R277-492-4. Superintendent Responsibilities

  (1) The Superintendent shall provide statewide supervision of the USTAR program and budget, based on USTAR objectives, Board funding priorities, and available funds.

  (2) The Superintendent shall solicit proposals from LEAs to participate in the USTAR grant program.

  (3) In order to qualify for funding, an LEA shall submit a proposal to the Superintendent by June 2 annually.

  (a) The Superintendent shall work with applicants that submit proposals early to improve proposals, to the extent of resources and time available.

  (b) The Superintendent shall deliver final charter school proposals to the State Charter School Board for review and recommendation.

  (4)(a) The State Charter School Board shall submit a consolidated request to the Superintendent, consistent with Subsection 53F-2-505(4), by June 20 annually.

  (b) The State Charter Board and State Charter Board staff shall work with charter school applicants that submit proposals early to improve proposals, to the extent of resources and time available.

  (5) The Superintendent shall receive all proposals from school districts, consider the consolidated request submitted by the State Charter Board as a proposal from one school district, and rank them on an objective scale or rubric prepared by the Superintendent.

  (6) The Superintendent may appoint an expert review panel to prioritize proposals and recommend proposals for funding.

  (7) The expert review panel, the Superintendent, or both, shall consider the priorities of Subsection 53F-2-505(5) in recommending and selecting the recipients, with the following objectives:

  (a) rural, urban, large, small, growing and declining school districts (considering the consolidated charter request as one school district) having unique circumstances;

  (b) as many pilot programs shall be funded as possible; and

  (c) funded proposals should address the objectives and benefits of Section 53F-2-505(1)(b).

  (8) The Superintendent shall review recommendations, make final recommendations to the Board for funding, and notify applicants that receive funding no later than July 31 annually.

  (9) The Superintendent shall provide funds to school districts/charter schools (or the consolidated charter recipient) consistent with Board distribution practices for grants.