Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official PDF posted by the Oklahoma Legislature, fetched 2026-07-23. Page and line markers are part of the official record; nothing is edited or removed. The official bill page.
1 STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1
2 2nd Session of the 60th Legislature (2026)
2
3 SENATE BILL 1971 By: Sacchieri
3
4
4
5
5
6 AS INTRODUCED
6
7 An Act relating to charter schools; amending 70 O.S.
7 2021, Sections 3-134, as last amended by Section 6,
8 Chapter 323, O.S.L. 2023, and 3-137, as amended by
8 Section 8, Chapter 323, O.S.L. 2023 (70 O.S. Supp.
9 2025, Sections 3-134 and 3-137), which relate to the
9 Oklahoma Charter Schools Act; adding requirements to
10 charter school application; requiring certain review
10 to be provided to certain governing board and posted
11 on certain sponsor's website; providing contents of
11 annual oversight and performance review; requiring
12 certain survey to be administered according to
12 certain requirements; requiring a sponsor's
13 performance report to include certain information;
13 directing the Statewide Charter School Board to
14 suspend certain sponsor authority if a sponsor fails
14 to take certain actions; requiring certain
15 determination to identify certain deficiencies;
15 updating statutory language; providing an effective
16 date; and declaring an emergency.
16
17
17
18
18
19 BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
19
20 SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 3-134, as
20
21 last amended by Section 6, Chapter 323, O.S.L. 2023 (70 O.S. Supp.
21
22 2025, Section 3-134), is amended to read as follows:
22
23 Section 3-134. A. For written applications filed after July 1,
23
24 2024, prior to submission of the application to a proposed sponsor
24
Req. No. 2678 Page 1
1 seeking to establish a charter school or to the Statewide Charter
1
2 School Board to establish a virtual charter school, the applicant
2
3 shall be required to complete training which shall not exceed ten
3
4 (10) hours provided by the Statewide Charter School Board on the
4
5 process and requirements for establishing a charter school or
5
6 virtual charter school. The sponsor of a charter school that enters
6
7 into a new or renewed sponsorship contract on or after July 1, 2024,
7
8 shall be required to complete training provided by the Statewide
8
9 Charter School Board or an organization approved by the Statewide
9
10 Charter School Board on the oversight duties of the sponsor. The
10
11 Board shall develop and implement the training and publish a list of
11
12 organizations approved to provide training by July 1, 2024. The
12
13 Board and organizations approved by the Board may provide the
13
14 training in any format and manner determined to be efficient and
14
15 effective including, but not limited to, web-based training.
15
16 B. Except as otherwise provided for in Section 3-137 of this
16
17 title, an applicant seeking to establish a virtual charter school
17
18 shall submit a written application to the Statewide Charter School
18
19 Board, and an applicant seeking to establish a charter school shall
19
20 submit a written application to the proposed sponsor as provided for
20
21 in subsection E of this section. The application shall include:
21
22 1. A mission statement for the charter school or virtual
22
23 charter school;
23
24
24
Req. No. 2678 Page 2
1 2. A description including, but not limited to, background
1
2 information of the organizational structure and the governing board
2
3 of the charter school or virtual charter school;
3
4 3. A financial plan for the first five (5) years of operation
4
5 of the charter school or virtual charter school and a description of
5
6 the treasurer or other officers or persons who shall have primary
6
7 responsibility for the finances of the charter school or virtual
7
8 charter school. Such person shall have demonstrated experience in
8
9 school finance or the equivalent thereof;
9
10 4. A description of the hiring policy of the charter school or
10
11 virtual charter school;
11
12 5. The name of the applicant or applicants and requested
12
13 sponsor;
13
14 6. A description of the facility and location of the charter
14
15 school;
15
16 7. A description of the grades being served;
16
17 8. An outline of criteria designed to measure the effectiveness
17
18 of the charter school or virtual charter school;
18
19 9. Documentation that the applicants completed training as set
19
20 forth in subsection A of this section;
20
21 10. A description of the minimum and maximum enrollment planned
21
22 per year for each term of the charter contract;
22
23 11. The proposed calendar for the charter school or virtual
23
24 charter school and sample daily schedule;
24
Req. No. 2678 Page 3
1 12. Unless otherwise authorized by law or regulation, a
1
2 description of the academic program aligned with state standards;
2
3 13. A description of the instructional design of the charter
3
4 school or virtual charter school including the type of learning
4
5 environment, class size and structure, curriculum overview, and
5
6 teaching methods;
6
7 14. The plan for using internal and external assessments to
7
8 measure and report student progress on the performance framework
8
9 developed by the applicant in accordance with Section 3-136 of this
9
10 title;
10
