Hart-Ransom Union SD | BP 0420.43 Philosophy, Goals, Objectives and Comprehensive Plans
Charter School Revocation
The Board of Trustees expects any charter school it authorizes to provide a sound educational program that promotes student learning and to carry out its operations in a manner that complies with law and the terms of its charter.
(cf. 0420.4 - Charter School Authorization)
(cf. 0420.41 - Charter School Oversight)
(cf. 0420.42 - Charter School Renewal)
(cf. 0500 - Accountability)
The Board may revoke a charter before the date it is due to expire whenever the Board makes a written factual finding, supported by substantial evidence, that the charter school has done any of the following: (Education Code 47607)
1. Committed a material violation of any of the conditions, standards, or procedures set forth in the charter
2. Failed to meet or pursue any of the student outcomes identified in the charter
3. Failed to meet generally accepted accounting principles or engaged in fiscal mismanagement
4. Violated any provision of law
The Board shall also consider revocation of a charter whenever the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE), after providing advice and assistance to the charter school pursuant to Education Code 47607.3, submits to the Board either of the following findings: (Education Code 47607.3)
1. That the charter school has failed or is unable to implement the recommendations of the CCEE
2. That the inadequate performance of the charter school, as based on an evaluation rubric adopted by the State Board of Education (SBE), is so persistent or acute as to require revocation of the charter
In determining whether to revoke a charter, the Board shall consider increases in student academic achievement for all "numerically significant" groups of students served by the charter school, as defined in Education Code 52052, as the most important factor. (Education Code 47607, 47607.3)
At least 72 hours prior to any Board meeting at which the Board will consider issuing a Notice of Violation, the Board shall provide the charter school with notice and all relevant documents related to the proposed action. (5 CCR 11968.5.2)
(cf. 9320 - Meetings and Notices)
If the Board takes action to issue a Notice of Violation, it shall deliver the Notice of Violation to the charter school's governing body. The Notice of Violation shall identify: (Education Code 47607; 5 CCR 11965, 11968.5.2)
1. The charter school's alleged violation(s)
2. All evidence relied upon by the Board in determining that the charter school committed the alleged violation(s), including the date and duration of the alleged violation(s). The Notice shall show that each alleged violation is both material and uncured and that it occurred within a reasonable period of time before the Notice of Violation is issued.
3. The period of time that the Board has concluded is a reasonable period of time for the charter school to remedy or refute the identified violation(s). In identifying this time period, the Board shall consider the amount of time reasonably necessary to remedy each identified violation, which may include the charter school's estimation as to the anticipated remediation time.
By the end of the remedy period identified in the Notice of Violation, the charter school's governing body may submit to the Board a detailed written response and supporting evidence addressing each identified violation, including the refutation, remedial action taken, or proposed remedial action. (5 CCR 11968.5.2)
Within 60 calendar days of the conclusion of the remedy period, the Board shall evaluate any response and supporting evidence provided by the charter school's governing body and shall take one of the following actions: (5 CCR 11968.5.2)
1. Discontinue revocation of the charter and provide timely written notice of such action to the charter school's governing body
2. If there is substantial evidence that the charter school has failed to remedy a violation identified in the Notice of Violation or to refute a violation to the Board's satisfaction, continue revocation of the charter by issuing a Notice of Intent to Revoke to the charter school's governing body
If the Board issues a Notice of Intent to Revoke, it shall hold a public hearing concerning the revocation on the date specified in the notice, which shall be no later than 30 days after providing the notice. Within 30 calendar days after the public hearing, or within 60 calendar days if extended by written mutual agreement of the Board and the charter school, the Board shall issue a final decision to revoke or decline to revoke the charter. (Education Code 47607; 5 CCR 11968.5.2)
If the Board fails to meet the timelines specified above for issuing a Notice of Intent to Revoke or a final decision, the revocation process shall be deemed terminated. (5 CCR 11968.5.2)
Within 10 calendar days of the Board's final decision, the Superintendent or designee shall provide a copy of the final decision to the California Department of Education (CDE) and the County Board of Education. (Education Code 47604.32; 5 CCR 11968.5.2)
Severe and Imminent Threat
The procedures specified above shall not be applicable when the Board determines, in writing, that any violation under Education Code 47607 constitutes a severe and imminent threat to the health or safety of students. In such circumstances, the Board may immediately revoke the school's charter by approving and delivering a Notice of Revocation by Determination of a Severe and Imminent Threat to Pupil Health or Safety to the charter school's governing body, the County Board, and the CDE. (Education Code 47607; 5 CCR 11968.5.3)
Appeals
If the Board revokes a charter, the charter school may, within 30 days of the Board's final decision, appeal the revocation to the County Board. Either the charter school or the district may subsequently appeal the County Board's decision to the SBE. However, a revocation based upon the findings of the CCEE pursuant to Education Code 47607.3 may not be appealed. (Education Code 47607, 47607.3; 5 CCR 11968.5.3-11968.5.5)
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
47600-47616.7 Charter Schools Act of 1992, especially:
47607 Charter renewals and revocations
52052 Numerically significant student subgroups; definition
CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 5
11960-11969 Charter schools, especially:
11968.5-11968.5.5 Charter revocations
COURT DECISIONS
Today's Fresh Start, Inc. v. Los Angeles County Office of Education, (2013) 57 Cal.4th 197
Management Resources:
CSBA PUBLICATIONS
The Role of the Charter School Authorizer, Online Course
Charter Schools: A Manual for Governance Teams, rev. 2012
WEB SITES
CSBA: http://www.csba.org
California Charter Schools Association: http://www.calcharters.org
California Department of Education, Charter Schools: http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cs
National Association of Charter School Authorizers: http://www.qualitycharters.org
U.S. Department of Education: http://www.ed.gov
Policy HART-RANSOM UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: January 14, 2016 Modesto, California