 54.
(b) Any not-for-profit organization that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time, public or independent institution of higher education, local or regional board of education or two or more boards of education cooperatively, or regional educational service center may apply to the Commissioner of Education, at such time and in such manner as the commissioner prescribes, to [obtain an initial certificate of approval for a charter] establish a charter school, provided no nonpublic elementary or secondary school may be established as a charter school and no parent or group of parents providing home instruction may establish a charter school for such instruction.
(3) The State Board of Education shall give preference to applicants for charter schools (A) whose primary purpose is the establishment of education programs designed to serve one or more of the following student populations:
(3) The State Board of Education shall give preference to applicants for charter schools (A) whose primary purpose is the establishment of sSB229 / File No.
(i) Students with a history of low academic performance, (ii) students who receive free or reduced priced lunches pursuant to federal law and regulations, (iii) students with a history of LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-0023 of 13 R02-SB.docx } Substitute Bill No.
647 3 sSB229 File No.
229 behavioral and social difficulties, (iv) students identified as requiring special education, (v) students who are English language learners, or (vi) students of a single gender;
647 education programs designed to serve one or more of the following student populations:
(i) Students with a history of low academic performance, (ii) students who receive free or reduced priced lunches pursuant to federal law and regulations, (iii) students with a history of behavioral and social difficulties, (iv) students identified as requiring special education, (v) students who are English language learners, or (vi) students of a single gender;
In determining whether to grant [an initial certificate of approval for] a charter, the State Board of Education shall consider (i) the effect of the proposed charter school on (I) the reduction of racial, ethnic and economic isolation in the region in which it is to be located, (II) the regional distribution of charter schools in the state, (III) the potential of over-concentration of charter schoolswithina school districtorincontiguousschooldistricts,and(IV) the state's efforts to close achievement gaps, as defined in section 10- 16oo, and (ii) the comments made at a public hearing conducted pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of this section or subparagraph (B)(ii) of subdivision (1) of subsection (f) of this section.
In determining whether to grant [an initial certificate of approval for] a charter, the State Board of Education shall consider (i) the effect of the proposed charter school on (I) the reduction of racial, ethnic and economic isolation in the region in which it is to be located, (II) the regional distribution of charter schools in the state, (III) the potential of over-concentration of charter schoolswithina schooldistrictorincontiguousschooldistricts,and(IV) the state's efforts to close achievement gaps, as defined in section 10- 16oo, and (ii) the comments made at a public hearing conducted pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of this section or subparagraph (B)(ii) of subdivision (1) of subsection (f) of this section.
(3) the school governance and procedures for the establishment of a governing council that (A) includes (i) teachers and parents and guardians of students enrolled in the school, and (ii) the chairperson of the local or regional board of education of the town in which the charter school is located and which has jurisdiction over a school that resembles the approximate grade configuration of the LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-0024 of 13 R02-SB.docx } Substitute Bill No.
(3) the school governance and procedures for the establishment of a governing council that (A) includes (i) teachers and parents and guardians of students enrolled in the school, and (ii) the sSB229 / File No.
229 charter school, or the designee of such chairperson, provided such designee is a member of the board of education or the superintendent of schools for the school district, or the superintendent's designee, and (B) is responsible for the oversight of charter school operations, provided no member or employee of the governing council may have a personal or financial interest in the assets, real or personal, of the school;
647 4 sSB229 File No.
647 chairperson of the local or regional board of education of the town in which the charter school is located and which has jurisdiction over a school that resembles the approximate grade configuration of the charter school, or the designee of such chairperson, provided such designee is a member of the board of education or the superintendent of schools for the school district, or the superintendent's designee, and (B) is responsible for the oversight of charter school operations, provided no member or employee of the governing council may have a personal or financial interest in the assets, real or personal, of the school;
(12) procedures to encourage involvement by parents and guardians of enrolled students in student learning, school activities and school decision-making;
(12) procedures to encourage involvement by parents and guardians of enrolled students in student learning, school sSB229 / File No.
647 5 sSB229 File No.
647 activities and school decision-making;
(15) a LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-0025 of 13 R02-SB.docx } Substitute Bill No.
(15) a student recruitment and retention plan that shall include, but not be limited to, a clear description of a plan and the capacity of the school to attract, enroll and retain students from among the populations described in subparagraph (A)(i) to (A)(v), inclusive, of subdivision (3) of subsection (c) of this section;
229 student recruitment and retention plan that shall include, but not be limited to, a clear description of a plan and the capacity of the school to attract, enroll and retain students from among the populations described in subparagraph (A)(i) to (A)(v), inclusive, of subdivision (3) of subsection (c) of this section;
