HB 1861 - DIGEST

     Declares that a charter school is a public school including one or more of grades kindergarten through twelve, operated by a public benefit nonprofit corporation, according to the terms of a renewable five-year contract granted by a sponsor.

     Provides that a charter school shall operate independently of any school district board, under a charter approved by a sponsor.

     Declares that charter schools are exempt from all state statutes and rules applicable to school districts and school district boards of directors except as provided in this act and in the school's approved charter.

     Provides that all approved charter schools shall:  (1) Comply with state and federal health, safety, and civil rights laws applicable to school districts;

     (2) all charter schools shall participate in nationally normed standardized achievement tests as required in RCW 28A.230.230 and 28A.230.240 and the elementary, middle school, and high school standards and assessment examinations as required in RCW 28A.630.885;

     (3) employ certificated instructional staff as required in RCW 28A.410.010, however charter schools may hire noncertificated instructional staff of unusual competence and in exceptional cases as specified in RCW 28A.150.260;

     (4) comply with the employee record check requirements in RCW 28A.400.303;

     (5) be subject to the same financial and audit requirements as a school district;

     (6) comply with the annual performance report under RCW 28A.320.205;

     (7) report at least annually to its sponsor and to parents of children enrolled at the charter school on progress toward the student performance goals specified in the charter; and

     (8) comply with the open public meetings act in chapter 42.30 RCW.