11 15. The plans for identifying and successfully serving students
11
12 with disabilities, students who are English language learners, and
12
13 students who are academically behind;
13
14 16. A description of cocurricular or extracurricular programs
14
15 and how they will be funded and delivered;
15
16 17. Plans and time lines timelines for student recruitment and
16
17 enrollment including lottery procedures;
17
18 18. The student discipline policies for the charter school or
18
19 virtual charter school including those for special education
19
20 students with disabilities;
20
21 19. An organizational chart that clearly presents the
21
22 organizational structure of the charter school or virtual charter
22
23 school, including lines of authority and reporting between the
23
24 governing board, staff, any related bodies such as advisory bodies
24
Req. No. 2678 Page 4
1 or parent and teacher councils, and any external organizations that
1
2 will play a role in managing the school;
2
3 20. A clear description of the roles and responsibilities for
3
4 the governing board, the leadership and management team for the
4
5 charter school or virtual charter school, and any other entities
5
6 shown in the organizational chart;
6
7 21. The leadership and teacher employment policies for the
7
8 charter school or virtual charter school;
8
9 22. Proposed governing bylaws;
9
10 23. Explanations of any partnerships or contractual
10
11 partnerships central to the operations or mission of the charter
11
12 school or virtual charter school;
12
13 24. The plans for providing transportation, food service, and
13
14 all other significant operational or ancillary services;
14
15 25. Opportunities and expectations for parental involvement;
15
16 26. A detailed school start-up plan that identifies tasks, time
16
17 lines timelines, and responsible individuals;
17
18 27. A description of the financial plan and policies for the
18
19 charter school or virtual charter school including financial
19
20 controls and audit requirements;
20
21 28. A description of the insurance coverage the charter school
21
22 or virtual charter school will obtain;
22
23 29. Start-up and five-year budgets with clearly stated
23
24 assumptions;
24
Req. No. 2678 Page 5
1 30. Start-up and first-year cash-flow projections with clearly
1
2 stated assumptions;
2
3 31. Evidence of anticipated fundraising contributions, if
3
4 claimed in the application;
4
5 32. A sound facilities plan including backup or contingency
5
6 plans if appropriate;
6
7 33. A requirement that the charter school or virtual charter
7
8 school governing board meet no fewer than ten (10) months of the
8
9 year in the state and that for those charter schools outside of
9
10 counties with a population of five hundred thousand (500,000) or
10
11 more, that a minimum of two (2) members are residents within the
11
12 geographic boundary of the charter school;
12
13 34. A requirement that the charter school or virtual charter
13
14 school follow the requirements of the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act and
14
15 Oklahoma Open Records Act. Additionally, a charter school or
15
16 virtual charter school shall:
16
17 a. include a designated public comment period during
17
18 every regular meeting of the charter school or virtual
18
19 charter school governing board,
19
20 b. post on its website procedures for how the charter
20
21 school or virtual charter school responds to requests
21
22 under the Oklahoma Open Records Act, and
22
23 c. submit an annual report to its sponsor regarding
23
24 compliance with the provisions of this paragraph; and
24
Req. No. 2678 Page 6
1 35. A copy of any proposed contract between the governing board
1
2 of a charter school or virtual charter school and an educational
2
3 management organization, as defined by Section 5-200 of this title,
3
4 which meets the requirements of the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act.
4
5 C. A board of education of a public school district, public
5
6 body, public or private college or university, private person, or
6
7 private organization may contract with a sponsor to establish a
7
8 charter school or virtual charter school. A private school shall
8
9 not be eligible to contract for a charter school or virtual charter
9
10 school under the provisions of the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act.
10
11 D. The sponsor of a charter school is the board of education of
11
12 a school district, a higher education institution, a private
12
13 institution of higher learning accredited pursuant to Section 4103
13
14 of this title, a federally recognized Indian tribe which meets the
14
15 criteria established in Section 3-132 of this title, or beginning
15
16 July 1, 2024, the Statewide Charter School Board. Any sponsor
16
17 authorized pursuant to subsection A of Section 3-132 of this title
17
18 may sponsor one or more charter schools. The physical location of a
18
19 charter school sponsored by a board of education of a school
19
20 district shall be within the boundaries of the sponsoring school
20
21 district. The physical location of a charter school sponsored by
21
22 the Statewide Charter School Board pursuant to paragraph 6 of
22
23 subsection A of Section 3-132 of this title shall be in the school
23
24 district in which the application originated.
24
Req. No. 2678 Page 7
1 E. 1. Beginning July 1, 2024, any application seeking to
1
2 establish a charter school in this state shall be submitted first to
2
3 the school district in which the proposed charter school is to be
3
4 located. The school district board of education shall approve or
4
5 deny the application within sixty (60) days of receipt of the
5
6 application. If the charter school application is denied, nothing
6
7 shall prohibit an applicant from submitting a revised application to
7
8 the school district board of education, which shall approve or deny
8
9 the revised application within sixty (60) days of receipt of the
9
10 application.
10
11 2. An applicant for a charter school that has been denied
11
12 pursuant to paragraph 1 of this subsection may submit an application
12
13 to a proposed sponsor listed in paragraphs 2 through 6 of subsection
13
14 A of Section 3-132 of this title, which shall either accept or
14
15 reject sponsorship of the charter school within ninety (90) days of
15
16 receipt of the application. If the proposed sponsor rejects the
16
17 application, it shall notify the applicant in writing of the reasons
17
18 for the rejection. The applicant may submit a revised application
18
19 for reconsideration to the proposed sponsor within thirty (30) days
19
20 after receiving notification of the rejection. The proposed sponsor
20
21 shall accept or reject the revised application within thirty (30)
21
22 days of its receipt.
22
23 3. Beginning July 1, 2024, an applicant for a virtual charter
23
24 school shall submit an application to the Statewide Charter School
24
Req. No. 2678 Page 8
1 Board, which shall either accept or reject sponsorship of the
1
2 virtual charter school within ninety (90) days of receipt of the
2
3 application. If the application is rejected, the Statewide Charter
3
4 School Board shall notify the applicant in writing of the reasons
4
5 for the rejection. The applicant may submit a revised application
5
6 for reconsideration to the Statewide Charter school School Board
6
7 within thirty (30) days after receiving notification of the
7
8 rejection. The Statewide Charter School Board shall accept or
8
9 reject the revised application within thirty (30) days of its
9
10 receipt.
10
11 F. A board of education of a school district, a higher
11
12 education institution, a private institution of higher learning
12
13 accredited pursuant to Section 4103 of this title, or a federally
13
14 recognized Indian tribe shall notify the State Board of Education
14
15 and the Statewide Charter School Board when it accepts sponsorship
15
16 of a charter school. The notification shall include a copy of the
16
17 charter of the charter school.
17
18 G. Applicants for charter schools and virtual charter schools
18
19 proposed to be sponsored by the Statewide Charter School Board may,
19
20 upon rejection of a revised application, proceed to binding
20
21 arbitration under the commercial rules of the American Arbitration
21
22 Association with costs of the arbitration to be borne by the
22
23 applicant.
23
24
24
Req. No. 2678 Page 9
1 H. If a board of education of a school district, a higher
1
2 education institution, a private institution of higher learning
2
3 accredited pursuant to Section 4103 of this title, or a federally
3
4 recognized Indian tribe accepts sponsorship of a charter school, the
4
5 administrative, fiscal, and oversight responsibilities of the school
5
6 district, the higher education institution, the private institution
6
7 of higher learning accredited pursuant to Section 4103 of this
7
8 title, or the federally recognized Indian tribe shall be listed in
8
9 the contract. No administrative, fiscal, or oversight
9
10 responsibilities of a charter school shall be delegated to a school
10
11 district unless the school district agrees to enter into a contract
11
12 to assume the responsibilities.
