No. 35453 (New Rule): Rule R277-482. Charter School Timelines and Approval Processes

(New Rule)

DAR File No.: 35453
Filed: 11/15/2011 05:46:44 PM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

The purpose of this new rule is to establish procedures for timelines and approval processes for charter schools.

Summary of the rule or change:

This new rule provides definitions, procedures for charter school applications and training, procedures for new or expanding charter school notification to prospective students and parents, times for charter school starting dates, procedures and timelines to change chartering entities, procedures for approved charter school expansion, and procedures for satellite school approval for charter schools.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Subsection 53A-1-401(3)
• Art X Sec 3
• Section 53A-1a-513

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

There are no anticipated costs or savings to the state budget. The new rule provides timelines and standards and procedures for approval processes, much of which were in another rule.

local governments:

There are no anticipated costs or savings to local government. The new rule provides timelines and standards and procedures for approval processes, much of which were in another rule.

small businesses:

There are no anticipated costs or savings to small businesses. This new rule applies to public education and does not affect businesses.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

There are no anticipated costs or savings to persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local government entities. The new rule provides timelines and standards and procedures for approval processes, much of which were in another rule.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There are no compliance costs for affected persons. The new rule provides timelines and standards and procedures for approval processes, much of which were in another rule.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

I have reviewed this rule and I see no fiscal impact on businesses.

Larry K. Shumway, State Superintendent

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Education
Administration
250 E 500 S
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84111-3272

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Carol Lear at the above address, by phone at 801-538-7835, by FAX at 801-538-7768, or by Internet E-mail at [e-mail]

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

01/03/2012

This rule may become effective on:

01/10/2012

Authorized by:

Carol Lear, Director, School Law and Legislation

RULE TEXT

R277. Education, Administration.

R277-482. Charter School Timelines and Approval Processes.

R277-482-1. Definitions.

A. "Amendment," for purposes of this rule, means a change or addition to the charter agreement.

B. "Board" means the Utah State Board of Education.

C. "Chartering entities" means entities that authorize a charter school under Section 53A-1a-501.3(2).

D. "Charter schools" means schools acknowledged as charter schools by chartering entities under Sections 53A-1a-515, 53A-1a-521, and this rule or by the Board under Section 53A-1a-505.

E. "Charter school agreement (charter agreement)" means the terms and conditions for the operation of an approved charter school. The charter school agreement shall be maintained at the USOE and is considered the final, official and complete agreement.

F. "Charter school application" means the official chartering document by which a prospective charter school seeks recognition and funding under Section 53A-1a-505. The application includes the basic elements of the charter to be established between the charter school and the chartering board.

G. "Charter school governing board" means the board designated by the charter school to make decisions for the operation of the school.

H. "Expansion" means a proposed ten percent increase of students or adding grade level(s) in an operating charter school at a single location.

I. "No Child Left Behind (NCLB)" means the federal law under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Title IX, Part A, 20 U.S.C. 7801.

J. "Satellite school" means a charter school affiliated with an operating charter school having a common governing board and a similar program of instruction, but located at a different site or in a different geographical area. The parent school and all satellites shall be considered a single local education agency (LEA) for purposes of public school funding and reporting.

K. "State Charter School Board" means the board designated in Section 53A-1a-501.5.

L. "USOE" means the Utah State Office of Education.

 

R277-482-2. Authority and Purpose.

A. This rule is authorized under Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3 which vests general control and supervision over public education in the Board, Section 53A-1a-513 which directs the Board to distribute funds for charter school students directly to the charter school, Section 53A-1-401(3) which allows the Board to adopt rules in accordance with its responsibilities, and 20 U.S.C., Section 8063(3) which directs the Board to submit specific information prior to charter schools' receipt of federal funds.

B. The purpose of this rule is to establish procedures for timelines and approval processes for charter schools.

 

R277-482-3. Charter School Application and Training.

A. All charter school applicants shall attend pre-application and planning year training sessions, as well as other training sessions designated by the State Charter School Board.

B. Pre-application training sessions shall be scheduled four times annually and may be available electronically, as determined by the State Charter School Board.

C. Charter schools and applicants that attend training sessions shall be eligible for additional funds, upon approval, in an amount to be determined by the State Charter School Board provided through federal charter school funds or a General Fund appropriation to the extent of funds available. Charter school applicants that attend training sessions may receive priority for approval from the State Charter School Board and the Board.

D. Training sessions shall provide information including:

(1) charter school implementation requirements;

(2) charter school statutory and Board requirements;

(3) charter school financial and data management requirements;

(4) charter school legal requirements;

(5) federal requirements for charter school funding; and

(6) other items as determined by the State Charter School Board.

 

R277-482-4. New or Expanding Charter School Notification to Prospective Students and Parents.

