House File 2754 H-8371 Amend House File 2754 as follows: 1 1. By striking everything after the enacting clause and 2 inserting: 3 < DIVISION I 4 CHARTER SCHOOLS 5 Section 1. Section 29E.1, subsection 1, paragraph b, 6 subparagraph (4), Code 2026, is amended by striking the 7 subparagraph. 8 Sec. 2. Section 232E.1, subsection 6, Code 2026, is amended 9 to read as follows: 10 6. “Public school district” means a public school district 11 as described in chapter 274 , and includes a charter school 12 under chapter 256E , or a charter school or an innovation zone 13 school under chapter 256F . 14 Sec. 3. Section 256.7, subsection 15, Code 2026, is amended 15 to read as follows: 16 15. Adopt rules under chapter 17A that require school 17 districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools , 18 and innovation zone schools to include information regarding 19 the exemptions and requirements for an exemption described 20 in section 139A.8, subsection 4 , in any communication to 21 the parent or guardian of a student that is related to the 22 immunizations required under section 139A.8 . 23 Sec. 4. Section 256.9, subsections 69, 71, 73, and 78, Code 24 2026, are amended to read as follows: 25 69. On or before May 1, 2025, develop and distribute to 26 school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter 27 schools , and innovation zone schools model policies that, if 28 adopted, would satisfy a school district’s responsibilities 29 under section 279.88 relating to policies governing student use 30 of personal electronic devices. 31 71. Develop and distribute to school districts, accredited 32 nonpublic schools, and charter schools , and innovation 33 zone schools family-centered resources to support student 34 development of mathematics knowledge at home. 35 -1- HF 2754.4036 (1) 91 jda/jh 1/ 53 #1.

73. On or before July 1, 2025, develop and distribute to 1 school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter 2 schools , and innovation zone schools a comprehensive state 3 mathematics plan that is designed to increase the level of 4 mathematics proficiency attained by students using systematic 5 and sequential approaches to teaching subitizing, cardinality, 6 object counting, verbal counting, spatial relationships, 7 benchmark numbers, and part-part-whole models. 8 78. a. Develop and distribute to school districts, 9 accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools , and 10 innovation zone schools a test in multiple-choice format that 11 consists of all of the questions contained in the most recent 12 version of the civics test developed by the United States 13 citizenship and immigration services. 14 b. On or before the January 31 immediately subsequent to 15 each general election which is a presidential election, update 16 the test described in paragraph “a” and distribute the updated 17 test to school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and 18 charter schools , and innovation zone schools . 19 Sec. 5. Section 256.163, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended 20 by adding the following new paragraph: 21 NEW PARAGRAPH . f. A charter school established pursuant to 22 chapter 256E, subchapter I. 23 Sec. 6. Section 256E.1, subsection 2, paragraphs a and b, 24 Code 2026, are amended to read as follows: 25 a. A school board may create a founding group to apply to 26 the state board or the university of northern Iowa for approval 27 to establish and operate a charter school within and as a part 28 of the school district by establishing a new attendance center, 29 creating a new school within an existing attendance center, or 30 by converting an existing attendance center to charter status. 31 b. A founding group may apply to the state board or the 32 university of northern Iowa for approval to establish and 33 operate a charter school within the boundaries of the state 34 that operates as a new attendance center independently from a 35 -2- HF 2754.4036 (1) 91 jda/jh 2/ 53

public school district. 1 Sec. 7. Section 256E.1, subsection 3, unnumbered paragraph 2 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 3 The purpose of a charter school established pursuant to this 4 chapter subchapter shall be to accomplish the following: 5 Sec. 8. Section 256E.1, subsection 3, paragraph d, Code 6 2026, is amended to read as follows: 7 d. Accelerating student learning to prevent learning loss 8 during the COVID-19 pandemic and other significant disruptions 9 to student learning. 10 Sec. 9. Section 256E.1, subsection 4, Code 2026, is amended 11 to read as follows: 12 4. The state board of education and the university of 13 northern Iowa shall be the only authorizer authorizers of 14 charter schools under this chapter subchapter . 15 Sec. 10. Section 256E.2, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2026, 16 is amended to read as follows: 17 As used in this chapter subchapter , unless the context 18 otherwise requires: 19 Sec. 11. Section 256E.2, subsections 2 and 5, Code 2026, are 20 amended to read as follows: 21 2. “Charter school” means a school established in accordance 22 with this chapter subchapter . 23 5. “Founding group” means a person, group of persons, 24 or education service provider that develops and submits an 25 application for a charter school to the state board or the 26 university of northern Iowa under this chapter subchapter . 27 Sec. 12. Section 256E.3, Code 2026, is amended to read as 28 follows: 29 256E.3 Department —— duty to monitor. 30 The department shall monitor the effectiveness of charter 31 schools and shall implement the applicable provisions of this 32 chapter subchapter . 33 Sec. 13. Section 256E.4, subsections 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 34 and 10, Code 2026, are amended to read as follows: 35 -3- HF 2754.4036 (1) 91 jda/jh 3/ 53

