Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB124

Introduced

3/7/23

Refer

3/7/23

Caption

In charter schools, further providing for powers of board of trustees.

Impact

If passed, HB124 will fundamentally alter the governance structure of charter schools in Pennsylvania, establishing a more integrated approach between local educational authorities and charter institutions. This change is anticipated to potentially enhance accountability and ensure that charter schools remain aligned with the educational objectives and priorities of the local school districts they serve. By incorporating local school board members into the charter school governance structure, the bill seeks to foster collaborative relationships that can better address the needs of students within the community.

Summary

House Bill 124 aims to amend the Pennsylvania Public School Code of 1949 by redefining the powers of the board of trustees for charter schools. The bill specifically stipulates that a member of the local board of school directors is to be included on the board of trustees of a charter school located within the director's district. This provision emphasizes increased cooperation between local school systems and charter schools, potentially aligning interests more closely for educational governance.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB124 appears to be generally supportive among proponents of local educational governance, who argue that the bill is a step toward greater oversight of charter schools. Advocates believe that involving local school board directors will enhance accountability and responsiveness to community needs. However, concerns may arise among those who fear that this could limit the operational autonomy of charter schools, potentially stifling innovation and flexibility in their educational models. This division indicates a tension between the desire for local control and the need for charter schools to operate with some degree of independence.

Contention

One notable point of contention is the potential impact of the bill on the autonomy that charter schools typically enjoy. Critics may argue that mandating the inclusion of local school board members could lead to increased bureaucratic oversight that hampers the flexibility that charter schools require to innovate and adapt to changing educational landscapes. As Pennsylvania continues to navigate the balance between charter school independence and the necessity for local governance, HB124 presents an important discussion on the future of educational reform within the state.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB233

In charter schools, further providing for powers of board of trustees.

PA HB1422

In preliminary provisions, providing for advertising and sponsorships; in charter schools, further providing for definitions and for funding for charter schools, providing for funding for cyber charter schools, for cyber charter school requirements, for powers and composition of board of trustees and for educational management service providers, further providing for powers and duties of department and for assessment and evaluation, providing for annual reports and public reporting and for fund balance limits, further providing for cyber charter school requirements and prohibitions and for school district and intermediate unit responsibilities, providing for access to other schools' facilities, further providing for establishment of cyber charter school, providing for renewals, for charter amendments and for causes for nonrenewal, revocation or termination, further providing for State Charter School Appeal Board review, for cyber charter school application and for enrollment and notification, providing for enrollment parameters and for enrollee wellness checks and further providing for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations.

PA HB1372

In preliminary provisions, further providing for advertising and sponsorships; and, in charter schools, further providing for definitions, for charter school requirements, for powers of board of trustees, for facilities, for enrollment, for funding for charter schools, for funding for cyber charter schools, for powers and duties of department, for assessment and evaluation and for cyber charter school requirements and prohibitions, providing for fund balance limits and for educational management service providers, further providing for school district and intermediate unit responsibilities and for establishment of cyber charter school, providing for renewal of charters, for charter amendments and for causes for nonrenewal, revocation or termination and further providing for State Charter School Appeal Board review, for cyber charter school application, for enrollment and notification and for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations.

PA HB1603

In charter schools, further providing for enrollment.

PA HB2370

In preliminary provisions, providing for advertising and sponsorships; in charter schools, further providing for definitions, for charter school requirements and for funding for charter schools, providing for funding for cyber charter schools, for cyber charter school requirements, for powers and composition of board of trustees and for educational management service providers, further providing for powers and duties of department and for assessment and evaluation, providing for annual reports and public reporting and for fund balance limits, further providing for cyber charter school requirements and prohibitions and for school district and intermediate unit responsibilities, providing for access to other schools' facilities, further providing for establishment of cyber charter school, providing for renewals, for charter amendments and for causes for nonrenewal, revocation or termination, further providing for State Charter School Appeal Board review, for cyber charter school application and for enrollment and notification, providing for enrollment parameters and for enrollee wellness checks and further providing for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations; and, in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for student-weighted basic education funding, providing for adequacy and tax equity supplements and for accountability to Commonwealth taxpayers and further providing for Pennsylvania accountability grants.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.