Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 9, September, 2024
C.
NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED CHARTER SCHOOL
The applicant for the proposed charter school, if approved by
the authorizer, agrees to operate the educational program described below in
accordance with the provisions described within this document, Arkansas Code
Annotated §
6-23-101 et seq., the State Board
of Education Rules Governing Public Charter Schools, and the attached
assurances.
Provide a narrative description of the various components of
the proposed charter school by responding to the following prompts:
1. Describe the results of the public
hearing, which was held for the purpose of assessing support for the
establishment of this public charter school. Provide copies of supporting
evidence.
Applicant Response:
Attach documentation to demonstrate that each of the following
requirements of Arkansas Code Annotated §
6-23-302 was met:
A. The notice of the public hearing was
published on a weekly basis for at least three (3) consecutive weeks prior to
the date of the hearing in a newspaper having general circulation in the school
district in which the school will likely be located.
B. The notice of the public hearing was not
published in the classified or legal notice section of the newspaper.
C.
The last publication date
of the notice was no less than seven days prior to the public
meeting.
D. Within
seven calendar days following the first publication of the notice of the public
hearing, emails announcing the public hearing were sent to the superintendent
of each of the school districts from which the open- enrollment public charter
school is likely to draw students for the purpose of enrollment and the
superintendent of any district that is contiguous to the district in which the
open-enrollment public charter school will be located.
2. Describe the governing structure of the
open-enrollment charter school, including board composition, selection process,
and responsibilities. Also describe the role of the administrators, faculty,
parents, students, and community members in the leadership and decision-making
of the school. As part of your response, answer the following specific
questions:
A. Identify what individual, job
position(s), or entity(s) will have final decision-making authority for the
school in the areas of (1) finance and purchasing; (2) student discipline; (3)
hiring and firing of staff; and (4) hiring and firing of the school director or
superintendent.
B. Specify how the
final decision-maker(s) identified in response to (A)(3) will be selected or
elected, including (1) length of term, (2) method of selection or election, and
(3) who will have the authority to participate in the selection or election
process.
C. Explain how and to what
extent the school's leadership will be accountable to parents.
Applicant Response:
3. Give the mission statement for the
proposed charter school.
Applicant Response:
4. Describe the educational need for the
school by responding to the following prompts.
Complete the following charts to include 2014 literacy and
mathematics performance assessment data and graduation rates for the district
in which the charter would be located and the schools closest to the proposed
charter.
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DISTRICT DATA - DISTRICT IN WHICH THE CHARTER WOULD BE
LOCATED
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District Name
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District Status
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LITERACY
2014 ESEA Report Percentage Achieving or
Advanced
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MATH
2014 ESEA Report Percentage Achieving or
Advanced
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Graduation Rate 2013-2014 2014 Report Card Percent
Graduated
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All Students (Combined)
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Targeted Achievement Gap Group
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African American
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Hispanic
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White/Caucasian
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Economically Disadvantaged
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English Language Learners/ Limited English
Proficient
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Students with Disabilities
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CAMPUS DATA - ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLOSEST TO THE PROPOSED
CHARTER LOCATION
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District Name
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Campus Name
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Grade Levels
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Campus Status
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LITERACY
2014 ESEA Report Percentage Achieving or
Advanced
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MATH
2014 ESEA Report Percentage Achieving or
Advanced
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All Students (Combined)
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Targeted Achievement Gap Group
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African American
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Hispanic
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White/Caucasian
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Economically Disadvantaged
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English Language Learners/ Limited English
Proficient
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Students with Disabilities
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CAMPUS DATA-MIDDLE SCHOOL CLOSEST TO THE PROPOSED
CHARTER LOCATION
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District Name
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Campus Name
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Grade Levels
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Campus Status
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LITERACY
2014 ESEA Report Percentage Achieving or
Advanced
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MATH
2014 ESEA Report Percentage Achieving or
Advanced
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All Students (Combined)
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Targeted Achievement Gap Group
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African American
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Hispanic
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White/Caucasian
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Economically Disadvantaged
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English Language Learners/ Limited English
Proficient
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Students with Disabilities
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CAMPUS DATA- HIGH SCHOOL CLOSEST TO THE PROPOSED
CHARTER LOCATION
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District Name
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Campus Name
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Grade Levels
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Campus Status
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LITERACY
2014 ESEA Report Percentage Achieving or
Advanced
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MATH
2014 ESEA Report Percentage Achieving or
Advanced
|
Graduation Rate 2013-2014 2014 Report Card Percent
Graduated
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All Students (Combined)
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Targeted Achievment Gap Group
|
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African American
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Hispanic
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White/Caucasian
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Economically Disadvantaged
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English Language Learners/ Limited English
Proficient
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Students with Disabilities
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Explain the educational need for the charter in light of the
academic performance by the district in which the charter would be located and
at the schools closest to the charter and other significant factors. Be certain
to include the source for information presented.
