The bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes concerning charter schools, introducing new requirements aimed at enhancing their operational flexibility and accountability. Key provisions include prohibiting sponsors from imposing administrative deadlines on charter schools that are earlier than their own, ensuring that deadlines for financial audits or other requirements are at least 15 days prior to the sponsor's deadlines. The bill also allows charter schools to increase their enrollment capacity under certain conditions and mandates that sponsors cannot impose unreasonable limitations on student enrollment below documented facility capacity. Additionally, charter school governing boards are authorized to adopt their own codes of student conduct, with specified requirements for resolving related complaints.

Further amendments focus on governance and operational requirements, including the ability for charter schools to hire personnel on an at-will basis and to suspend or dismiss contracted employees without cause. The bill clarifies that charter school facilities are exempt from ad valorem taxes and allows public and private entities to provide space to charter schools without special zoning exceptions. It also emphasizes the timely sharing of student data between sponsors and charter schools, ensuring equitable access to data. Provisions for high-performing charter schools include increased enrollment flexibility, quarterly financial statements, and a right of first refusal regarding the disposal of real property by school districts. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 822 Filed: 1002.331