This bill introduces significant reforms to the operation and oversight of charter schools in New Jersey, aiming to enhance transparency, accountability, and governance. It defines a charter management organization as a nonprofit entity managing charter schools and mandates a compensation study to compare salaries of top employees with those in public school districts. The bill requires that at least 51 percent of teaching staff and parents or guardians support the establishment of a charter school through a petition. It also stipulates that charter schools must be physically located within the state, prohibits online-only operations, and bans contracts with for-profit entities for management services, while allowing contracts with charter management organizations.

Further provisions include a comprehensive evaluation of charter schools by the Commissioner of Education every five years, with public reporting based on a Performance Framework. The charter renewal process is revised to allow charters to be granted for four years and renewed for five, with the commissioner having the authority to review and place schools on probation if necessary. The bill emphasizes the need for charter schools to maintain public websites with operational and budgetary information, prohibits non-disclosure agreements for employees, and establishes guidelines for board member approval. Additionally, it mandates compliance with the School Ethics Act for charter management organization executives receiving state or local funds, ensuring greater accountability in the management of charter schools.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:36A-4, 18A:36A-5, 18A:36A-10, 18A:36A-14, 18A:36A-16, 18A:36A-17, 18A:12-33