Read the full stored bill text
Req. No. 2678 Page 1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2nd Session of the 60th Legislature (2026)
SENATE BILL 1971 By: Sacchieri
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to charter schools; amending 70 O.S.
2021, Sections 3-134, as last amended by Section 6,
Chapter 323, O.S.L. 2023, and 3-137, as amended by
Section 8, Chapter 323, O.S.L. 2023 (70 O.S. Supp.
2025, Sections 3-134 and 3-137), which relate to the
Oklahoma Charter Schools Act; adding requirements to
charter school application; requiring certain review
to be provided to certain governing board and posted
on certain sponsor’s website; providing contents of
annual oversight and performance review; requiring
certain survey to be administered according to
certain requirements; requiring a sponsor’s
performance report to include certain information;
directing the Statewide Charter School Board to
suspend certain sponsor authority if a sponsor fails
to take certain actions; requiring certain
determination to identify certain deficiencies;
updating statutory language; providing an effective
date; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 3-134, as
last amended by Section 6, Chapter 323, O.S.L. 2023 (70 O.S. Supp.
2025, Section 3-134), is amended to read as follows:
Section 3-134. A. For written applications filed after July 1,
2024, prior to submission of the application to a proposed sponsor
Req. No. 2678 Page 2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
seeking to establish a charter school or to the Statewide Charter
School Board to establish a virtual charter school, the applicant
shall be required to complete training which shall not exceed ten
(10) hours provided by the Statewide Charter School Board on the
process and requirements for establishing a charter school or
virtual charter school. The sponsor of a charter school that enters
into a new or renewed sponsorship contract on or after July 1, 2024,
shall be required to complete training provided by the Statewide
Charter School Board or an organization approved by the Statewide
Charter School Board on the oversight duties of the sponsor. The
Board shall develop and implement the training and publish a list of
organizations approved to provide training by July 1, 2024. The
Board and organizations approved by the Board may provide the
training in any format and manner determined to be efficient and
effective including, but not limited to, web-based training.
B. Except as otherwise provided for in Section 3-137 of this
title, an applicant seeking to establish a virtual charter school
shall submit a written application to the Statewide Charter School
Board, and an applicant seeking to establish a charter school shall
submit a written application to the proposed sponsor as provided for
in subsection E of this section. The application shall include:
1. A mission statement for the charter school or virtual
charter school;
Req. No. 2678 Page 3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
2. A description including, but not limited to, background
information of the organizational structure and the governing board
of the charter school or virtual charter school;
3. A financial plan for the first five (5) years of operation
of the charter school or virtual charter school and a description of
the treasurer or other officers or persons who shall have primary
responsibility for the finances of the charter school or virtual
charter school. Such person shall have demonstrated experience in
school finance or the equivalent thereof;
4. A description of the hiring policy of the charter school or
virtual charter school;
5. The name of the applicant or applicants and requested
sponsor;
6. A description of the facility and location of the charter
school;
7. A description of the grades being served;
8. An outline of criteria designed to measure the effectiveness
of the charter school or virtual charter school;
9. Documentation that the applicants completed training as set
forth in subsection A of this section;
10. A description of the minimum and maximum enrollment planned
per year for each term of the charter contract;
11. The proposed calendar for the charter school or virtual
charter school and sample daily schedule;
Req. No. 2678 Page 4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
12. Unless otherwise authorized by law or regulation, a
description of the academic program aligned with state standards;
13. A description of the instructional design of the charter
school or virtual charter school including the type of learning
environment, class size and structure, curriculum overview, and
teaching methods;
14. The plan for using internal and external assessments to
measure and report student progress on the performance framework
developed by the applicant in accordance with Section 3-136 of this
title;
15. The plans for identifying and successfully serving students
with disabilities, students who are English language learners, and
students who are academically behind;
16. A description of cocurricular or extracurricular programs
and how they will be funded and delivered;
17. Plans and time lines timelines for student recruitment and
enrollment including lottery procedures;
18. The student discipline policies for the charter school or
virtual charter school including those for special education
students with disabilities;
19. An organizational chart that clearly presents the
organizational structure of the charter school or virtual charter
school, including lines of authority and reporting between the
governing board, staff, any related bodies such as advisory bodies
Req. No. 2678 Page 5
