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Garfield Re-2 Policies

LBD-E-RELATIONS WITH DISTRICT CHARTER SCHOOLS CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICATION

LBD-E

RELATIONS WITH DISTRICT CHARTER SCHOOLS CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICATION

The district charter school application must be provided to the district by September 30 for the district charter school to open the following academic year. Seven copies, not stapled, shall be provided. Applications shall be submitted to: 

Garfield School District Re-2 Board of Education 

839 Whiteriver Avenue 

Rifle, CO 81650

The district charter school application is a comprehensive document outlining the plans for the school. It should reflect a comprehensive vision for the schools, students, employees, operations and programs. 

Elements required for the district charter application (information must be provided in writing for each item): 

1. GENERAL INFORMATION - District charter school name, a representative or designee of the governing body (primary contact), address, telephone number, and date district charter school plans to open. 

2. MISSION STATEMENT - A clear statement of purpose defining primary goals and primary means for achieving those goals:  The mission must be consistent with the purposes of the Colorado charter school law. Describe how the mission statement was developed. 

3. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR THE SCHOOL - Identify in more detail the unique goals and objectives for the school, particularly as they relate to the kind of educational program at the school. Discuss timelines and describe how progress toward the goals and objectives will be specifically monitored, measured, evaluated, and reported during the first three years of the school and thereafter. 

4. EVIDENCE OF SUPPORT - Information that indicates an adequate number 

of parents, teachers, and students (any combination) support the proposed school. A list of parents and community members who support the school should be included. If practical, the application should include a statement of support signed by everyone on this list. In addition, if practical, a list of parents who intend to enroll their students at the school, including the school currently attended, should be included.  No personal identification information regarding students will be disclosed without parental consent. 

5. PROJECTED ENROLLMENT - The number of students, including evidence and background information substantiating the projected enrollment for District and non-resident pupils. If the non-resident pupil tuition policy differs from the District policy, such information must be provided. Identify the contingency plans for operation in the event enrollment falls short of projection. 

6. STATEMENT OF NEED - An explanation of how the district charter school will provide an appropriate solution to a specific need in the district within an area or within the whole district. Discuss the population of students targeted and how the population is currently not served. 

7. TIME PERIOD FOR APPROVED DISTRICT CHARTER - The number of years (up to five years) for which the application is made and the rationale. 

8. ACHIEVEMENT OF STATE GOALS - A statement of how the district charter school plans to achieve graduation rate, attendance rate, and student achievement goals provided in the district’s policies and Accreditation Contract. 

9. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND STANDARDS - A description of the educational program for all students, including but not limited to special education, English as a Second Language, and gifted, including pupil performance levels, the curriculum, and content standards.  Standards must meet or exceed content standards adopted by the district. In addition, specific plans must be included as to how the programs will be monitored for compliance with federal and state laws, as well as District policies not waived in the district charter, and how the programs will be evaluated to determine program effectiveness. Specific assessments to measure student growth must be included in the program description.

10. PLAN FOR EVALUATING PUPIL PERFORMANCE - A description of how pupil achievement will be evaluated, including types of assessment to be used to measure pupil progress toward achievement of pupil performance levels, timeline, and proposed plans for using achievement information and taking corrective action to improve the school so content standards and performance levels can be met. Explain, in addition to CSAP reporting, how student achievement will be reported to the general public and school district.  Describe any objectives and means for increasing the educational opportunities for “at risk” students, meaning those students who, because of physical, emotional, socioeconomic, or cultural factors, are less likely to succeed in school. 

11. ACCOUNTING SYSTEM - A description of the accounting system, information stating whether the district charter school will use District Accounting Services and what methods will be used for cash and interest earnings. 

  1. PROPOSED BUDGET - A budget that covers the term of the district charter, detailing all projected revenue and expenditures and a proposed cash flow schedule and identifies every assumption made to support the number of students and the projected number of students for any categorical program funding (special education, Title I, etc.). The budget must also provide details on: 
  • Contracted services.
  • The amount of state and federal funds to which the district charter school will be entitled. 
  • Services the district charter school expects to purchase from the school district identified by function.
  • Personnel costs are identified by function and activity.
  • The amount the district charter school will hold in reserve.
  • Student fees.

13. AN ECONOMICALLY SOUND PLAN - Evidence that the plan is economically sound for the district charter school and the district, including a discussion of the listed criteria for economic soundness prepared by the district. 

14. INITIAL COSTS - Initial startup costs and the amount of money needed in advance with an explanation of where these funds will come from and any re-payment schedule. The school district shall be held harmless for repayment of initial startup costs. 

