Charter schools.

(1) The Charter Schools Act of 1992 permits teachers and parents to petition the governing board of a school district to approve a charter school to operate independently from the existing school district structure as a method of accomplishing, among other things, improved pupil learning. Existing law prohibits the governing board of a school district from denying a petition for the establishment of a charter school unless the governing board finds that the petition does not contain specified information, including admission requirements, as applicable, and the governance structure of the school, including, but not limited to, the process to be followed by the school to ensure parental involvement. This bill would revise the provision relating to admission requirements so that admission policies and procedures, as specified, are to be included in a petition. The bill would authorize a charter school to encourage parental involvement, but would require the charter school to notify parents and guardians of applicant pupils and currently enrolled pupils that parental involvement is not a requirement for acceptance or continued enrollment at the school. To the extent that this notification requirement would create additional duties for charter schools, it would impose a state-mandated local program. (2) Existing law requires, if the number of pupils who wish to attend a charter school exceeds its capacity, preference to be extended to pupils currently attending the charter school and pupils who reside in the school district. This bill would additionally require preference for siblings of pupils attending the charter school and children of employees at the charter school. Existing law authorizes other preferences to be extended, on an individual school basis, if consistent with the law. This bill would delete the authorization for other preferences to be extended, and would instead authorize preference to be extended, on an individual school basis, provided that the type of preference is approved at a public hearing, as specified, the preferences are consistent with federal law and the California Constitution, and the preferences ensure access for pupils with disabilities, academically low-achieving pupils, English learners, and low-income pupils, as specified. (3) This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 47605 of the Education Code proposed by AB 86 that would become operative if this bill and AB 86 are enacted, and this bill is enacted last. (4) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.