Applicant Response:
If the performance of students at schools and or/districts not
noted in the previous charts demonstrate the need for the charter, provide the
student performance data and its source and explain.
Applicant Response:
Describe three (3) innovations that will distinguish the
charter from other schools.
Applicant Response:
5. On the following table, list the specific
measurable goals in reading, reading comprehension, and mathematics, based on
the state mandated assessments, and any other assessment tools if used, for
improving student academic achievement for each year of the public charter
school's initial five-year period. For each goal, include the following:
* The tool to be used to measure the academic
performance;
* The level of performance that will demonstrate success;
and
* The timeframe for the achievement of the goal.
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GOAL
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Assessment Instrument for Measuring
Performance
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Performance Level that Demonstrates
Achievement
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When Attainment of the Goal Will Be
Assessed
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Explain how the attainment of the goals will demonstrate that
the charter is meeting the identified educational need for the school and
fulfilling its mission.
Applicant Response:
6. For elementary charter schools provide a
daily schedule for all grade levels indicating the classes that will be
provided for a one week time period.
For secondary schools, provide required and elective courses
for every grade level. If the school plans to phase in grade levels, include
expansion grade levels by year with courses to be offered.
Applicant Response:
7. Provide a description of curriculum,
programs, and instructional methods used to support core classes.
Include all associated costs in the proposed
budget.
Applicant Response:
8. Describe the process that will be used to
ensure all curriculum materials used in the educational program are aligned
with the Arkansas Curriculum Frameworks and the Common Core state standards as
adopted, and periodically revised, by the State Board of Education.
Applicant Response:
9. Describe the manner in which the school
will make provisions for the following student services, even in each area for
which a waiver is requested:
A) Guidance
program;
Applicant Response:
B) Health services;
Applicant Response:
C) Media center;
Applicant Response:
D) Special education;
Applicant Response:
E) Transportation;
Applicant Response:
F) Alternative education, including
Alternative Learning Environments;
Applicant Response:
G) English Language Learner (ELL)
instruction
Applicant Response:
H) Gifted and Talented Program.
Applicant Response:
10. Describe the geographical area to be
served by the charter. List all school districts within the geographical area
likely to be affected by the open-enrollment public charter school.
Applicant Response:
11. Describe the plan for the school
officials to provide an annual report to parents, the community, and the
authorizer that demonstrates the progress made by the charter school during the
previous academic year in meeting its academic performance objectives.
(See ADE Rules Governing Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public
Schools and School Districts.)
Applicant Response:
12. Describe the enrollment criteria and
recruitment processes, that will provide an equal opportunity for all parents
and students to learn about and apply for admission to the proposed public
charter school.
Applicant Response:
Check which of the following enrollment preferences, as
permissible in Arkansas Code Annotated §
6-23-306(14)(C),
would be allowed at the charter school.
[] 1. Children of founding members of the charter.
[] 2. Siblings of enrolled students
[] 3. No enrollment preferences (No other boxes may be checked
in order to select this option.)
If box 1 and/or 2 are checked, explain the policy.
Applicant Response:
It is affirmed that a random, anonymous student selection
method will be utilized in the event that more students apply for admission to
the open-enrollment public charter school than can be accommodated under the
terms of the charter, except as allowed for in Arkansas Code Annotated §
6-23-306(14)(C).
[] Yes
[] No
Describe procedures for conducting an annual single lottery
enrollment process, including the timeline for enrolling, the date of the
lottery, the way in which students will be placed on waiting lists, and the
process for notifying parents about each child's selection or order on the
waiting list. Explain how the charter will ensure that the lottery process is
transparent to the public.
Applicant Response:
If it is believed that the use of a weighted lottery is
required by federal court or administrative order, explain and furnish a copy
of the order.
Applicant Response:
13. Name any founders or board members of the
proposed charter's sponsoring entity, management company staff, and/or leaders
of the proposed charter who have any prior involvement in the operation of one
or more other charter schools and complete a Prior Charter Involvement
template for each individual listed.
Applicant Response:
14. Summarize the job descriptions of the
school director and other key personnel. Specify the qualifications to be met
by professional employees (administrators, teachers, counselors, etc.) of the
program. List the types of administrative positions, teaching positions, and
support positions for the school.
Applicant Response:
15. Explain how the school will conduct its
business office. Tell about business office personnel and describe the plan for
managing procurement activities, and the process by which the school governance
will adopt an annual budget.
Applicant Response:
Complete the budget template showing a balanced budget with
realistic expectations of revenue and expenditures.
Provide the minimum number of students who must attend the
charter in order for the school to be financially viable. Describe the method
used to calculate this number. Tell who made the calculations and describe the
financial expertise of the individuals who assisted in this assessment.
Describe the contingency plan if fewer students than necessary
for financial viability enroll before the first day of school. Provide a
detailed explanation of the ways in which the charter leaders will provide the
education program outlined in the application to fewer students that determined
necessary for financial viability or a date certain by which charter leaders
will notify the parents, leaders of surrounding districts and open-enrollment
charters, and staff at the Arkansas Department of Education that the school
will not open as anticipated.
Explain how charter leaders will provide the education program
outlined in the application if enough students for financial viability enroll
and are admitted but fail to arrive when school begins.
Describe preparations to pay for any unexpected, but necessary
and possibly urgent expenses.
Applicant Response:
16. Describe the manner in which an annual
audit of the financial and programmatic operations of the school will be
conducted. If the school wishes to request that the authorizer allow a licensed
accountant or licensed certified public accountant, rather than the Legislative
Auditor, to perform the first-year audit, identify the accountant by name,
firm, address, and phone number. The named accountant must meet the
requirements of ADE Rules Governing Publicly Funded Educational Institution
Audit Requirements, including the prohibition on auditors providing non-audit
services (such as accounting or consulting services) to auditees. A school's
preference as stated in this application may not be changed without prior
approval of the authorizer.
Applicant Response:
17. It is affirmed that the public charter
school will participate in the Arkansas Public School Computer Network, as
required by state statute and by State Board of Education rule, for reporting
both education data and financial data, including grant funds or private
donations received directly by the charter school.
[] Yes
[] No
18.
Describe the facilities to be used. Give the present use of the facility. If
the facility to be used for the school is a facility of a school district,
describe the terms established by the local school board of the district
stipulating the relationship between the proposed public charter school and the
district pertaining to the use of the facility. Attach a copy of the agreement,
signed by the president of the local school board, the chair or president of
the governing body of the proposed open-enrollment public charter school, and
the chief operating officer of the proposed charter. If the facility is not
operated by a school district, attach a copy of the Facilities Utilization
Agreement, signed by the entity owning or operating the facility and the chief
operating officer of the proposed charter. A proposed lease may also be
submitted but is not required. Please note that any lease or other debt must be
approved by the Commissioner of Education.
Applicant Response:
Identify the owner(s) of the proposed facility and describe
their relationship, if any, with:
(1)
Members of the local board of the public school district where the proposed
open-enrollment public charter school will be located,
(2) Employees of the public school district
where the proposed open-enrollment public charter school will be
located,
(3) The eligible entity
sponsoring the open-enrollment public charter school, or
(4) Employees/directors/administrators of the
sponsoring entity or proposed open-enrollment public charter school.
Applicant Response:
The facility will be in compliance with all requirements for
accessibility in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and all other state and
federal laws and local zoning ordinances.
[] Yes
[] No
If the facility does not currently meet these requirements,
provide a list of items that will need to be addressed to bring the facility
into compliance. Also include a statement of permissible uses for the facility
from the local zoning authority, and whether there are any alcohol sales within
1,000 feet of the facility.
Applicant Response:
19. For each and every individual
specifically identified by name in Section A of the application (the contact
person, chief operating officer, board members, and other individuals),
identify any family or financial relationship which may exist between that
individual and:
(A) Any other individual
specifically identified by name in Section A of the application;
(B) Any individual or entity with whom the
sponsoring entity or charter school has contracted, or intends to contract, to
provide any services or products for the proposed charter school;
and/or
(C) The owner(s) of the
facilities to be used.
