Section 5-E903. APPLICATIONS TO ESTABLISH PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS

 

903.1Not later than December 31st of each year, the Board of Education shall publish guidelines and the timeline for submission of applications to establish public charter schools in September of the year following approval and one year of planning. The portion of this subsection requiring publication of guidelines and timeline by December 31st shall not apply in calendar years 2004 and 2005; provided, however, that the Board shall comply with the requirements of this subsection not later than October 1, 2005. For the year 2006 and all subsequent years, the December 31st publication date will apply.

 

903.2Such guidelines and process shall be in accordance with the D.C. School Reform Act of 1995, as amended, and shall specify the types of programs/schools needed to complement existing public education programs in the District of Columbia.

 

903.3Eligible applicants shall submit to the Board of Education applications petitions to establish public charter schools not later than March 10th of the calendar year following issuance of the application guidelines.

 

903.4Not later than April 15th following receipt of the applications, the Board of Education shall conduct one or more public hearings to get additional information on the applications to establish public charter schools.

 

903.5Eligible applicants may be requested to submit additional information to assist the Board in determining that the applicant has the ability to meet the educational objectives outlined in the petition. Such additional information shall be submitted as an amendment to the original application not later than April 30th following the public hearing.

 

903.6The Board of Education shall vote to approve or deny applications to establish public charter schools during its regular stated meeting in May following the public hearing.

 

903.7The Board of Education will conduct a series of monthly seminars and/or workshops for the trustees of the approved public charter schools, beginning in June of the year of approval through June of the year following approval, to assist trustees in ensuring governance stability, fiscal viability, and effective programs leading to success for all students.

 

903.8By June 30th of the year following approval of the public charter school, the Board of Education and the Trustees of the public charter school shall enter into a contractual agreement, that with the approved application and approved amendments, shall constitute the charter.

 

source

Final Rulemaking published at 48 DCR 1694, 1695-96 (February 23, 2001); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 52 DCR 2437 (March 11, 2005).