The proposed bill aims to reform charter school funding in Massachusetts by amending several sections of Chapter 71, Section 89 of the general laws. Key changes include limiting a public school district's total charter school tuition payments to commonwealth charter schools to a maximum of 9% of the district's net school spending, with provisions for districts exceeding this threshold as of June 30, 2025. The bill also removes the previous cap of 18% on charter school tuition payments and introduces new criteria for evaluating the impact of charter school expansions on sending districts, including projected enrollment and financial impacts.

Additionally, the bill mandates that any materials related to charter school renewal decisions be made public at least 60 days prior to a vote, allowing for public comment during this period. It establishes requirements for public hearings on charter school expansions if requested by school committee members from affected districts. The funding structure for charter school tuition is also revised, detailing how costs will be shared between districts and the state. Finally, the bill outlines a reimbursement schedule for districts experiencing increases in charter school tuition payments, ensuring that funding requests are made annually to the governor and general court.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 71-89