For the purpose of this prompt, an individual has a financial
relationship with another individual or entity if he or she:
(1) Receives compensation or benefits
directly or indirectly from the entity or individual;
(2) Is an officer, director, partner,
employee, or owner of more than 5% of the shares of an entity that is a
corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or LLC; and/or
(3) Has a family member (spouse, sibling,
parent or child, or the spouse employee, or owner of more than 5% of the shares
of an entity that is a corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or LLC.
Applicant Response:
20. Describe the manner in which
the school will make provisions for food services. State whether the proposed
charter school will apply to participate in the federal National School Lunch
program or other federal nutrition programs.
Applicant Response:
21. Describe how the parents or guardians of
the enrolled students and other members of the community will be involved with
the school to positively impact the charter school's educational programs.
Applicant Response:
22. Describe the potential impact of the
proposed public charter school on the efforts of affected public school
district(s) to comply with court orders and statutory obligations to create and
maintain a unitary system of desegregated public schools.
Applicant Response:
23. Explain what the charter founders and
other leaders are doing or will do to ensure the success of the charter school
in perpetuity.
Applicant Response:
24. Complete the following table showing all
sections of Title 6 of the Arkansas Code Annotated (Education Code) and State
Board of Education rules, including the
Standards for Accreditation of
Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts, from which the public
charter school seeks to be exempted in order to meet the goals of the school.
Identify the specific statute, rule, or standard requested to be waived by
title and number if applicable.
Provide a rationale for each waiver
requested that explains how the waiver will increase student achievement and
how the increase in achievement will be measured.
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Topic
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Statute/ADE Rule/Standard to be Waived
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Rationale
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Tool to be Used to Measure Impact on Achievement
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Level of Achievement that will Show Positive
Impact
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Note: If any major area is zero, type explanation where items
would be listed. Example: No funds budgeted for GT because of waiver.
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REQUIREMENTS FOR LETTER OF INTENT
To Apply for an Open-Enrollment Public Charter
School
Applicants for open-enrollment public charter schools are
required to send a one-page "Letter of Intent to Apply for an
Open-Enrollment Public Charter School" to the Arkansas Department of
Education.
Submit the signed letter of intent, via email, to the Arkansas
Department of Education at the following email address no later than 4:00 p.m.
on Tuesday, June 2, 2015, in order for the application to be
considered by the authorizer during the 2015 application cycle:
ade. charterschools@arkansas.gov
Required format to be followed for the letter of
intent:
1. The letter of intent
is to be a one-page document;
2.
Include the full legal name of the eligible entity which intends to apply for a
charter. If the sponsoring entity is a non-profit organization, specify the
name exactly as submitted on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) application for
non-profit status through 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and state
whether the entity has already received 501(c)(3) status or has applied for
501(c)(3) status.
3. Include a
contact person's name, full address, daytime telephone number, and email
address;
4. Give a description of
the eligible entity that is sponsoring the application;
5. Give the name of the proposed
open-enrollment public charter school;
6. Describe the location of the proposed
open-enrollment public charter school and state the school district in which
the charter school would be located;
7. Identify the grade levels of students
intended to be served by the open-enrollment public charter school;
8. Identify the number of students intended
to be served by the open-enrollment public charter school; and
9. Provide a one-paragraph description of the
purpose or special emphasis of the proposed school.
The designated contact person must sign the letter of intent to
apply.
A copy of the letter of intent must be sent, via the same
email transmission that the letter is sent to the Arkansas Department of
Education, to the superintendent of the public school district where the
proposed public charter school will be located.
2015 APPLICATION
OPEN-ENROLLMENT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL STATEMENT OF
ASSURANCES
The signature of the president of the board of directors of the
proposed public charter school's sponsoring entity certifies that the following
statements are and will be addressed through policies adopted by the sponsoring
entity and policies to be adopted by the public charter school; and, if the
application is approved, that the sponsoring entity, governing body,
administration, and staff of the open-enrollment charter shall abide by
them:
1. The information submitted in
this application is true to the best of my knowledge and belief, and this
application has been sent to the superintendent of all the districts from which
we intend to draw students.
2. The
open-enrollment public charter school shall be open to all students, on a
space- available basis, and shall not discriminate in its admission policy on
the basis of gender, national origin, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, or
academic or athletic eligibility, except as follows: the open-enrollment public
charter school may adopt admissions policies that are consistent with federal
law, regulations, or guidelines applicable to charter schools. The charter may
provide for the exclusion of a student who has been expelled from another
public school district.