12
13 I. A sponsor of a public charter school shall have the
13
14 following powers and duties over charter schools it sponsors, and
14
15 the Statewide Charter School Board shall have the following powers
15
16 and duties over the charter schools and virtual charter schools it
16
17 sponsors:
17
18 1. Provide services and oversight of the operations of charter
18
19 schools or virtual charter schools in the state through annual
19
20 oversight and performance reviews and reauthorization. The results
20
21 of the annual oversight and performance review of a charter school
21
22 or virtual charter school shall be provided to its governing board
22
23 and posted on the sponsor's website. The annual oversight and
23
24 performance review shall include:
24
Req. No. 2678 Page 10
1 a. an evaluation of the charter school's or virtual
1
2 charter school's academic, operational, and financial
2
3 performance,
3
4 b. an annual performance evaluation of the charter school
4
5 or virtual charter school superintendent or
5
6 administrator, and
6
7 c. administration of an anonymous annual climate and
7
8 satisfaction survey of parents and legal guardians of
8
9 students enrolled in the charter school or virtual
9
10 charter school pursuant to the provisions of
10
11 subsection J of this section;
11
12 2. Solicit and evaluate charter applications;
12
13 3. Approve quality charter applications that meet identified
13
14 educational needs and promote a diversity of educational choices;
14
15 4. Decline to approve weak or inadequate charter applications;
15
16 5. Negotiate and execute sound charter contracts with each
16
17 approved public charter school or virtual charter school;
17
18 6. Approve or deny proposed contracts between the governing
18
19 board of a charter school or virtual charter school and an
19
20 educational management organization, as defined by section Section
20
21 5-200 of this title;
21
22 7. Monitor, in accordance with charter contract terms, the
22
23 performance and legal compliance of charter schools and virtual
23
24 charter schools; and
24
Req. No. 2678 Page 11
1 8. Determine whether each charter contract merits renewal,
1
2 nonrenewal, or revocation.
2
3 J. 1. The anonymous annual climate and satisfaction survey
3
4 required by subparagraph c of paragraph 1 of subsection I of this
4
5 section shall:
5
6 a. be administered or validated by the sponsor or an
6
7 independent third party and shall not be solely
7
8 designed or administered by the charter school's
8
9 administration or governing board,
9
10 b. be administered annually during a defined survey
10
11 window between January 1 and March 31 of each school
11
12 year, unless otherwise approved by the Statewide
12
13 Charter School Board for good cause,
13
14 c. be included in the annual oversight and performance
14
15 review with verbatim and in-full results without
15
16 selective summarization, and
16
17 d. document necessary follow-up actions if survey results
17
18 indicate material concerns related to governance,
18
19 transparency, or compliance. Follow-up actions may
19
20 include additional monitoring or corrective action
20
21 requirements.
21
22 2. The sponsor shall compile and review the survey results no
22
23 later than forty-five (45) days following the close of the survey
23
24
24
Req. No. 2678 Page 12
1 administration window set forth in subparagraph b of paragraph 1 of
1
2 this subsection. Survey results shall be:
2
3 a. included in the annual oversight and performance
3
4 review required by paragraph 1 of subsection I of this
4
5 section, and
5
6 b. prominently posted on the websites of the sponsor and
6
7 charter school upon publication of the annual
7
8 oversight and performance review.
8
9 3. Failure to administer a survey or timely publish the survey
9
10 results pursuant to the provisions of this subsection shall
10
11 constitute a deficiency as provided for in Section 3-137 of this
11
12 title.
12
13 K. Sponsors shall establish a procedure for accepting,
13
14 approving, and disapproving charter school applications in
14
15 accordance with subsection E of this section. The Statewide Charter
15
16 School Board shall post its application, application process, and
16
17 application time frames on the Board's website.
17
18 K. L. Sponsors including the Statewide Charter School Board
18
19 shall develop and maintain chartering policies and practices
19
20 consistent with recognized principles and standards for quality
20
21 charter sponsoring in all major areas of sponsoring responsibility
21
22 including organizational capacity and infrastructure, soliciting and
22
23 evaluating charter school and virtual charter school applications,
23
24 performance contracting, ongoing charter school and virtual charter
24
Req. No. 2678 Page 13
1 school oversight and evaluation, and charter contract renewal
1
2 decision-making.
2
3 L. M. Sponsors acting in their official capacity shall be
3
4 immune from civil and criminal liability with respect to all
4
5 activities related to a charter school with which they contract.
5
6 SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 3-137, as
6
7 amended by Section 8, Chapter 323, O.S.L. 2023 (70 O.S. Supp. 2025,
7
8 Section 3-137), is amended to read as follows:
8
9 Section 3-137. A. An initial contract between a charter school
9
10 or virtual charter school and its sponsor approved on or after July
10
11 1, 2024, shall be effective for five (5) years from the first day of
11
12 operation. After completing an initial five-year term, a charter
12
13 contract may be renewed for up to ten-year terms of duration,
13
14 although the sponsor may vary the term based on the performance,
14
15 demonstrated capacities, and particular circumstances of each
15
16 charter school or virtual charter school. A sponsor may grant
16
17 renewal with specific conditions for necessary improvements to a
17
18 charter school or virtual charter school.
