Education, Administration

Rule R277-470

Charter Schools

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 35451
Filed: 11/15/2011 05:41:03 PM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This rule is amended to provide minor technical changes, remove several sections of the rule (which create a new rule) making this rule more manageable. (DAR NOTE: The proposed new Rule R277-481 is under DAR No. 35452 in this issue, December 1, 2011, of the Bulletin.)

Summary of the rule or change:

The amendment provides minor technical changes to the rule and removes several sections of the rule.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Section 53A-1-301
• Section 53A-1a-502.5
• Section 53A-1a-521
• Section 53A-1a-522
• Section 53A-11-605
• Section 62A-4a-403
• Section 53A-1a-501.3
• Section 53-8-211
• Subsection 53A-1-401(3)
• Art X, Sec 3
• Section 53A-1a-505
• Section 53A-1a-515
• Section 53A-1a-510
• Section 53A-1a-513
• Section 53A-1a-501.5
• Section 53A-1a-519

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

There are no anticipated costs or savings to the state budget. Minor technical changes and removal of sections of the rule to make this rule more manageable do not result in a cost or savings to the state.

local governments:

There are no anticipated cost or savings to local government. Minor technical changes and removal of sections of the rule do not result in a cost or savings to local government.

small businesses:

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

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

There are no anticipated cost or savings to persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local government entities. Minor technical changes and removal of sections of the rule do not result in a cost or savings to individuals.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There are no compliance costs for affected persons. Minor technical changes and removal of sections of the rule do not result in compliance costs.

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 [email protected]

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

R277. Education, Administration.

R277-470. Charter Schools - General Provisions.

R277-470-1. Definitions.

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

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

C. "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.

[D. "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.

E. "Charter school deficiencies" means the following information:

(1) a charter school is not satisfying financial obligations as required by Section 53A-1a-505 in the charter school's written contractual agreement;

(2) a charter school is not providing required documentation following reasonable warning;

(3) compelling evidence of fraud or misuse of funds by charter school governing board members or employees.

F. "Charter school founding member" or "founding member" means an individual who had a significant role in the initial development of the charter school up until the first instructional day of school, the first year of operation, as submitted in writing to the State Charter School Board the first day of operation.

] [G]D. "Charter school governing board" means the board designated by the charter school to make decisions for the operation of the school[ similar to a local board of education].

[ H. "Days" means calendar days, unless specifically designated.

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

[ J. "Local education agency (LEA)" means a local board of education, combination of school districts, other legally constituted local school authority having administrative control and direction of free public education within the state, or other entities as designated by the Board, and includes any entity with state-wide responsibility for directly operating and maintaining facilities for providing public education.

K. "Northwest Accreditation Commission accreditation" means the formal process for evaluation and approval under the Standards for Accreditation of the Northwest Accreditation Commission or the accreditation standards of the Board, available from the Utah State Office of Education Accreditation Specialist. Accreditation ensures that the credits/diploma a student earns is the result of a quality educational experience. The purpose of accreditation is to ensure excellence in education by holding schools accountable to rigorous standards and a process of continued improvement.

L. "Neighborhood or traditional school" for purposes of this rule, means a public, non-charter school.

M. "New charter school" as provided in Section 53A-21-401(5)(d) means any charter school through the first day of its second year with students, or a satellite school that requires a new location/campus.

] [N]F. "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.

[ O. "On-going funds" means funds that are appropriated annually by the Legislature with the expectation that the funds shall continue to be appropriated annually.

] [P]G. "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.

[Q]H. "State Charter School Board" means the board designated in Section 53A-1a-501.5.

[ R. "Superintendent" means the State Superintendent of Public Instruction as designated under 53A-1-301.

S. "Urgent facility need" as provided in Section 53A-21-401(5)(d) means an unexpected exigency that affects the health and safety of students such as:

(1) to satisfy an unforeseen condition that precludes a school's qualification for an occupancy permit; or

(2) to address an unforeseen circumstance that keeps the school from satisfying provisions of public safety, public health or public school code.

] [T]I. "USOE" means the Utah State Office of Education.

J. "Utah Consolidated Application (UCA)" means the web-based grants management tool employed by the Utah State Office of Education by which local education agencies submit plans and budgets for approval of the Utah State Office of Education.

