By Mr. LeDuc of Marlborough, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 504) of Stephen P. LeDuc and Ellen Story relative to the authorization process for charter schools.  Education.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

Stephen P. LeDuc

Ellen Story

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act relative to the authorization process for charter schools.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

1. Notwithstanding any general or special laws to the contrary, all charter school applications will first be considered as Horace Mann Charter Schools based on the prerequisites outlined in the Charter School legislation and presented to the local School Committee for approval as defined in the Charter School law. 
2. The charter applicant must demonstrate community support and established need in a community through approval by the City Council, Board of Selectmen or vote of the community. 
3. All applicants for new charters shall be required to notify the host community not less than 120 days prior to the preliminary filing deadline, thereby giving the governing body of the host community the opportunity to file their own application for a Horace Mann school. 
4. Regional Charter Schools shall be comprised of contiguous communities. 
5. A simple majority of the Department of Education must be present to commence a public hearing regarding a Charter School application.
6. In order for a Charter School to receive and maintain its charter, all administrators and teachers must meet the state education and certification requirements.