18
19 B. Prior to the beginning of the final year of the contract
19
20 term of a charter school or virtual charter school, the sponsor
20
21 shall issue a performance report and charter renewal application
21
22 guidance to the charter school and its governing board or the
22
23 virtual charter school and its governing board. The performance
23
24 report shall summarize the performance record to date of the charter
24
Req. No. 2678 Page 14
1 school or virtual charter school based on the data required by the
1
2 Oklahoma Charter Schools Act, the annual performance framework
2
3 evaluation, the annual oversight and performance review conducted
3
4 pursuant to paragraph 1 of subsection I of Section 3-134 of this
4
5 title, a review of the contract with an educational management
5
6 organization if the charter school or virtual charter school
6
7 contracts with an educational management organization, and a review
7
8 of the charter contract including the charter school's or virtual
8
9 charter school's compliance with the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act, the
9
10 Oklahoma Open Records Act, and other requirements of paragraph 34 of
10
11 subsection B of Section 3-134 of this title. The performance review
11
12 shall take into consideration the percentage of at-risk students
12
13 enrolled in the charter school or virtual charter school. The
13
14 performance report shall provide notice of any weaknesses, concerns,
14
15 violations, or deficiencies perceived by the sponsor concerning the
15
16 charter school or virtual charter school that may jeopardize its
16
17 position in seeking renewal if not timely rectified. If there are
17
18 weaknesses, concerns, violations, or deficiencies the sponsor may
18
19 require a charter school or virtual charter school to develop a
19
20 corrective action plan and corresponding timeline to remedy any
20
21 weaknesses, concerns, violations, or deficiencies. If the sponsor
21
22 requires a corrective action plan, the charter school or virtual
22
23 charter school shall have forty-five (45) days to respond to the
23
24 performance report and submit any corrections or clarifications for
24
Req. No. 2678 Page 15
1 the report. If the charter school or virtual charter school does
1
2 not substantially complete the corrective action plan, the sponsor
2
3 may choose to revoke or not renew the charter contract pursuant to
3
4 the requirements of this section.
4
5 C. 1. Prior to the beginning of the final year of a charter
5
6 contract term, the charter school or virtual charter school may
6
7 apply for renewal of the contract with the sponsor including the
7
8 Statewide Charter School Board. The renewal application guidance
8
9 shall, at a minimum, provide an opportunity for the charter school
9
10 or virtual charter school to:
10
11 a. present additional evidence, beyond the data contained
11
12 in the performance report, supporting its case for
12
13 charter renewal,
13
14 b. describe improvements undertaken or planned for the
14
15 school, and
15
16 c. detail the plan for the next charter term for the
16
17 school.
17
18 2. The renewal application guidance shall include or refer
18
19 explicitly to the criteria that will guide the renewal decisions of
19
20 the sponsor, which shall be based on the performance framework set
20
21 forth in the charter contract and consistent with the Oklahoma
21
22 Charter Schools Act.
22
23 D. The sponsor may deny the request for renewal if it
23
24 determines the charter school or virtual charter school has failed
24
Req. No. 2678 Page 16
1 to complete the obligations of the contract or comply with the
1
2 provisions of the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act. A sponsor shall
2
3 give written notice of its intent to deny the request for renewal at
3
4 least eight (8) months prior to expiration of the contract. In
4
5 making charter renewal decisions, a sponsor shall:
5
6 1. Ground decisions on evidence of the performance of the
6
7 charter school or virtual charter school over the term of the
7
8 charter contract in accordance with the performance framework set
8
9 forth in the charter contract and shall take into consideration the
9
10 percentage of at-risk students enrolled in the school;
10
11 2. Grant renewal to charter schools or virtual charter schools
11
12 that have achieved the standards, targets, and performance
12
13 expectations as stated in the charter contract and are
13
14 organizationally and fiscally viable and have been faithful to the
14
15 terms of the contract and applicable law;
15
16 3. Ensure that data used in making renewal decisions are
16
17 available to the school and the public; and
17
18 4. Provide a public report summarizing the evidence used as the
18
19 basis for each decision.