1. A school board may create a founding group to apply to 1 the state board or the university of northern Iowa for approval 2 to establish and operate a charter school within and as a part 3 of the school district by establishing a new attendance center, 4 creating a new school within an existing attendance center, or 5 by converting an existing attendance center. The application 6 shall demonstrate the founding group’s academic and operational 7 vision and plans for the proposed charter school, demonstrate 8 the founding group’s capacity to execute the vision and plans, 9 and provide the state board or the university of northern Iowa 10 a clear basis for assessing the founding group’s plans and 11 capacity. 12 2. The state board , in consultation with the university 13 of northern Iowa, shall adopt rules to establish appropriate 14 application timelines and deadlines for the submission of 15 charter school applications under this section . 16 3. The instructions for completing an application shall 17 include or otherwise inform applicants of all of the following: 18 a. The performance framework adopted by the state board , in 19 consultation with the university of northern Iowa, for charter 20 school oversight and evaluation requirements in accordance with 21 sections 256E.9 and 256E.10 . 22 b. The criteria the state board or the university of 23 northern Iowa will use in evaluating applications. 24 c. The requirements concerning the format and content 25 essential for applicants to demonstrate the capacities 26 necessary to establish and operate a successful charter school. 27 5. If the founding group proposes to establish a charter 28 school by converting an existing attendance center of the 29 school district, the state board or the university of northern 30 Iowa shall not approve the application unless the founding 31 group submits evidence that the attendance center’s teachers 32 and parents or guardians of students enrolled at the existing 33 attendance center voted in favor of the conversion. A vote 34 in favor of conversion under this subsection requires the 35 -4- HF 2754.4036 (1) 91 jda/jh 4/ 53

support of a majority of the teachers employed at the school 1 on the date of the vote and a majority of the parents or 2 guardians voting whose children are enrolled at the school, 3 provided that a majority of the parents or guardians eligible 4 to vote participate in the ballot process. The state board , 5 in consultation with the university of northern Iowa, shall 6 establish procedures by rule for voting under this subsection . 7 A parent or guardian voting in accordance with this subsection 8 must be a resident of this state. 9 6. In reviewing and evaluating charter school applications, 10 the state board and the university of northern Iowa shall 11 employ procedures, practices, and criteria consistent with 12 nationally recognized principles and standards for reviewing 13 charter school applications. Each application review shall 14 include thorough evaluation of the written application, an 15 in-person interview with the founding group, and an opportunity 16 in a public forum for local residents to learn about and 17 provide input on each application. 18 7. Following review of a charter school application and 19 completion of the process required under subsection 6 , the 20 state board or the university of northern Iowa shall do all of 21 the following: 22 a. Approve a charter school application only if the founding 23 group has demonstrated competence in each element of the 24 approval criteria and if the founding group is likely to open 25 and operate a successful charter school. 26 b. Make application decisions on documented evidence 27 collected through the application review process. 28 c. Adhere to the policies and criteria that are transparent, 29 based on merit, and avoid conflicts of interest or any 30 appearance thereof. 31 8. The state board or the university of northern Iowa 32 shall approve a charter school application if the application 33 satisfies the requirements of this chapter subchapter . The 34 state board or the university of northern Iowa shall approve or 35 -5- HF 2754.4036 (1) 91 jda/jh 5/ 53