[ U. "Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU)" means the unit of measure that is computed in accordance with the Minimum School Program Act for the purpose of distributing revenue on a uniform basis for each pupil.

]

R277-470-2. 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 authorizing, funding, and monitoring charter schools and for repealing charter school authorizations. The rule also establishes timelines as required by law to provide for adequate training for beginning charter schools.

 

R277-470-3. Maximum Authorized Charter School Students.

A. Local school boards and institutions of higher education may [not] approve [district-]charter[ed] schools [unless they]by notify ing the State Charter School Board by [August 15]April 1 of the calendar year two years prior to opening of proposed [district-]charter[ed] schools , [and estimated]including authorized numbers of students and other information as required in Sections 53A-1a-515 and 53A-1a-521.

B. The Board, in consultation with the State Charter School Board and chartering entities, may approve schools, expansions and satellite charter schools for the total number of students authorized under Section 53A-1a-502.5

C. The number of students requested from all chartering entities shall be considered as students are allocated by the State Charter School Board and approved by the Board.

 

[R277-470-4. Charter School Orientation and Training.

A. All charter school applicants shall attend orientation/training sessions designated by the State Charter School Board.

B. Orientation meetings shall be scheduled at least quarterly and be available electronically, as determined by the State Charter School Board.

C. Charter schools and applicants that attend orientation/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 and orientation sessions may receive priority for approval from the State Charter School Board and the Board.

D. Orientation/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.

 

R277-470-5. New or Expanding Charter School Notification to Prospective Students and Parents.

A. All charter schools opening or expanding by at least ten percent of overall enrollment or adding one or more grade levels shall notify all families consistent with the schools' outreach plans described in the charter agreements of:

(1) a new or expanding charter school's purpose, focus and governance structure, including names, qualifications, and contact information of 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, pre-scheduled professional development days (no student attendance), and other scheduled non-school days;

(4) the charter school's timelines for acceptance or rejection 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. Charter schools shall provide written notice of the information in R277-470-5A consistent with the school's outreach plan and at least 180 days before the proposed opening day of school.

C. Charter schools shall have an operative and readily accessible electronic website providing information required under R277-470-5A in place. The completed charter school website shall be provided to the State Charter School Board at least 180 days prior to the proposed opening day of school. The State Charter School Board shall require new charter schools to have websites that may be reviewed by the State Charter School Board prior to the schools posting the websites publicly.

 

R277-470-6. 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. A local or state-chartered school shall be approved by November 30, two years prior to the school year it intends to serve students in order to be eligible for state funds.

C. A local or 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. Each state-chartered 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).

D. 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.

E. 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 53A-1a-511.

F. 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.

 

R277-470-7. Remedying Charter School Financial Deficiencies.

A. Upon receiving credible information of charter school financial deficiencies, the State Charter School Board shall immediately direct a review or audit through the charter school governing board, by State Charter School Board staff, or by an independent auditor hired by the State Charter School Board.

B. The State Charter School Board or the Board through the State Charter School Board may direct a charter school governing board or the charter school administration to take reasonable action to protect state or federal funds consistent with Section 53A-1a-510.

C. The State Charter School Board or the Board in absence of the State Charter School Board action may:

(1) allow a charter school governing board to hold a hearing to determine financial responsibility and assist the charter school governing board with the hearing process;

(2) immediately terminate the flow of state funds; or

(3) recommend cessation of federal funding to the school;

(4) take immediate or subsequent corrective action with employees who are responsible for financial deficiencies; or

(5) any combination of the foregoing (1), (2), (3) and (4).

D. The recommendation by the State Charter School Board shall be made within 20 school days of receipt of complaint of deficiency(ies).

E. The State Charter School Board may exercise flexibility for good cause in making recommendation(s) regarding deficiency(ies).

F. The Board shall consider and affirm or modify the State Charter School Board's recommendation(s) for remedying a charter school's financial deficiency(ies) within 60 days of receipt of information from the State Charter School Board.

G. In addition to remedies provided for in Section 53A-1a-509, the State Charter School Board may provide for a remediation team to work with the school.

 

R277-470-8. Charter School Financial Practices and Training.

