Senate File 2501 - Introduced SENATE FILE 2501 BY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS (SUCCESSOR TO SF 2425) (SUCCESSOR TO SF 2175) A BILL FOR An Act relating to education, including by modifying provisions 1 related to charter school approval, contracts, funding, and 2 operations, services provided to charter schools by area 3 education agencies, charter school student participation 4 in extracurricular activities provided by public schools, 5 the Iowa public employees’ retirement system, education 6 savings accounts, independent accreditation, teacher 7 training and licensure, the statewide voluntary preschool 8 program, the district-to-community college sharing or 9 concurrent enrollment program, open enrollment, school 10 tuition organizations, and innovation zone schools; 11 making appropriations; and including effective date and 12 applicability provisions. 13 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 14 TLSB 5427SZ (2) 91 jda/jh

S.F. 2501 DIVISION I 1 CHARTER SCHOOLS 2 Section 1. Section 29E.1, subsection 1, paragraph b, 3 subparagraph (4), Code 2026, is amended by striking the 4 subparagraph. 5 Sec. 2. Section 232E.1, subsection 6, Code 2026, is amended 6 to read as follows: 7 6. “Public school district” means a public school district 8 as described in chapter 274 , and includes a charter school 9 under chapter 256E , or a charter school or an innovation zone 10 school under chapter 256F . 11 Sec. 3. Section 256.7, subsection 15, Code 2026, is amended 12 to read as follows: 13 15. Adopt rules under chapter 17A that require school 14 districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools , 15 and innovation zone schools to include information regarding 16 the exemptions and requirements for an exemption described 17 in section 139A.8, subsection 4 , in any communication to 18 the parent or guardian of a student that is related to the 19 immunizations required under section 139A.8 . 20 Sec. 4. Section 256.9, subsections 69, 71, 73, and 78, Code 21 2026, are amended to read as follows: 22 69. On or before May 1, 2025, develop and distribute to 23 school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter 24 schools , and innovation zone schools model policies that, if 25 adopted, would satisfy a school district’s responsibilities 26 under section 279.88 relating to policies governing student use 27 of personal electronic devices. 28 71. Develop and distribute to school districts, accredited 29 nonpublic schools, and charter schools , and innovation 30 zone schools family-centered resources to support student 31 development of mathematics knowledge at home. 32 73. On or before July 1, 2025, develop and distribute to 33 school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter 34 schools , and innovation zone schools a comprehensive state 35 -1- LSB 5427SZ (2) 91 jda/jh 1/ 63

S.F. 2501 mathematics plan that is designed to increase the level of 1 mathematics proficiency attained by students using systematic 2 and sequential approaches to teaching subitizing, cardinality, 3 object counting, verbal counting, spatial relationships, 4 benchmark numbers, and part-part-whole models. 5 78. a. Develop and distribute to school districts, 6 accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools , and 7 innovation zone schools a test in multiple-choice format that 8 consists of all of the questions contained in the most recent 9 version of the civics test developed by the United States 10 citizenship and immigration services. 11 b. On or before the January 31 immediately subsequent to 12 each general election which is a presidential election, update 13 the test described in paragraph “a” and distribute the updated 14 test to school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and 15 charter schools , and innovation zone schools . 16 Sec. 5. Section 256.163, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended 17 by adding the following new paragraph: 18 NEW PARAGRAPH . f. A charter school established pursuant to 19 chapter 256E, subchapter I. 20 Sec. 6. Section 256E.1, subsection 2, paragraphs a and b, 21 Code 2026, are amended to read as follows: 22 a. A school board may create a founding group to apply to 23 the state board or the university of northern Iowa for approval 24 to establish and operate a charter school within and as a part 25 of the school district by establishing a new attendance center, 26 creating a new school within an existing attendance center, or 27 by converting an existing attendance center to charter status. 28 b. A founding group may apply to the state board or the 29 university of northern Iowa for approval to establish and 30 operate a charter school within the boundaries of the state 31 that operates as a new attendance center independently from a 32 public school district. 33 Sec. 7. Section 256E.1, subsection 3, unnumbered paragraph 34 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 35 -2- LSB 5427SZ (2) 91 jda/jh 2/ 63

