House Bill No. [insert bill number] amends existing laws regarding the conversion of preexisting public schools into charter schools in Louisiana. The bill outlines the election process for faculty, staff, and parents or guardians to approve such conversions, specifying that a simple majority of eligible voters is required for approval. It also mandates that the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) adopt rules to ensure a fair and transparent election process, including provisions for protecting voter anonymity.

Key revisions include the removal of the requirement that faculty and staff elections be held at the preexisting school and the specification that only one parent or guardian per student is eligible to vote, with additional votes allowed for parents or guardians of multiple students. The bill also clarifies the eligibility criteria for faculty and staff to vote, ensuring they have been employed or assigned to the school since the preceding October. Overall, the proposed changes aim to streamline the conversion process while ensuring that the voices of faculty, staff, and parents are adequately represented.

Statutes affected:
HB83 Original: 17:3973(2), 17:3983(C)