reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 115C - Elementary and Secondary Education › Article 13 - Community Schools Act. › § 115C-204 - Purpose of Article.

§ 115C-204. Purpose of Article.
The purpose of this Article is to encourage greater community involvement in the public schools and greater community use of public school facilities. To this end it is declared to be the policy of this State:
(1) To provide for increased involvement by citizens in their local schools through community schools advisory councils.
(2) To assure maximum use of public school facilities by the citizens of each community in this State.
It is further declared to be the policy of this State that, to the extent sufficient funds are made available, each local board of education shall comply with the provisions of this Article. (1977, c. 682; 1981, c. 423, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 115C - Elementary and Secondary Education › Article 13 - Community Schools Act. › § 115C-205 - Definitions.

§ 115C-205. Definitions.
As used in this Article:
(1) The term "community schools advisory council" means a committee of citizens organized to advise community school coordinators, administrators, and local boards of education in the involvement of citizens in the educational process and in the use of public school facilities.
(2) The term "community schools coordinator" means an employee of a local board of education whose responsibility it is to promote and direct maximum use of the public schools and public school facilities as centers for community development.
(3) The term "interagency council" means a committee of agency and organizational representatives appointed by the Governor to work with the Superintendent of Public Instruction concerning the involvement of statewide agencies and organizations with the public schools.
(4) The term "public school facility" means any education facility under the jurisdiction of a local board of education, whether termed an elementary school, middle school, junior high school, high school or union school. (1977, c. 682; 1981, c. 423, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 115C - Elementary and Secondary Education › Article 13 - Community Schools Act. › § 115C-206 - State Board of Education; duties; responsibilities.

§ 115C-206. State Board of Education; duties; responsibilities.
The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall prepare and present to the State Board of Education recommendations for general guidelines for encouraging increased community involvement in the public schools and use of public school facilities. These recommendations shall include, but shall not be limited to provisions for:
(1) The use of public school facilities by governmental, charitable or civic organizations for activities within the community.
(2) The utilization of the talents and abilities of volunteers within the community for the enhancement of public school programs including tutoring, counseling and cultural programs and projects.
(3) Increased communications between the staff and faculty of the public schools, other community institutions and agencies, and citizens in the community.
(4) Local boards of education are to be directed to give priority in the use of school facilities to any youth group listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society, such as the Boy Scouts of America, and its affiliated North Carolina groups and councils, and the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, and its affiliated North Carolina groups and councils, in order to encourage schools to facilitate access for students to participate in activities provided by these groups at times other than instructional time during the school day for the purposes of encouraging civic education.
Based on the recommendations of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the State Board of Education shall adopt appropriate policies and guidelines for encouraging increased community involvement in the public schools and use of the public school facilities. (1977, c. 682; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 1995, c. 450, s. 8; 2015-249, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 115C - Elementary and Secondary Education › Article 13 - Community Schools Act. › § 115C-208 - Community schools advisory councils; duties; responsibilities; membership.

§ 115C-208. Community schools advisory councils; duties; responsibilities; membership.
Every local board of education that establishes a community schools program under this Article may establish one or more community schools advisory councils which may become involved in matters affecting the educational process in accordance with rules established by the local board of education and approved by the State Board of Education and further may consider ways of increasing community involvement in the public schools and utilization of public school facilities. Community schools advisory councils may assist local boards of education in the development and preparation of the plans and programs to achieve such goals, may assist in the implementation of such plans and programs and may provide such other assistance as may be requested by the local boards of education.
Community schools advisory councils may work with local school officials and personnel, parent-teacher organizations, and community groups and agencies in providing maximum opportunities for public schools to serve the communities, and may encourage the maximum use of volunteers in the public schools.
At least one half of the members of each community schools advisory council should be the parents of students in the particular public school system: Provided, that less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the pupils attending a particular school reside outside the immediate community of the school, at least one half of the members should be parents of students in the particular school for which the advisory council is established. Wherever possible the local board of education is encouraged to include at least one high school student. The size of the councils and the terms of membership on the councils shall be determined by the local board of education in accordance with the State guidelines. (1977, c. 682; 1979, c. 828; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 1995, c. 450, s. 10.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 115C - Elementary and Secondary Education › Article 13 - Community Schools Act. › § 115C-209 - Community schools coordinators.

§ 115C-209. Community schools coordinators.
Every local board of education may employ one or more community schools coordinators and shall establish the terms and conditions of their employment. Community schools coordinators shall be responsible for:
(1) Providing support to the community schools advisory councils and public school officials.
(2) Fostering cooperation between the local board of education and appropriate community agencies.
(3) Encouraging maximum use of community volunteers in the public schools.
(4) Performing any other duties as may be assigned by the local superintendent and the local board of education, consistent with the purposes of this Article. (1977, c. 682; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 1995, c. 450, s. 11.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 115C - Elementary and Secondary Education › Article 13 - Community Schools Act. › § 115C-209.1 - Nondisclosure of certain volunteer records.

§ 115C-209.1. Nondisclosure of certain volunteer records.
(a) The records comprising a volunteer file of a local school administrative unit are not public records as provided in Chapter 132 of the General Statutes. These records shall be open for inspection only to the following individuals:
(1) The volunteer, former volunteer, individual who applied to be a volunteer, or that individual's properly authorized agent who may examine the individual's file in its entirety at any reasonable time.
(2) The superintendent and other supervisory personnel.
(3) The parent or guardian of any student with whom the volunteer has or had contact.
(4) Members of the local board of education and the board's attorney.
(5) A party to a lawsuit, by authority of a subpoena or proper court order, only to the extent authorized by and in accordance with that subpoena or court order.
(b) A local board of education shall also release or permit the inspection of a volunteer file, except as prohibited by State or federal law, if prior to the release of the information or inspection of the file:
(1) The local board of education determines that the release of the information or inspection of the file is essential (i) to maintaining the integrity of the local board of education or (ii) to maintaining the level or quality of services provided by the local board of education; or
(2) The local board of education makes a written finding that there is a substantial showing of the criteria set forth in subdivision (1) of this subsection. The local board of education's written finding shall be a public record.
(c) A volunteer shall be notified at the time the individual applies to volunteer that the local board of education may maintain a volunteer file on the individual, and that information in that file may be open to inspection in accordance with this section.
(d) This section shall not be construed to require a local school administrative unit to maintain records on volunteers, former volunteers, or individuals applying to be volunteers.
(e) As used in this section, the following terms mean:
(1) Volunteer. – An individual who provides services to a local board of education without expectation of compensation and with the understanding that the local board of education is under no obligation to continue accepting those services or to compensate the volunteer for them.
(2) Volunteer file. – Any information collected by the local board of education regarding volunteers, former volunteers, and individuals applying to be volunteers that relates to the individual's application, selection or nonselection, performance, disciplinary action, or termination, wherever that information is located or in whatever form it is maintained. (2003-353, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 115C - Elementary and Secondary Education › Article 13A - State Advisory Council on Indian Education. › § 115C-210 - Council established.

§ 115C-210. Council established.
There is hereby established an advisory council to the State Board of Education to be known as the "State Advisory Council on Indian Education". (1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1084, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 115C - Elementary and Secondary Education › Article 13A - State Advisory Council on Indian Education. › § 115C-210.1 - Membership How appointed.