S.F. 2501 The purpose of a charter school established pursuant to this 1 chapter subchapter shall be to accomplish the following: 2 Sec. 8. Section 256E.1, subsection 3, paragraph d, Code 3 2026, is amended to read as follows: 4 d. Accelerating student learning to prevent learning loss 5 during the COVID-19 pandemic and other significant disruptions 6 to student learning. 7 Sec. 9. Section 256E.1, subsection 4, Code 2026, is amended 8 to read as follows: 9 4. The state board of education and the university of 10 northern Iowa shall be the only authorizer authorizers of 11 charter schools under this chapter subchapter . 12 Sec. 10. Section 256E.2, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2026, 13 is amended to read as follows: 14 As used in this chapter subchapter , unless the context 15 otherwise requires: 16 Sec. 11. Section 256E.2, subsections 2 and 5, Code 2026, are 17 amended to read as follows: 18 2. “Charter school” means a school established in accordance 19 with this chapter subchapter . 20 5. “Founding group” means a person, group of persons, 21 or education service provider that develops and submits an 22 application for a charter school to the state board or the 23 university of northern Iowa under this chapter subchapter . 24 Sec. 12. Section 256E.3, Code 2026, is amended to read as 25 follows: 26 256E.3 Department —— duty to monitor. 27 The department shall monitor the effectiveness of charter 28 schools and shall implement the applicable provisions of this 29 chapter subchapter . 30 Sec. 13. Section 256E.4, subsections 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 31 and 10, Code 2026, are amended to read as follows: 32 1. A school board may create a founding group to apply to 33 the state board or the university of northern Iowa for approval 34 to establish and operate a charter school within and as a part 35 -3- LSB 5427SZ (2) 91 jda/jh 3/ 63

S.F. 2501 of the school district by establishing a new attendance center, 1 creating a new school within an existing attendance center, or 2 by converting an existing attendance center. The application 3 shall demonstrate the founding group’s academic and operational 4 vision and plans for the proposed charter school, demonstrate 5 the founding group’s capacity to execute the vision and plans, 6 and provide the state board or the university of northern Iowa 7 a clear basis for assessing the founding group’s plans and 8 capacity. 9 2. The state board , in consultation with the university 10 of northern Iowa, shall adopt rules to establish appropriate 11 application timelines and deadlines for the submission of 12 charter school applications under this section . 13 3. The instructions for completing an application shall 14 include or otherwise inform applicants of all of the following: 15 a. The performance framework adopted by the state board , in 16 consultation with the university of northern Iowa, for charter 17 school oversight and evaluation requirements in accordance with 18 sections 256E.9 and 256E.10 . 19 b. The criteria the state board or the university of 20 northern Iowa will use in evaluating applications. 21 c. The requirements concerning the format and content 22 essential for applicants to demonstrate the capacities 23 necessary to establish and operate a successful charter school. 24 5. If the founding group proposes to establish a charter 25 school by converting an existing attendance center of the 26 school district, the state board or the university of northern 27 Iowa shall not approve the application unless the founding 28 group submits evidence that the attendance center’s teachers 29 and parents or guardians of students enrolled at the existing 30 attendance center voted in favor of the conversion. A vote 31 in favor of conversion under this subsection requires the 32 support of a majority of the teachers employed at the school 33 on the date of the vote and a majority of the parents or 34 guardians voting whose children are enrolled at the school, 35 -4- LSB 5427SZ (2) 91 jda/jh 4/ 63