deny a charter school application no later than seventy-five 1 calendar days after the application is received. If the state 2 board or the university of northern Iowa denies an application, 3 the state board or the university of northern Iowa shall 4 provide notice of denial to the founding group in writing 5 within thirty days after the state board’s or the university 6 of northern Iowa’s action. The notice shall specify the exact 7 reasons for denial and provide documentation supporting those 8 reasons. An approval decision may include, if appropriate, 9 reasonable conditions that the founding group must meet before 10 a charter school contract may be executed pursuant to section 11 256E.6 . An approved charter application shall not serve as a 12 charter school contract. 13 9. A decision of the state board or the university of 14 northern Iowa relating to an application under this section is 15 not appealable. 16 10. An unsuccessful applicant under this section may 17 subsequently reapply to the state board or the university of 18 northern Iowa . 19 Sec. 14. Section 256E.4, subsection 4, paragraph ab, Code 20 2026, is amended to read as follows: 21 ab. The specific statutes and administrative rules with 22 which the charter school does not intend to comply. The 23 department , in consultation with the university of northern 24 Iowa, shall provide technical assistance to the applicant 25 concerning statutes and administrative rules that may be waived 26 under the charter school contract in order to facilitate the 27 goals of the charter school. 28 Sec. 15. Section 256E.5, subsections 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 29 and 10, Code 2026, are amended to read as follows: 30 1. A founding group may apply to the state board or the 31 university of northern Iowa for approval to establish and 32 operate a charter school within the boundaries of the state 33 that operates as a new attendance center independently from a 34 public school district. The application shall demonstrate the 35 -6- HF 2754.4036 (1) 91 jda/jh 6/ 53

founding group’s academic and operational vision and plans for 1 the proposed charter school, demonstrate the founding group’s 2 capacity to execute the vision and plans, and provide the state 3 board or the university of northern Iowa a clear basis for 4 assessing the founding group’s plans and capacity. 5 2. The state board , in consultation with the university 6 of northern Iowa, shall adopt rules to establish appropriate 7 application timelines and deadlines for the submission of 8 charter school applications under this section . 9 3. The instructions for completing an application shall 10 include or otherwise inform applicants of all of the following: 11 a. The performance framework adopted by the state board , in 12 consultation with the university of northern Iowa, for charter 13 school oversight and evaluation requirements in accordance with 14 sections 256E.9 and 256E.10 . 15 b. The criteria the state board or the university of 16 northern Iowa will use in evaluating applications. 17 c. The requirements concerning the format and content 18 essential for applicants to demonstrate the capacities 19 necessary to establish and operate a successful charter school. 20 5. In reviewing and evaluating charter school applications, 21 the state board and the university of northern Iowa shall 22 employ procedures, practices, and criteria consistent with 23 nationally recognized principles and standards for reviewing 24 charter school applications. Each application review shall 25 include thorough evaluation of the written application, an 26 in-person interview with the applicant, and an opportunity in a 27 public forum for local residents of the public school district 28 within which the applicant proposes to locate the charter 29 school to learn about and provide input on each application. 30 6. Following review of a charter school application and 31 completion of the process required under subsection 5 , the 32 state board or the university of northern Iowa shall do all of 33 the following: 34 a. Approve a charter school application only if the 35 -7- HF 2754.4036 (1) 91 jda/jh 7/ 53

applicant has demonstrated competence in each element of the 1 state board’s or the university of northern Iowa’s published 2 approval criteria and the applicant is likely to open and 3 operate a successful charter school. 4 b. Make application decisions on documented evidence 5 collected through the application review process. 6 c. Adhere to the policies and criteria that are transparent, 7 based on merit, and avoid conflicts of interest or any 8 appearance thereof. 9 8. The state board or the university of northern Iowa 10 shall approve a charter school application if the application 11 satisfies the requirements of this chapter subchapter . The 12 state board or the university of northern Iowa shall approve or 13 deny a charter school application no later than seventy-five 14 calendar days after the application is received. If the 15 state board or the university of northern Iowa denies an 16 application, the state board or the university of northern Iowa 17 shall provide notice of denial to the applicant in writing 18 within thirty days after board action. The notice shall 19 specify the exact reasons for denial and provide documentation 20 supporting those reasons. An approval decision may include, 21 if appropriate, reasonable conditions that the applicant must 22 meet before a charter school contract may be executed pursuant 23 to section 256E.6 . An approved charter application shall not 24 serve as a charter school contract. 25 9. An unsuccessful charter school applicant may 26 subsequently reapply to the state board or the university of 27 northern Iowa . 28 10. A decision of the state board or the university of 29 northern Iowa relating to an application under this section is 30 not appealable. 31 Sec. 16. Section 256E.5, Code 2026, is amended by adding the 32 following new subsection: 33 NEW SUBSECTION . 1A. The governing board of a charter school 34 that is approved under this section shall be designated a local 35 -8- HF 2754.4036 (1) 91 jda/jh 8/ 53

