Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF2543

Introduced
2/15/24  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to education by establishing a right of first refusal for charter schools to purchase or lease school district property and modifying charter school and open enrollment funding, and charter school board member requirements.(Formerly HSB 673.)

Impact

The bill modifies the funding formula for charter schools and the process for open enrollment. Under the proposed changes, charter schools will receive funding based on a more extensive formula that includes various educational supplements and non-English speaking weighting. This modification aims to provide charter schools with a funding level more reflective of the costs incurred for the students they serve, which could enhance educational quality and equity across different schooling options.

Summary

House File 2543 addresses various aspects of education in Iowa by establishing a right of first refusal for charter schools concerning the purchase or lease of school district property. It aims to enhance the accessibility of underutilized or vacant school buildings for charter schools, ensuring they have the opportunity to acquire properties that could serve educational purposes. This provision could potentially streamline real estate transactions involving educational facilities and foster collaboration between charter schools and traditional school districts.

Contention

The bill faces potential contention surrounding the changes to who can serve on charter school governing boards, specifically striking the requirement that all board members reside within the geographic area served by the charter school. This change could raise concerns about local representation and accountability in the governance of charter schools, stirring debate regarding their oversight and alignment with community values. Moreover, the right of first refusal provision could lead to conflicts between charter schools and local school districts about property management and resource allocation.

Companion Bills

IA SSB3157

Related A bill for an act relating to education by establishing a right of first refusal for charter schools to purchase or lease school district property and modifying charter school and open enrollment funding, charter school board member requirements, and the school start date.(See SF 2368.)

IA HSB673

Related A bill for an act relating to education by establishing a right of first refusal for charter schools to purchase or lease school district property and modifying charter school and open enrollment funding, charter school board member requirements, and the school start date.(See HF 2543.)

IA SF2368

Similar To A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to the sale of real property by school districts, charter school and open enrollment funding, and the participation in school activities by students enrolled in charter schools. (Formerly SSB 3157.) Effective date: 07/01/2024.

Previously Filed As

IA HF789

A bill for an act relating to payments to charter schools by a school district of residence for students enrolled in a charter school, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly HSB 108.)

IA HF2699

A bill for an act relating to charter schools and innovation zone schools, including by modifying provisions related to charter school funding and operations, services provided to charter schools by area education agencies, charter school contracts, and charter school student participation in extracurricular activities provided by public schools, striking provisions allowing for the establishment of innovation zone schools, and including applicability provisions. (Formerly HSB 676.) Effective date: 07/01/2026.

IA SF2406

A bill for an act relating to charter schools and innovation zone schools, including by modifying provisions related to charter school funding and operations, services provided to charter schools by area education agencies, charter school contracts, and charter school student participation in extracurricular activities provided by public schools, striking provisions allowing for the establishment of innovation zone schools, and including applicability provisions.(Formerly SSB 3170.)

IA HSB676

A bill for an act relating to charter schools and innovation zone schools, including by modifying provisions related to charter school funding and operations, services provided to charter schools by area education agencies, charter school contracts, and charter school student participation in extracurricular activities provided by public schools, striking provisions allowing for the establishment of innovation zone schools, and including applicability provisions.(See HF 2699.)

IA SSB3170

A bill for an act relating to charter schools and innovation zone schools, including by modifying provisions related to charter school funding and operations, services provided to charter schools by area education agencies, charter school contracts, and charter school student participation in extracurricular activities provided by public schools, striking provisions allowing for the establishment of innovation zone schools, and including applicability provisions.(See SF 2406.)

IA HSB108

A bill for an act relating to payments to charter schools by a school district of residence for students enrolled in a charter school, and including effective date provisions.(See HF 789.)

IA HSB105

A bill for an act relating to charter schools, including by modifying provisions related to charter school board member requirements and charter school student participation in the district-to-community college sharing or concurrent enrollment program.(See HF 785.)

IA HF2754

A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to charter school approval, contracts, funding, and operations, services provided to charter schools by area education agencies, charter school student participation in extracurricular activities provided by public schools, the Iowa public employees' retirement system, education savings accounts, independent accreditation, teacher training and licensure, the statewide voluntary preschool program, the district-to-community college sharing or concurrent enrollment program, open enrollment, school tuition organizations, private instruction, and innovation zone schools; making appropriations; and including effective date and applicability provisions. (Formerly HF 2713, HSB 735.) Effective date: 05/12/2026. Applicability date: 07/01/2026.

IA SF2501

A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to charter school approval, contracts, funding, and operations, services provided to charter schools by area education agencies, charter school student participation in extracurricular activities provided by public schools, the Iowa public employees' retirement system, education savings accounts, independent accreditation, teacher training and licensure, the statewide voluntary preschool program, the district-to-community college sharing or concurrent enrollment program, open enrollment, school tuition organizations, and innovation zone schools; making appropriations; and including effective date and applicability provisions.(Formerly SF 2425, SF 2175.)

IA A2527

Modifies various aspects of charter school program including student enrollment procedures, revocation of charter, monitoring of charter schools, and collaboration between school districts and charter schools.

Similar Bills

IA HF810

A bill for an act relating to granting supplemental aid or a modified supplemental amount for school districts with high open enrollments, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

IA SSB1211

A bill for an act modifying supplemental aid and modified supplemental amounts for certain school districts relating to open enrollment, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

IA HF2736

A bill for an act modifying provisions related to area education agency funding, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

NJ A2269

Provides additional State school aid to certain school districts; makes an appropriation.

MS HB25

Teacher salaries; authorize supplement for teachers in critical shortage subject areas in "D" and "F" school districts.

MS HB185

Teacher salaries; authorize supplement for teachers in critical shortage subject areas in "D" and "F" school districts.

IA SF2329

A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to the duties and powers of area education agencies, the department of education, and area education agency funding, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

MS HB1138

Teachers; provide $2,000 annual salary supplement to those employed in designated geographically critical teacher shortage area.