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
or parent and teacher councils, and any external organizations that
will play a role in managing the school;
20. A clear description of the roles and responsibilities for
the governing board, the leadership and management team for the
charter school or virtual charter school, and any other entities
shown in the organizational chart;
21. The leadership and teacher employment policies for the
charter school or virtual charter school;
22. Proposed governing bylaws;
23. Explanations of any partnerships or contractual
partnerships central to the operations or mission of the charter
school or virtual charter school;
24. The plans for providing transportation, food service, and
all other significant operational or ancillary services;
25. Opportunities and expectations for parental involvement;
26. A detailed school start-up plan that identifies tasks, time
lines timelines, and responsible individuals;
27. A description of the financial plan and policies for the
charter school or virtual charter school including financial
controls and audit requirements;
28. A description of the insurance coverage the charter school
or virtual charter school will obtain;
29. Start-up and five-year budgets with clearly stated
assumptions;
Req. No. 2678 Page 6
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
30. Start-up and first-year cash-flow projections with clearly
stated assumptions;
31. Evidence of anticipated fundraising contributions, if
claimed in the application;
32. A sound facilities plan including backup or contingency
plans if appropriate;
33. A requirement that the charter school or virtual charter
school governing board meet no fewer than ten (10) months of the
year in the state and that for those charter schools outside of
counties with a population of five hundred thousand (500,000) or
more, that a minimum of two (2) members are residents within the
geographic boundary of the charter school;
34. A requirement that the charter school or virtual charter
school follow the requirements of the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act and
Oklahoma Open Records Act. Additionally, a charter school or
virtual charter school shall:
a. include a designated public comment period during
every regular meeting of the charter school or virtual
charter school governing board,
b. post on its website procedures for how the charter
school or virtual charter school responds to requests
under the Oklahoma Open Records Act, and
c. submit an annual report to its sponsor regarding
compliance with the provisions of this paragraph; and
Req. No. 2678 Page 7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
35. A copy of any proposed contract between the governing board
of a charter school or virtual charter school and an educational
management organization, as defined by Section 5-200 of this title,
which meets the requirements of the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act.
C. A board of education of a public school district, public
body, public or private college or university, private person, or
private organization may contract with a sponsor to establish a
charter school or virtual charter school. A private school shall
not be eligible to contract for a charter school or virtual charter
school under the provisions of the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act.
D. The sponsor of a charter school is the board of education of
a school district, a higher education institution, a private
institution of higher learning accredited pursuant to Section 4103
of this title, a federally recognized Indian tribe which meets the
criteria established in Section 3-132 of this title, or beginning
July 1, 2024, the Statewide Charter School Board. Any sponsor
authorized pursuant to subsection A of Section 3-132 of this title
may sponsor one or more charter schools. The physical location of a
charter school sponsored by a board of education of a school
district shall be within the boundaries of the sponsoring school
district. The physical location of a charter school sponsored by
the Statewide Charter School Board pursuant to paragraph 6 of
subsection A of Section 3-132 of this title shall be in the school
district in which the application originated.
Req. No. 2678 Page 8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
E. 1. Beginning July 1, 2024, any application seeking to
establish a charter school in this state shall be submitted first to
the school district in which the proposed charter school is to be
located. The school district board of education shall approve or
deny the application within sixty (60) days of receipt of the
application. If the charter school application is denied, nothing
shall prohibit an applicant from submitting a revised application to
the school district board of education, which shall approve or deny
the revised application within sixty (60) days of receipt of the
application.
2. An applicant for a charter school that has been denied
pursuant to paragraph 1 of this subsection may submit an application
to a proposed sponsor listed in paragraphs 2 through 6 of subsection
A of Section 3-132 of this title, which shall either accept or
reject sponsorship of the charter school within ninety (90) days of
receipt of the application. If the proposed sponsor rejects the
application, it shall notify the applicant in writing of the reasons
for the rejection. The applicant may submit a revised application
for reconsideration to the proposed sponsor within thirty (30) days
after receiving notification of the rejection. The proposed sponsor
shall accept or reject the revised application within thirty (30)
days of its receipt.
3. Beginning July 1, 2024, an applicant for a virtual charter
school shall submit an application to the Statewide Charter School
Req. No. 2678 Page 9
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Board, which shall either accept or reject sponsorship of the
virtual charter school within ninety (90) days of receipt of the
application. If the application is rejected, the Statewide Charter
School Board shall notify the applicant in writing of the reasons
for the rejection. The applicant may submit a revised application
for reconsideration to the Statewide Charter school School Board
within thirty (30) days after receiving notification of the
rejection. The Statewide Charter School Board shall accept or
reject the revised application within thirty (30) days of its
receipt.
F. A board of education of a school district, a higher
education institution, a private institution of higher learning
accredited pursuant to Section 4103 of this title, or a federally
recognized Indian tribe shall notify the State Board of Education
and the Statewide Charter School Board when it accepts sponsorship
of a charter school. The notification shall include a copy of the
charter of the charter school.
G. Applicants for charter schools and virtual charter schools
proposed to be sponsored by the Statewide Charter School Board may,
upon rejection of a revised application, proceed to binding
arbitration under the commercial rules of the American Arbitration
Association with costs of the arbitration to be borne by the
applicant.
Req. No. 2678 Page 10
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
H. If a board of education of a school district, a higher
education institution, a private institution of higher learning
accredited pursuant to Section 4103 of this title, or a federally
recognized Indian tribe accepts sponsorship of a charter school, the
administrative, fiscal, and oversight responsibilities of the school
district, the higher education institution, the private institution
of higher learning accredited pursuant to Section 4103 of this
title, or the federally recognized Indian tribe shall be listed in
the contract. No administrative, fiscal, or oversight
responsibilities of a charter school shall be delegated to a school
district unless the school district agrees to enter into a contract
to assume the responsibilities.
I. A sponsor of a public charter school shall have the
following powers and duties over charter schools it sponsors, and
the Statewide Charter School Board shall have the following powers
and duties over the charter schools and virtual charter schools it
sponsors:
1. Provide services and oversight of the operations of charter
schools or virtual charter schools in the state through annual
oversight and performance reviews and reauthorization. The results
of the annual oversight and performance review of a charter school
or virtual charter school shall be provided to its governing board
and posted on the sponsor’s website. The annual oversight and
performance review shall include:
Req. No. 2678 Page 11
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
a. an evaluation of the charter school’s or virtual
charter school’s academic, operational, and financial
performance,
b. an annual performance evaluation of the charter school
or virtual charter school superintendent or
administrator, and
c. administration of an anonymous annual climate and
satisfaction survey of parents and legal guardians of
students enrolled in the charter school or virtual
charter school pursuant to the provisions of
subsection J of this section;
2. Solicit and evaluate charter applications;
3. Approve quality charter applications that meet identified
educational needs and promote a diversity of educational choices;
4. Decline to approve weak or inadequate charter applications;
5. Negotiate and execute sound charter contracts with each
approved public charter school or virtual charter school;
6. Approve or deny proposed contracts between the governing
board of a charter school or virtual charter school and an
educational management organization, as defined by section Section
5-200 of this title;
7. Monitor, in accordance with charter contract terms, the
performance and legal compliance of charter schools and virtual
charter schools; and
Req. No. 2678 Page 12
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
8. Determine whether each charter contract merits renewal,
nonrenewal, or revocation.
J. 1. The anonymous annual climate and satisfaction survey
required by subparagraph c of paragraph 1 of subsection I of this
section shall:
a. be administered or validated by the sponsor or an
independent third party and shall not be solely
designed or administered by the charter school’s
administration or governing board,
b. be administered annually during a defined survey
window between January 1 and March 31 of each school
year, unless otherwise approved by the Statewide
Charter School Board for good cause,
c. be included in the annual oversight and performance
review with verbatim and in-full results without
selective summarization, and
d. document necessary follow-up actions if survey results
indicate material concerns related to governance,
transparency, or compliance. Follow-up actions may
include additional monitoring or corrective action
requirements.
2. The sponsor shall compile and review the survey results no
later than forty-five (45) days following the close of the survey
Req. No. 2678 Page 13
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
administration window set forth in subparagraph b of paragraph 1 of
this subsection. Survey results shall be:
a. included in the annual oversight and performance
review required by paragraph 1 of subsection I of this
section, and
b. prominently posted on the websites of the sponsor and
charter school upon publication of the annual
oversight and performance review.
3. Failure to administer a survey or timely publish the survey
results pursuant to the provisions of this subsection shall
constitute a deficiency as provided for in Section 3-137 of this
title.
K. Sponsors shall establish a procedure for accepting,
approving, and disapproving charter school applications in
accordance with subsection E of this section. The Statewide Charter
School Board shall post its application, application process, and
application time frames on the Board’s website.
K. L. Sponsors including the Statewide Charter School Board
shall develop and maintain chartering policies and practices
consistent with recognized principles and standards for quality
charter sponsoring in all major areas of sponsoring responsibility
including organizational capacity and infrastructure, soliciting and
evaluating charter school and virtual charter school applications,
performance contracting, ongoing charter school and virtual charter
Req. No. 2678 Page 14
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
school oversight and evaluation, and charter contract renewal
decision-making.
L. M. Sponsors acting in their official capacity shall be
immune from civil and criminal liability with respect to all
activities related to a charter school with which they contract.
SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 3-137, as
amended by Section 8, Chapter 323, O.S.L. 2023 (70 O.S. Supp. 2025,
Section 3-137), is amended to read as follows:
Section 3-137. A. An initial contract between a charter school
or virtual charter school and its sponsor approved on or after July
1, 2024, shall be effective for five (5) years from the first day of
operation. After completing an initial five-year term, a charter
contract may be renewed for up to ten-year terms of duration,
although the sponsor may vary the term based on the performance,
demonstrated capacities, and particular circumstances of each
charter school or virtual charter school. A sponsor may grant
renewal with specific conditions for necessary improvements to a
charter school or virtual charter school.
B. Prior to the beginning of the final year of the contract
term of a charter school or virtual charter school, the sponsor
shall issue a performance report and charter renewal application
guidance to the charter school and its governing board or the
virtual charter school and its governing board. The performance
report shall summarize the performance record to date of the charter
Req. No. 2678 Page 15
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
school or virtual charter school based on the data required by the
Oklahoma Charter Schools Act, the annual performance framework
evaluation, the annual oversight and performance review conducted
pursuant to paragraph 1 of subsection I of Section 3-134 of this
title, a review of the contract with an educational management
organization if the charter school or virtual charter school
contracts with an educational management organization, and a review
of the charter contract including the charter school’s or virtual
charter school’s compliance with the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act, the
Oklahoma Open Records Act, and other requirements of paragraph 34 of
subsection B of Section 3-134 of this title. The performance review
shall take into consideration the percentage of at-risk students
enrolled in the charter school or virtual charter school. The
performance report shall provide notice of any weaknesses, concerns,
violations, or deficiencies perceived by the sponsor concerning the
charter school or virtual charter school that may jeopardize its
position in seeking renewal if not timely rectified. If there are
weaknesses, concerns, violations, or deficiencies the sponsor may
require a charter school or virtual charter school to develop a
corrective action plan and corresponding timeline to remedy any
weaknesses, concerns, violations, or deficiencies. If the sponsor
requires a corrective action plan, the charter school or virtual
charter school shall have forty-five (45) days to respond to the
performance report and submit any corrections or clarifications for
Req. No. 2678 Page 16
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
the report. If the charter school or virtual charter school does
not substantially complete the corrective action plan, the sponsor
may choose to revoke or not renew the charter contract pursuant to
the requirements of this section.
C. 1. Prior to the beginning of the final year of a charter
contract term, the charter school or virtual charter school may
apply for renewal of the contract with the sponsor including the
Statewide Charter School Board. The renewal application guidance
shall, at a minimum, provide an opportunity for the charter school
or virtual charter school to:
a. present additional evidence, beyond the data contained
in the performance report, supporting its case for
charter renewal,
b. describe improvements undertaken or planned for the
school, and
c. detail the plan for the next charter term for the
school.
2. The renewal application guidance shall include or refer
explicitly to the criteria that will guide the renewal decisions of
the sponsor, which shall be based on the performance framework set
forth in the charter contract and consistent with the Oklahoma
Charter Schools Act.
D. The sponsor may deny the request for renewal if it
determines the charter school or virtual charter school has failed
Req. No. 2678 Page 17
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
to complete the obligations of the contract or comply with the
provisions of the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act. A sponsor shall
give written notice of its intent to deny the request for renewal at
least eight (8) months prior to expiration of the contract. In
making charter renewal decisions, a sponsor shall:
1. Ground decisions on evidence of the performance of the
charter school or virtual charter school over the term of the
charter contract in accordance with the performance framework set
forth in the charter contract and shall take into consideration the
percentage of at-risk students enrolled in the school;
2. Grant renewal to charter schools or virtual charter schools
that have achieved the standards, targets, and performance
expectations as stated in the charter contract and are
organizationally and fiscally viable and have been faithful to the
terms of the contract and applicable law;
3. Ensure that data used in making renewal decisions are
available to the school and the public; and
4. Provide a public report summarizing the evidence used as the
basis for each decision.
E. If the Statewide Charter School Board denies a request for
renewal, the Board may, if requested by the charter school or
virtual charter school, proceed to binding arbitration as provided
for in subsection G of Section 3-134 of this title.
Req. No. 2678 Page 18
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
F. A sponsor may terminate a contract during the term of the
contract for failure to meet the requirements for student
performance contained in the contract and performance framework,
failure to meet the standards of fiscal management, violations of
the law, or other good cause. The sponsor shall give at least
ninety (90) days’ written notice to the governing board of the
charter school or virtual charter school prior to terminating the
contract. The governing board may request, in writing, an informal
hearing before the sponsor within fourteen (14) days of receiving
notice. The sponsor shall conduct an informal hearing before taking
action.
G. Beginning July 1, 2024, and subject to the provisions of
this section, a charter school sponsor authorized by subsection A of
Section 3-132 of this title with a charter contract that includes
more than one charter school site may terminate or not renew a
charter school contract for a specific charter school site.
H. 1. Beginning in the 2016-2017 school year, the State Board
of Education shall identify charter schools and virtual charter
schools in the state that are ranked in the bottom five percent (5%)
of all public schools as determined pursuant to Section 1210.545 of
this title.
2. At the time of its charter renewal, based on an average of
the current year and the two (2) prior operating years, a sponsor
may close a charter school site or virtual charter school identified
Req. No. 2678 Page 19
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
as being among the bottom five percent (5%) of public schools in the
state. The average of the current year and two (2) prior operating
years shall be calculated by using the percentage ranking for each
year divided by three, as determined by this subsection.
3. If there is a change to the calculation described in Section
1210.545 of this title that results in a charter school site or
virtual charter school that was not ranked in the bottom five
percent (5%) being ranked in the bottom five percent (5%), then the
sponsor shall use the higher of the two rankings to calculate the
ranking of the charter school site or virtual charter school.
4. A charter school or virtual charter school that is closed by
its sponsor pursuant to this subsection shall not be granted a
subsequent charter contract.
5. The requirements of this subsection shall not apply to a
charter school or virtual charter school that has been designated by
the State Department of Education as implementing an alternative
education program.
6. In making a charter school site or virtual charter school
closure decision, the sponsor shall consider the following:
a. enrollment of students with special challenges such as
drug or alcohol addiction, prior withdrawal from
school, prior incarceration, or other special
circumstances,
Req. No. 2678 Page 20
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
b. high mobility of the student population resulting from
the specific purpose of the charter school or virtual
charter school,
c. annual improvement in the performance of students
enrolled in the charter school or virtual charter
school compared with the performance of students
enrolled in the charter school or virtual charter
school in the immediately preceding school year, and
d. whether a majority of students attending the charter
school or virtual charter school under consideration
for closure would likely revert to attending public
schools with lower academic achievement, as
demonstrated pursuant to Section 1210.545 of this
title.