§ 115C-210.1. Membership – How appointed.
(a) The Council shall consist of 15 members, as follows:
(1) Two legislative members appointed as follows:
a. One member appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
b. One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(2) Two American Indian members from higher education, who are preferably faculty members. The Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina and the State Board of Community Colleges shall each appoint a member.
(3) One American Indian member from the North Carolina Commission on Indian Affairs to be appointed by that Commission.
(4) Five American Indian parents of students enrolled in K-12 public schools, including charter schools.
(4a) Five American Indian K-12 public school educators, one member who shall be a Title VII director or coordinator, to be appointed by the State Board of Education from a list of recommendations submitted by the North Carolina Commission on Indian Affairs. For the purposes of this subdivision, a K-12 educator may be a school administrator, classroom teacher, resource teacher, or school counselor. A member appointed pursuant to this subdivision must hold a current North Carolina professional educator license.
(5) Repealed by Session Laws 2015-295, s. 1, effective October 29, 2015.
(b) American Indian members of the Council shall be broadly representative of North Carolina Indian tribes and organizations, North Carolina State-recognized tribes and organizations (Coharie Tribe, Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation, Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe, Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, Meherrin Indian Tribe, Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, Sappony, Waccamaw Siouan Tribe, Cumberland County Association for Indian People, Guilford Native American Association, Metrolina Native American Association, Triangle Native American Society, and any other Indian tribe gaining State recognition in the future), and parents and educators from tribes recognized by the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs. (1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1084, s. 1; 1991, c. 739, s. 13; 1997-456, s. 27; 2015-295, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 115C - Elementary and Secondary Education › Article 13A - State Advisory Council on Indian Education. › § 115C-210.2 - Term of office.

§ 115C-210.2. Term of office.
The Legislative members, the higher education members, and the member from the North Carolina Commission on Indian Affairs shall serve for an unspecified term at the pleasure of their respective appointing authorities. The public school educators and the Indian parents shall each be divided into two classes, with one class being appointed initially for a term of one year and one class being appointed initially for a term of two years. Assignment of initial appointees to classes shall be by lot conducted by the State Board of Education just prior to the initial appointment. All subsequent terms shall be for a period of two years, and no member shall serve for more than two consecutive full terms. (1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1084, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 115C - Elementary and Secondary Education › Article 13A - State Advisory Council on Indian Education. › § 115C-210.3 - Organization, meetings, and compensation.

§ 115C-210.3. Organization, meetings, and compensation.
(a) At its initial meeting, the Council shall elect a chairperson from its membership.
(b) The Council shall meet in space to be provided by the Department of Public Instruction on such dates as are agreed on by the membership from meeting to meeting: provided, however, that the Council shall meet at least three, but no more than four times each year. The Council may meet at emergency meetings called by the chairperson. The Department of Public Instruction shall provide necessary staff support and supplies to enable the Council to carry out its duties in an effective manner.
(c) Council members shall serve without pay, but shall receive travel allowances, lodging, subsistence and per diem as provided by G.S. 138-5. (1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1084, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 115C - Elementary and Secondary Education › Article 13A - State Advisory Council on Indian Education. › § 115C-210.4 - Duties of the Council.

§ 115C-210.4. Duties of the Council.
It shall be the duty of the Advisory Council:
(1) To review annually relevant data on American Indian students using reports made available to the Council by the Department of Public Instruction. The review shall include, but not be limited to, data on academic performance, growth, suspension and expulsion events, dropouts, and graduation rates.
(2) To advocate for meaningful programs to reduce and eventually eliminate low achievement and concurrent high attrition rates among American Indian students.
(2a) To prepare an annual report that includes an action plan and make an annual presentation to the State Board of Education to advise the State Board on ways to meet the educational needs of American Indian students more effectively based on the State Board's strategies, policies, and information.
(3) To present and share the annual report with the Indian Tribes and Indian organizations referenced in Article 71A of the General Statutes and organizations holding membership on the North Carolina State Commission of Indian Affairs pursuant to G.S. 143B-407 at the statewide Indian Unity Conference and with the North Carolina State Commission of Indian Affairs, along with an action plan based on recommendations.
(4) To work closely with the Department of Public Instruction, Tribal Leaders, and Title VII Coordinators to improve coordination and communication between and among programs.
(4a) To improve consultations among the State Board of Education, the Department of Public Instruction, and American Indian tribal communities, students, parents, and educators.
(5) To advise the State Board of Education on any other aspect of American Indian education when requested by the State Board to do so. (1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1084, s. 1; 1997-456, s. 27; 2013-295, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 115C - Elementary and Secondary Education › Article 14 - Driver Education. › § 115C-216 - Boards of education required to provide courses in operation of motor vehicles.

