BILL NUMBER: S522
SPONSOR: MAYER
 
PURPOSE:
To include school districts and community school districts in the
approval process for the issuance of new charter schools in over-en-
rolled districts.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends paragraph d of subdivision 2 of section 2852 of educa-
tion law to include school districts and New York City community school
districts in the approval of new charters when the districts are already
over-enrolled with charter students.
Section 2 establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This bill will restore communities' voice in the charter approval proc-
ess in districts which already have a significant concentration of char-
ter schools. Across the state, many communities are oversaturated with
charter schools: in Lackawanna and Troy more than 30% of students are
enrolled in charter schools; in Albany, Buffalo, and Rochester more than
20% of students are enrolled in charter schools; in Syracuse more than
10% of students are enrolled in charter schools. Charter schools in
these numbers affect the ability of school districts to provide for
their students by diverting funds away from traditional public schools,
which still have to serve any and all students who come to their doors.
In 2022-23, for example, Rochester City School District expected to pay
more than $100 million in charter school tuition, transportation
reimbursement, and support services costs. 1
This bill would require local school districts, or in New York City,
the, community school district, to consent in order for a charter entity
to approve a new application in a district where more than 5% of
students are enrolled in charter schools. Current law allows new appli-
cations to be approved above 5% density if the applicant would provide a
"significant educational benefit" to students attending the school or if
the district consents. This bill would require both criteria to be met
in order for an application to be approved, giving districts -- and by
extension the children they serve -- a voice in the process.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S023/24: S2292 (Mayer)/A6710 (Benedetto): referred to Education
2021/22: S548 (Mayer)/A5116 (Benedetto): referred to Education
2019/20: S5978 (Mayer)/ A8028 (Benedetto): referred to Education
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.
1 littps://www.flyseriatc.gov/sites/defaultifiles/rochester_city
school_district_23.pdf

Statutes affected:
S522: 2852 education law, 2852(2) education law