S.F. 2501 provided that a majority of the parents or guardians eligible 1 to vote participate in the ballot process. The state board , 2 in consultation with the university of northern Iowa, shall 3 establish procedures by rule for voting under this subsection . 4 A parent or guardian voting in accordance with this subsection 5 must be a resident of this state. 6 6. In reviewing and evaluating charter school applications, 7 the state board and the university of northern Iowa shall 8 employ procedures, practices, and criteria consistent with 9 nationally recognized principles and standards for reviewing 10 charter school applications. Each application review shall 11 include thorough evaluation of the written application, an 12 in-person interview with the founding group, and an opportunity 13 in a public forum for local residents to learn about and 14 provide input on each application. 15 7. Following review of a charter school application and 16 completion of the process required under subsection 6 , the 17 state board or the university of northern Iowa shall do all of 18 the following: 19 a. Approve a charter school application only if the founding 20 group has demonstrated competence in each element of the 21 approval criteria and if the founding group is likely to open 22 and operate a successful charter school. 23 b. Make application decisions on documented evidence 24 collected through the application review process. 25 c. Adhere to the policies and criteria that are transparent, 26 based on merit, and avoid conflicts of interest or any 27 appearance thereof. 28 8. The state board or the university of northern Iowa 29 shall approve a charter school application if the application 30 satisfies the requirements of this chapter subchapter . The 31 state board or the university of northern Iowa shall approve or 32 deny a charter school application no later than seventy-five 33 calendar days after the application is received. If the state 34 board or the university of northern Iowa denies an application, 35 -5- LSB 5427SZ (2) 91 jda/jh 5/ 63

S.F. 2501 the state board or the university of northern Iowa shall 1 provide notice of denial to the founding group in writing 2 within thirty days after the state board’s or the university 3 of northern Iowa’s action. The notice shall specify the exact 4 reasons for denial and provide documentation supporting those 5 reasons. An approval decision may include, if appropriate, 6 reasonable conditions that the founding group must meet before 7 a charter school contract may be executed pursuant to section 8 256E.6 . An approved charter application shall not serve as a 9 charter school contract. 10 9. A decision of the state board or the university of 11 northern Iowa relating to an application under this section is 12 not appealable. 13 10. An unsuccessful applicant under this section may 14 subsequently reapply to the state board or the university of 15 northern Iowa . 16 Sec. 14. Section 256E.4, subsection 4, paragraph ab, Code 17 2026, is amended to read as follows: 18 ab. The specific statutes and administrative rules with 19 which the charter school does not intend to comply. The 20 department , in consultation with the university of northern 21 Iowa, shall provide technical assistance to the applicant 22 concerning statutes and administrative rules that may be waived 23 under the charter school contract in order to facilitate the 24 goals of the charter school. 25 Sec. 15. Section 256E.5, subsections 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 26 and 10, Code 2026, are amended to read as follows: 27 1. A founding group may apply to the state board or the 28 university of northern Iowa for approval to establish and 29 operate a charter school within the boundaries of the state 30 that operates as a new attendance center independently from a 31 public school district. The application shall demonstrate the 32 founding group’s academic and operational vision and plans for 33 the proposed charter school, demonstrate the founding group’s 34 capacity to execute the vision and plans, and provide the state 35 -6- LSB 5427SZ (2) 91 jda/jh 6/ 63

