Amendment S-5212 to SF 2501

Filed April 27, 2026 in the Senate by Sen. Jesse Green (R)

Amends this SF 2501 to CONFORM to HF 2754

What it changes

1. By striking everything after the enacting clause and inserting: “DIVISION I CHARTER SCHOOLS Section
2. Section 29E.1, subsection 1, paragraph b, subparagraph (4), Code 2026, is amended by striking the subparagraph. Sec.
3. Section 232E.1, subsection 6, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
4. “Public school district” means a public school district as described in chapter 274 , and includes a charter school under chapter 256E , or a charter school or an innovation zone school under chapter 256F . Sec.
5. Section 256.7, subsection 15, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
6. Adopt rules under chapter 17A that require school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools , and innovation zone schools to include information regarding the exemptions and requirements for an exemption described in section 139A.8, subsection 4 , in any communication to the parent or guardian of a student that is related to the immunizations required under section 139A.8 . Sec.
7. Section 256.9, subsections 69, 71, 73, and 78, Code 2026, are amended to read as follows:
8. On or before May 1, 2025, develop and distribute to school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools , and innovation zone schools model policies that, if adopted, would satisfy a school district’s responsibilities under section 279.88 relating to policies governing student use of personal electronic devices.
9. Develop and distribute to school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools , and innovation zone schools family-centered resources to support student development of mathematics knowledge at home.
10. On or before July 1, 2025, develop and distribute to school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools , and innovation zone schools a comprehensive state mathematics plan that is designed to increase the level of mathematics proficiency attained by students using systematic and sequential approaches to teaching subitizing, cardinality, object counting, verbal counting, spatial relationships, benchmark numbers, and part-part-whole models.
11. a. Develop and distribute to school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools , and innovation zone schools a test in multiple-choice format that consists of all of the questions contained in the most recent version of the civics test developed by the United States citizenship and immigration services. b. On or before the January 31 immediately subsequent to each general election which is a presidential election, update the test described in paragraph “a” and distribute the updated test to school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools , and innovation zone schools . Sec.
12. Section 256.163, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new paragraph: NEW PARAGRAPH . f. A charter school established pursuant to chapter 256E, subchapter I. Sec.
13. Section 256E.1, subsection 2, paragraphs a and b, Code 2026, are amended to read as follows: a. A school board may create a founding group to apply to the state board or the university of northern Iowa for approval to establish and operate a charter school within and as a part of the school district by establishing a new attendance center, creating a new school within an existing attendance center, or by converting an existing attendance center to charter status. b. A founding group may apply to the state board or the university of northern Iowa for approval to establish and operate a charter school within the boundaries of the state that operates as a new attendance center independently from a public school district. Sec.
14. Section 256E.1, subsection 3, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: The purpose of a charter school established pursuant to this chapter subchapter shall be to accomplish the following: Sec.
15. Section 256E.1, subsection 3, paragraph d, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: d. Accelerating student learning to prevent learning loss during the COVID-19 pandemic and other significant disruptions to student learning. Sec.
16. Section 256E.1, subsection 4, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
17. The state board of education and the university of northern Iowa shall be the only authorizer authorizers of charter schools under this chapter subchapter . Sec.
18. Section 256E.2, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: As used in this chapter subchapter , unless the context otherwise requires: Sec.
19. Section 256E.2, subsections 2 and 5, Code 2026, are amended to read as follows:
20. “Charter school” means a school established in accordance with this chapter subchapter .
21. “Founding group” means a person, group of persons, or education service provider that develops and submits an application for a charter school to the state board or the university of northern Iowa under this chapter subchapter . Sec.
22. Section 256E.3, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 256E.3 Department —— duty to monitor. The department shall monitor the effectiveness of charter schools and shall implement the applicable provisions of this chapter subchapter . Sec.
23. Section 256E.4, subsections 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, Code 2026, are amended to read as follows:
24. A school board may create a founding group to apply to the state board or the university of northern Iowa for approval to establish and operate a charter school within and as a part of the school district by establishing a new attendance center, creating a new school within an existing attendance center, or by converting an existing attendance center. The application shall demonstrate the founding group’s academic and operational vision and plans for the proposed charter school, demonstrate the founding group’s capacity to execute the vision and plans, and provide the state board or the university of northern Iowa a clear basis for assessing the founding group’s plans and capacity.
25. The state board , in consultation with the university of northern Iowa, shall adopt rules to establish appropriate application timelines and deadlines for the submission of charter school applications under this section .
26. The instructions for completing an application shall include or otherwise inform applicants of all of the following: a. The performance framework adopted by the state board , in consultation with the university of northern Iowa, for charter school oversight and evaluation requirements in accordance with sections 256E.9 and 256E.10 . b. The criteria the state board or the university of northern Iowa will use in evaluating applications. c. The requirements concerning the format and content essential for applicants to demonstrate the capacities necessary to establish and operate a successful charter school.
27. If the founding group proposes to establish a charter school by converting an existing attendance center of the school district, the state board or the university of northern Iowa shall not approve the application unless the founding group submits evidence that the attendance center’s teachers and parents or guardians of students enrolled at the existing attendance center voted in favor of the conversion. A vote in favor of conversion under this subsection requires the support of a majority of the teachers employed at the school on the date of the vote and a majority of the parents or guardians voting whose children are enrolled at the school, provided that a majority of the parents or guardians eligible to vote participate in the ballot process. The state board , in consultation with the university of northern Iowa, shall establish procedures by rule for voting under this subsection . A parent or guardian voting in accordance with this subsection must be a resident of this state.
