Text of the Bill and a Brief Summary
- SB 140 (full text)/HB 123 (full text) allows neighborhood public schools to be converted to charter school without the consent of the teachers at the school.
- The bill also allows the State Board of Education to deem school district property as “surplus.” Charter schools will then be able given priority access the the “surplus” property.
What’s Next
SB 140
SB 140 has passed its first committee. It will next be heard in the Community Affairs Committee where it is not yet been placed on an agenda.
HB 123
HB 123 has passed its first committee stop. Its second and final stop is the the Education and Employment Committee. It has not yet been placed on the agenda.
Talking Points
- SB 140 disrupts school communities and creates additional bureaucracy. Students enrolled in a public school that is converted to a charter school under this bill are not guaranteed the ability to remain enrolled in the school if they so choose.
- This bill benefits only charter school corporations, not students or educators.
- Employees at a public schools that is converted to a charter school under this bill will likely see reductions in their salary and healthcare and retirement benefits.