S.F. 2501 board or the university of northern Iowa a clear basis for 1 assessing the founding group’s plans and capacity. 2 2. The state board , in consultation with the university 3 of northern Iowa, shall adopt rules to establish appropriate 4 application timelines and deadlines for the submission of 5 charter school applications under this section . 6 3. The instructions for completing an application shall 7 include or otherwise inform applicants of all of the following: 8 a. The performance framework adopted by the state board , in 9 consultation with the university of northern Iowa, for charter 10 school oversight and evaluation requirements in accordance with 11 sections 256E.9 and 256E.10 . 12 b. The criteria the state board or the university of 13 northern Iowa will use in evaluating applications. 14 c. The requirements concerning the format and content 15 essential for applicants to demonstrate the capacities 16 necessary to establish and operate a successful charter school. 17 5. In reviewing and evaluating charter school applications, 18 the state board and the university of northern Iowa shall 19 employ procedures, practices, and criteria consistent with 20 nationally recognized principles and standards for reviewing 21 charter school applications. Each application review shall 22 include thorough evaluation of the written application, an 23 in-person interview with the applicant, and an opportunity in a 24 public forum for local residents of the public school district 25 within which the applicant proposes to locate the charter 26 school to learn about and provide input on each application. 27 6. Following review of a charter school application and 28 completion of the process required under subsection 5 , the 29 state board or the university of northern Iowa shall do all of 30 the following: 31 a. Approve a charter school application only if the 32 applicant has demonstrated competence in each element of the 33 state board’s or the university of northern Iowa’s published 34 approval criteria and the applicant is likely to open and 35 -7- LSB 5427SZ (2) 91 jda/jh 7/ 63

S.F. 2501 operate a successful charter school. 1 b. Make application decisions on documented evidence 2 collected through the application review process. 3 c. Adhere to the policies and criteria that are transparent, 4 based on merit, and avoid conflicts of interest or any 5 appearance thereof. 6 8. The state board or the university of northern Iowa 7 shall approve a charter school application if the application 8 satisfies the requirements of this chapter subchapter . The 9 state board or the university of northern Iowa shall approve or 10 deny a charter school application no later than seventy-five 11 calendar days after the application is received. If the 12 state board or the university of northern Iowa denies an 13 application, the state board or the university of northern Iowa 14 shall provide notice of denial to the applicant in writing 15 within thirty days after board action. The notice shall 16 specify the exact reasons for denial and provide documentation 17 supporting those reasons. An approval decision may include, 18 if appropriate, reasonable conditions that the applicant must 19 meet before a charter school contract may be executed pursuant 20 to section 256E.6 . An approved charter application shall not 21 serve as a charter school contract. 22 9. An unsuccessful charter school applicant may 23 subsequently reapply to the state board or the university of 24 northern Iowa . 25 10. A decision of the state board or the university of 26 northern Iowa relating to an application under this section is 27 not appealable. 28 Sec. 16. Section 256E.5, Code 2026, is amended by adding the 29 following new subsection: 30 NEW SUBSECTION . 1A. The governing board of a charter school 31 that is approved under this section shall be designated a local 32 education agency for the purpose of receiving federal funds for 33 all attendance centers that are under the jurisdiction of the 34 governing board. 35 -8- LSB 5427SZ (2) 91 jda/jh 8/ 63

S.F. 2501 Sec. 17. Section 256E.5, subsection 4, paragraph ab, Code 1 2026, is amended to read as follows: 2 ab. The specific statutes and administrative rules with 3 which the charter school does not intend to comply. The 4 department , in consultation with the university of northern 5 Iowa, shall provide technical assistance to the applicant 6 concerning statutes and administrative rules that may be waived 7 under the charter school contract in order to facilitate the 8 goals of the charter school. 9 Sec. 18. Section 256E.6, Code 2026, is amended to read as 10 follows: 11 256E.6 Charter school contract. 12 1. Within the later of thirty days following approval 13 of a charter school application or upon the satisfaction of 14 all reasonable conditions imposed on the applicant in the 15 charter school approval, if any, an enforceable and renewable 16 charter school contract shall be executed between the founding 17 group and the state board or the university of northern Iowa, 18 as applicable, setting forth the academic and operational 19 performance expectations and measures by which the charter 20 school will be evaluated pursuant to sections 256E.9 and 21 256E.10 and the other rights and duties of the parties. 22 2. An initial charter school contract shall be granted for 23 a term of five school budget years , commencing with the school 24 budget year in which the charter school opens . The charter 25 school contract shall include the beginning and ending dates 26 of the charter school contract term. An approved charter 27 school may delay its opening for a period of time not to exceed 28 one school year in order to plan and prepare for the charter 29 school’s opening shall open on the first day of the school year 30 that is two school years immediately subsequent to the school 31 year in which the charter school contract is executed under 32 subsection 1; provided, however, that the approved charter 33 school may open on the first day of the school year that is 34 immediately subsequent to the school year in which the charter 35 -9- LSB 5427SZ (2) 91 jda/jh 9/ 63