education agency for the purpose of receiving federal funds for 1 all attendance centers that are under the jurisdiction of the 2 governing board. 3 Sec. 17. Section 256E.5, subsection 4, paragraph ab, Code 4 2026, is amended to read as follows: 5 ab. The specific statutes and administrative rules with 6 which the charter school does not intend to comply. The 7 department , in consultation with the university of northern 8 Iowa, shall provide technical assistance to the applicant 9 concerning statutes and administrative rules that may be waived 10 under the charter school contract in order to facilitate the 11 goals of the charter school. 12 Sec. 18. Section 256E.6, Code 2026, is amended to read as 13 follows: 14 256E.6 Charter school contract. 15 1. Within the later of thirty days following approval 16 of a charter school application or upon the satisfaction of 17 all reasonable conditions imposed on the applicant in the 18 charter school approval, if any, an enforceable and renewable 19 charter school contract shall be executed between the founding 20 group and the state board or the university of northern Iowa, 21 as applicable, setting forth the academic and operational 22 performance expectations and measures by which the charter 23 school will be evaluated pursuant to sections 256E.9 and 24 256E.10 and the other rights and duties of the parties. 25 2. An initial charter school contract shall be granted for 26 a term of five school budget years , commencing with the school 27 budget year in which the charter school opens . The charter 28 school contract shall include the beginning and ending dates 29 of the charter school contract term. An approved charter 30 school may delay its opening for a period of time not to exceed 31 one school year in order to plan and prepare for the charter 32 school’s opening shall open on the first day of the school year 33 that is two school years immediately subsequent to the school 34 year in which the charter school contract is executed under 35 -9- HF 2754.4036 (1) 91 jda/jh 9/ 53

subsection 1; provided, however, that the approved charter 1 school may open on the first day of the school year that is 2 immediately subsequent to the school year in which the charter 3 school contract is executed under subsection 1 if the approved 4 charter school demonstrates adequate preparation to the state 5 board or the university of northern Iowa . If the charter 6 school requires an opening delay of more than one school year 7 two school years immediately subsequent to the school year in 8 which the charter school contract is executed under subsection 9 1 , the charter school may request an extension from the state 10 board or the university of northern Iowa . 11 3. Each charter school contract shall be signed by 12 the president of the state board or the president of the 13 university of northern Iowa, as applicable, and the president 14 or appropriate officer of the governing body of the founding 15 group. 16 4. Within fifteen days of the execution of a charter school 17 contract entered into by the state board or the university of 18 northern Iowa , the state board or the university of northern 19 Iowa shall notify the department and the department of 20 management of the name of the charter school and any applicable 21 education service provider, the proposed location of the 22 charter school, and the charter school’s first year projected 23 enrollment. 24 5. A charter school approved under this chapter subchapter 25 shall not commence operations without a valid charter school 26 contract executed in accordance with this section and approved 27 in an open session of the state board or by the university of 28 northern Iowa . 29 6. The contract may provide for requirements or conditions 30 to govern and monitor the start-up progress of an approved 31 charter school prior to the opening of the charter school 32 from the date the charter school contract is executed 33 through the date the charter school opens, including but not 34 limited to conditions to ensure that the charter school meets 35 -10- HF 2754.4036 (1) 91 jda/jh 10/ 53

