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SF2412 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Charter school boards of directors and charter school chief administrators requirements modifications, local officials and charter school officials filing statements of economic interest requirement, and charter school officials inclusion in the public official gift ban provision

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to introduce specific regulations and ethical requirements for charter school board members and administrators in Minnesota. It seeks to increase transparency and accountability by mandating financial disclosures and including charter school officials in existing public official regulations.

Main Provisions

  • Economic Interest Statements: Charter school board members, directors, and chief administrators are required to file statements of economic interest. This must be done within 60 days of employment or, for board candidates, at least 14 days before an election.
  • Gift Ban: Charter school officials are now subject to the public official gift ban, which prohibits them from accepting gifts that do not have a received consideration of equal or greater value.
  • Board Structure and Membership Criteria:
    • Charter school boards must have at least five members who reside in Minnesota, with required representation from teachers, parents of currently enrolled students (not employed by the school), and community members.
    • Board members must not be related to school employees, and none can be contractors providing services to the school.
    • Teachers on the board must meet specific service and employment criteria, while the chief administrator serves as a nonvoting member.
    • Charter school employees, other than qualifying teachers, cannot be board members.
    • Restrictions are placed on board membership concerning conflicts of interest and involvement in multiple boards.

Significant Changes

  • Election Procedures and Transparency:
    • Elections must be conducted during the school year, with at least 30-days notice prior to the election date. Candidate information must be published at least 10 days before the election.
    • Board members must not receive more compensation than those serving in equivalent roles in public school districts.
  • Enforcement and Liability: Violations of the outlined conflict-of-interest provisions can lead to voided contracts and personal liability for damages incurred by charter schools.

Relevant Terms

charter school, board of directors, chief administrator, economic interest, gift ban, public official, election procedures, conflict of interest, transparency, accountability, Minnesota statutes.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 12, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
March 12, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toEducation Policy
March 26, 2025SenateFloorActionComm report: To pass as amended and re-refer toElections

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Inclusion of charter school directors and chief administrators in the definition of 'official'."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill modifies the definition section of the public official gift ban law under section 10A.071.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "10A.071"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Requirement for charter school officials to file statements within 60 days."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill changes the filing requirements for statements of economic interest under section 10A.09.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarification on timelines for filing post-employment acceptance."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "10A.09"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Extended gift ban restrictions to include charter school officials."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill includes charter school officials in the public official gift ban as per 471.895.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "471.895"
  }
]

Sponsors