This bill introduces significant reforms to the governance and oversight of charter schools in New Jersey, focusing on enhancing transparency, accountability, and community involvement. It defines charter management organizations as nonprofit entities and mandates a compensation study to compare salaries of top charter school employees with those in public school districts. The bill requires that at least 51 percent of the teaching staff and parents or guardians support the establishment of a charter school through a petition, and it emphasizes the need for public notice and community input during the application process. Additionally, charter schools must be physically located within the state, cannot primarily operate online, and are prohibited from contracting with for-profit entities for management.

Further provisions include annual assessments by the Commissioner of Education, comprehensive evaluations every five years, and the establishment of residency and experience requirements for charter school board members. The bill also prohibits non-disclosure agreements that restrict employee discussions about their employment and mandates public hearings for changes in contracts with lead personnel or management organizations. It requires charter schools to maintain a public website with operational and budgetary information, adopt anti-nepotism policies, and comply with the School Ethics Act. Overall, the legislation aims to strengthen the operational integrity of charter schools while ensuring they remain accountable to the communities they serve.

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