§ 115C-216. Boards of education required to provide courses in operation of motor vehicles.
(a) Course of Training and Instruction Required in Public High Schools. – Local boards of education shall offer noncredit driver education courses in high schools using the standardized curriculum provided by the Department of Public Instruction.
(b) Inclusion of Expense in Budget. – The local boards of education shall include as an item of instructional service and as a part of the current expense fund of the budget of the high schools under their supervision, the expense necessary to offer the driver education course.
(c) through (f) Repealed by Session Laws 1991, c. 689, s. 32(c).
(g) Fee for Instruction. – The local boards of education shall fund driver education courses from funds available to them and may charge each student participating in a driver education course a fee of up to sixty-five dollars ($65.00) to offset the costs of providing the training and instruction. If a local board of education charges a fee for participation in a driver education course, the local board shall provide a process for reduction or waiver of that fee for students unable to pay the fee due to economic hardship. (1955, c. 817; 1965, c. 397; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 1991, c. 689, s. 32(c); 2011-145, ss. 28.37(b), 31.1; 2013-360, s. 34.20(a); 2014-100, s. 8.15(c); 2015-241, s. 8.39(b); 2016-94, s. 8.5.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 115C - Elementary and Secondary Education › Article 14A - Charter Schools. › § 115C-218.2 - Opportunity to correct applications; opportunity to address Review Board.

§ 115C-218.2. Opportunity to correct applications; opportunity to address Review Board.
(a) The Review Board shall provide timely notification to an applicant of any format issues or incomplete information in the initial application and provide the applicant at least five business days to correct those issues in the initial application. If the applicant submits the corrections within the five business days, equal consideration shall be given to that application.
(b) Before taking action regarding a charter school or charter school applicant, including preliminary or final approval of charter applications, renewals of charters, nonrenewals of charters, and revocations of charters, the Review Board or a committee of the Review Board shall provide an opportunity for the applicant or charter board member to address the Review Board or its committee, if present, at a meeting. (2015-248, s. 4(a); 2023-110, s. 1(b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 115C - Elementary and Secondary Education › Article 14A - Charter Schools. › § 115C-218.3 - Fast-track replication of high-quality charter schools.

§ 115C-218.3. Fast-track replication of high-quality charter schools.
Upon recommendations by the Office of Charter Schools and the Charter Schools Review Board, the State Board of Education shall adopt a process and rules for fast-track replication of high-quality charter schools currently operating in the State. The State Board of Education shall not require a planning year for applicants selected through the fast-track replication process. In addition to the requirements for charter applicants set forth in this Article, the fast-track replication process adopted by the State Board of Education shall, at a minimum, require a board of directors of a charter school to demonstrate one of the following in order to qualify for fast-track replication:
(1) The board of directors operates charter schools and can demonstrate both of the following:
a. The majority of charter schools in this State governed by the board of directors has student academic outcomes from the three prior school years that are equal to or greater than the student academic outcomes in the local school administrative unit in which each charter school is located.
b. The board of directors can provide three years of financially sound audits for each school it governs.
(2) The board of directors agrees to contract with an education management organization or charter management organization that can demonstrate both of the following:
a. The majority of the charter schools in this State managed by the organization has student academic outcomes from the three prior school years that are equal to or greater than the student academic outcomes in the local school administrative unit in which each charter school is located.
b. The organization can provide three years of financially sound audits for each school it governs.
The State Board of Education shall ensure that the rules for a fast-track replication process provide that decisions by the Review Board on whether to grant a charter through the replication process are completed in less than 120 days from the application submission date. The Review Board shall provide a decision no later than October 15 of the year immediately preceding the year of the proposed school opening, and any appeal of the Review Board's decision shall be heard and decided no later than December 1 of the same year. (2014-101, s. 6.5; 2016-79, s. 2; 2017-173, s. 2(a); 2021-180, s. 7.33(a); 2023-110, s. 1(c).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 115C - Elementary and Secondary Education › Article 14A - Charter Schools. › § 115C-218.5 - Final approval of applications for charter schools.

§ 115C-218.5. Final approval of applications for charter schools.
(a) The Review Board may grant final approval of an application if it finds the following:
(1) The application meets the requirements set out in this Article and such other requirements as may be adopted by the State Board of Education.
(2) The applicant has the ability to operate the school and would be likely to operate the school in an educationally and economically sound manner.
(3) Granting the application would achieve one or more of the purposes set out in G.S. 115C-218.
In reviewing applications for the establishment of charter schools within a local school administrative unit, the Review Board is encouraged to give preference to applications that demonstrate the capability to provide comprehensive learning experiences to students identified by the applicants as at risk of academic failure. The Review Board shall not consider any alleged impact on the local school administrative unit or units in the area served by a charter school when deciding whether to grant, renew, amend, or terminate a charter.
(b) The Review Board shall make final decisions on the approval or denial of applications by August 15 of a calendar year on all applications it receives prior to a date established by the Office of Charter Schools for receipt of applications in that application cycle. The Review Board may make the final decision for approval contingent upon the successful completion of a planning period prior to enrollment of students.
(c) The Review Board may authorize a school before the applicant has secured its space, equipment, facilities, and personnel if the applicant indicates the authority is necessary for it to raise working capital. The State Board shall not allocate any funds to the school until the school has obtained space.
(d) The Review Board may grant the initial charter for a period not to exceed 10 years.
(e) , (f) Repealed by Session Laws 2016-79, s. 1.1, effective June 30, 2016, and applicable beginning with the 2016-2017 school year.
(g) A charter school shall be entitled to automatically extend any deadline to begin operations or commence the term of its charter until the next school year if it notifies the Review Board by June 30 that it is seeking land use or development approvals for its selected site or facilities or if it is challenging the denial of any requested land use or development approvals. The term of the charter issued shall be tolled during the period of any extension or extensions issued under this section. (1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 731, s. 2; 1997-430, s. 3; 2000-67, s. 8.23; 2001-424, s. 28.26; 2003-354, s. 2; 2004-203, s. 45(a); 2011-164, ss. 1, 2(a), 3; 2013-355, s. 1(d); 2013-359, s. 2; 2014-101, ss. 1.5, 2, 2.5(a), 7; 2015-248, s. 5; 2016-79, s. 1.1; 2022-75, s. 2; 2023-107, s. 1(b); 2023-110, s. 1(d).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 115C - Elementary and Secondary Education › Article 14A - Charter Schools. › § 115C-218.6 - Review and renewal of charters.

§ 115C-218.6. Review and renewal of charters.
(a) The Review Board shall review the operations of each charter school at least once prior to the expiration of its charter to ensure that the school is meeting the expected academic, financial, and governance standards.
(b) The Review Board shall renew a charter upon the request of the chartering entity for subsequent periods of 10 years, unless one of the following applies:
(1) The charter school has not provided financially sound audits for the immediately preceding three years.
(2) The charter school's student academic outcomes for the immediately preceding three years have not been comparable to the academic outcomes of students in the local school administrative unit in which the charter school is located. For purposes of this section, if a school's charter results in it providing services to certain targeted subgroups, the school's academic performance shall be judged in comparison to the academic outcomes of students in the same subgroups in the local school administrative unit where the school is located.
(3) The charter school is not, at the time of the request for renewal of the charter, substantially in compliance with State law, federal law, the school's own bylaws, or the provisions set forth in its charter granted by the Review Board.
If one of the conditions set forth in subdivisions (1) through (3) of this subsection applies, then the Review Board may renew the charter for a period of less than 10 years or not renew the charter. (2016-79, s. 1.2; 2023-107, s. 1(c); 2023-110, s. 1(e).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 115C - Elementary and Secondary Education › Article 14A - Charter Schools. › § 115C-218.7 - Material revisions of charters.