3. The
open-enrollment charter school shall hold an annual public lottery, followed
with notifying parents of enrollment status for all applicants. The waiting
list generated by the lottery will be maintained for one year.
4. In accordance with federal and state laws,
the open-enrollment public charter school hiring and retention policies of
administrators, teachers, and other employees shall not discriminate on the
basis of race, color, national origin, creed, sex, ethnicity, sexual
orientation, mental or physical disability, age, ancestry, or special
need.
5. The open-enrollment public
charter school shall operate in accordance with federal laws and rules
governing public schools; applicable provisions of the Arkansas Constitution;
and state statutes or regulations governing public schools not waived by the
approved charter.
6. The
open-enrollment public charter school shall not use the moneys that it receives
from the state for any sectarian program or activity, or as collateral for
debt.
However, open-enrollment public charter schools may enter into
lease-purchase agreements for school buildings built by private entities with
facilities bonds exempt from federal taxes under 26 USCS 142(a) as allowed by
Arkansas Code Annotated §
6-20-402. No indebtedness of an
open-enrollment public charter school shall ever become a debt of the state of
Arkansas.
7. The
open-enrollment public charter school shall not impose taxes or charge students
tuition or fees that would not be allowable charges in the public school
districts.
8. The open-enrollment
public charter school shall not be religious in its operations or programmatic
offerings.
9. The open-enrollment
public charter school shall ensure that any of its employees who qualify for
membership in the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System or the State and Public
School Employee Insurance Program shall be covered under those systems to the
same extent a qualified employee of a traditional school district is
covered.
10. The employees and
volunteers of the open-enrollment public charter school are held immune from
liability to the same extent as other public school district employees and
volunteers under applicable state laws.
11. The open-enrollment public charter school
shall be reviewed for its potential impact on the efforts of a public school
district or public school districts to comply with court orders and statutory
obligations to create and maintain a unitary system of desegregated public
schools.
12. The open-enrollment
public charter school shall comply with all health and safety laws, rules and
regulations of the federal, state, county, region, or community that may apply
to the facilities and school property.
13. The applicant confirms the understanding
that certain provisions of state law shall not be waived. The open-enrollment
public charter school is subject to any prohibition, restriction, or
requirement imposed by Title 6 of the Arkansas Code Annotated and any rule and
regulation approved by the State Board of Education under this title relating
to:
(a) Monitoring compliance with Arkansas
Code Annotated §
6-23-101 et seq. as determined by
the Commissioner of the Department of Education;
(b) Conducting criminal background checks for
employees;
(c) High school
graduation requirements as established by the State Board of
Education;
(d) Special education
programs as provided by this title;
(e) Public school accountability under this
title;
(f) Ethical guidelines and
prohibitions as established by Arkansas Code Annotated §
6-24-101
et seq.,
and any other controlling state or federal law regarding ethics or conflicts of
interest; and
14. Health
and safety codes as established by the State Board of Education and local
governmental entities.
15. The
facilities of the public charter school shall comply with all requirements for
accessibility for individuals with disabilities in accordance with the ADA and
IDEA and all other state and federal laws.
16. Should the open-enrollment public charter
school voluntarily or involuntary close, the applicant confirms the
understanding that any fees associated with the closing of the school
including, but not limited to, removal of furniture, equipment, general
expenses, etc., are the sole responsibility of the sponsoring entity. No
indebtedness of any kind incurred or created by the open-enrollment public
charter school shall constitute an indebtedness of the state or its political
subdivisions, and no indebtedness of the open-enrollment public charter school
shall involve or be secured by the faith, credit, or taxing power of the state
or its political subdivisions. Upon dissolution of the open-enrollment public
charter school or upon nonrenewal or revocation of the charter, all net assets
of the open-enrollment public charter school, including any interest in real
property, purchased with public funds shall be deemed the property of the
state, unless otherwise specified in the charter of the open-enrollment public
charter school. If the open-enrollment public charter school used state or
federal funds to purchase or finance personal property, real property or
fixtures for use by the open-enrollment public charter school, the authorizer
may require that the property be sold. The state has a perfected priority
security interest in the net proceeds from the sale or liquidation of the
property to the extent of the public funds used in the purchase.
_________________ ____________________
Signature of President of the Sponsoring Entity Board
of Directors Date
________________________
Printed Name
