This bill amends existing laws regarding the permissible uses for real estate donated by public school districts in Arkansas. It allows school districts to donate real property to an open-enrollment public charter school, among other entities, for specific educational purposes, including the preservation and improvement of the property, as well as providing space for classes and community programs. The bill emphasizes that any property donated to an open-enrollment public charter school must be used exclusively for community programs and educational services, explicitly excluding housing or similar benefits from qualifying as acceptable uses.

Additionally, the bill updates definitions and reporting requirements related to unused or underutilized public school facilities under the Arkansas Public School Academic Facilities Program Act. It establishes a right of first refusal for open-enrollment public charter schools to purchase or lease unused facilities and mandates that school districts report on these facilities annually. The bill also introduces provisions for classifying non-compliant school districts and their superintendents, ensuring accountability in the management of public school properties.

Statutes affected:
SB 215: 6-21-108(b), 6-21-803(13), 6-21-803(17), 6-21-806(a), 6-21-815(c), 6-21-816(a), 6-21-816(b), 6-21-816(h)