1.03 Charter Schools

Introduction

The board may elect to sponsor a charter school to serve any combination of grades Pre-k through 12 within the geographical boundaries of the district if it appears that the proposed charter would provide valuable opportunities for student learning. Charter schools sponsored by the district must be nonsectarian in all programs, including admission and employment practices. The board will not sponsor a charter school which is affiliated with a religious institution or private sectarian school.

If the charter contract is approved by both the district’s board of education and the governing board of the charter school, the charter school will be a fully recognized Oklahoma public school. The charter school will be able to serve as many students as specified in the charter contract.

District Responsibilities / Process

The administration will promptly review all charter school proposals which are submitted in accordance with this policy and the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act, Okla. Stat. tit. 70 § 3-130 (“Act”). The Act is incorporated herein by reference. At the conclusion of the review, the superintendent or his/her designee will prepare a written report which evaluates the proposal and makes a recommendation to the board regarding accepting or rejecting the proposed sponsorship.

The board shall either accept or reject sponsorship of a proposed charter school within ninety (90) days of receipt of the proposal. Applicants whose proposals are rejected are eligible to appeal as specified by the Act.

If the board recommends that an application be approved, the board will work cooperatively to develop a charter contract with the school. Once a contract is fully approved and executed, the district will monitor the charter school’s operation, including progress toward its goals and its fiscal operations. The district will also provide the Oklahoma State Department of Education a copy of the charter contract.

The board specifically retains all powers and duties granted to it by the Act.

Applicant / Charter School Responsibilities / Process

Applicants must be familiar with the requirements of the Act and this policy and submit a charter school proposal which meets all necessary requirements. Applicants whose proposals are recommended for sponsorship must work cooperatively with the district’s board to develop a charter contract.

The governing board of any approved charter school must work cooperatively with the district’s board in accordance with the terms of the charter. This includes, but is not limited to providing information, documentation, and reports required by the Act or as requested by the district.

Application and Charter Contract Development Process

 All charter school applications must be received in the superintendent’s office by September 1 (or the next workday if the superintendent’s office is closed on September 1) for a proposal to begin the following school year.

All charter school applications must utilize the template provided by the board and meet any deadlines established by the board. Any application which does not provide all required information in the prescribed format will be rejected. Any applicant which does not comply with stated timelines will be rejected.

Term and Renewal

An initial charter contract will be for a term of five (5) years. A charter contract may be renewed for addition five (5) year terms, or less, based on the performance, demonstrated capacities and particular circumstances of a charter school. Renewal proposals must be submitted before beginning the last contract year of operation as stated in an existing charter contract. A renewal proposal must contain, at a minimum:

• a complete progress report related to the charter school’s existing goals and objectives, including student achievement;
• a list of newly defined or continuing goals through the entirety of the proposed renewal period;
• any improvements the charter school has implemented or planned;
• a complete financial statement;
• copies of all annual financial audits;
• any other evidence the charter school wishes to provide to support the renewal application; and
• any other information requested by the district.

Failure to meet the renewal deadline will waive the renewal option, although the charter school may submit a regular application as outlined in this policy and Oklahoma law.

Prior to the beginning of the final year of the charter contract, the district will issue a performance report and renewal guidance which summarizes the charter school’s performance to date and outlines information regarding any issues which may negatively impact the charter school’s renewal. The guidance will provide information about the specific criteria which will guide the district’s decision related to the renewal. All renewal decisions will be based on the criteria established by the Act.

Termination

 The board may terminate a charter contract during its term for any of the following reasons:

• failure to meet student performance requirements contained in the charter contract;
• breach of the charter school contract;
• failure to meet specified or required fiscal management requirements;
• legal violations; or
• other good cause.

The district’s board will notify the charter school at least ninety (90) days prior to terminating a charter contract. If the charter school wishes to dispute the board’s decision, the governing body must make a written request for an informal hearing within fourteen (14) days of receipt of the notice. If, after the hearing, the district’s board still decides to terminate the charter contract, the charter school may pursue the remedies outlined in the Act to the extent legally permissible.

If a charter contract is terminated or not renewed, the charter school Will develop a transition team to work with the district to close the charter school in an orderly manner. This will include but not be limited to areas such as:

• transferring students, records, and school funds;
• regular communication with families, employees, and stakeholders;
• notifications pertinent to the closure; and
• general business related to the conclusion of the charter school’s work.

Regardless of the pending closure of any charter school, the charter school is required to continue to provide educational services pursuant to the terms of the charter for the duration of the school year in question.

Teacher Rights

Teachers will not lose any salary or benefit status provided by law upon returning to the district after teaching at a district-sponsored charter school. A teacher who leaves the district to teach at a district-sponsored charter school will also be given employment preference if the teacher re-applies for employment within three (3) years after ending employment with the district, contingent upon the availability of an appropriate position.

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Amended October 2015