2024 Session: Bill would let municipalities apply to convert public schools to charters

Parents and municipalities could apply to convert a public school into a charter school, not just school districts, if a bill by a Pensacola House member becomes law.

The bill, by Republican state Rep. Alex Andrade, cleared the House Choice & Innovation Subcommittee Thursday morning along party lines. Ten Republicans voted yes, and there were five no votes from Democrats, who argued the bill would defund public schools.

"Conversion Charter Schools" (HB 109/SB 246) would remove the requirement that a conversion charter school application must have at least 50 percent approval from the teachers employed at the school. Only the approval of the majority of parents would be needed to convert the school.