(a) A school that is designated a school of innovation shall:
(1) Ensure that the same health, safety, civil rights, and disability rights requirements are in place as those that apply to all other public schools;
(2) Ensure that the high school curriculum offered meets or exceeds the minimum high school graduation requirements adopted by the State Board of Education;
(3) Adhere to financial audits, audit procedures, and audit requirements adopted by the state board for public school districts;
(4) Require criminal background checks for school employees and volunteers as required by law for public school districts;
(5) Comply with open records and open meeting requirements;
(6) Comply with purchasing limitations and requirements;
(7)
(A) Provide instructional time that meets or exceeds the instructional time requirement adopted by the state board unless granted an exception by the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education.
(B) Instructional time may include on-site instruction, distance or virtual learning, and work-based learning on nontraditional school days or hours;
(8) Provide data requested by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education to generate reports;
(9) Adhere to The Teacher Fair Dismissal Act of 1983, § 6-17-1501 et seq.;
(10) Comply with state law and rules regarding the education of gifted and talented students; and
(11) Demonstrate research-based implementation of professional learning communities throughout the school that address the needs of the students and professionals.
(b)
(1) Before a public school district submits a school of innovation plan to the commissioner, the eligible employees of each proposed school of innovation shall vote on whether the school shall be designated a school of innovation.
(2) A minimum of sixty percent (60%) of the eligible employees voting in support of the school's designation as a school of innovation is required before the school's innovation plan may be submitted to the school district board of directors for approval.
(3) The school council of innovation shall be responsible for conducting the vote required under subdivision (b)(1) of this section.
(c) A school of innovation plan may request exemptions from local policies and specific laws and rules approved for exemption or modification by the state board except The Teacher Fair Dismissal Act of 1983, § 6-17-1501 et seq.
(d) A public school district with a negotiated employment contract in place shall follow the procedure set forth within the contract that allows the implementation of a school of innovation.