S.F. 2501 school contract is executed under subsection 1 if the approved 1 charter school demonstrates adequate preparation to the state 2 board or the university of northern Iowa . If the charter 3 school requires an opening delay of more than one school year 4 two school years immediately subsequent to the school year in 5 which the charter school contract is executed under subsection 6 1 , the charter school may request an extension from the state 7 board or the university of northern Iowa . 8 3. Each charter school contract shall be signed by 9 the president of the state board or the president of the 10 university of northern Iowa, as applicable, and the president 11 or appropriate officer of the governing body of the founding 12 group. 13 4. Within fifteen days of the execution of a charter school 14 contract entered into by the state board or the university of 15 northern Iowa , the state board or the university of northern 16 Iowa shall notify the department and the department of 17 management of the name of the charter school and any applicable 18 education service provider, the proposed location of the 19 charter school, and the charter school’s first year projected 20 enrollment. 21 5. A charter school approved under this chapter subchapter 22 shall not commence operations without a valid charter school 23 contract executed in accordance with this section and approved 24 in an open session of the state board or by the university of 25 northern Iowa . 26 6. The contract may provide for requirements or conditions 27 to govern and monitor the start-up progress of an approved 28 charter school prior to the opening of the charter school 29 from the date the charter school contract is executed 30 through the date the charter school opens, including but not 31 limited to conditions to ensure that the charter school meets 32 all building, health, safety, insurance, and other legal 33 requirements. 34 7. A charter school contract may be amended to govern 35 -10- LSB 5427SZ (2) 91 jda/jh 10/ 63

S.F. 2501 multiple charter schools operated by the same applicant and 1 approved by the state board or the university of northern Iowa . 2 However, each charter school that is part of a charter school 3 contract shall be separate and distinct from any other charter 4 school governed by the contract. 5 Sec. 19. Section 256E.7, subsection 1, unnumbered paragraph 6 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 7 In order to fulfill the charter school’s public purpose, a 8 charter school established under this chapter subchapter shall 9 be organized as a nonprofit education organization and shall 10 have all the powers necessary for carrying out the terms of 11 the charter school contract including but not limited to the 12 following, as applicable: 13 Sec. 20. Section 256E.7, subsection 2, unnumbered paragraph 14 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 15 A charter school established under this chapter subchapter 16 is exempt from all state statutes and rules and any local rule, 17 regulation, or policy, applicable to a noncharter school, 18 except that the charter school shall do all of the following: 19 Sec. 21. Section 256E.7, subsection 2, paragraphs g, i, and 20 w, Code 2026, are amended to read as follows: 21 g. Be subject to the same financial audits, audit 22 procedures, and audit requirements as a school district. The 23 audit shall be consistent with the requirements of sections 24 11.6 , 11.14 , 11.19 , and 279.29 , and section 256.9, subsection 25 20 , except to the extent deviations are necessary because of 26 the program at the school. The department, the university 27 of northern Iowa, the auditor of state, or the legislative 28 services agency may conduct financial, program, or compliance 29 audits. 30 i. Provide instruction for at least the number of days 31 or hours required by section 279.10, subsection 1 , unless 32 specifically waived by the state board or the university of 33 northern Iowa as part of the application process. 34 w. Comply with the requirements of this chapter subchapter . 35 -11- LSB 5427SZ (2) 91 jda/jh 11/ 63