(e) An application for the establishment of a local charter school shall be submitted to the local or regional board of education of the school district in which the local charter school is to be located for approval pursuant to this subsection.
(e) An application for the establishment of a local charter school shall be submitted to the local or regional board of education of the school sSB229 / File No.
The local or regional board of education LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-0026 of 13 R02-SB.docx } Substitute Bill No.
647 6 sSB229 File No.
229 shall:
647 district in which the local charter school is to be located for approval pursuant to this subsection.
The local or regional board of education shall:
[After an initial certificate of approval for a charter for a local charter school is deemed a charter pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section, such charter may be valid] The state board may grant the charterforthelocalcharterschoolforaperiodoftimeofuptofiveyears.
[After an initial certificate of approval for a charter for a local charter school is deemed a charter pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section, such charter may be valid] The state board may grant the charterforthelocalcharterschool foraperiodoftimeofuptofiveyears.
On and after July 1, [2015, any initial certificate of approval for a] 2022, a charter granted by the state board to a local charter school shall include academic and organizational performance goals, developed by the state board, that set forththeperformanceindicators,measuresandmetricsthatwillbeused by the state board to evaluate the local charter school.
On and after July 1, [2015, any initial certificate of approval for a] 2022, a charter granted by the state board to a local charter school shall include academic and organizational performance goals, developed by the state board, that set sSB229 / File No.
LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-0027 of 13 R02-SB.docx } Substitute Bill No.
647 7 sSB229 File No.
229 (f) (1) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, an application for the establishment of a state charter school shall be (A) submitted to the State Board of Education for approval in accordance with the provisions of this subsection, and (B) filed with the local or regional board of education in the school district in which the charter school is to be located.
647 forththeperformanceindicators,measuresandmetricsthatwillbeused by the state board to evaluate the local charter school.
(f) (1) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, an application for the establishment of a state charter school shall be (A) submitted to the State Board of Education for approval in accordance with the provisions of this subsection, and (B) filed with the local or regional board of education in the school district in which the charter school is to be located.
On and after July 1, [2015, any initial certificate of approval for a] 2022, a charter granted by the state board to a state charter school shall include academic and organizational performance goals, developed by the state board, that set forth the performance indicators, measures and metrics that will be used by the state board to LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-002298 of 13 R02-SB.docx } Substitute Bill No.
On and after July 1, [2015, any initial certificate of approval for a] 2022, a charter granted by the state board to a state charter school shall include academic and organizational performance sSB229 / File No.
229 evaluate the state charter school.
647 8 sSB229 File No.
647 goals, developed by the state board, that set forth the performance indicators, measures and metrics that will be used by the state board to evaluate the state charter school.
The State Board of Education may deny an application for the renewal of a charter if (1) student progress has not been sufficiently demonstrated, as determined by the commissioner, (2) the governing council has not been sufficiently responsible for the operation of the school or has misused or spent public funds in a manner that is detrimental to the educational interests of the students attending the charter school, (3) the school has not been in compliance with the terms of the charter, applicable laws and regulations, (4) the efforts of the school have been insufficient to effectively attract, enroll and retain students from among the following populations:
The State Board of Education may deny an application for the renewal of a charter if (1) student progress has not been sufficiently demonstrated, as determined by the commissioner, (2) the governing council has not been sufficiently responsible for the operation of the school or has misused or spent public funds in a manner that is detrimental to the educational interests of the students attending the charter school, (3) the school has not been in compliance with the terms of the charter, applicable laws and regulations, (4) the efforts of the school have been insufficient to effectively attract, enroll and retain students from among the following sSB229 / File No.
(A) Students with a history of low academic performance, LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-0029 of 13 R02-SB.docx } Substitute Bill No.
647 9 sSB229 File No.
Show all 83 changed rows (43 more)
Previous
Latest
229 (B) students who receive free or reduced priced lunches pursuant to federal law and regulations, (C) students with a history of behavioral and social difficulties, (D) students identified as requiring special education, or (E) students who are English language learners, or (5) the governing council of the state or local charter school has not provided evidence that such council has initiated substantive communication with the local or regional board of education of the town in which the state or local charter school is located to share student learning practices and experiences.
647 populations:
(A) Students with a history of low academic performance, (B) students who receive free or reduced priced lunches pursuant to federal law and regulations, (C) students with a history of behavioral and social difficulties, (D) students identified as requiring special education, or (E) students who are English language learners, or (5) the governing council of the state or local charter school has not provided evidence that such council has initiated substantive communication with the local or regional board of education of the town in which the state or local charter school is located to share student learning practices and experiences.
The commissioner may impose any additional terms of probation on the school that the commissioner deems necessary to LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-0010 of 13 R02-SB.docx } Substitute Bill No.
The commissioner may impose any additional terms of probation on the school that the commissioner deems necessary to sSB229 / File No.
229 protect the educational or financial interests of the state.
647 10 sSB229 File No.
647 protect the educational or financial interests of the state.
Whenever a charter school is placed on probation, the commissioner shall notify the parents or guardians of students attending the school of the probationary statusoftheschoolandthereasonsfor such status.During the term of probation, the commissioner may require the school to file interimreportsconcerning any matterthecommissioner deemsrelevant to the probationary status of the school, including financial reports or statements.
Whenever a charter school is placed on probation, the commissioner shall notify the parents or guardians of students attending the school of the probationary statusoftheschoolandthe reasonsfor such status.During the term of probation, the commissioner may require the school to file interimreportsconcerning any matterthecommissioner deemsrelevant to the probationary status of the school, including financial reports or statements.
The State Board of Education shall also provide the governing LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-0011 of 13 R02-SB.docx } Substitute Bill No.
The State Board of Education shall also provide the governing council with the opportunity to demonstrate compliance with all sSB229 / File No.
229 council with the opportunity to demonstrate compliance with all requirementsfortheretentionofitscharterbyprovidingtheStateBoard of Education or a subcommittee of the board, as determined by the State Board of Education, with a written or oral presentation.
647 11 sSB229 File No.
647 requirementsfortheretentionofitscharterbyprovidingtheStateBoard of Education or a subcommittee of the board, as determined by the State Board of Education, with a written or oral presentation.
(2) An enrollment lottery described in subdivision (8) of subsection (d) of this section shall not be held for a local charter school that is LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-0012 of 13 R02-SB.docx } Substitute Bill No.
(2) An enrollment lottery described in subdivision (8) of subsection (d) of this section shall not be held for a local charter school that is establishedat a schoolthat isamong theschoolswithapercentage equal to or lessthanfive per cent whenallschoolsare ranked highestto lowest sSB229 / File No.
229 establishedat a schoolthat isamong the schoolswithapercentage equal to or lessthanfive per cent whenallschoolsare ranked highestto lowest in accountability index scores, as defined in section 10-223e.
647 12 sSB229 File No.
647 in accountability index scores, as defined in section 10-223e.
C/R APP APP Joint Favorable LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-0022913 of 13 R02-SB.docx }
C/R APP APP Joint Favorable sSB229 / File No.
647 13 sSB229 File No.
647 The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose.
In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.
Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.
OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:
Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 23 $ FY 24 $ Education, Dept.
GF - See Below See Below Redistribution Note:
GF=General Fund Municipal Impact:
None Explanation The bill establishes a non-lapsing charter school approval grant account to provide initial funding for a local or state charter school that has been granted a new charter.
Any lapsing charter school funds will not be returned to the General Fund (which has a General Fund impact, estimated at $1.7 million in FY 23) but will be transferred to the charter school approval grant account.
The bill caps the number of new charters that may be granted by the State Board of Education at two per fiscal year, which limits the grant account's expenditures.
The bill makes various other procedural changes to the charter school approval process, which are not anticipated to result in a fiscal impact.
The Out Years The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to inflation.
sSB229 / File No.
647 14 sSB229 File No.
647 OLR Bill Analysis sSB 229 AN ACT CONCERNING THE PROCESS BY WHICH A CHARTER IS GRANTED AND FUNDING IS PROVIDED FOR A NEW CHARTER SCHOOL.
SUMMARY Under current law, the State Board of Education (SBE) may grant “initial certificates of approval” for charters for local and state charter schools.
However, the new school’s initial certificate only becomes effective under the law as a full “charter” if the legislature appropriates funds to the State Department of Education for its operations.
The school receives its charter as of July 1 in the fiscal year for which the funds are appropriated.
As of July 1, 2022, the bill allows SBE to grant full charters rather than initial certificates of approval.
Additionally, it creates the “charter school approval grant account” within the General Fund to give initial funding to state and local charter schools that have been granted a new charter in the fiscal year immediately following the one in which the charter was granted instead of waiting for the legislature to appropriate the funds.
Additionally, the bill prohibits SBE from approving more than two new state charter schools per fiscal year beginning in FY 23.
It also makes several conforming changes and removes obsolete language in current law regarding SBE’s approval of applications for new state charter schools before July 1, 2015.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
July 1, 2022 § 2 — CHARTER SCHOOL APPROVAL GRANT ACCOUNT Under the bill, the charter school approval grant account must be a sSB229 / File No.
647 15 sSB229 File No.
647 separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund.
It must contain any funds that the law requires to be deposited into it, which under the bill includes any unexpended state funds appropriated for local and state charter schools’ per pupil operating grants.
COMMITTEE ACTION Education Committee Joint Favorable Substitute Change of Reference - APP Yea 25 Nay 14 (03/25/2022) Appropriations Committee Joint Favorable Yea 32 Nay 16 (04/07/2022) sSB229 / File No.
647 16
⬇ Download PDF
View plain text versions (4)