19
20 E. If the Statewide Charter School Board denies a request for
20
21 renewal, the Board may, if requested by the charter school or
21
22 virtual charter school, proceed to binding arbitration as provided
22
23 for in subsection G of Section 3-134 of this title.
23
24
24
Req. No. 2678 Page 17
1 F. A sponsor may terminate a contract during the term of the
1
2 contract for failure to meet the requirements for student
2
3 performance contained in the contract and performance framework,
3
4 failure to meet the standards of fiscal management, violations of
4
5 the law, or other good cause. The sponsor shall give at least
5
6 ninety (90) days' written notice to the governing board of the
6
7 charter school or virtual charter school prior to terminating the
7
8 contract. The governing board may request, in writing, an informal
8
9 hearing before the sponsor within fourteen (14) days of receiving
9
10 notice. The sponsor shall conduct an informal hearing before taking
10
11 action.
11
12 G. Beginning July 1, 2024, and subject to the provisions of
12
13 this section, a charter school sponsor authorized by subsection A of
13
14 Section 3-132 of this title with a charter contract that includes
14
15 more than one charter school site may terminate or not renew a
15
16 charter school contract for a specific charter school site.
16
17 H. 1. Beginning in the 2016-2017 school year, the State Board
17
18 of Education shall identify charter schools and virtual charter
18
19 schools in the state that are ranked in the bottom five percent (5%)
19
20 of all public schools as determined pursuant to Section 1210.545 of
20
21 this title.
21
22 2. At the time of its charter renewal, based on an average of
22
23 the current year and the two (2) prior operating years, a sponsor
23
24 may close a charter school site or virtual charter school identified
24
Req. No. 2678 Page 18
1 as being among the bottom five percent (5%) of public schools in the
1
2 state. The average of the current year and two (2) prior operating
2
3 years shall be calculated by using the percentage ranking for each
3
4 year divided by three, as determined by this subsection.
4
5 3. If there is a change to the calculation described in Section
5
6 1210.545 of this title that results in a charter school site or
6
7 virtual charter school that was not ranked in the bottom five
7
8 percent (5%) being ranked in the bottom five percent (5%), then the
8
9 sponsor shall use the higher of the two rankings to calculate the
9
10 ranking of the charter school site or virtual charter school.
10
11 4. A charter school or virtual charter school that is closed by
11
12 its sponsor pursuant to this subsection shall not be granted a
12
13 subsequent charter contract.
13
14 5. The requirements of this subsection shall not apply to a
14
15 charter school or virtual charter school that has been designated by
15
16 the State Department of Education as implementing an alternative
16
17 education program.
17
18 6. In making a charter school site or virtual charter school
18
19 closure decision, the sponsor shall consider the following:
19
20 a. enrollment of students with special challenges such as
20
21 drug or alcohol addiction, prior withdrawal from
21
22 school, prior incarceration, or other special
22
23 circumstances,
23
24
24
Req. No. 2678 Page 19
1 b. high mobility of the student population resulting from
1
2 the specific purpose of the charter school or virtual
2
3 charter school,
3
4 c. annual improvement in the performance of students
4
5 enrolled in the charter school or virtual charter
5
6 school compared with the performance of students
6
7 enrolled in the charter school or virtual charter
7
8 school in the immediately preceding school year, and
8
9 d. whether a majority of students attending the charter
9
10 school or virtual charter school under consideration
10
11 for closure would likely revert to attending public
11
12 schools with lower academic achievement, as
12
13 demonstrated pursuant to Section 1210.545 of this
13
14 title.
14
15 7. If at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the charter schools
15
16 chartered by one sponsor are closed within a five-year period
16
17 pursuant to this subsection, the authority of the sponsor to sponsor
17
18 new charter schools may be suspended by the Statewide Charter School
18
19 Board until the Board approves the sponsor to sponsor new charter
19
20 schools. A determination made pursuant to this paragraph shall
20
21 identify the deficiencies that, if corrected, will result in the
21
22 approval of the sponsor to sponsor new charter schools.
