SB0817eng 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB0817 Engrossed LRB102 04605 CMG 14624 b

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The School Code is amended by changing Sections 2-3.25o, 10-22.25b, 27A-5, and 34-2.3 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.25o)

Sec. 2-3.25o. Registration and recognition of non-public elementary and secondary schools.

(a) Findings. The General Assembly finds and declares (i) that the Constitution of the State of Illinois provides that a "fundamental goal of the People of the State is the educational development of all persons to the limits of their capacities" and (ii) that the educational development of every school student serves the public purposes of the State. In order to ensure that all Illinois students and teachers have the opportunity to enroll and work in State-approved educational institutions and programs, the State Board of Education shall provide for the voluntary registration and recognition of non-public elementary and secondary schools.

(b) Registration. All non-public elementary and secondary schools in the State of Illinois may voluntarily register with the State Board of Education on an annual basis. Registration shall be completed in conformance with procedures prescribed by the State Board of Education. Information required for registration shall include assurances of compliance (i) with federal and State laws regarding health examination and immunization, attendance, length of term, and nondiscrimination, including assurances that the school will not prohibit hairstyles historically associated with race, ethnicity, or hair texture, including, but not limited to, protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists, and (ii) with applicable fire and health safety requirements.

(c) Recognition. All non-public elementary and secondary schools in the State of Illinois may voluntarily seek the status of "Non-public School Recognition" from the State Board of Education. This status may be obtained by compliance with administrative guidelines and review procedures as prescribed by the State Board of Education. The guidelines and procedures must recognize that some of the aims and the financial bases of non-public schools are different from public schools and will not be identical to those for public schools, nor will they be more burdensome. The guidelines and procedures must also recognize the diversity of non-public schools and shall not impinge upon the noneducational relationships between those schools and their clientele.

(c-5) Prohibition against recognition. A non-public elementary or secondary school may not obtain "Non-public School Recognition" status unless the school requires all certified and non-certified applicants for employment with the school, after July 1, 2007, to authorize a fingerprint-based criminal history records check as a condition of employment to determine if such applicants have been convicted of any of the enumerated criminal or drug offenses set forth in Section 21B-80 of this Code or have been convicted, within 7 years of the application for employment, of any other felony under the laws of this State or of any offense committed or attempted in any other state or against the laws of the United States that, if committed or attempted in this State, would have been punishable as a felony under the laws of this State.

Authorization for the check shall be furnished by the applicant to the school, except that if the applicant is a substitute teacher seeking employment in more than one non-public school, a teacher seeking concurrent part-time employment positions with more than one non-public school (as a reading specialist, special education teacher, or otherwise), or an educational support personnel employee seeking employment positions with more than one non-public school, then only one of the non-public schools employing the individual shall request the authorization. Upon receipt of this authorization, the non-public school shall submit the applicant's name, sex, race, date of birth, social security number, fingerprint images, and other identifiers, as prescribed by the Department of State Police, to the Department of State Police.

The Department of State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation shall furnish, pursuant to a fingerprint-based criminal history records check, records of convictions, forever and hereafter, until expunged, to the president or principal of the non-public school that requested the check. The Department of State Police shall charge that school a fee for conducting such check, which fee must be deposited into the State Police Services Fund and must not exceed the cost of the inquiry. Subject to appropriations for these purposes, the State Superintendent of Education shall reimburse non-public schools for fees paid to obtain criminal history records checks under this Section.

A non-public school may not obtain recognition status unless the school also performs a check of the Statewide Sex Offender Database, as authorized by the Sex Offender Community Notification Law, for each applicant for employment, after July 1, 2007, to determine whether the applicant has been adjudicated a sex offender.

Any information concerning the record of convictions obtained by a non-public school's president or principal under this Section is confidential and may be disseminated only to the governing body of the non-public school or any other person necessary to the decision of hiring the applicant for employment. A copy of the record of convictions obtained from the Department of State Police shall be provided to the applicant for employment. Upon a check of the Statewide Sex Offender Database, the non-public school shall notify the applicant as to whether or not the applicant has been identified in the Sex Offender Database as a sex offender. Any information concerning the records of conviction obtained by the non-public school's president or principal under this Section for a substitute teacher seeking employment in more than one non-public school, a teacher seeking concurrent part-time employment positions with more than one non-public school (as a reading specialist, special education teacher, or otherwise), or an educational support personnel employee seeking employment positions with more than one non-public school may be shared with another non-public school's principal or president to which the applicant seeks employment. Any unauthorized release of confidential information may be a violation of Section 7 of the Criminal Identification Act.

No non-public school may obtain recognition status that knowingly employs a person, hired after July 1, 2007, for whom a Department of State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint-based criminal history records check and a Statewide Sex Offender Database check has not been initiated or who has been convicted of any offense enumerated in Section 21B-80 of this Code or any offense committed or attempted in any other state or against the laws of the United States that, if committed or attempted in this State, would have been punishable as one or more of those offenses. No non-public school may obtain recognition status under this Section that knowingly employs a person who has been found to be the perpetrator of sexual or physical abuse of a minor under 18 years of age pursuant to proceedings under Article II of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

In order to obtain recognition status under this Section, a non-public school must require compliance with the provisions of this subsection (c-5) from all employees of persons or firms holding contracts with the school, including, but not limited to, food service workers, school bus drivers, and other transportation employees, who have direct, daily contact with pupils. Any information concerning the records of conviction or identification as a sex offender of any such employee obtained by the non-public school principal or president must be promptly reported to the school's governing body.

Prior to the commencement of any student teaching experience or required internship (which is referred to as student teaching in this Section) in any non-public elementary or secondary school that has obtained or seeks to obtain recognition status under this Section, a student teacher is required to authorize a fingerprint-based criminal history records check. Authorization for and payment of the costs of the check must be furnished by the student teacher to the chief administrative officer of the non-public school where the student teaching is to be completed. Upon receipt of this authorization and payment, the chief administrative officer of the non-public school shall submit the student teacher's name, sex, race, date of birth, social security number, fingerprint images, and other identifiers, as prescribed by the Department of State Police, to the Department of State Police. The Department of State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation shall furnish, pursuant to a fingerprint-based criminal history records check, records of convictions, forever and hereinafter, until expunged, to the chief administrative officer of the non-public school that requested the check. The Department of State Police shall charge the school a fee for conducting the check, which fee must be passed on to the student teacher, must not exceed the cost of the inquiry, and must be deposited into the State Police Services Fund. The school shall further perform a check of the Statewide Sex Offender Database, as authorized by the Sex Offender Community Notification Law, and of the Statewide Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Database, as authorized by the Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registration Act, for each student teacher. No school that has obtained or seeks to obtain recognition status under this Section may knowingly allow a person to student teach for whom a criminal history records check, a Statewide Sex Offender Database check, and a Statewide Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Database check have not been completed and reviewed by the chief administrative officer of the non-public school.

A copy of the record of convictions obtained from the Department of State Police must be provided to the student teacher. Any information concerning the record of convictions obtained by the chief administrative officer of the non-public school is confidential and may be transmitted only to the chief administrative officer of the non-public school or his or her designee, the State Superintendent of Education, the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, or, for clarification purposes, the Department of State Police or the Statewide Sex Offender Database or Statewide Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Database. Any unauthorized release of confidential information may be a violation of Section 7 of the Criminal Identification Act.

No school that has obtained or seeks to obtain recognition status under this Section may knowingly allow a person to student teach who has been convicted of any offense that would subject him or her to license suspension or revocation pursuant to Section 21B-80 of this Code or who has been found to be the perpetrator of sexual or physical abuse of a minor under 18 years of age pursuant to proceedings under Article II of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

Any school that has obtained or seeks to obtain recognition status under this Section may not prohibit hairstyles historically associated with race, ethnicity, or hair texture, including, but not limited to, protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists.

(d) Public purposes. The provisions of this Section are in the public interest, for the public benefit, and serve secular public purposes.

(e) Definition. For purposes of this Section, a non-public school means any non-profit, non-home-based, and non-public elementary or secondary school that is in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and attendance at which satisfies the requirements of Section 26-1 of this Code.

(Source: P.A. 99-21, eff. 1-1-16; 99-30, eff. 7-10-15.)

(105 ILCS 5/10-22.25b) (from Ch. 122, par. 10-22.25b)

Sec. 10-22.25b. School uniforms. The school board may adopt a school uniform or dress code policy that governs all or certain individual attendance centers and that is necessary to maintain the orderly process of a school function or prevent endangerment of student health or safety. A school uniform or dress code policy adopted by a school board: (i) shall not be applied in such manner as to discipline or deny attendance to a transfer student or any other student for noncompliance with that policy during such period of time as is reasonably necessary to enable the student to acquire a school uniform or otherwise comply with the dress code policy that is in effect at the attendance center or in the district into which the student's enrollment is transferred; and (ii) shall include criteria and procedures under which the school board will accommodate the needs of or otherwise provide appropriate resources to assist a student from an indigent family in complying with an applicable school uniform or dress code policy; and (iii) shall not include or apply to hairstyles, including hairstyles historically associated with race, ethnicity, or hair texture, including, but not limited to, protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists. A student whose parents or legal guardians object on religious grounds to the student's compliance with an applicable school uniform or dress code policy shall not be required to comply with that policy if the student's parents or legal guardians present to the school board a signed statement of objection detailing the grounds for the objection. This Section applies to school boards of all districts, including special charter districts and districts organized under Article 34. If a school board does not comply with the requirements and prohibitions set forth in this Section, the school district is subject to the penalty imposed pursuant to subsection (a) of Section 2-3.25.

By no later than July 1, 2022, the State Board of Education shall make available to schools resource materials developed in consultation with stakeholders regarding hairstyles, including hairstyles historically associated with race, ethnicity, or hair texture, including, but not limited to, protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists. The State Board of Education shall make the resource materials available on its Internet website.

(Source: P.A. 89-610, eff. 8-6-96.)

(105 ILCS 5/27A-5)

Sec. 27A-5. Charter school; legal entity; requirements.

(a) A charter school shall be a public, nonsectarian, nonreligious, non-home based, and non-profit school. A charter school shall be organized and operated as a nonprofit corporation or other discrete, legal, nonprofit entity authorized under the laws of the State of Illinois.

(b) A charter school may be established under this Article by creating a new school or by converting an existing public school or attendance center to charter school status. Beginning on April 16, 2003 (the effective date of Public Act 93-3), in all new applications to establish a charter school in a city having a population exceeding 500,000, operation of the charter school shall be limited to one campus. The changes made to this Section by Public Act 93-3 do not apply to charter schools existing or approved on or before April 16, 2003 (the effective date of Public Act 93-3).

(b-5) In this subsection (b-5), "virtual-schooling" means a cyber school where students engage in online curriculum and instruction via the Internet and electronic communication with their teachers at remote locations and with students participating at different times.

From April 1, 2013 through December 31, 2016, there is a moratorium on the establishment of charter schools with virtual-schooling components in school districts other than a school district organized under Article 34 of this Code. This moratorium does not apply to a charter school with virtual-schooling components existing or approved prior to April 1, 2013 or to the renewal of the charter of a charter school with virtual-schooling components already approved prior to April 1, 2013.

(c) A charter school shall be administered and governed by its board of directors or other governing body in the manner provided in its charter. The governing body of a charter school shall be subject to the Freedom of Information Act and the Open Meetings Act. No later than January 1, 2021 (one year after the effective date of Public Act 101-291), a charter school's board of directors or other governing body must include at least one parent or guardian of a pupil currently enrolled in the charter school who may be selected through the charter school or a charter network election, appointment by the charter school's board of directors or other governing body, or by the charter school's Parent Teacher Organization or its equivalent.

(c-5) No later than January 1, 2021 (one year after the effective date of Public Act 101-291) or within the first year of his or her first term, every voting member of a charter school's board of directors or other governing body shall complete a minimum of 4 hours of professional development leadership training to ensure that each member has sufficient familiarity with the board's or governing body's role and responsibilities, including financial oversight and accountability of the school, evaluating the principal's and school's performance, adherence to the Freedom of Information Act and the Open Meetings Act, and compliance with education and labor law. In each subsequent year of his or her term, a voting member of a charter school's board of directors or other governing body shall complete a minimum of 2 hours of professional development training in these same areas. The training under this subsection may be provided or certified by a statewide charter school membership association or may be provided or certified by other qualified providers approved by the State Board of Education.

(d) For purposes of this subsection (d), "non-curricular health and safety requirement" means any health and safety requirement created by statute or rule to provide, maintain, preserve, or safeguard safe or healthful conditions for students and school personnel or to eliminate, reduce, or prevent threats to the health and safety of students and school personnel. "Non-curricular health and safety requirement" does not include any course of study or specialized instructional requirement for which the State Board has established goals and learning standards or which is designed primarily to impart knowledge and skills for students to master and apply as an outcome of their education.

A charter school shall comply with all non-curricular health and safety requirements applicable to public schools under the laws of the State of Illinois. On or before September 1, 2015, the State Board shall promulgate and post on its Internet website a list of non-curricular health and safety requirements that a charter school must meet. The list shall be updated annually no later than September 1. Any charter contract between a charter school and its authorizer must contain a provision that requires the charter school to follow the list of all non-curricular health and safety requirements promulgated by the State Board and any non-curricular health and safety requirements added by the State Board to such list during the term of the charter. Nothing in this subsection (d) precludes an authorizer from including non-curricular health and safety requirements in a charter school contract that are not contained in the list promulgated by the State Board, including non-curricular health and safety requirements of the authorizing local school board.

(e) Except as otherwise provided in the School Code, a charter school shall not charge tuition; provided that a charter school may charge reasonable fees for textbooks, instructional materials, and student activities.

(f) A charter school shall be responsible for the management and operation of its fiscal affairs including, but not limited to, the preparation of its budget. An audit of each charter school's finances shall be conducted annually by an outside, independent contractor retained by the charter school. To ensure financial accountability for the use of public funds, on or before December 1 of every year of operation, each charter school shall submit to its authorizer and the State Board a copy of its audit and a copy of the Form 990 the charter school filed that year with the federal Internal Revenue Service. In addition, if deemed necessary for proper financial oversight of the charter school, an authorizer may require quarterly financial statements from each charter school.

(g) A charter school shall comply with all provisions of this Article, the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act, all federal and State laws and rules applicable to public schools that pertain to special education and the instruction of English learners, and its charter. A charter school is exempt from all other State laws and regulations in this Code governing public schools and local school board policies; however, a charter school is not exempt from the following:

(1) Sections 10-21.9 and 34-18.5 of this Code regarding criminal history records checks and checks of the Statewide Sex Offender Database and Statewide Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Database of applicants for employment;

(2) Sections 10-20.14, 10-22.6, 24-24, 34-19, and 34-84a of this Code regarding discipline of students;

(3) the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act;

(4) Section 108.75 of the General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986 regarding indemnification of officers, directors, employees, and agents;

(5) the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act;

(5.5) subsection (b) of Section 10-23.12 and subsection (b) of Section 34-18.6 of this Code;

(6) the Illinois School Student Records Act;

(7) Section 10-17a of this Code regarding school report cards;

(8) the P-20 Longitudinal Education Data System Act;

(9) Section 27-23.7 of this Code regarding bullying prevention;

(10) Section 2-3.162 of this Code regarding student discipline reporting;

(11) Sections 22-80 and 27-8.1 of this Code;

(12) Sections 10-20.60 and 34-18.53 of this Code;

(13) Sections 10-20.63 and 34-18.56 of this Code;

(14) Section 26-18 of this Code;

(15) Section 22-30 of this Code;

(16) Sections 24-12 and 34-85 of this Code;

(17) the Seizure Smart School Act; and

(18) Section 2-3.64a-10 of this Code; and .

(19) Section 10-22.25b of this Code.

The change made by Public Act 96-104 to this subsection (g) is declaratory of existing law.

(h) A charter school may negotiate and contract with a school district, the governing body of a State college or university or public community college, or any other public or for-profit or nonprofit private entity for: (i) the use of a school building and grounds or any other real property or facilities that the charter school desires to use or convert for use as a charter school site, (ii) the operation and maintenance thereof, and (iii) the provision of any service, activity, or undertaking that the charter school is required to perform in order to carry out the terms of its charter. However, a charter school that is established on or after April 16, 2003 (the effective date of Public Act 93-3) and that operates in a city having a population exceeding 500,000 may not contract with a for-profit entity to manage or operate the school during the period that commences on April 16, 2003 (the effective date of Public Act 93-3) and concludes at the end of the 2004-2005 school year. Except as provided in subsection (i) of this Section, a school district may charge a charter school reasonable rent for the use of the district's buildings, grounds, and facilities. Any services for which a charter school contracts with a school district shall be provided by the district at cost. Any services for which a charter school contracts with a local school board or with the governing body of a State college or university or public community college shall be provided by the public entity at cost.

(i) In no event shall a charter school that is established by converting an existing school or attendance center to charter school status be required to pay rent for space that is deemed available, as negotiated and provided in the charter agreement, in school district facilities. However, all other costs for the operation and maintenance of school district facilities that are used by the charter school shall be subject to negotiation between the charter school and the local school board and shall be set forth in the charter.

(j) A charter school may limit student enrollment by age or grade level.

(k) If the charter school is approved by the State Board or Commission, then the charter school is its own local education agency.

(Source: P.A. 100-29, eff. 1-1-18; 100-156, eff. 1-1-18; 100-163, eff. 1-1-18; 100-413, eff. 1-1-18; 100-468, eff. 6-1-18; 100-726, eff. 1-1-19; 100-863, eff. 8-14-18; 101-50, eff. 7-1-20; 101-81, eff. 7-12-19; 101-291, eff. 1-1-20; 101-531, eff. 8-23-19; 101-543, eff. 8-23-19; 101-654, eff. 3-8-21.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-2.3) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-2.3)

Sec. 34-2.3. Local school councils - Powers and duties. Each local school council shall have and exercise, consistent with the provisions of this Article and the powers and duties of the board of education, the following powers and duties:

1. (A) To annually evaluate the performance of the principal of the attendance center using a Board approved principal evaluation form, which shall include the evaluation of (i) student academic improvement, as defined by the school improvement plan, (ii) student absenteeism rates at the school, (iii) instructional leadership, (iv) the effective implementation of programs, policies, or strategies to improve student academic achievement, (v) school management, and (vi) any other factors deemed relevant by the local school council, including, without limitation, the principal's communication skills and ability to create and maintain a student-centered learning environment, to develop opportunities for professional development, and to encourage parental involvement and community partnerships to achieve school improvement;

(B) to determine in the manner provided by subsection (c) of Section 34-2.2 and subdivision 1.5 of this Section whether the performance contract of the principal shall be renewed; and

(C) to directly select, in the manner provided by subsection (c) of Section 34-2.2, a new principal (including a new principal to fill a vacancy) -- without submitting any list of candidates for that position to the general superintendent as provided in paragraph 2 of this Section -- to serve under a 4 year performance contract; provided that (i) the determination of whether the principal's performance contract is to be renewed, based upon the evaluation required by subdivision 1.5 of this Section, shall be made no later than 150 days prior to the expiration of the current performance-based contract of the principal, (ii) in cases where such performance contract is not renewed -- a direct selection of a new principal -- to serve under a 4 year performance contract shall be made by the local school council no later than 45 days prior to the expiration of the current performance contract of the principal, and (iii) a selection by the local school council of a new principal to fill a vacancy under a 4 year performance contract shall be made within 90 days after the date such vacancy occurs. A Council shall be required, if requested by the principal, to provide in writing the reasons for the council's not renewing the principal's contract.

1.5. The local school council's determination of whether to renew the principal's contract shall be based on an evaluation to assess the educational and administrative progress made at the school during the principal's current performance-based contract. The local school council shall base its evaluation on (i) student academic improvement, as defined by the school improvement plan, (ii) student absenteeism rates at the school, (iii) instructional leadership, (iv) the effective implementation of programs, policies, or strategies to improve student academic achievement, (v) school management, and (vi) any other factors deemed relevant by the local school council, including, without limitation, the principal's communication skills and ability to create and maintain a student-centered learning environment, to develop opportunities for professional development, and to encourage parental involvement and community partnerships to achieve school improvement. If a local school council fails to renew the performance contract of a principal rated by the general superintendent, or his or her designee, in the previous years' evaluations as meeting or exceeding expectations, the principal, within 15 days after the local school council's decision not to renew the contract, may request a review of the local school council's principal non-retention decision by a hearing officer appointed by the American Arbitration Association. A local school council member or members or the general superintendent may support the principal's request for review. During the period of the hearing officer's review of the local school council's decision on whether or not to retain the principal, the local school council shall maintain all authority to search for and contract with a person to serve as interim or acting principal, or as the principal of the attendance center under a 4-year performance contract, provided that any performance contract entered into by the local school council shall be voidable or modified in accordance with the decision of the hearing officer. The principal may request review only once while at that attendance center. If a local school council renews the contract of a principal who failed to obtain a rating of "meets" or "exceeds expectations" in the general superintendent's evaluation for the previous year, the general superintendent, within 15 days after the local school council's decision to renew the contract, may request a review of the local school council's principal retention decision by a hearing officer appointed by the American Arbitration Association. The general superintendent may request a review only once for that principal at that attendance center. All requests to review the retention or non-retention of a principal shall be submitted to the general superintendent, who shall, in turn, forward such requests, within 14 days of receipt, to the American Arbitration Association. The general superintendent shall send a contemporaneous copy of the request that was forwarded to the American Arbitration Association to the principal and to each local school council member and shall inform the local school council of its rights and responsibilities under the arbitration process, including the local school council's right to representation and the manner and process by which the Board shall pay the costs of the council's representation. If the local school council retains the principal and the general superintendent requests a review of the retention decision, the local school council and the general superintendent shall be considered parties to the arbitration, a hearing officer shall be chosen between those 2 parties pursuant to procedures promulgated by the State Board of Education, and the principal may retain counsel and participate in the arbitration. If the local school council does not retain the principal and the principal requests a review of the retention decision, the local school council and the principal shall be considered parties to the arbitration and a hearing officer shall be chosen between those 2 parties pursuant to procedures promulgated by the State Board of Education. The hearing shall begin (i) within 45 days after the initial request for review is submitted by the principal to the general superintendent or (ii) if the initial request for review is made by the general superintendent, within 45 days after that request is mailed to the American Arbitration Association. The hearing officer shall render a decision within 45 days after the hearing begins and within 90 days after the initial request for review. The Board shall contract with the American Arbitration Association for all of the hearing officer's reasonable and necessary costs. In addition, the Board shall pay any reasonable costs incurred by a local school council for representation before a hearing officer.

1.10. The hearing officer shall conduct a hearing, which shall include (i) a review of the principal's performance, evaluations, and other evidence of the principal's service at the school, (ii) reasons provided by the local school council for its decision, and (iii) documentation evidencing views of interested persons, including, without limitation, students, parents, local school council members, school faculty and staff, the principal, the general superintendent or his or her designee, and members of the community. The burden of proof in establishing that the local school council's decision was arbitrary and capricious shall be on the party requesting the arbitration, and this party shall sustain the burden by a preponderance of the evidence. The hearing officer shall set the local school council decision aside if that decision, in light of the record developed at the hearing, is arbitrary and capricious. The decision of the hearing officer may not be appealed to the Board or the State Board of Education. If the hearing officer decides that the principal shall be retained, the retention period shall not exceed 2 years.

2. In the event (i) the local school council does not renew the performance contract of the principal, or the principal fails to receive a satisfactory rating as provided in subsection (h) of Section 34-8.3, or the principal is removed for cause during the term of his or her performance contract in the manner provided by Section 34-85, or a vacancy in the position of principal otherwise occurs prior to the expiration of the term of a principal's performance contract, and (ii) the local school council fails to directly select a new principal to serve under a 4 year performance contract, the local school council in such event shall submit to the general superintendent a list of 3 candidates -- listed in the local school council's order of preference -- for the position of principal, one of which shall be selected by the general superintendent to serve as principal of the attendance center. If the general superintendent fails or refuses to select one of the candidates on the list to serve as principal within 30 days after being furnished with the candidate list, the general superintendent shall select and place a principal on an interim basis (i) for a period not to exceed one year or (ii) until the local school council selects a new principal with 7 affirmative votes as provided in subsection (c) of Section 34-2.2, whichever occurs first. If the local school council fails or refuses to select and appoint a new principal, as specified by subsection (c) of Section 34-2.2, the general superintendent may select and appoint a new principal on an interim basis for an additional year or until a new contract principal is selected by the local school council. There shall be no discrimination on the basis of race, sex, creed, color or disability unrelated to ability to perform in connection with the submission of candidates for, and the selection of a candidate to serve as principal of an attendance center. No person shall be directly selected, listed as a candidate for, or selected to serve as principal of an attendance center (i) if such person has been removed for cause from employment by the Board or (ii) if such person does not hold a valid administrative certificate issued or exchanged under Article 21 and endorsed as required by that Article for the position of principal. A principal whose performance contract is not renewed as provided under subsection (c) of Section 34-2.2 may nevertheless, if otherwise qualified and certified as herein provided and if he or she has received a satisfactory rating as provided in subsection (h) of Section 34-8.3, be included by a local school council as one of the 3 candidates listed in order of preference on any candidate list from which one person is to be selected to serve as principal of the attendance center under a new performance contract. The initial candidate list required to be submitted by a local school council to the general superintendent in cases where the local school council does not renew the performance contract of its principal and does not directly select a new principal to serve under a 4 year performance contract shall be submitted not later than 30 days prior to the expiration of the current performance contract. In cases where the local school council fails or refuses to submit the candidate list to the general superintendent no later than 30 days prior to the expiration of the incumbent principal's contract, the general superintendent may appoint a principal on an interim basis for a period not to exceed one year, during which time the local school council shall be able to select a new principal with 7 affirmative votes as provided in subsection (c) of Section 34-2.2. In cases where a principal is removed for cause or a vacancy otherwise occurs in the position of principal and the vacancy is not filled by direct selection by the local school council, the candidate list shall be submitted by the local school council to the general superintendent within 90 days after the date such removal or vacancy occurs. In cases where the local school council fails or refuses to submit the candidate list to the general superintendent within 90 days after the date of the vacancy, the general superintendent may appoint a principal on an interim basis for a period of one year, during which time the local school council shall be able to select a new principal with 7 affirmative votes as provided in subsection (c) of Section 34-2.2.

2.5. Whenever a vacancy in the office of a principal occurs for any reason, the vacancy shall be filled in the manner provided by this Section by the selection of a new principal to serve under a 4 year performance contract.

3. To establish additional criteria to be included as part of the performance contract of its principal, provided that such additional criteria shall not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, creed, color or disability unrelated to ability to perform, and shall not be inconsistent with the uniform 4 year performance contract for principals developed by the board as provided in Section 34-8.1 of the School Code or with other provisions of this Article governing the authority and responsibility of principals.

4. To approve the expenditure plan prepared by the principal with respect to all funds allocated and distributed to the attendance center by the Board. The expenditure plan shall be administered by the principal. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act or any other law, any expenditure plan approved and administered under this Section 34-2.3 shall be consistent with and subject to the terms of any contract for services with a third party entered into by the Chicago School Reform Board of Trustees or the board under this Act.

Via a supermajority vote of 7 members of the local school council or 8 members of a high school local school council, the Council may transfer allocations pursuant to Section 34-2.3 within funds; provided that such a transfer is consistent with applicable law and collective bargaining agreements.

Beginning in fiscal year 1991 and in each fiscal year thereafter, the Board may reserve up to 1% of its total fiscal year budget for distribution on a prioritized basis to schools throughout the school system in order to assure adequate programs to meet the needs of special student populations as determined by the Board. This distribution shall take into account the needs catalogued in the Systemwide Plan and the various local school improvement plans of the local school councils. Information about these centrally funded programs shall be distributed to the local school councils so that their subsequent planning and programming will account for these provisions.

Beginning in fiscal year 1991 and in each fiscal year thereafter, from other amounts available in the applicable fiscal year budget, the board shall allocate a lump sum amount to each local school based upon such formula as the board shall determine taking into account the special needs of the student body. The local school principal shall develop an expenditure plan in consultation with the local school council, the professional personnel leadership committee and with all other school personnel, which reflects the priorities and activities as described in the school's local school improvement plan and is consistent with applicable law and collective bargaining agreements and with board policies and standards; however, the local school council shall have the right to request waivers of board policy from the board of education and waivers of employee collective bargaining agreements pursuant to Section 34-8.1a.

The expenditure plan developed by the principal with respect to amounts available from the fund for prioritized special needs programs and the allocated lump sum amount must be approved by the local school council.

The lump sum allocation shall take into account the following principles:

a. Teachers: Each school shall be allocated funds equal to the amount appropriated in the previous school year for compensation for teachers (regular grades kindergarten through 12th grade) plus whatever increases in compensation have been negotiated contractually or through longevity as provided in the negotiated agreement. Adjustments shall be made due to layoff or reduction in force, lack of funds or work, change in subject requirements, enrollment changes, or contracts with third parties for the performance of services or to rectify any inconsistencies with system-wide allocation formulas or for other legitimate reasons.

b. Other personnel: Funds for other teacher certificated and uncertificated personnel paid through non-categorical funds shall be provided according to system-wide formulas based on student enrollment and the special needs of the school as determined by the Board.

c. Non-compensation items: Appropriations for all non-compensation items shall be based on system-wide formulas based on student enrollment and on the special needs of the school or factors related to the physical plant, including but not limited to textbooks, electronic textbooks and the technological equipment necessary to gain access to and use electronic textbooks, supplies, electricity, equipment, and routine maintenance.

d. Funds for categorical programs: Schools shall receive personnel and funds based on, and shall use such personnel and funds in accordance with State and Federal requirements applicable to each categorical program provided to meet the special needs of the student body (including but not limited to, Federal Chapter I, Bilingual, and Special Education).

d.1. Funds for State Title I: Each school shall receive funds based on State and Board requirements applicable to each State Title I pupil provided to meet the special needs of the student body. Each school shall receive the proportion of funds as provided in Section 18-8 or 18-8.15 to which they are entitled. These funds shall be spent only with the budgetary approval of the Local School Council as provided in Section 34-2.3.

e. The Local School Council shall have the right to request the principal to close positions and open new ones consistent with the provisions of the local school improvement plan provided that these decisions are consistent with applicable law and collective bargaining agreements. If a position is closed, pursuant to this paragraph, the local school shall have for its use the system-wide average compensation for the closed position.

f. Operating within existing laws and collective bargaining agreements, the local school council shall have the right to direct the principal to shift expenditures within funds.

g. (Blank).

Any funds unexpended at the end of the fiscal year shall be available to the board of education for use as part of its budget for the following fiscal year.

5. To make recommendations to the principal concerning textbook selection and concerning curriculum developed pursuant to the school improvement plan which is consistent with systemwide curriculum objectives in accordance with Sections 34-8 and 34-18 of the School Code and in conformity with the collective bargaining agreement.

6. To advise the principal concerning the attendance and disciplinary policies for the attendance center, subject to the provisions of this Article and Article 26, and consistent with the uniform system of discipline established by the board pursuant to Section 34-19.