A. Charter school business and financial staff shall attend USOE required business meetings for charter schools.

B. Local charter school board members and directors shall be invited to all applicable Board-sponsored training, meetings, and sessions for traditional school district financial personnel/staff if charter schools supply current staff information and addresses and indicate the desire to attend.

C. The Board shall work with other education agencies to encourage their inclusion of charter school representatives at training and professional development sessions.

D. A charter school shall appoint a business administrator consistent with Sections 53A-3-302 and 303. The business administrator shall be responsible for the submission of all financial and statistical information required by the Board.

E. The Board may interrupt disbursements to charter schools for failure to comply with financial and statistical information required by law or Board rules.

F. Charter schools shall comply with the Utah State Procurement Code, Title 63G, Chapter 6.

G. Charter schools are not eligible for necessarily existent small schools funding under Section 53A-17a-109(2) and R277-445.

H. Charter schools shall comply with R277-471, Oversight of School Inspections.

 

R277-470-9. Procedures and Timelines for Schools Chartered by Local Boards to Convert to Board-Chartered Schools.

A. A charter school chartered initially by a local board of education shall notify the local board that it will seek Board approval for a state conversion to its charter with adequate notice for the local board to make staffing decisions.

B. A locally chartered school shall operate successfully for at least nine months prior to applying for conversion to a Board chartered school.

C. A charter school shall submit an application to convert from a locally chartered school to a Board chartered school to the State Charter School Board; the State Charter School Board shall provide an application for schools seeking to convert.

D. The application may require some or all of the following, depending upon the school's longevity, successful operation and existing documentation at the USOE:

(1) current board members and founding members;

(2) audit and financial records:

(a) record of state payments received;

(b) record of contributions received by the school from inception to date;

(c) test scores, including calendar of testing;

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

(e) student lists, including home addresses or uniform student identifiers for current students;

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

(g) course offerings, if applicable;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(vii) the school's Annual Yearly Progress status under No Child Left Behind;

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

(ix) that the previous local board of education supports or does not support conversion;

E. Applications for conversion from locally chartered to Board chartered shall be considered by the State Charter School Board within 60 days of submission of complete applications, including all required documentation.

F. Following approval by the State Charter School Board, proposals of charter schools seeking conversion approval shall be submitted to the Board for review.

G. If an applicant is not accepted for conversion, the State Charter School Board shall provide adequate information for the charter school to review and revise its proposal and reapply no sooner than nine months from the previous conversion application.

H. The Board shall consider the conversion application within 45 days of State Charter School Board approval, or next possible monthly Board meeting, whichever is sooner.

I. Final approval or denial of conversion is final administrative action by the Board.

 

]R277-470-[10]4. Charter Schools and NCLB Funds.

A. Charter schools that desire to receive NCLB funds shall comply with the requirements of R277-470-[11]4.

B. To obtain its allocation of NCLB formula funds, a charter school shall complete all appropriate sections of the Utah Consolidated Application (UCA) and identify its economically disadvantaged students in the October upload of the Data Clearinghouse.

C. If the school does not operate a federal school lunch program, the school:

(1) shall determine the economically disadvantaged status for its students on the basis of criteria no less stringent than those established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for identifying students who qualify for reduced price lunch for the fiscal year in question; or

(2) may use the Charter School Declaration of Household Income form provided by the USOE for this purpose.

D. A school which does not use the form shall maintain equivalent documentation in its records, which may be subject to audit.

 

R277-470-[11]5. Charter School Parental Involvement.

A. Charter schools shall encourage and provide opportunities for parental involvement in management decisions at the school level.

B. Charter schools that elect to receive School LAND Trust funds shall have a committee consisting of a majority of parents elected from parents of students currently attending the charter school that is designated to make decisions about the School LAND Trust funds consistent with R277-477-3E.

 

[R277-470-12. Charter School Oversight and Monitoring.

