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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the term for which certain charters granted for |
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open-enrollment charter schools are renewed. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 12, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 12.1131 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 12.1131. PERIOD FOR WHICH CERTAIN CHARTERS ARE |
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RENEWED. Notwithstanding Section 12.114 or any other provision of |
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this subchapter or the period initially specified under Section |
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12.111(a)(2), a charter granted under this subchapter is renewed |
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for a period of 25 years beginning on the date the following |
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requirements are each satisfied: |
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(1) one or more open-enrollment charter schools have |
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been operating for at least seven years under the charter as granted |
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or previously renewed; |
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(2) each school that has been operating under the |
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charter has been rated as exemplary or recognized under Section |
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39.072: |
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(A) for at least five consecutive school years of |
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the preceding seven school years; or |
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(B) for each school year in which the school has |
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been operating if the school has been operating for less than five |
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school years; |
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(3) each school operating under the charter has |
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received an unqualified opinion in the most recent independent |
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auditor's report of the school's finances; |
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(4) the agency has determined that neither the charter |
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holder or a school operating under the charter is at risk of |
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financial insolvency; |
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(5) the charter holder has provided written notice to |
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the State Board of Education, in the manner required by board rule, |
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that the requirements prescribed by Subdivisions (1) through (4) |
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have been met; and |
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(6) the State Board of Education has made a |
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determination that the requirements prescribed by Subdivisions (1) |
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through (5) have been met and has renewed the charter. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |