STATEHOUSE (Jan. 29, 2013) — Legislation authored by State Sen. Dennis Kruse (R-Auburn) to clarify and improve the process of selling unused public school buildings passed the Senate today by a vote of 48-0.

Currently, the law on public school building sales authorizes a school corporation to sell a vacant or unused school building after it is made available to a charter school for at least 48 months. Senate Bill 135 would reduce that waiting period to two years and allow school corporations to receive a waiver to sell an unused building immediately if no charter school objects.

“Two years ago, lawmakers passed legislation allowing charter schools to get the first opportunity at vacant school buildings so that these facilities had a better chance of continuing to be used for their intended purpose: the education of our children,” Kruse said. “The intent of that legislation was good, but since then, state leaders have seen the need to tweak the process. My bill maintains the practice of trying to return vacant school buildings to educational use, but it allows for exceptions when a community has a better chance of seeing a building used for another beneficial purpose.”

SB 135 also provides that if the charter school chooses to sell a facility after purchasing it from a school corporation, the charter school must transfer the profit to the original school corporation.

“This provision is all about accountability,” Kruse said. “It would be an abuse of legislators’ intent if a charter school were to buy a school building at a discounted price and then turn around and sell it for a profit. Legislators are seeking to ensure such a scenario will never happen.”

The bill now moves to the House of Representatives where it is sponsored by Reps. Matthew Lehman (R-Berne), Phyllis Pond (R-New Haven) and Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne).