After review and evaluation of each proposal, the State Board of Education approved a total of 20 open-enrollment charters at the February, April and May board meetings. New guidelines were adopted by the Board on February 7, 1997. Additions and clarifications to those guidelines are presented for adoption to refine the charter selection process. The newly proposed guidelines are provided as a separate exhibit. The creation and development of the charter school review committee, as well as charter selection timeline, are also presented for Board approval.
Staff continues to provide technical assistance as requested and as needs are discovered.
Staff has conducted on-site visits to all 20 charter schools. A fiscal implication would be likely for local school districts as a result of open-enrollment charter schools being authorized. The scope of the fiscal implication is not completely known at this time as not all of the charter schools are in full operation. Consequently there would likely be a reduction in local revenues for the school district. In accordance with Senate Bill 1, the approval of open-enrollment charter schools will provide new avenues for local restructuring, flexibility, innovation and choice options for parents and students.