A. All new or expanding charter schools shall have available on its website and notify all families consistent with the schools' outreach plans described in the charter agreements of:

(1) the school's approved charter, purpose, focus and governance structure, including names, qualifications, and contact information of all governing board members;

(2) the number of new students that will be admitted into the school by grade;

(3) the proposed school calendar for the charter school, including at a minimum the first and last days of school, scheduled holidays, scheduled professional development days (no student attendance), and other scheduled non-school days;

(4) the charter school's timelines for acceptance of new students consistent with Section 53A-1a-506.5;

(5) the requirement and availability of a State-approved charter school student application;

(6) procedures for transferring to or from a charter school, together with applicable timelines; and

(7) provisions for payment, if required, of a one-time fee per secondary school enrollment, not to exceed $5.00, consistent with Section 53A-12-103.

B. New or expanding charter schools shall provide written notice of the information in R277-482-4A consistent with the school's outreach plan and on the school's website at least 180 days before the proposed opening day of school.

C. New or expanding charter schools shall have an operative and readily accessible electronic website providing information required under R277-482-4A in place. The completed charter school website shall be provided to the State Charter School Board for review at least 210 days prior to the proposed opening day of school and prior to posting the websites publicly.

D. The State Charter School Board and the Board shall, in the recommendation and approval process, consider and may give priority to charter school applications that target underserved student populations, or provide an innovative educational program, service, or setting as determined by the State Charter School Board, among traditional public schools and operating charter schools.

(1) Underserved student populations may include economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, students with Limited English Proficient (LEP), or students in remote areas of the state who have limited access to the full range of academic courses;

(2) Innovative educational opportunities shall be described on the State Charter School Board's website;

(3) Priority may also be given to charter school applicants for proposed schools that do not have other charter schools within the school district; and

(4) To be given priority, the charter school application and proposed employee and site information shall support the school's designated focus.

E. The Board shall have authority for final approval of all charter schools.

 

R277-482-5. Timelines - Charter School Starting Date.

A. The State Charter School Board shall accept a proposed starting date from a charter school applicant, or the State Charter School Board shall negotiate and recommend a starting date prior to recommending final charter approval to the Board.

B. Only charter schools approved within the state fiscal year two years prior to the state fiscal year it intends to serve students shall be eligible for state funds.

C. A state-chartered school shall acquire a facility and enter into a written agreement, or begin construction on a new or existing facility no later than January 1 of the year the school is scheduled to open.

D. Each charter school shall submit any lease, lease-purchase agreement, or other contract or agreement relating to the charter school's facilities or financing the charter school facilities to its chartering entity for review and advice prior to the charter school entering into the lease, agreement, or contract, consistent with Section 53A-1a-507(9).

E. A state-chartered school that intends to lease a facility requiring only minimal renovation shall enter into a written agreement no later than May 1 of the calendar year the school is scheduled to open.

F. If students are not enrolled and attending classes by October 1, a charter school shall not receive funding from the state for that school year.

G. Despite a charter school meeting starting dates, a charter school shall be required to satisfy R277-419 requirements of 180 days and 990 hours of instruction time, unless otherwise exempted by the Board under Section 53A-1a-511.

H. The Board may, following review of information, approve the recommended starting date or determine a different charter school starting date after giving consideration to the State Charter School Board recommendation.

 

R277-482-6. Procedures and Timelines to Change Chartering Entities.

A. A charter school may change chartering entities.

B. A charter school shall submit an application provided by the new chartering entity to the Board to request a new chartering entity at least three months prior to the proposed change.

C. The application may require some or all of the following, as determined by the new chartering entity:

(1) current board members and founding members;

(2) financial records, including most recent annual financial report (AFR), annual project report (APR) and audited financial statement;

(3) test scores, including U-PASS, Adequate Yearly Progress, and status under No Child Left Behind;

(4) current employees: identifying assignments and licensing status, if applicable;

(5) school calendar for previous school year and prospective school year;

(6) course offerings, if applicable;

(7) affidavits, signed by all board members providing or certifying (documentation may be required):

(a) the school's nondiscrimination toward students and employees;

(b) the school's compliance with all state and federal laws and regulations;

(c) that all information on application provided is complete and accurate;

(d) that school meets/complies with all health and safety codes/laws;

(e) that the school is current with all required policies (personnel, salaries, and fees), including board minutes for the most recent three months;

(f) that the school is operating consistent with the school's charter;

(g) that there are no outstanding lawsuits or judgments or identifying outstanding lawsuits filed or judgments against the school;

D. A charter school seeking to change chartering entities shall submit a position statement from the current chartering entity about school status, compliance with the chartering entity requirements and any unresolved concerns to the proposed new chartering entity.