all building, health, safety, insurance, and other legal 1 requirements. 2 7. A charter school contract may be amended to govern 3 multiple charter schools operated by the same applicant and 4 approved by the state board or the university of northern Iowa . 5 However, each charter school that is part of a charter school 6 contract shall be separate and distinct from any other charter 7 school governed by the contract. 8 Sec. 19. Section 256E.7, subsection 1, unnumbered paragraph 9 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 10 In order to fulfill the charter school’s public purpose, a 11 charter school established under this chapter subchapter shall 12 be organized as a nonprofit education organization and shall 13 have all the powers necessary for carrying out the terms of 14 the charter school contract including but not limited to the 15 following, as applicable: 16 Sec. 20. Section 256E.7, subsection 2, unnumbered paragraph 17 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 18 A charter school established under this chapter subchapter 19 is exempt from all state statutes and rules and any local rule, 20 regulation, or policy, applicable to a noncharter school, 21 except that the charter school shall do all of the following: 22 Sec. 21. Section 256E.7, subsection 2, paragraphs g, i, and 23 w, Code 2026, are amended to read as follows: 24 g. Be subject to the same financial audits, audit 25 procedures, and audit requirements as a school district. The 26 audit shall be consistent with the requirements of sections 27 11.6 , 11.14 , 11.19 , and 279.29 , and section 256.9, subsection 28 20 , except to the extent deviations are necessary because of 29 the program at the school. The department, the university 30 of northern Iowa, the auditor of state, or the legislative 31 services agency may conduct financial, program, or compliance 32 audits. 33 i. Provide instruction for at least the number of days 34 or hours required by section 279.10, subsection 1 , unless 35 -11- HF 2754.4036 (1) 91 jda/jh 11/ 53

specifically waived by the state board or the university of 1 northern Iowa as part of the application process. 2 w. Comply with the requirements of this chapter subchapter . 3 Sec. 22. Section 256E.7, subsection 2, paragraph h, 4 unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as 5 follows: 6 Be subject to and comply with the requirements of section 7 256.7, subsection 21 , and the educational standards of section 8 256.11 , unless specifically waived by the state board or the 9 university of northern Iowa during the application process; 10 provided, however, that the state board or the university of 11 northern Iowa shall not waive any of the following educational 12 standards: 13 Sec. 23. Section 256E.7, subsection 9, Code 2026, is amended 14 to read as follows: 15 9. Individuals compensated by an education service provider 16 are prohibited from serving as a voting member on the governing 17 board of any charter school unless the state board or the 18 university of northern Iowa waives such prohibition. 19 Sec. 24. Section 256E.8, subsections 1 and 4, Code 2026, are 20 amended to read as follows: 21 1. Each student enrolled in a charter school established 22 under this chapter subchapter shall be counted, for state 23 school foundation purposes, in the student’s district of 24 residence pursuant to section 257.6, subsection 1 , paragraph 25 “a” , subparagraph (9), including any applicable amounts under 26 section 256B.9 . For purposes of this section , residence means 27 a residence under section 282.1 . 28 4. If necessary, and pursuant to rules adopted by the 29 state board, in consultation with the university of northern 30 Iowa, funding amounts required under this section for the 31 first school year of a new charter school shall be based on 32 enrollment estimates for the charter school included in the 33 charter school contract. The department , in consultation 34 with the university of northern Iowa, shall adopt rules to 35 -12- HF 2754.4036 (1) 91 jda/jh 12/ 53

establish a process for determining estimated enrollments for 1 charter school funding purposes in school years after the first 2 school year of a charter school. Amounts paid using estimated 3 enrollments shall be reconciled during subsequent payments 4 based on actual enrollment of the charter school during each 5 school year. 6 Sec. 25. Section 256E.9, subsection 1, unnumbered paragraph 7 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 8 The performance provisions within the charter school 9 contract shall be based on a performance framework adopted 10 by the state board , in consultation with the university 11 of northern Iowa, that clearly sets forth the academic and 12 operational performance indicators, measures, and metrics that 13 will guide the evaluation of the charter school by the state 14 board or the university of northern Iowa , without compromising 15 individual student privacy. The performance framework shall 16 include but is not limited to indicators, measures, and metrics 17 for all of the following: 18 Sec. 26. Section 256E.9, subsections 2 and 5, Code 2026, are 19 amended to read as follows: 20 2. Annual performance targets shall be agreed upon between 21 each charter school and the state board , in consultation 22 with the university of northern Iowa, if applicable . Such 23 performance targets shall be contained in the charter school 24 contract and shall be designed to help each charter school 25 meet applicable federal, state, and local standards. The 26 performance targets contained in the charter school contract 27 may be amended by mutual agreement after the charter school is 28 operating and has collected initial achievement data for the 29 charter school’s students. 30 5. Each charter school established under this chapter 31 subchapter shall be evaluated and graded by the department 32 pursuant to the attendance center performance ranking system 33 developed and adopted by the department. 34 Sec. 27. Section 256E.10, subsections 1, 2, 6, 8, 12, and 35 -13- HF 2754.4036 (1) 91 jda/jh 13/ 53

13, Code 2026, are amended to read as follows: 1 1. The state board and the university of northern Iowa shall 2 monitor the performance and compliance of each charter school 3 the state board approves approved by the state board or the 4 university of northern Iowa , including collecting and analyzing 5 data according to the charter school contract in order to meet 6 the requirements of this chapter subchapter . Such oversight 7 may include inquiries and investigation of the charter school 8 so long as the activities are consistent with the intent of 9 this chapter subchapter , adhere to the terms of the charter 10 school contract, and do not unduly inhibit the autonomy granted 11 to the charter school. Any performance report resulting from 12 an inquiry or investigation under this section shall, upon 13 conclusion of such action, be included in the annual report 14 required under section 256E.12 . 15 2. As part of the charter school contract, the charter 16 school shall submit an annual report to the state board or the 17 university of northern Iowa to assist the state board or the 18 university of northern Iowa in evaluating the charter school’s 19 performance and compliance with the performance framework. 20 6. Annually, by June 30, the state board or the university 21 of northern Iowa, as applicable, shall issue a charter school 22 performance report and charter school contract renewal 23 application guidance to each charter school whose charter 24 school contract will expire during the following school budget 25 year. The performance report shall summarize the charter 26 school’s performance record to date based on the data required 27 by the charter school contract and by this chapter subchapter 28 and shall identify concerns that may jeopardize renewal of the 29 charter school contract if not remedied. The charter school 30 shall have sixty days to respond to the performance report and 31 submit any corrections or clarifications for the report. 32 8. No later than October 1, the governing board of a charter 33 school seeking renewal shall submit a renewal application to 34 the state board or the university of northern Iowa pursuant to 35 -14- HF 2754.4036 (1) 91 jda/jh 14/ 53

the renewal application guidance. A renewal or denial shall be 1 approved by resolution of the state board , or by the university 2 of northern Iowa, within sixty days following the filing of the 3 renewal application. 4 12. A decision to revoke or to not renew a charter school 5 contract shall be by resolution of the state board , or by 6 the university of northern Iowa, and shall clearly state the 7 reasons for the revocation or nonrenewal. 8 13. If a charter school has been evaluated and graded to 9 be in the exceptional category, or the highest rated category 10 under a succeeding evaluation system, under the evaluation and 11 grading required under section 256E.9, subsection 5 , for the 12 immediately preceding two school years, and the charter school 13 is in compliance with the current charter school contract and 14 all provisions of this chapter subchapter , the charter school’s 15 application renewal under subsection 8 shall be renewed 16 for an additional period of time equal to the length of the 17 original charter school contract or the most recent renewal 18 of the contract, whichever is longer, unless the state board 19 or the university of northern Iowa provides written notice to 20 the charter school of the state board’s or the university of 21 northern Iowa’s rejection of the expedited renewal within sixty 22 days of the filing of the application. The state board or 23 the university of northern Iowa shall not reject an expedited 24 renewal application unless the state board or the university of 25 northern Iowa finds exceptional circumstances for the rejection 26 or seeks material changes to the charter school contract. 27 Sec. 28. Section 256E.10, subsection 9, unnumbered 28 paragraph 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 29 Unless eligible for expedited renewal under subsection 13 , 30 when reviewing a charter school contract renewal application, 31 the state board or the university of northern Iowa shall do all 32 of the following: 33 Sec. 29. Section 256E.10, subsection 10, unnumbered 34 paragraph 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 35 -15- HF 2754.4036 (1) 91 jda/jh 15/ 53

A charter school contract may be revoked at any time or not 1 renewed if the state board or the university of northern Iowa 2 determines that the charter school did any of the following: 3 Sec. 30. Section 256E.10, subsection 10, paragraph a, Code 4 2026, is amended to read as follows: 5 a. Committed a material violation of any of the terms, 6 conditions, standards, or procedures required under the charter 7 school contract or this chapter subchapter . 8 Sec. 31. Section 256E.10, subsection 11, unnumbered 9 paragraph 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 10 The state board , in consultation with the university of 11 northern Iowa, shall develop charter school contract revocation 12 and nonrenewal standards and procedures that do all of the 13 following: 14 Sec. 32. Section 256E.11, subsection 1, Code 2026, is 15 amended to read as follows: 16 1. Prior to any charter school closure decision, the state 17 board , in consultation with the university of northern Iowa, 18 shall develop a charter school closure protocol to ensure 19 timely notice to parents and guardians, provide for the orderly 20 transition of students and student records to new schools, and 21 to provide proper disposition of school funds, property, and 22 assets in accordance with the requirements of this chapter 23 subchapter . The protocol shall specify required actions and 24 timelines and identify responsible parties for each such 25 action. 26 Sec. 33. Section 256E.12, Code 2026, is amended to read as 27 follows: 28 256E.12 Reports. 29 1. Each charter school shall prepare and file an annual 30 report with the department. The department , in consultation 31 with the university of northern Iowa, shall prescribe by rule 32 the required contents of the report, but each such report shall 33 include information regarding student achievement, including 34 annual academic growth and proficiency, graduation rates, 35 -16- HF 2754.4036 (1) 91 jda/jh 16/ 53

and financial performance and sustainability. The reports 1 are public records and the examination, publication, and 2 dissemination of the reports are governed by the provisions of 3 chapter 22 . 4 2. The state board , in consultation with the university of 5 northern Iowa, shall prepare and file with the general assembly 6 by December 1, annually, a comprehensive report with findings 7 and recommendations relating to the charter school program in 8 the state and whether the charter school program under this 9 chapter subchapter is meeting the goals and purposes of the 10 program. The report also shall contain, for each charter 11 school, a copy of the charter school’s mission statement, 12 attendance statistics and dropout rate, aggregate assessment 13 test scores, projections of financial stability, and the number 14 and qualifications of teachers and administrators. 15 Sec. 34. Section 256F.1, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended 16 to read as follows: 17 1. Charter schools and innovation zone schools shall be part 18 of the state’s program of public education. 19 Sec. 35. Section 256F.1, subsection 3, unnumbered paragraph 20 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 21 The purpose of a charter school or an innovation zone school 22 established pursuant to this chapter subchapter shall be to 23 accomplish the following: 24 Sec. 36. Section 256F.1, subsection 4, Code 2026, is amended 25 by striking the subsection. 26 Sec. 37. Section 256F.2, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2026, 27 is amended to read as follows: 28 As used in this chapter subchapter , unless the context 29 otherwise requires: 30 Sec. 38. Section 256F.2, subsections 1 and 3, Code 2026, are 31 amended to read as follows: 32 1. “Advisory council” means a council appointed by the 33 school board of directors of a charter school or an innovation 34 zone consortium pursuant to section 256F.5, subsection 4 . 35 -17- HF 2754.4036 (1) 91 jda/jh 17/ 53

3. “Charter school” means a charter school established in 1 accordance with this chapter subchapter . 2 Sec. 39. Section 256F.2, subsections 5 and 6, Code 2026, are 3 amended by striking the subsections. 4 Sec. 40. Section 256F.3, Code 2026, is amended to read as 5 follows: 6 256F.3 Application Monitoring —— no new approvals —— adoption 7 of rules . 8 1. The department shall monitor the effectiveness of 9 charter schools and innovation zone schools and shall implement 10 the applicable provisions of this chapter subchapter . 11 2. a. To receive approval to establish a charter school 12 in accordance with this chapter , the principal, teachers, 13 or parents or guardians of students at an existing public 14 school shall submit an application to the school board to 15 convert an existing attendance center to a charter school. 16 An attendance center shall not enter into a charter school 17 contract with a school district under this chapter unless the 18 attendance center is located within the school district. The 19 application shall demonstrate the support of at least fifty 20 percent of the teachers employed at the school on the date of 21 the submission of the application and fifty percent of the 22 parents or guardians voting whose children are enrolled at the 23 school, provided that a majority of the parents or guardians 24 eligible to vote participate in the ballot process, according 25 to procedures established by rules of the state board. 26 b. To receive approval to establish an innovation zone 27 school in accordance with this chapter , an innovation zone 28 consortium shall submit an application to the state board 29 which demonstrates the support of at least fifty percent of 30 the teachers employed at each proposed innovation zone school 31 on the date of the submission of the application and fifty 32 percent of the parents or guardians voting whose children are 33 enrolled at each proposed innovation zone school, provided 34 that a majority of the parents or guardians eligible to vote 35 -18- HF 2754.4036 (1) 91 jda/jh 18/ 53