§ 115C-218.7. Material revisions of charters.
(a) A material revision of the provisions of a charter shall be made only upon the approval of the Review Board.
(b) If a charter school has been identified as low-performing under G.S. 115C-218.94, then it shall be considered a material revision of the school's charter to increase its maximum authorized enrollment by more than twenty percent (20%) of the previous year's maximum authorized enrollment. For the purposes of this section, maximum authorized enrollment is as defined in G.S. 115C-218.8.
(c) Repealed by Session Laws 2023-107, s. 2(b), effective August 16, 2023.
(d) Repealed by Session Laws 2023-107, s. 2(b), effective August 16, 2023. (2016-79, s. 1.3; 2017-173, s. 3(a), (c); 2023-107, s. 2(b); 2023-110, s. 1(f).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 115C - Elementary and Secondary Education › Article 14A - Charter Schools. › § 115C-218.8 - Nonmaterial revisions of charters.

§ 115C-218.8. Nonmaterial revisions of charters.
It shall not be considered a material revision of a charter and shall not require prior approval of the Review Board for a charter school to do any of the following:
(1) Increase its maximum authorized enrollment during the charter school's second year of operation and annually thereafter, provided the school is not identified as low-performing under G.S. 115C-218.94. The maximum authorized enrollment is the target enrollment number identified in a school's charter. The maximum authorized enrollment may only be updated once per year and shall not decrease based on actual enrollment.
(2) If a school is low-performing under G.S. 115C-105.37A and has planned growth authorized in its charter, increase its maximum authorized enrollment during the charter school's second year of operation and annually thereafter in accordance with planned growth as authorized in its charter.
(3) Expand to offer one grade higher or lower than the charter school currently offers if the charter school has (i) operated for at least three years, (ii) has not been identified as continually low-performing as provided in G.S. 115C-218.94, and (iii) has been in financial compliance as required by the rules adopted by the State Board. (2016-79, s. 1.4; 2017-173, s. 3(b); 2023-107, s. 2(c); 2023-110, s. 1(g).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 115C - Elementary and Secondary Education › Article 14A - Charter Schools. › § 115C-218.9 - Appeals to the State Board of Education.

§ 115C-218.9. Appeals to the State Board of Education.
(a) An applicant, charter school, or the State Superintendent may appeal a final decision of the Review Board to grant, renew, revoke, or amend a charter by submitting notice to the Chair of the State Board of Education within 10 days of the Review Board's decision. Copies of the notice shall be sent to the Executive Director of the Office of Charter Schools, State Superintendent, the Chair of the Review Board, and the applicant or charter school affected.
(b) The State Board shall review appealed decisions de novo. The party submitting the appeal, and the applicant or charter school affected, may provide any information to the State Board the party believes the Board should consider in reviewing the Review Board's decision.
(c) The State Board shall issue a written decision in any matter appealed under this section within 60 days of the date the notice of appeal was submitted. The State Board of Education has the final decision-making authority on the approval of charter applications, renewals, revocations, and amendments. (2023-110, s. 1(h).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 115C - Elementary and Secondary Education › Article 14A - Charter Schools. › § 115C-218.10 - Charter school exemptions.

§ 115C-218.10. Charter school exemptions.
Except as provided in this Article and Article 7B of this Chapter, and pursuant to the provisions of its charter, a charter school is exempt from statutes and rules applicable to a local board of education or local school administrative unit. (1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 731, s. 2; 1997-430, s. 4; 2013-355, s. 1(e); 2014-101, s. 7; 2023-106, s. 2(c).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 115C - Elementary and Secondary Education › Article 14A - Charter Schools. › § 115C-218.20 - Civil liability and insurance requirements.

