Senate Bill S48

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S48

 TITLE OF BILL :

An act to amend the education law, in relation to notice to school
districts regarding intent to attend a charter school


 PURPOSE :

To provide notification to a school district when a parent or guardian
intends to send a child to a charter school, in order for the school
district to create an accurate budget.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

This bill would amend subdivision 2 of §2854 of the education law to
provide that a parent or guardian shall give notice to school
districts wherein child resides of intent to send child to charter
school and also provide notice to nonpublic school if a child intends
not to attend a nonpublic school.

 EXISTING LAW :

The Education Law currently allows for similar school district
notification by parents with regard to transportation of children
              

attending nonpublic school.

 JUSTIFICATION :

With the advent of charter schools it is imperative that the public
school district be notified of a child's intended departure in a
timely manner, giving sufficient time for the school to adjust its
budget.

For example, in 2001 in a city school district in New York State, the
school district gave approximately eight thousand dollars ($8000), out
of its established budget, to the local charter school for each child
who chose to go to the charter school. The school district created its
2001 budget believing that not all the classrooms would be filled in
the then forthcoming charter school. Regrettably, when the charter
school opened filled to capacity, the city school district had a
revenue shortfall of nearly 1.2 million dollars. Had the parents or
guardians of the children notified the school district of their
upcoming charter school enrollment, this would have been avoided.

In April 2001, there were 23 charter schools operating in New York
State, with approximately 6000 students enrolled. However, as of
January 2002 that number nearly doubled, to 41 charter schools. The
average expenditure per student in New York State is nine thousand.one
hundred ninety-two dollars ($9192). When this figure is multiplied by
the ever increasing number of students enrolled in charter schools,
the financial loss to the public school becomes a greater burden on
the public school. The popularity of this type of educational
alternative is rapidly growing; therefore, it is important that this
issue be addressed in a way that is fair and equitable to public
schools and to taxpayers.

The National Education Association asserts that the American public
has consistently supported educational funding. However, the school
districts need to have up to date information in order to present an
accurate budget for the public to vote on.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :
2007-2008 Advanced to Third reading (S.1549-a/A.2423-a).
2005-2006 Passed Senate (S.786/ A.4475).
2003-2004 Education Committee (S.4580/A.6438).
2002 Education Committee (S.6188/A.10609).

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
Immediately.