22
23 I. If a sponsor fails to conduct the annual oversight and
23
24 performance review pursuant to paragraph 1 of subsection I of
24
Req. No. 2678 Page 20
1 Section 3-134 of this title or fails to review a charter school's
1
2 compliance with the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act, the Oklahoma Open
2
3 Records Act, and other requirements of paragraph 34 of subsection B
3
4 of Section 3-134 of this title, the authority of the sponsor to
4
5 sponsor new charter schools shall be suspended by the Statewide
5
6 Charter School Board until the Board approves the sponsor to sponsor
6
7 new charter schools. A determination made pursuant to this
7
8 subsection shall identify the deficiencies that, if corrected, will
8
9 result in the approval of the sponsor to sponsor new charter
9
10 schools.
10
11 J. If a sponsor terminates a contract or the charter school or
11
12 virtual charter school is closed, the closure shall be conducted in
12
13 accordance with the following protocol:
13
14 1. Within two (2) calendar weeks of a final closure
14
15 determination, the sponsor shall meet with the governing board and
15
16 leadership of the charter school or virtual charter school to
16
17 establish a transition team composed of school staff, applicant
17
18 staff, and others designated by the applicant that will attend to
18
19 the closure including the transfer of students, student records, and
19
20 school funds;
20
21 2. The sponsor and transition team shall communicate regularly
21
22 and effectively with families of students enrolled in the charter
22
23 school or virtual charter school, as well as with school staff and
23
24
24
Req. No. 2678 Page 21
1 other stakeholders, to keep them apprised of key information
1
2 regarding the closure of the school and their options and risks;
2
3 3. The sponsor and transition team shall ensure that current
3
4 instruction of students enrolled in the charter school or virtual
4
5 charter school continues per the charter contract for the remainder
5
6 of the school year;
6
7 4. The sponsor and transition team shall ensure that all
7
8 necessary and prudent notifications are issued to agencies,
8
9 employees, insurers, contractors, creditors, debtors, and management
9
10 organizations; and
10
11 5. The governing board of the charter school or virtual charter
11
12 school shall continue to meet as necessary to take actions needed to
12
13 wind down school operations, manage school finances, allocate
13
14 resources, and facilitate all aspects of closure.
14
15 J. K. A sponsor including the Statewide Charter School Board
15
16 shall develop revocation and nonrenewal processes that are
16
17 consistent with the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act and that:
17
18 1. Provide the charter school or virtual charter school with a
18
19 timely notification of the prospect of revocation or nonrenewal and
19
20 of the reasons for possible closure;
20
21 2. Allow the charter school or virtual charter school a
21
22 reasonable amount of time in which to prepare a response;
22
23 3. Provide the charter school or virtual charter school with an
23
24 opportunity to submit documents and give testimony in a public
24
Req. No. 2678 Page 22
1 hearing challenging the rationale for closure and in support of the
1
2 continuation of the school at an orderly proceeding held for that
2
3 purpose and prior to taking any final nonrenewal or revocation
3
4 decision related to the school;
4
5 4. Allow the charter school or virtual charter school access to
5
6 representation by counsel to call witnesses on its behalf;
6
7 5. Permit the recording of the proceedings; and
7
8 6. After a reasonable period for deliberation, require a final
8
9 determination be made and conveyed in writing to the charter school
9
10 or virtual charter school.
10
11 K. L. If a sponsor revokes or does not renew a charter
11
12 contract, the sponsor shall clearly state in a resolution the
12
13 reasons for the revocation or nonrenewal. If a charter is revoked
13
14 or nonrenewed, the charter school or virtual charter school shall
14
15 disclose the revocation or nonrenewal in any subsequent application.
15
16 L. M. If a charter contract is not renewed, the governing board
16
17 of the charter school may submit an application to a proposed new
17
18 sponsor as provided for in Section 3-134 of this title.
18
19 M. N. If a charter contract is not renewed or is terminated
19
20 according to this section, a student who attended the charter school
20
21 or virtual charter school may enroll in the resident school district
21
22 of the student or may apply for a transfer in accordance with the
22
23 Education Open Transfer Act.
23
24 SECTION 3. This act shall become effective July 1, 2026.
24
Req. No. 2678 Page 23
1 SECTION 4. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
1
2 of the public peace, health, or safety, an emergency is hereby
2
3 declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
3
4 be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
4
5
5
6 60-2-2678 EB 1/15/2026 9:20:28 AM
6
7
7
8
8
9
9
10
10
11
11
12
12
13
13
14
14
15
15
16
16
17
17
18
18
19
19
20
20
21
21
22
22
23
23
24
24
Req. No. 2678 Page 24Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.