HJ0068 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0068 LRB101 12188 MST 59817 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In its legislative declaration, the Charter Schools Law states that the purpose of charter schools in this State is to improve pupil learning, increase learning opportunities for all children, with special emphasis on expanding options for at-risk pupils, encourage innovation, parental engagement, community involvement, and expanded public school options, create new professional opportunities for teachers, and hold charter schools accountable; and

WHEREAS, The vast majority of students enrolled in charter schools across this State come from low-income families and are minorities, potentially making charter schools a key component in the effort to close the achievement gaps that persist; and

WHEREAS, In authorizing Public Act 100-465, the General Assembly created a new evidence-based funding system to provide all students in the State of Illinois with a high quality education; and

WHEREAS, Public Act 100-465 includes a goal to reduce, with a goal of eliminating, the achievement gap between at-risk and non-at-risk students by raising the performance of at-risk students while not reducing standards; and

WHEREAS, Charter schools authorized by the State Charter School Commission are supported by State funds otherwise due to the local school district; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that the Task Force on the Funding of Commission-authorized Charter Schools is created to:

(1)Examine the current funding provision in the Charter Schools Law for the purpose of ensuring funding equity, including but not limited to the range of funding available to commission-authorized charter schools and the source of the funds;

(2)Examine the current funding provisions in the Charter Schools Law and their impact on the local school district following the evidence-based funding provisions of Public Act 100-465 in light of the legislative purpose and intent behind that legislation;

(3)Review the effect of the commission-authorized charter schools on the students served by the charter, the students in the home school district, and the home school district's budget, with a focus upon the expansion in facilities, operations, and personnel costs associated with the creation of the charter school; and

(4)Examine the role of the local school district in the renewal process for the commission-authorized charter schools; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall consist of the following members, who shall serve without compensation:

(1) One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(2) One member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;

(3) One member appointed by the President of the Senate;

(4) One member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;

(5) The State Superintendent of Education or his or her designee;

(6) The Superintendent/Chief Executive Officer or his or her designee of each school district currently having a commission-authorized charter school;

(7) One member, appointed by the Governor, upon the recommendation of the chief executive officer or his or her designee of each commission-authorized charter school, except that, where multiple such charter schools operate within a single district, a single representative shall appointed;

(8) One member appointed by the Governor, upon the recommendation of an organization representing teachers in a school district in a city having a population exceeding 500,000;

(9) One member appointed by the Governor, upon the recommendation of the largest statewide organization representing teachers;

(10) One member appointed by the Governor, upon the recommendation of the second-largest statewide organization representing teachers;

(11) One member appointed by the Governor, upon the recommendation of a statewide organization representing charter schools in the State;

(12) One member appointed by the Governor, upon the recommendation of the largest statewide association representing school boards;

(13) One member appointed by the Governor, upon the recommendation of the largest statewide association representing school administrators;

(14) One member appointed by the Governor, upon the recommendation of the largest statewide association representing school business officials; and

(15) One member appointed by the Governor, who shall be a current or former commissioner of the State Charter School Commission; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the members of the Task Force shall be appointed within 30 days after the adoption of this resolution and shall begin meeting no later than 30 days after the appointments are finalized; in the event that the appointments by the Governor are not made within 30 days after the adoption of this resolution, the State Superintendent of Education shall make such appointments within 15 days after the appointment deadline; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the members of the Task Force shall elect a chairperson from among their membership, and the Illinois State Board of Education shall provide administrative support; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall issue a report making recommendations on any changes to State laws with regard to charter school funding on or before February 15, 2020 and upon the filing of its report is dissolved; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the House, the Minority Leader of the Senate, the Governor, the State Superintendent of Education, and the Chief Executive Officer of City of Chicago School District 299.