S.F. 2501 Sec. 22. Section 256E.7, subsection 2, paragraph h, 1 unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as 2 follows: 3 Be subject to and comply with the requirements of section 4 256.7, subsection 21 , and the educational standards of section 5 256.11 , unless specifically waived by the state board or the 6 university of northern Iowa during the application process; 7 provided, however, that the state board or the university of 8 northern Iowa shall not waive any of the following educational 9 standards: 10 Sec. 23. Section 256E.7, subsection 9, Code 2026, is amended 11 to read as follows: 12 9. Individuals compensated by an education service provider 13 are prohibited from serving as a voting member on the governing 14 board of any charter school unless the state board or the 15 university of northern Iowa waives such prohibition. 16 Sec. 24. Section 256E.8, subsections 1 and 4, Code 2026, are 17 amended to read as follows: 18 1. Each student enrolled in a charter school established 19 under this chapter subchapter shall be counted, for state 20 school foundation purposes, in the student’s district of 21 residence pursuant to section 257.6, subsection 1 , paragraph 22 “a” , subparagraph (9), including any applicable amounts under 23 section 256B.9 . For purposes of this section , residence means 24 a residence under section 282.1 . 25 4. If necessary, and pursuant to rules adopted by the 26 state board, in consultation with the university of northern 27 Iowa, funding amounts required under this section for the 28 first school year of a new charter school shall be based on 29 enrollment estimates for the charter school included in the 30 charter school contract. The department , in consultation 31 with the university of northern Iowa, shall adopt rules to 32 establish a process for determining estimated enrollments for 33 charter school funding purposes in school years after the first 34 school year of a charter school. Amounts paid using estimated 35 -12- LSB 5427SZ (2) 91 jda/jh 12/ 63

S.F. 2501 enrollments shall be reconciled during subsequent payments 1 based on actual enrollment of the charter school during each 2 school year. 3 Sec. 25. Section 256E.9, subsection 1, unnumbered paragraph 4 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 5 The performance provisions within the charter school 6 contract shall be based on a performance framework adopted 7 by the state board , in consultation with the university 8 of northern Iowa, that clearly sets forth the academic and 9 operational performance indicators, measures, and metrics that 10 will guide the evaluation of the charter school by the state 11 board or the university of northern Iowa , without compromising 12 individual student privacy. The performance framework shall 13 include but is not limited to indicators, measures, and metrics 14 for all of the following: 15 Sec. 26. Section 256E.9, subsections 2 and 5, Code 2026, are 16 amended to read as follows: 17 2. Annual performance targets shall be agreed upon between 18 each charter school and the state board , in consultation 19 with the university of northern Iowa, if applicable . Such 20 performance targets shall be contained in the charter school 21 contract and shall be designed to help each charter school 22 meet applicable federal, state, and local standards. The 23 performance targets contained in the charter school contract 24 may be amended by mutual agreement after the charter school is 25 operating and has collected initial achievement data for the 26 charter school’s students. 27 5. Each charter school established under this chapter 28 subchapter shall be evaluated and graded by the department 29 pursuant to the attendance center performance ranking system 30 developed and adopted by the department. 31 Sec. 27. Section 256E.10, subsections 1, 2, 6, 8, 12, and 32 13, Code 2026, are amended to read as follows: 33 1. The state board and the university of northern Iowa shall 34 monitor the performance and compliance of each charter school 35 -13- LSB 5427SZ (2) 91 jda/jh 13/ 63