28. In reviewing and evaluating charter school applications, the state board and the university of northern Iowa shall employ procedures, practices, and criteria consistent with nationally recognized principles and standards for reviewing charter school applications. Each application review shall include thorough evaluation of the written application, an in-person interview with the founding group, and an opportunity in a public forum for local residents to learn about and provide input on each application.
29. Following review of a charter school application and completion of the process required under subsection 6 , the state board or the university of northern Iowa shall do all of the following: a. Approve a charter school application only if the founding group has demonstrated competence in each element of the approval criteria and if the founding group is likely to open and operate a successful charter school. b. Make application decisions on documented evidence collected through the application review process. c. Adhere to the policies and criteria that are transparent, based on merit, and avoid conflicts of interest or any appearance thereof.
30. The state board or the university of northern Iowa shall approve a charter school application if the application satisfies the requirements of this chapter subchapter . The state board or the university of northern Iowa shall approve or deny a charter school application no later than seventy-five calendar days after the application is received. If the state board or the university of northern Iowa denies an application, the state board or the university of northern Iowa shall provide notice of denial to the founding group in writing within thirty days after the state board’s or the university of northern Iowa’s action. The notice shall specify the exact reasons for denial and provide documentation supporting those reasons. An approval decision may include, if appropriate, reasonable conditions that the founding group must meet before a charter school contract may be executed pursuant to section 256E.6 . An approved charter application shall not serve as a charter school contract.
31. A decision of the state board or the university of northern Iowa relating to an application under this section is not appealable.
32. An unsuccessful applicant under this section may subsequently reapply to the state board or the university of northern Iowa . Sec.
33. Section 256E.4, subsection 4, paragraph ab, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: ab. The specific statutes and administrative rules with which the charter school does not intend to comply. The department , in consultation with the university of northern Iowa, shall provide technical assistance to the applicant concerning statutes and administrative rules that may be waived under the charter school contract in order to facilitate the goals of the charter school. Sec.
34. Section 256E.5, subsections 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10, Code 2026, are amended to read as follows:
35. A founding group may apply to the state board or the university of northern Iowa for approval to establish and operate a charter school within the boundaries of the state that operates as a new attendance center independently from a public school district. The application shall demonstrate the founding group’s academic and operational vision and plans for the proposed charter school, demonstrate the founding group’s capacity to execute the vision and plans, and provide the state board or the university of northern Iowa a clear basis for assessing the founding group’s plans and capacity.
36. The state board , in consultation with the university of northern Iowa, shall adopt rules to establish appropriate application timelines and deadlines for the submission of charter school applications under this section .
37. The instructions for completing an application shall include or otherwise inform applicants of all of the following: a. The performance framework adopted by the state board , in consultation with the university of northern Iowa, for charter school oversight and evaluation requirements in accordance with sections 256E.9 and 256E.10 . b. The criteria the state board or the university of northern Iowa will use in evaluating applications. c. The requirements concerning the format and content essential for applicants to demonstrate the capacities necessary to establish and operate a successful charter school.
38. In reviewing and evaluating charter school applications, the state board and the university of northern Iowa shall employ procedures, practices, and criteria consistent with nationally recognized principles and standards for reviewing charter school applications. Each application review shall include thorough evaluation of the written application, an in-person interview with the applicant, and an opportunity in a public forum for local residents of the public school district within which the applicant proposes to locate the charter school to learn about and provide input on each application.
39. Following review of a charter school application and completion of the process required under subsection 5 , the state board or the university of northern Iowa shall do all of the following: a. Approve a charter school application only if the applicant has demonstrated competence in each element of the state board’s or the university of northern Iowa’s published approval criteria and the applicant is likely to open and operate a successful charter school. b. Make application decisions on documented evidence collected through the application review process. c. Adhere to the policies and criteria that are transparent, based on merit, and avoid conflicts of interest or any appearance thereof.
40. The state board or the university of northern Iowa shall approve a charter school application if the application satisfies the requirements of this chapter subchapter . The state board or the university of northern Iowa shall approve or deny a charter school application no later than seventy-five calendar days after the application is received. If the state board or the university of northern Iowa denies an application, the state board or the university of northern Iowa shall provide notice of denial to the applicant in writing within thirty days after board action. The notice shall specify the exact reasons for denial and provide documentation supporting those reasons. An approval decision may include, if appropriate, reasonable conditions that the applicant must meet before a charter school contract may be executed pursuant to section 256E.6 . An approved charter application shall not serve as a charter school contract.
41. An unsuccessful charter school applicant may subsequently reapply to the state board or the university of northern Iowa .
42. A decision of the state board or the university of northern Iowa relating to an application under this section is not appealable. Sec.
43. Section 256E.5, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subsection: NEW SUBSECTION . 1A. The governing board of a charter school that is approved under this section shall be designated a local education agency for the purpose of receiving federal funds for all attendance centers that are under the jurisdiction of the governing board. Sec.
44. Section 256E.5, subsection 4, paragraph ab, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: ab. The specific statutes and administrative rules with which the charter school does not intend to comply. The department , in consultation with the university of northern Iowa, shall provide technical assistance to the applicant concerning statutes and administrative rules that may be waived under the charter school contract in order to facilitate the goals of the charter school. Sec.
45. Section 256E.6, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 256E.6 Charter school contract.
46. Within the later of thirty days following approval of a charter school application or upon the satisfaction of all reasonable conditions imposed on the applicant in the charter school approval, if any, an enforceable and renewable charter school contract shall be executed between the founding group and the state board or the university of northern Iowa, as applicable, setting forth the academic and operational performance expectations and measures by which the charter school will be evaluated pursuant to sections 256E.9 and 256E.10 and the other rights and duties of the parties.
47. An initial charter school contract shall be granted for a term of five school budget years , commencing with the school budget year in which the charter school opens . The charter school contract shall include the beginning and ending dates of the charter school contract term. An approved charter school may delay its opening for a period of time not to exceed one school year in order to plan and prepare for the charter school’s opening shall open on the first day of the school year that is two school years immediately subsequent to the school year in which the charter school contract is executed under subsection 1; provided, however, that the approved charter school may open on the first day of the school year that is immediately subsequent to the school year in which the charter school contract is executed under subsection 1 if the approved charter school demonstrates adequate preparation to the state board or the university of northern Iowa . If the charter school requires an opening delay of more than one school year two school years immediately subsequent to the school year in which the charter school contract is executed under subsection 1 , the charter school may request an extension from the state board or the university of northern Iowa .
48. Each charter school contract shall be signed by the president of the state board or the president of the university of northern Iowa, as applicable, and the president or appropriate officer of the governing body of the founding group.
49. Within fifteen days of the execution of a charter school contract entered into by the state board or the university of northern Iowa , the state board or the university of northern Iowa shall notify the department and the department of management of the name of the charter school and any applicable education service provider, the proposed location of the charter school, and the charter school’s first year projected enrollment.
50. A charter school approved under this chapter subchapter shall not commence operations without a valid charter school contract executed in accordance with this section and approved in an open session of the state board or by the university of northern Iowa .
51. The contract may provide for requirements or conditions to govern and monitor the start-up progress of an approved charter school prior to the opening of the charter school from the date the charter school contract is executed through the date the charter school opens, including but not limited to conditions to ensure that the charter school meets all building, health, safety, insurance, and other legal requirements.
52. A charter school contract may be amended to govern multiple charter schools operated by the same applicant and approved by the state board or the university of northern Iowa . However, each charter school that is part of a charter school contract shall be separate and distinct from any other charter school governed by the contract. Sec.
53. Section 256E.7, subsection 1, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: In order to fulfill the charter school’s public purpose, a charter school established under this chapter subchapter shall be organized as a nonprofit education organization and shall have all the powers necessary for carrying out the terms of the charter school contract including but not limited to the following, as applicable: Sec.
54. Section 256E.7, subsection 2, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: A charter school established under this chapter subchapter is exempt from all state statutes and rules and any local rule, regulation, or policy, applicable to a noncharter school, except that the charter school shall do all of the following: Sec.
55. Section 256E.7, subsection 2, paragraphs g, i, and w, Code 2026, are amended to read as follows: g. Be subject to the same financial audits, audit procedures, and audit requirements as a school district. The audit shall be consistent with the requirements of sections 11.6 , 11.14 , 11.19 , and 279.29 , and section 256.9, subsection 20 , except to the extent deviations are necessary because of the program at the school. The department, the university of northern Iowa, the auditor of state, or the legislative services agency may conduct financial, program, or compliance audits. i. Provide instruction for at least the number of days or hours required by section 279.10, subsection 1 , unless specifically waived by the state board or the university of northern Iowa as part of the application process. w. Comply with the requirements of this chapter subchapter . Sec.
56. Section 256E.7, subsection 2, paragraph h, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: Be subject to and comply with the requirements of section 256.7, subsection 21 , and the educational standards of section 256.11 , unless specifically waived by the state board or the university of northern Iowa during the application process; provided, however, that the state board or the university of northern Iowa shall not waive any of the following educational standards: Sec.
57. Section 256E.7, subsection 9, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
58. Individuals compensated by an education service provider are prohibited from serving as a voting member on the governing board of any charter school unless the state board or the university of northern Iowa waives such prohibition. Sec.
59. Section 256E.8, subsections 1 and 4, Code 2026, are amended to read as follows:
60. Each student enrolled in a charter school established under this chapter subchapter shall be counted, for state school foundation purposes, in the student’s district of residence pursuant to section 257.6, subsection 1 , paragraph “a” , subparagraph (9), including any applicable amounts under section 256B.9 . For purposes of this section , residence means a residence under section 282.1 .

Shortened here; the full amendment is in the official document.

Official amendment (PDF) · In the Bill Book