Texas Senate Bill SB1898

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to revocation of a charter for an open-enrollment charter school and procedures for the disposition of property owned by a charter school after revocation or surrender of a charter.

Impact

The bill impacts state laws by clarifying the authority of the commissioner regarding charter school operations and the management of public property when a charter is revoked. It introduces processes for administrative reviews, court hearings, and the establishment of a charter school liquidation account where funds can be transferred following the closure of a charter school. This ensures that financial and operational oversight is centralized, aiming to protect state resources during the transition.

Summary

SB1898 proposes amendments to the Education Code concerning open-enrollment charter schools in Texas. Specifically, it establishes procedures for the revocation of a charter and the subsequent management and disposition of the property owned by the affected charter school. Central to this bill is the role of the commissioner of education, who is empowered to revoke charters and decide on the management of the school following such revocation, potentially appointing a board of managers or transferring operations to another charter holder.

Contention

Points of contention surrounding SB1898 involve concerns over centralized governance and the powers delegated to the commissioner. Critics may argue that such consolidations could undermine local governance and diminish accountability within charter schools. There's also a broader debate about the implications of such legislation on educational outcomes, particularly for students impacted by the closure of schools and the disposition of their resources. This bill may provoke discussions about the rights of charter schools versus state control in educational matters.