15. ADMINISTRATIVE AUDIT - A description of plans for an annual audit of the school's financial and administrative operations, an outside review of operations. Administrative audit includes whether or not laws, rules, and policies affecting the school were followed. A financial audit serves to ensure the expenditures of public funds are properly made and accounting procedures complete. Both audits must comply with the accreditation process of the State. 

16. DISPLACEMENT OF STUDENTS AND STAFF - A description of the plan for relocating pupils and staff if the creation of the district charter school means pupils and staff will be displaced from their current school or a school in an adjacent district. 

17. SITE FOR THE SCHOOL - A description of the proposedsite and how the site will be obtained and maintained. If the use of a district facility is proposed, the maintenance and security of the facility should be described. In addition, evidence should be submitted as to whether the space is available. 

  1. GOVERNANCE AND OPERATION - A description of the proposed governance and operation, including the nature and extent of parent, educator, community, and student involvement. Describe how a governing body representative of the community served will be responsible for carrying out the district charter. Define the committee composition and selection, and specify how it will be selected and maintained. The organizational structure of the district charter school shall be summarized. All proposed organizational documents, including articles, bylaws, or similar organizational documents, shall be submitted with the application. Identify qualifications for membership on the governing body, terms of office, and how vacancies will be filled. Identify a plan for communicating with students, parents, and staff. Discuss the accountability process that will be followed and provide information about how the district charter school will be accountable to the public, as follows:
  • Outline specific plans for meeting state guidelines for building accountability membership.
  • Development of an annual school improvement plan with supporting profile information.
  • Representation on the district accountability committee.
  • Reporting procedures to the Board and school community.

19. RELATIONSHIP WITH DISTRICT – A description of the relationship between the district charter school and the district.

20. EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIP - A description of the school’s employment policies and the agreements between the district charter school and the teachers and other staff, including salary, benefits, working conditions and rights, plans for resolving employee relation problems, determination of seniority, determination of probationary status, evaluation procedures, and the coordination of the issues with the District. Any proposed written employment agreements or policies must be submitted with the application. 

21. LIABILITY AND INSURANCE - Provisions for insurance coverage and any agreements limiting liability between the district charter school and the Board of Education. The district charter application should provide information relating to the responsible party and amount of different insurance coverage: workers' compensation; comprehensive general liability; automobile and bus liability; property, boiler and machinery insurance coverage; blanket crime public school employees' blanket bond; individual public official bonds; school officials' errors and omissions; international travel liability; excess accident insurance for volunteers; field trip and high risk accident insurance; and a student accident policy. 

22. TRANSPORTATION PLAN - A description of how students will get to school, including whether any services will be provided by a second party. If the school will provide transportation, a description should be provided of how transportation needs of low-income and low-achieving students will be met. If the target population is at-risk students, the plan should indicate how these students will have access to the school. If transportation will not be provided, the plan should indicate why lack of transportation will not be an impediment to achieving a diverse student population and making the district charter school equally available to all students, and how the impediments will be overcome. A description of how safety of buses will be monitored and provided should be included.

23. FOOD SERVICE PLAN - A description of the plan of how it will provide for students who qualify for free and reduced lunch. All students should be provided with an equivalent lunchtime experience. 

24. ADMISSIONS PROCESS - A description of the student selection and admission process if the applications exceed enrollment capacity. Describe the admissions process to be followed to help ensure that the student body is representative of the diversity of the community served, and demonstrate how equal access is provided for all who apply.  Describe the school’s plan for inclusion of low-achieving students, exceptional students, and students with special needs.

25. WAIVERS - A listing of district policies and state statutes and/or State School Board rules from which waivers are requested. The specific citation, explanation of waiver sought, what will be done instead, and how the waiver will help achieve the school's goals. The justification should indicate how the requested waiver will help the school improve educational achievement or enhance educational opportunity. Any significant financial impact of the proposed waiver should be described. 

26. STUDENT DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES - Describe discipline procedures that will be implemented. 

27. ADOPTION OF STANDARD DISTRICT CHARTER SCHOOL AGREEMENT PROVISIONS - From time to time, the district may develop new or revise existing provisions in its district charter school agreement form (the District Charter School Form Agreement) which it believes are in the best interest of the district charter school, the district, the pupils of both the district charter school and the district, and the community. The district charter school applicant shall agree to be bound by the District Charter School Form Agreement, except that the application may specifically request modifications to or alternatives to specific provisions of the Agreement. The application shall indicate why each modification or alternative will affect the district charter school, the district, the pupils of both the district charter school and the district, and the community. This documentation should be attached to the contract. 

28. WAIVERS – A description of the district’s policies for which waivers are requested.  A reason for each request should be included.

29. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - Any further data which may be helpful in supporting the application. 
 

Issued: March 27, 2001 

Revised:        September 25, 2007

Garfield School District No. Re-2, Rifle, Colorado

 

  • L - Education Agency Relations