How this bill changes current law

3 changes Share ↗

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes a charter school approval grant account to provide funding for new charter schools and modifies existing provisions regarding the approval and funding process for charter schools.

  • Section 10-66ee

    (o) Any unexpended funds appropriated for purposes of this section shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year but shall be deposited in the charter school approval grant account, established pursuant to section 1 of this act, and shall be available for expenditure during the next fiscal year in accordance with the provisions of said section.

    This adds a provision to ensure that unspent funds for charter schools can be carried over into the next fiscal year.

  • Section 10-66bb

    [The General Assembly may appropriate funds to the Department of Education for the purposes of providing grants to local and state charter schools, pursuant to section 10-66ee. If such funds are appropriated, an initial certificate of approval for a charter for a local or state charter school shall be effective and deemed a charter as of July first of the first fiscal year for which such funds are appropriated.] → [charter school approval grant account, pursuant to section 1 of this act, for the purposes of providing grants, pursuant to section 10-66ee, as amended by this act, to local and state charter schools that have been granted an initial certificate of approval for a charter. The Commissioner of Education shall expend such funds in the fiscal year immediately following the fiscal year in which such initial certificate for approval for a charter was granted, and such initial certificate of approval for a charter shall be effective and deemed a charter as of July first of the fiscal year for which such funds are expended.]

    This changes the appropriations process for charter schools from direct appropriations to funding through a designated grant account.

  • Section 1

    There is established an account to be known as the charter school approval grant account which shall be a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund.

    This establishes a new account specifically for charter school grants.

Action History

  1. FILE NO. 647

  2. SENATE CALENDAR NUMBER 460

  3. FAV. RPT., TAB. FOR CAL., SEN.

  4. RPTD. OUT OF LCO

  5. REFERRED TO Office of Legislative Research AND Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/25/22

  6. FILED WITH LCO

  7. Joint Favorable

  8. FAV. CHG. OF REF. HOUSE TO COMM. ON Appropriations

  9. FAV. CHG. OF REF., SEN. TO COMM. ON Appropriations

  10. RPTD. OUT OF LCO

  11. FILED WITH LCO

  12. Joint Favorable Substitute Change of Reference APP

  13. PUBLIC HEARING 0304

  14. REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Education

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

4 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 183 not signed on

Sponsors (4)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (183)

183 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 183 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

education
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 229?
SB 229 is sponsored by Sanchez, J., Travis Simms (Democratic), Geraldo C. Reyes (Democratic), and Anthony L. Nolan (Democratic).
What is the current status of SB 229?
This bill died with 2022 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 229?
Track SB 229 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on SB 229

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of SB 229

Last checked for changes 2 months ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →