Board members; orientation and training

(A) Within one year of taking office, all persons elected or appointed as members of a charter school board of trustees or a charter school authorizer board of trustees after July 1, 2026, shall complete successfully an orientation program. The program must include specific instruction on board member duties for compliance with this chapter, to include policy development, personnel, instructional programs, school finance, school law, state ethics laws, the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, and community relations. The orientation must be provided at no charge by the Department of Education or entity approved by the department. (B) Within ninety days of employment, an administrator employed by the charter school, who does not possess any previous charter school leadership experience, shall complete successfully an orientation program in the powers, duties, and responsibilities of a charter school administrator including, but not limited to, topics on personnel, instructional programs, school finance, school law including charter school law, board relations, South Carolina ethics, conflicts of interest, and community relations. The orientation must be provided at no charge by the Department of Education or an association approved by the department. (C) Authorizers may require members of a charter school board of trustees to complete governance training programs as specified and agreed upon in a charter school contract. (D) In addition to the orientation program provided by the Department of Education, each authorizer shall develop and implement an annual training program specifically designed for members of charter school governing boards. After the first year of taking office, a charter school board member must attend the annual training provided by the authorizer. The training program shall include information on laws, regulations, and fiduciary responsibilities that uniquely apply to charter schools and charter school authorizers. The Department of Education shall develop procedures for ensuring compliance with this section by both charter school board members and authorizers. (E) Members of any charter school board of trustees or authorizer board of trustees shall be subject to the provisions of Section 59-19-60.