Charter School Bill Passes Senate

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Charter School Bill Passes Senate

Special Report - February 25, 2011
On Thursday, the North Carolina Senate approved SB 8—No Cap on Number of Charter Schools, a bill that would eliminate the cap on the number of charter schools in the state. After hearing nearly an hour and a half of intense debate on the bill’s 2^nd reading in Wednesday’s session, the measure gained final passage in the Senate on Thursday afternoon, by a vote of 33-17.

In addition to lifting the cap, which state law currently sets at 100 schools, the bill would also set up a new, independent commission to have administrative oversight over charters. Although the Commission would be separate from the State Board of Education (SBE), the SBE would retain some authority by having the ability to overrule actions of the Commission with a three-fourths vote. The bill also seeks to provide equitable funding to traditional public schools and charter schools by allowing county and lottery funds to be available for charter schools.

Six amendments were proposed during debate, but only two amendments were adopted—an amendment clarifying a change by the bill sponsor, Sen. Richard Stevens (R–Wake), and an amendment by Sen. Floyd McKissick (D-Durham), which would require the independent charter commission to submit an annual report and composite data to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee. SB 8 now heads to the House for consideration there.

Related resources:
Healthcare, Charters, and Tests - February 18, 2011
This Week at the GA - February 11, 2011
Charter School Bill Passes Committee - February 17, 2011
Charter Expansion Considered - February 4, 2011
School Choice Events Week - January 24, 2011
Charter Regulations Score Poorly - December 2, 2010
Report Grades NC Public Schools a "D" - November 10, 2010
Charter School Checkmate - FNC - Summer 2010
Groups Say Lift Charter School Cap - January 22, 2010
Charter School Myths Debunked - January 7, 2010
Charter School Model Law Proposed - September 4, 2009
Charter School Alternative: Thinking Outside The Box - FNC -November 2006