7. To approve a school improvement plan developed as provided in Section 34-2.4. The process and schedule for plan development shall be publicized to the entire school community, and the community shall be afforded the opportunity to make recommendations concerning the plan. At least twice a year the principal and local school council shall report publicly on progress and problems with respect to plan implementation.

8. To evaluate the allocation of teaching resources and other certificated and uncertificated staff to the attendance center to determine whether such allocation is consistent with and in furtherance of instructional objectives and school programs reflective of the school improvement plan adopted for the attendance center; and to make recommendations to the board, the general superintendent and the principal concerning any reallocation of teaching resources or other staff whenever the council determines that any such reallocation is appropriate because the qualifications of any existing staff at the attendance center do not adequately match or support instructional objectives or school programs which reflect the school improvement plan.

9. To make recommendations to the principal and the general superintendent concerning their respective appointments, after August 31, 1989, and in the manner provided by Section 34-8 and Section 34-8.1, of persons to fill any vacant, additional or newly created positions for teachers at the attendance center or at attendance centers which include the attendance center served by the local school council.

10. To request of the Board the manner in which training and assistance shall be provided to the local school council. Pursuant to Board guidelines a local school council is authorized to direct the Board of Education to contract with personnel or not-for-profit organizations not associated with the school district to train or assist council members. If training or assistance is provided by contract with personnel or organizations not associated with the school district, the period of training or assistance shall not exceed 30 hours during a given school year; person shall not be employed on a continuous basis longer than said period and shall not have been employed by the Chicago Board of Education within the preceding six months. Council members shall receive training in at least the following areas:

1. school budgets;

2. educational theory pertinent to the attendance center's particular needs, including the development of the school improvement plan and the principal's performance contract; and

3. personnel selection.

Council members shall, to the greatest extent possible, complete such training within 90 days of election.

11. In accordance with systemwide guidelines contained in the System-Wide Educational Reform Goals and Objectives Plan, criteria for evaluation of performance shall be established for local school councils and local school council members. If a local school council persists in noncompliance with systemwide requirements, the Board may impose sanctions and take necessary corrective action, consistent with Section 34-8.3.

12. Each local school council shall comply with the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act. Each local school council shall issue and transmit to its school community a detailed annual report accounting for its activities programmatically and financially. Each local school council shall convene at least 2 well-publicized meetings annually with its entire school community. These meetings shall include presentation of the proposed local school improvement plan, of the proposed school expenditure plan, and the annual report, and shall provide an opportunity for public comment.

13. Each local school council is encouraged to involve additional non-voting members of the school community in facilitating the council's exercise of its responsibilities.

14. The local school council may adopt a school uniform or dress code policy that governs the attendance center and that is necessary to maintain the orderly process of a school function or prevent endangerment of student health or safety, consistent with the policies and rules of the Board of Education. A school uniform or dress code policy adopted by a local school council: (i) shall not be applied in such manner as to discipline or deny attendance to a transfer student or any other student for noncompliance with that policy during such period of time as is reasonably necessary to enable the student to acquire a school uniform or otherwise comply with the dress code policy that is in effect at the attendance center into which the student's enrollment is transferred; and (ii) shall include criteria and procedures under which the local school council will accommodate the needs of or otherwise provide appropriate resources to assist a student from an indigent family in complying with an applicable school uniform or dress code policy; and (iii) shall not include or apply to hairstyles, including hairstyles historically associated with race, ethnicity, or hair texture, including, but not limited to, protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists. A student whose parents or legal guardians object on religious grounds to the student's compliance with an applicable school uniform or dress code policy shall not be required to comply with that policy if the student's parents or legal guardians present to the local school council a signed statement of objection detailing the grounds for the objection. If a local school council does not comply with the requirements and prohibitions set forth in this paragraph 14, the attendance center is subject to the penalty imposed pursuant to subsection (a) of Section 2-3.25.

15. All decisions made and actions taken by the local school council in the exercise of its powers and duties shall comply with State and federal laws, all applicable collective bargaining agreements, court orders and rules properly promulgated by the Board.

15a. To grant, in accordance with board rules and policies, the use of assembly halls and classrooms when not otherwise needed, including lighting, heat, and attendants, for public lectures, concerts, and other educational and social activities.

15b. To approve, in accordance with board rules and policies, receipts and expenditures for all internal accounts of the attendance center, and to approve all fund-raising activities by nonschool organizations that use the school building.

16. (Blank).

17. Names and addresses of local school council members shall be a matter of public record.

(Source: P.A. 100-465, eff. 8-31-17.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 1, 2022.