Sec. 1. (a) This section does not apply to an existing public elementary or secondary school that the governing body of the school corporation in which the school is located has scheduled for closure.

(b) An existing public elementary or secondary school may be converted into a charter school if all of the following conditions apply:

(1) At least fifty-one percent (51%) of the parents of students who attend the school have signed a petition requesting the conversion, which must be completed not later than ninety (90) days after the date of the first signature.

(2) The school has been placed in either of the two (2) lowest categories or designations under IC 20-31-8-3 for two (2) consecutive years.

(3) The governing body votes to convert an existing school within the school corporation.

(c) Notwithstanding subsection (b), if a governing body operates a school that has been placed in either of the two (2) lowest categories or designations under IC 20-31-8-3 for four (4) consecutive years, the governing body may not serve as that charter school's authorizer.

(d) A conversion charter school shall continue to comply with all legal requirements concerning student diversity and treatment of children with special needs and accept all students who attended the school before its conversion and who wish to attend the conversion charter school. If any space remains, any student in Indiana may attend the conversion charter school.

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-5.5-11-1.]

As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.91-2011, SEC.24; P.L.280-2013, SEC.53.