16 NCAC 06G .0509         Planning Year for New Preliminary Charter Schools

(a)  All nonprofit boards eligible to receive a charter for the first time shall participate in a year-long planning program prior to the charter school's opening for students. During this planning year, directors from nonprofit boards holding charters shall attend meetings conducted by consultants from the Office of Charter Schools regarding the following topics: school opening plans, staff development, finance, governance, board training, marketing, statutes and rules governing operation of the school, securing a school site, and hiring a school administrator. Final approval of the charter shall be contingent upon the nonprofit board attending the planning meetings, acquisition of a facility, and commitments from parents or guardians to enroll students that comprise at least 75 percent of the projected enrollment.

(b)  The State Board of Education may accelerate the mandatory planning year for a charter applicant that meets the following requirements:

(1)           agrees to participate in the planning year while the charter application is being reviewed without any guarantee of charter award; and

(2)           demonstrates that there is a facility identified by the applicant that is feasible for opening on an accelerated schedule.

(c)  The State Board shall also consider the presence or absence of evidence of the following factors in making its determination of whether to accelerate a planning year:

(1)           whether the mission and educational program outlined in the nonprofit board's application will provide parents and students with different educational opportunities than are currently available in the area;

(2)           whether local, state, or national nonprofit partnerships have committed to assisting the school;

(3)           whether the school will contribute to potential for economic and educational development of the region;

(4)           whether an organization that has experience in creating public schools is mentoring the applicant;

(5)           whether obstacles to educational reform efforts leave chartering as an available option;

(6)           whether an existing charter school board has agreed to mentor the applicant;

(7)           whether the nonprofit corporation has existed for more than two years; and

(8)           whether the proposed board has previously operated or currently operates a public charter school.

(d)  An applicant requesting acceleration shall submit the request to the State Board of Education prior to the application due date for consideration.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 115C-12; 115C-218; 115C-218.1; 115C-218.5(b);

Emergency Adoption Eff. August 20, 2019;

Eff. March 17, 2021.