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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Regular Session, 2011
SENATE BILL NO. 43
BY SENATOR DONAHUE
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
SCHOOLS. Allows chartering authorities to extend start-up time period for charter schools.
(8/15/11)
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 17:3983(A)(4)(c) and (e), relative to charter schools; to allow a2
chartering authority to alter the time period within which a charter school must begin3
operation; and to provide for related matters.4
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5
Section 1. R.S. 17:3983(A)(4)(c) and (e) are hereby amended and reenacted to read6
as follows: 7
ยง3983. Chartering process by type; eligibility; limitations; faculty approval; parental8
approval9
A.10
* * *11
(4)12
* * *13
(c) A charter school shall begin operation by not later than twenty-four14
months after the final approval of the charter, unless such charter school is engaged15
in desegregation compliance issues and therefore must begin operation by not later16
than thirty-six months. However, upon request, the chartering authority may17 SB NO. 43
SLS 11RS-254 ENGROSSED
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
extend the time period within which any charter school must begin operation.1
If such operation does not occur, the charter for that school shall be automatically2
revoked although a new charter may be proposed if the limit on the total number of3
charter schools allowed in the state has not been reached.4
* * *5
(e) A charter school, once approved, may begin operation only in July,6
August, or September of a given year; however, such school shall not begin7
operation sooner than eight months after such approval is granted, unless the8
chartering authority agrees to a lesser time period.9
* * *10
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jeanne C. Johnston.
DIGEST
Donahue (SB 43)
Present law (R.S. 17:3983(A)(4)(c)) prohibits a charter school from beginning operation by
not later than 24 months after final approval of their charter. Extends the time period within
which start-up must commence to 36 months if a charter school is engaged in desegregation
compliance issues. Provides that if a charter school does not begin operation within these
time frames, the charter for the school will be revoked but allows the school to apply for a
new charter if the cap on the number of charter schools had not been reached.
Proposed law retains these provisions and further provides that, upon request, the chartering
authority may extend the time period within which any charter must begin operation,
provided that the school must begin operation by not later than 36 months after final
approval of the charter. Removes outdated reference to the cap on the number of charter
schools.
Present law (R.S. 17:3983(A)(4)(e)) provides that a charter school may begin operation only
in July, August, or September and shall not begin operation sooner than eight months after
approval of the charter.
Proposed law removes the provision that restricts the opening date of a charter school to the
months of July, August, or September. Provides that the charter school may open sooner
than eight months after approval if the chartering authority agrees to a lesser time period.
Effective August 15, 2011.
(Amends R.S. 17:3983(A)(4)(c) and (e))