E. An application for changing a chartering entity shall be reviewed for acceptance by the new chartering entity within 60 days of submission of complete application, including all required documentation.

F. The Board shall consider an application to change chartering entities to the State Charter School Board within 60 days of State Charter School Board approval, or next possible monthly Board meeting, whichever is sooner.

G. Final approval or denial of changing chartering entities to the State Charter School Board is final administrative action by the Board.

 

R277-482-7. Approved Charter School Expansion.

A. The following shall apply to requests for expansion from approved and operating charter schools:

(1) The school satisfies all requirements of federal and state law, regulations, Board rule and charter agreement.

(2) The approved charter agreement shall provide for an expansion consistent with the request; or

(3) The charter school governing board has submitted a formal amendment request to the State Charter School Board that provides documentation that:

(a) the school district in which the charter school is located has been notified of the proposed expansion and location of the school in the same manner as required in Section 53A-1a-505(1);

(b) the school can accommodate the expansion within existing facilities or that necessary structures will be completed, meeting all requirements of law and Board rule, by the proposed date of operation;

(c) the securing of the building site shall be verified by a real estate closing document, signed lease agreement, or other contract indicating a right of occupancy pursuant to R277-482-5C;

(d) failure to secure a site by the required date may, at the discretion of the State Charter School Board, delay the expansion for at least one school year;

(e) written certification that no later than 15 days after securing a building site, the charter school governing board shall notify the State Charter School board and school district of the specific school location;

(f) students at the school are performing on standardized assessments at or above the standard in the charter agreement; and

(g) adequate qualified administrators and staff shall be available to meet the needs of the increased number of students at the time the expansion is implemented.

B. If an expansion request requires a new facility, the request shall be submitted to the State Charter School Board before April 1 of the state fiscal year two state fiscal years prior to the date the school intends to expand.

C. If the expansion request does not require a new facility, the request shall be made before April 1 of the state fiscal year one state fiscal year prior to the intended expansion date.

D. Expansion requests shall be considered by the State Charter School Board as part of the total number of charter school students allowed under Section 53A-1a-502.5(1).

 

R277-482-8. Satellite School for Approved Charter Schools.

A. An existing charter school may submit an amendment request to the State Charter School Board for a satellite school no later than April 1 of the state fiscal year two state fiscal years prior to the date of the proposed implementation of the satellite if the charter school fully satisfies the following:

(1) The school currently satisfies all requirements of state law and Board rule;

(2) The school has operated successfully for at least three years meeting the terms of its charter agreement;

(3) Students at the school are performing on standardized assessments at or above the standard in the charter agreement;

(4) The proposed satellite school will provide educational services, assessment, and curriculum consistent with the services, assessment, and curriculum currently being offered at the existing charter school;

(5) Adequate qualified administrators, including at least one onsite administrator, and staff are available to meet the needs of the proposed student population at the satellite school;

(6) The school provides any additional information or documentation requested by the State Charter School Board or the Board.

(7) A satellite school that receives School LAND Trust funds shall have a School LAND Trust committee and satisfy all requirements for School LAND Trust committees consistent with R277-477.

B. The satellite school amendment request shall include the following:

(1) Written certification from the charter school governing board that the charter school currently satisfies all requirements of federal and state law, Board rule and charter agreement;

(2) A detailed explanation of the governance structure for the satellite school, including appointed or elected representation on the governing board;

(3) Information detailing the grades to be served, the number of students to be served and general information regarding the physical facilities anticipated to serve the school;

(4) A detailed financial plan for the satellite school;

(5) A signed acknowledgment by the charter school governing board certifying board members' understanding that a physical site for the building must be secured no later than January 1 of the year the satellite school is scheduled to open;

(a) the securing of the building site must be verified by a real estate closing document, signed lease agreement, or other contract indicating a right of occupancy pursuant to R277-482-5C;

(b) failure to secure a site by the required date may, at the discretion of the State Charter School Board, delay the opening of the satellite school for at least one academic year.

(6) Notification to both the school district in which the charter school is located and the school district of the proposed satellite school location in the same manner as required in Section 53A-1a-505(1);

(7) Written certification that no later than 15 days after securing a building site, the charter school governing board shall notify the school district in which the satellite school is located of the school location, grades served, and anticipated enrollment by grade with a copy of the notification sent to the State Charter School Board; and

(8) A signed acknowledgment by the charter school governing board that the board understands the satellite school shall be held to its own charter agreement, including academic and operational performance.

C. The approval of the satellite school by the State Charter School Board requires ratification by the State Board of Education and will expire 24 months following such ratification if a building site has not been secured for the satellite school.

 

KEY: training, timelines, expansion, satellite

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: 2012

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: Art X Sec 3; 53A-1a-513; 53A-1-401(3)

 

---