7. If at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the charter schools
chartered by one sponsor are closed within a five-year period
pursuant to this subsection, the authority of the sponsor to sponsor
new charter schools may be suspended by the Statewide Charter School
Board until the Board approves the sponsor to sponsor new charter
schools. A determination made pursuant to this paragraph shall
identify the deficiencies that, if corrected, will result in the
approval of the sponsor to sponsor new charter schools.
I. If a sponsor fails to conduct the annual oversight and
performance review pursuant to paragraph 1 of subsection I of
Req. No. 2678 Page 21
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Section 3-134 of this title or fails to review a charter school’s
compliance with the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act, the Oklahoma Open
Records Act, and other requirements of paragraph 34 of subsection B
of Section 3-134 of this title, the authority of the sponsor to
sponsor new charter schools shall be suspended by the Statewide
Charter School Board until the Board approves the sponsor to sponsor
new charter schools. A determination made pursuant to this
subsection shall identify the deficiencies that, if corrected, will
result in the approval of the sponsor to sponsor new charter
schools.
J. If a sponsor terminates a contract or the charter school or
virtual charter school is closed, the closure shall be conducted in
accordance with the following protocol:
1. Within two (2) calendar weeks of a final closure
determination, the sponsor shall meet with the governing board and
leadership of the charter school or virtual charter school to
establish a transition team composed of school staff, applicant
staff, and others designated by the applicant that will attend to
the closure including the transfer of students, student records, and
school funds;
2. The sponsor and transition team shall communicate regularly
and effectively with families of students enrolled in the charter
school or virtual charter school, as well as with school staff and
Req. No. 2678 Page 22
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
other stakeholders, to keep them apprised of key information
regarding the closure of the school and their options and risks;
3. The sponsor and transition team shall ensure that current
instruction of students enrolled in the charter school or virtual
charter school continues per the charter contract for the remainder
of the school year;
4. The sponsor and transition team shall ensure that all
necessary and prudent notifications are issued to agencies,
employees, insurers, contractors, creditors, debtors, and management
organizations; and
5. The governing board of the charter school or virtual charter
school shall continue to meet as necessary to take actions needed to
wind down school operations, manage school finances, allocate
resources, and facilitate all aspects of closure.
J. K. A sponsor including the Statewide Charter School Board
shall develop revocation and nonrenewal processes that are
consistent with the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act and that:
1. Provide the charter school or virtual charter school with a
timely notification of the prospect of revocation or nonrenewal and
of the reasons for possible closure;
2. Allow the charter school or virtual charter school a
reasonable amount of time in which to prepare a response;
3. Provide the charter school or virtual charter school with an
opportunity to submit documents and give testimony in a public
Req. No. 2678 Page 23
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
hearing challenging the rationale for closure and in support of the
continuation of the school at an orderly proceeding held for that
purpose and prior to taking any final nonrenewal or revocation
decision related to the school;
4. Allow the charter school or virtual charter school access to
representation by counsel to call witnesses on its behalf;
5. Permit the recording of the proceedings; and
6. After a reasonable period for deliberation, require a final
determination be made and conveyed in writing to the charter school
or virtual charter school.
K. L. If a sponsor revokes or does not renew a charter
contract, the sponsor shall clearly state in a resolution the
reasons for the revocation or nonrenewal. If a charter is revoked
or nonrenewed, the charter school or virtual charter school shall
disclose the revocation or nonrenewal in any subsequent application.
L. M. If a charter contract is not renewed, the governing board
of the charter school may submit an application to a proposed new
sponsor as provided for in Section 3-134 of this title.
M. N. If a charter contract is not renewed or is terminated
according to this section, a student who attended the charter school
or virtual charter school may enroll in the resident school district
of the student or may apply for a transfer in accordance with the
Education Open Transfer Act.
SECTION 3. This act shall become effective July 1, 2026.
Req. No. 2678 Page 24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
SECTION 4. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
of the public peace, health, or safety, an emergency is hereby
declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
60-2-2678 EB 1/15/2026 9:20:28 AM