(a) If a governing council of a state or local charter school plans to make a material change in the school’s operations, such governing council of such charter school shall submit, in writing, a request to amend the school’s charter to the State Board of Education. For purposes of this section, “material change” means a change that fundamentally alters a charter school’s mission, organizational structure or educational program, including, but not limited to, (1) altering the educational model in a fundamental way, (2) opening an additional school building, (3) contracting for or discontinuing a contract for whole school management services with a charter management organization, (4) renaming the charter school, (5) changing the grade configurations of the charter school, or (6) increasing or decreasing the total student enrollment capacity of the charter school by twenty per cent or more.

(b) In determining whether to grant a request by a state or local charter school to amend its charter to make a material change in the school’s operations, the Department of Education shall review the written request of the charter school, and solicit and review comments on such request from the local or regional board of education of the town in which such charter school is located. Upon a recommendation by the department to approve such request, the State Board of Education shall vote on such request not later than sixty days after the date of receipt of such request or as part of the charter renewal process for such charter school. The state board may approve such request by a majority vote of the members of the state board present and voting at a regular or special meeting of the state board called for such purpose, or for the purpose of considering whether to renew the charter of the charter school, pursuant to subsection (g) of § 10-66bb.

(c) If the material change requested by a state or local charter school is to increase the total student enrollment capacity of the charter school by twenty per cent or more, such charter school shall submit the request for such material change to the department not later than April first of the fiscal year two years prior to the fiscal year in which such material change would take effect. In determining whether to recommend approval of such request, the department shall consider (1) the financial feasibility of such increased enrollment, (2) such charter school’s performance, stewardship, governance and management, student population and legal compliance, and (3) any other factors the department deems relevant to such request.