IndianaIndiana school boards may convert public schools to charter schools
A district board can vote to convert an existing public school to a charter school, but it must send a proposal to an outside charter authorizer.
What it does
School boards may vote to turn existing public schools into charter schools and send a conversion proposal to an outside charter authorizer. They cannot authorize those schools themselves.
Starting July 1, 2027, a charter school could partner with several districts. Each would pass along state money for its resident students. Agreements made or renewed after June 30, 2027, could allow each district to charge a fee of up to 1%.
A school board cannot both act as a charter school's authorizer, which approves its charter, and sign or keep an innovation network agreement with that school.
A charter school or public college may sue if a district misses a 30-day deadline for a required building sale or lease. If it wins, a court may award $10,000 for each late day.
Starting in the 2026–27 school year, schools must tell parents within 15 days after finding their K–8 child at risk of falling behind in math.
Argument forPartnerships with several districts could let a charter school serve students across district lines while each district funds its own residents.
Argument againstSeveral partner districts could each charge a fee, leaving the charter school with less of the state money tied to their students.
More detail
A school board may convert an existing district school to a charter school. This applies to existing public elementary and secondary schools. A board may convert more than one school. The board must vote and submit a conversion proposal to a charter authorizer. The board cannot authorize the converted school itself. The converted school must follow the applicable charter school rules. This provision took effect July 1, 2026.
A charter school may make agreements with more than one school district. These rules cover a charter school with agreements with more than one school district. Each partner district passes along the state funding it receives for students who live in its area and attend the charter school. For agreements made or renewed after June 30, 2027, a district may charge a fee of no more than 1% of that funding. The state calculates charter school funding separately for students who live outside every partner district. These rules take effect July 1, 2027.
A school board cannot both authorize a charter school and make an innovation network agreement with that school. The restriction applies when the same board would hold both roles for the same charter school at the same time. This restriction took effect July 1, 2026.
A selected charter school or public college may sue a district that misses a required building transfer deadline. This applies to a charter school or state public college selected to buy or lease a covered school building. The buyer or renter must meet the building request and use rules. A court may award the daily amount only if the charter school or public college wins its case. The district has 30 days after receiving notice of a final decision that can no longer be appealed.
A school must tell parents when it finds their child at risk of falling behind in math. This covers students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The school bases its finding on an approved grade-level screening test or a statewide assessment. The notice may include the child's progress, planned support, and resources for use at home. The 15-day period begins when the school makes its finding.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 12Signed by the Governor Mike BraunBecame Law
- Mar 12Public Law 151Major
- Mar 5Signed by the President Pro TemporeMajor
- Mar 3Signed by the SpeakerMajor
- Mar 2Signed by the President of the SenateMajor
- Feb 27Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 431: yeas 65, nays 29
- Vote recorded SB 239 - Teshka. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded SB 239 - Rogers. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 27Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 330: yeas 31, nays 16
- Feb 27CCR # 1 filed in the HouseMinor
- Feb 27CCR # 1 filed in the SenateMinor
- Feb 27Representative Behning added as conferee
- Feb 27Representative Behning removed as advisor
- Feb 27Representative DeLaney removed as conferee
- Feb 27Senator Buchanan added as conferee
- Feb 27Senator Qaddoura removed as conferee
- Feb 25Returned to the Senate with amendmentsMinor
- Feb 25Senate dissented from House amendments
- Feb 25House conferees appointed: Teshka, DeLaney
- Feb 25House advisors appointed: Behning, Payne, Klinker, Pfaff, Smith V
- Feb 25Senate conferees appointed: Rogers, Qaddoura
- Feb 25Motion to dissent filedMinor
- Feb 25Senate advisors appointed: Donato, Ford J.D., Raatz, Doriot
- Feb 24Third reading: passed; Roll Call 350: yeas 66, nays 31Passed House
- Vote recorded SB 239 - Teshka - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 23Amendment #2 (Behning) prevailed; voice voteMajor
- Vote recorded SB 239 - Teshka - 2nd Reading. Result: fail.Lower
- Feb 23Amendment #1 (DeLaney) failed; Roll Call 321: yeas 43, nays 51Major
- Feb 23Second reading: amended, ordered engrossedMinor
- Feb 18Committee report: amend do pass, adoptedMinor
- Feb 2First reading: referred to Committee on EducationMinor
- Jan 29Referred to the HouseMinor
- Jan 28Third reading: passed; Roll Call 121: yeas 30, nays 18Passed Senate
- Vote recorded SB 239 - Rogers - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 28House sponsor: Representative Teshka
- Jan 28Cosponsors: Representatives Behning, McGuire
- Jan 27Senator Donato added as third author
- Jan 27Senator Raatz added as second author
- Jan 27Senators Buchanan, Doriot added as coauthors
- Jan 26Amendment #1 (Qaddoura) failed; Roll Call 65: yeas 9, nays 35Major
- Vote recorded SB 239 - Rogers - 2nd Reading. Result: fail.Upper
- Jan 26Amendment #3 (Qaddoura) failed; voice voteMajor
- Jan 26Amendment #4 (Rogers) prevailed; voice voteMajor
- Jan 26Second reading: amended, ordered engrossedMinor
- Jan 26Amendment #2 (Qaddoura) failed; voice voteMajor
- Jan 22Committee report: amend do pass, adoptedMinor
- Jan 15Committee report: amend do pass adopted; reassigned to Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- Jan 8First reading: referred to Committee on Education and Career DevelopmentMinor
- Jan 8Authored by Senator RogersIntroduced
EducationTaxes & Budget