A. The State Charter School Board shall provide direct oversight to the state's Board chartered schools, including:

(1) requiring and using a performance framework adopted by the State Charter School Board as a framework for measuring charter school quality;

(2) requiring that all charter schools shall be members of and accredited by Northwest Accreditation Commission;

(3) annual review of student achievement indicators for all schools, disaggregated for various student subgroups;

(4) quarterly review of summary financial records and disbursements and student enrollment;

(5) annual review conducted through site visits or random audits of personnel matters such as employee licensure and evaluations;

(6) regular review of other matters specific to effective charter school operations as determined by the USOE charter school staff;

(7) audits and investigations of claims of fraud or misuse of public assets or funds; and

(8) requiring that charter schools are in compliance with their charter agreement, as maintained by the USOE. It is presumed that the charter agreement maintained by the USOE is the final, official and complete agreement.

B. The Board may review or revoke charter school authorization based upon factors that may include:

(1) failure to meet measures of charter school quality which includes adherence to a performance framework required and monitored by the State Charter School Board;

(2) financial deficiencies or irregularities; or

(3) persistently low student achievement inconsistent with comparable schools; or

(4) failure of the charter school to comply with state law, Board rules, or directives; or

(5) failure to comply with currently approved charter commitments.

C. All charter schools shall amend their charters by January 1, 2011 to include the following statement:

To the extent that any charter school's charter conflicts with applicable federal or state law or rule, the charter shall be interpreted and enforced to comply with such law or rule and all other provisions of the charter school shall remain in full force and effect.

D. A charter school shall notify the Board and the chartering entity of any and all lawsuits filed against the charter school within 30 days of the filing of the lawsuit.

E. District charter school authorizers shall:

(1) visit a charter school at least once during its first year of operation;

(2) visit a charter school as determined in the review process; and

(3) provide written reports to the charter schools after the visits.

 

R277-470-13. Approved Charter School Expansion.

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

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

(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 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 school currently satisfies all requirements of state law and Board rule including adequate insurance, adequate parental involvement, compliance with all fiscal requirements, and adequate services for all special education students at the school;

(d) students at the school are performing on standardized assessments at an acceptable level with stable scores or scores showing an upward trend;

(e) 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. The charter school governing board shall file a request with the State Charter School Board for an expansion no later than April 1 two years prior to the date of the proposed implementation of the expansion.

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

 

R277-470-14. 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 two 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 including adequate insurance, adequate parental involvement, compliance with all fiscal requirements, and adequate services for all special education students at the school;

(2) The school has operated successfully for at least three years;

(3) Students at the school are performing on standardized assessments at an acceptable level with stable scores or scores showing an upward trend;

(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) The school shall be financially stable; there have been no repeat findings of deficiencies on required outside audits for at least two consecutive years;

(6) 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 site school;

(7) The school has had an audit by Charter School Section staff regarding performance of the current charter agreement, contractual agreements, and financial records; and

(8) The school provides any additional information or documentation requested by the Charter School Section staff or the Board.

(9) 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 state law and Board rule;

(2) A detailed explanation of the governance structure for the satellite school, including appointed or elected representation on the governing board, parental involvement and professional staff involvement in implementing the educational plan;

(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 R277-470-7C;

(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 charter school 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 accountable for its own AYP report and disaggregated financial data and reports.

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.

D. A charter school may not apply for more than three satellite locations.

 

] R277-470-[15]6. Transportation.

A. Charter schools are not eligible for to-and-from school transportation funds.

B. A charter school that provides transportation to students shall comply with Utah law Section 53-8-211.

C. A school district may provide transportation for charter school students on a space-available basis on approved routes.

[ (1) School districts may not incur increased costs or displace eligible students to transport charter school students.

(2) A charter school student shall board and leave the bus only at existing designated stops on approved bus routes or at identified destination schools.

(3) A charter school student shall board and leave the bus at the same stop each day.

] [(4)]D. Charter school students and their parents who participate in transportation by the school district as guests shall receive notice of applicable district transportation policies and may forfeit with no recourse the privilege of transportation for violation of the policies.

 

[R277-470-16. Appeals Criteria and Procedures.

A. Only an operating charter school, a charter school that has been recommended by the State Charter School Board to the Board, or a charter school applicant that has met State Charter School Board requirements for review by the full State Charter School Board, may appeal State Charter School Board administrative decisions or recommendations to the Board.

B. Only the following State Charter School Board administrative decisions or recommendations may be appealed to the Board:

(1) recommendation for termination of a charter;

(2) recommendation for denial of expansions or satellite schools;

(3) recommendation for denial of local charter board proposed changes to approved charters;

(4) recommendation for denial or withholding of funds from local charter boards; and

(5) recommendation for denial of a charter.