S.F. 2501 the state board approves approved by the state board or the 1 university of northern Iowa , including collecting and analyzing 2 data according to the charter school contract in order to meet 3 the requirements of this chapter subchapter . Such oversight 4 may include inquiries and investigation of the charter school 5 so long as the activities are consistent with the intent of 6 this chapter subchapter , adhere to the terms of the charter 7 school contract, and do not unduly inhibit the autonomy granted 8 to the charter school. Any performance report resulting from 9 an inquiry or investigation under this section shall, upon 10 conclusion of such action, be included in the annual report 11 required under section 256E.12 . 12 2. As part of the charter school contract, the charter 13 school shall submit an annual report to the state board or the 14 university of northern Iowa to assist the state board or the 15 university of northern Iowa in evaluating the charter school’s 16 performance and compliance with the performance framework. 17 6. Annually, by June 30, the state board or the university 18 of northern Iowa, as applicable, shall issue a charter school 19 performance report and charter school contract renewal 20 application guidance to each charter school whose charter 21 school contract will expire during the following school budget 22 year. The performance report shall summarize the charter 23 school’s performance record to date based on the data required 24 by the charter school contract and by this chapter subchapter 25 and shall identify concerns that may jeopardize renewal of the 26 charter school contract if not remedied. The charter school 27 shall have sixty days to respond to the performance report and 28 submit any corrections or clarifications for the report. 29 8. No later than October 1, the governing board of a charter 30 school seeking renewal shall submit a renewal application to 31 the state board or the university of northern Iowa pursuant to 32 the renewal application guidance. A renewal or denial shall be 33 approved by resolution of the state board , or by the university 34 of northern Iowa, within sixty days following the filing of the 35 -14- LSB 5427SZ (2) 91 jda/jh 14/ 63

S.F. 2501 renewal application. 1 12. A decision to revoke or to not renew a charter school 2 contract shall be by resolution of the state board , or by 3 the university of northern Iowa, and shall clearly state the 4 reasons for the revocation or nonrenewal. 5 13. If a charter school has been evaluated and graded to 6 be in the exceptional category, or the highest rated category 7 under a succeeding evaluation system, under the evaluation and 8 grading required under section 256E.9, subsection 5 , for the 9 immediately preceding two school years, and the charter school 10 is in compliance with the current charter school contract and 11 all provisions of this chapter subchapter , the charter school’s 12 application renewal under subsection 8 shall be renewed 13 for an additional period of time equal to the length of the 14 original charter school contract or the most recent renewal 15 of the contract, whichever is longer, unless the state board 16 or the university of northern Iowa provides written notice to 17 the charter school of the state board’s or the university of 18 northern Iowa’s rejection of the expedited renewal within sixty 19 days of the filing of the application. The state board or 20 the university of northern Iowa shall not reject an expedited 21 renewal application unless the state board or the university of 22 northern Iowa finds exceptional circumstances for the rejection 23 or seeks material changes to the charter school contract. 24 Sec. 28. Section 256E.10, subsection 9, unnumbered 25 paragraph 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 26 Unless eligible for expedited renewal under subsection 13 , 27 when reviewing a charter school contract renewal application, 28 the state board or the university of northern Iowa shall do all 29 of the following: 30 Sec. 29. Section 256E.10, subsection 10, unnumbered 31 paragraph 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 32 A charter school contract may be revoked at any time or not 33 renewed if the state board or the university of northern Iowa 34 determines that the charter school did any of the following: 35 -15- LSB 5427SZ (2) 91 jda/jh 15/ 63

S.F. 2501 Sec. 30. Section 256E.10, subsection 10, paragraph a, Code 1 2026, is amended to read as follows: 2 a. Committed a material violation of any of the terms, 3 conditions, standards, or procedures required under the charter 4 school contract or this chapter subchapter . 5 Sec. 31. Section 256E.10, subsection 11, unnumbered 6 paragraph 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 7 The state board , in consultation with the university of 8 northern Iowa, shall develop charter school contract revocation 9 and nonrenewal standards and procedures that do all of the 10 following: 11 Sec. 32. Section 256E.11, subsection 1, Code 2026, is 12 amended to read as follows: 13 1. Prior to any charter school closure decision, the state 14 board , in consultation with the university of northern Iowa, 15 shall develop a charter school closure protocol to ensure 16 timely notice to parents and guardians, provide for the orderly 17 transition of students and student records to new schools, and 18 to provide proper disposition of school funds, property, and 19 assets in accordance with the requirements of this chapter 20 subchapter . The protocol shall specify required actions and 21 timelines and identify responsible parties for each such 22 action. 23 Sec. 33. Section 256E.12, Code 2026, is amended to read as 24 follows: 25 256E.12 Reports. 26 1. Each charter school shall prepare and file an annual 27 report with the department. The department , in consultation 28 with the university of northern Iowa, shall prescribe by rule 29 the required contents of the report, but each such report shall 30 include information regarding student achievement, including 31 annual academic growth and proficiency, graduation rates, 32 and financial performance and sustainability. The reports 33 are public records and the examination, publication, and 34 dissemination of the reports are governed by the provisions of 35 -16- LSB 5427SZ (2) 91 jda/jh 16/ 63

S.F. 2501 chapter 22 . 1 2. The state board , in consultation with the university of 2 northern Iowa, shall prepare and file with the general assembly 3 by December 1, annually, a comprehensive report with findings 4 and recommendations relating to the charter school program in 5 the state and whether the charter school program under this 6 chapter subchapter is meeting the goals and purposes of the 7 program. The report also shall contain, for each charter 8 school, a copy of the charter school’s mission statement, 9 attendance statistics and dropout rate, aggregate assessment 10 test scores, projections of financial stability, and the number 11 and qualifications of teachers and administrators. 12 Sec. 34. Section 256F.1, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended 13 to read as follows: 14 1. Charter schools and innovation zone schools shall be part 15 of the state’s program of public education. 16 Sec. 35. Section 256F.1, subsection 3, unnumbered paragraph 17 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 18 The purpose of a charter school or an innovation zone school 19 established pursuant to this chapter subchapter shall be to 20 accomplish the following: 21 Sec. 36. Section 256F.1, subsection 4, Code 2026, is amended 22 by striking the subsection. 23 Sec. 37. Section 256F.2, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2026, 24 is amended to read as follows: 25 As used in this chapter subchapter , unless the context 26 otherwise requires: 27 Sec. 38. Section 256F.2, subsections 1 and 3, Code 2026, are 28 amended to read as follows: 29 1. “Advisory council” means a council appointed by the 30 school board of directors of a charter school or an innovation 31 zone consortium pursuant to section 256F.5, subsection 4 . 32 3. “Charter school” means a charter school established in 33 accordance with this chapter subchapter . 34 Sec. 39. Section 256F.2, subsections 5 and 6, Code 2026, are 35 -17- LSB 5427SZ (2) 91 jda/jh 17/ 63

S.F. 2501 amended by striking the subsections. 1 Sec. 40. Section 256F.3, Code 2026, is amended to read as 2 follows: 3 256F.3 Application Monitoring —— no new approvals —— adoption 4 of rules . 5 1. The department shall monitor the effectiveness of 6 charter schools and innovation zone schools and shall implement 7 the applicable provisions of this chapter subchapter . 8 2. a. To receive approval to establish a charter school 9 in accordance with this chapter , the principal, teachers, 10 or parents or guardians of students at an existing public 11 school shall submit an application to the school board to 12 convert an existing attendance center to a charter school. 13 An attendance center shall not enter into a charter school 14 contract with a school district under this chapter unless the 15 attendance center is located within the school district. The 16 application shall demonstrate the support of at least fifty 17 percent of the teachers employed at the school on the date of 18 the submission of the application and fifty percent of the 19 parents or guardians voting whose children are enrolled at the 20 school, provided that a majority of the parents or guardians 21 eligible to vote participate in the ballot process, according 22 to procedures established by rules of the state board. 23 b. To receive approval to establish an innovation zone 24 school in accordance with this chapter , an innovation zone 25 consortium shall submit an application to the state board 26 which demonstrates the support of at least fifty percent of 27 the teachers employed at each proposed innovation zone school 28 on the date of the submission of the application and fifty 29 percent of the parents or guardians voting whose children are 30 enrolled at each proposed innovation zone school, provided 31 that a majority of the parents or guardians eligible to vote 32 participate in the ballot process, according to procedures 33 established by rules of the state board. 34 c. A parent or guardian voting in accordance with this 35 -18- LSB 5427SZ (2) 91 jda/jh 18/ 63