This bill proposes comprehensive amendments to New Jersey's charter school program, focusing on enhancing student enrollment procedures, accountability, and oversight. Key provisions include establishing a preference for enrollment based on the charter school district of residence, implementing a lottery system for student selection when applications exceed available spaces, and requiring charter schools to maintain a waiting list. Additionally, charter schools must report their student demographics annually to the commissioner, ensuring that their enrollment reflects the demographics of the district of residence. The bill also mandates that charter schools provide information to parents regarding student transfers upon expulsion or withdrawal and comply with requests for information from the commissioner.

Moreover, the bill outlines specific conditions for charter revocation, such as failure to meet performance standards or achieve demographic enrollment goals, and introduces a probationary status for non-compliant schools. Upon revocation, charter schools are required to inform parents about the closure and assist with student transfers. The legislation emphasizes accountability by requiring independent audits of financial transactions upon closure, submission of annual budgets for approval, and public hearings every three years to gather input on the charter school program. An independent study is also mandated to evaluate the program's impact by December 31, 2026, with findings reported to key stakeholders. Overall, the bill aims to ensure that charter schools operate transparently and effectively, serving the educational needs of their communities.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:36A-8, 18A:36A-9, 18A:36A-11, 18A:36A-12, 18A:36A-13, 18A:36A-16, 18A:36A-17