C. No other issues may be appealed.

D. Appeals procedures and timelines

(1) The State Charter School Board shall, upon taking any of the administrative actions under R277-470-17A:

(a) provide written notice of denial to the charter school or approved charter school;

(b) provide written notice of appeal rights and timelines to the local charter board chair or authorized agent; and

(c) post information about the appeals process on the State Charter School Board website and provide training to prospective charter school board members and staff regarding the appeals procedure.

(2) A local charter school board chair or authorized agent (appellant) may submit a written appeal to the State Superintendent within 14 calendar days of the State Charter School Board administrative action or recommendation.

(3) The Superintendent shall, in consultation with the Board chair, designate three to five Board members and a hearing officer, who is not a Board member, to act as an objective hearing panel.

(4) The hearing officer, in consultation with the Superintendent, shall set a hearing date and provide notice to all parties, including the State Charter School Board staff and State Charter School Board.

(5) The Hearing shall be held no more than 45 days following receipt of the written appeal.

(6) The hearing officer shall establish procedures that provide fairness for all parties, which may include:

(a) a request for parties to provide a written explanation of the appeal and related information and evidence;

(b) a determination of time limits and scope of testimony and witnesses;

(c) a determination for recording the hearing;

(d) preliminary decisions about evidence; and

(e) decisions about representation of parties.

(7) The hearing panel shall make written findings and provide an appeal recommendation to the Board no more than 10 calendar days following the hearing.

(8) The Board shall take action on the hearing report findings at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting.

(9) The recommendation of the State Charter School Board shall be in place pending the conclusion of the appeals process, unless the Superintendent in her sole discretion, determines that the State Charter School Board's recommendation or failure to act presents a serious threat to students or an imminent threat to public property or resources.

(10) All parties shall work to schedule and conclude hearings as fairly and expeditiously as possible.

(11) The Board's acceptance or rejection of the hearing report is the final administrative action on the issue.

 

]R277-470-[17]7. Miscellaneous Provisions.

[ A. 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, among traditional public schools and operating charter schools.

(1) Underserved student populations may include low income students, students with disabilities, English Language Learners (ELL), or students in remote areas of the state who have limited access to the full range of academic courses;

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

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

] [B]A. The State Charter School Board shall provide a form on its website for individuals to report threats to health, safety[,] or welfare of students consistent with Section 53A-1a-510(3).

(1) Individuals making reports shall be directed to report suspected criminal activity to local law enforcement and suspected child abuse to local law enforcement or the Division of Child and Family Services consistent with Sections 62A-4a-403 and 53A-11-605([4]3(a)).

(2) Additionally, [I]individuals may report threats to the health, safety[,] or welfare of students to the [local] charter school governing board.

(a) reports shall be made in writing;

(b) reports shall be timely;

(c) anonymous reports shall not be reviewed further.

(3) [Local c]Charter school governing boards shall verify that potential criminal activity or suspected child abuse has been reported consistent with state law and this rule.

(4) [Local c]Charter school governing boards shall act promptly to investigate disciplinary action, if appropriate, against students who may be participants in threatening activities or take appropriate and reasonable action to protect students or both.

C. The Board shall have authority for final approval of all charter schools. All charter schools shall be subject to accountability standards established by the Board and to monitoring and auditing by the Board.

 

KEY: education, charter schools

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [February 22, 2011]2012

Notice of Continuation: October 10, 2008

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: Art X, Sec 3; 53A-1a-515; 53A-1a-505; 53A-1a-513; [ 53A-1a-502; ]53A-1-401(3); 53A-1a-510; [ 53A-1a-509; 41-6-115; 53A-1a-506; 53A-21-401; ]53A-1a-519; [ 53A-1a-520; ]53A-1a-501.5; 53A-1-301; 53A-1a-502.5; [ 53A-1a-506.5; 53A-12-103; 53A-11-504; 53A-11-903; 53A-11-904; 53A-1a-511; 53A-1-302 and 303; 53A-17a;109; ]53-8-211; 62A-4a-403; 53A-11-605 ; 53A-1a-522; 53A-1a-521; 53A-1a-501.3