§ 115C-218.20. Civil liability and insurance requirements.
(a) The board of directors of a charter school may sue and be sued. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to establish reasonable amounts and types of liability insurance that the board of directors shall be required by the charter to obtain. The board of directors shall obtain at least the amount of and types of insurance required by these rules to be included in the charter. Any sovereign immunity of the charter school, of the organization that operates the charter school, or its members, officers, or directors, or of the employees of the charter school or the organization that operates the charter school, is waived to the extent of indemnification by insurance.
(b) No civil liability shall attach to the State Board of Education, the Charter Schools Review Board, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, or to any of their members or employees, individually or collectively, for any acts or omissions of the charter school. (1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 731, s. 2; 1997-430, s. 5; 1997-443, s. 8.19; 1997-456, s. 55.4; 1998-212, s. 9.14A(a); 1999-243, s. 8; 2001-462, s. 1; 2004-118, s. 3; 2004-203, s. 45(b); 2006-69, s. 3(e); 2006-137, s. 2; 2007-59, s. 2; 2007-126, s. 2; 2007-323, s. 28.22A(o); 2007-345, s. 12; 2009-239, s. 1; 2009-563, s. 2; 2010-10, s. 2(a); 2011-93, s. 2(a); 2011-145, s. 7.29(b); 2011-164, s. 4; 2011-282, s. 9; 2012-142, ss. 7A.1(f), 7A.3(c), 7A.11(b); 2012-145, s. 2.5; 2012-179, s. 1(c); 2013-307, s. 1.1; 2013-355, s. 1(f); 2013-359, s. 1; 2013-360, ss. 8.43(a), 9.7(q); 2014-101, s. 7; 2016-126, 4th Ex. Sess., s. 18; 2023-110, s. 1(j).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 115C - Elementary and Secondary Education › Article 14A - Charter Schools. › § 115C-218.25 - Open meetings and public records.

§ 115C-218.25. Open meetings and public records.
The charter school and board of directors of the private nonprofit corporation that operates the charter school are subject to the Public Records Act, Chapter 132 of the General Statutes, and the Open Meetings Law, Article 33C of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes. Notwithstanding the requirements of Chapter 132 of the General Statutes, inspection of charter school personnel records for those employees directly employed by the board of directors of the charter school shall be subject to the requirements of Article 21A of this Chapter. The charter school and board of directors of the private nonprofit corporation that operates the charter school shall use the same schedule established by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources for retention and disposition of records of local school administrative units. (1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 731, s. 2; 1997-430, s. 5; 1997-443, s. 8.19; 1997-456, s. 55.4; 1998-212, s. 9.14A(a); 1999-243, s. 8; 2001-462, s. 1; 2004-118, s. 3; 2004-203, s. 45(b); 2006-69, s. 3(e); 2006-137, s. 2; 2007-59, s. 2; 2007-126, s. 2; 2007-323, s. 28.22A(o); 2007-345, s. 12; 2009-239, s. 1; 2009-563, s. 2; 2010-10, s. 2(a); 2011-93, s. 2(a); 2011-145, s. 7.29(b); 2011-164, s. 4; 2011-282, s. 9; 2012-142, ss. 7A.1(f), 7A.3(c), 7A.11(b); 2012-145, s. 2.5; 2012-179, s. 1(c); 2013-307, s. 1.1; 2013-355, s. 1(f); 2013-359, s. 1; 2013-360, ss. 8.43(a), 9.7(q); 2014-101, ss. 5, 7; 2015-241, s. 14.30(s).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 115C - Elementary and Secondary Education › Article 14A - Charter Schools. › § 115C-218.30 - Accountability; reporting requirements to State Board of Education.

§ 115C-218.30. Accountability; reporting requirements to State Board of Education.
(a) The school is subject to the financial audits, the audit procedures, and the audit requirements adopted by the State Board of Education for charter schools. These audit requirements may include the requirements of the School Budget and Fiscal Control Act. The audit requirements shall not include submission to, review of, or approval by, the Local Government Commission for any audit reports, audit contracts, or audit invoices, nor shall they require any other authority, involvement, or oversight by the Local Government Commission with regard to financial reporting, accountability requirements, or procedures.
(b) The school shall comply with the reporting requirements established by the State Board of Education in the Uniform Education Reporting System.
(c) The school shall report at least annually to the Review Board and the State Board of Education the information required by rules adopted by the State Board. (1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 731, s. 2; 1997-430, s. 5; 1997-443, s. 8.19; 1997-456, s. 55.4; 1998-212, s. 9.14A(a); 1999-243, s. 8; 2001-462, s. 1; 2004-118, s. 3; 2004-203, s. 45(b); 2006-69, s. 3(e); 2006-137, s. 2; 2007-59, s. 2; 2007-126, s. 2; 2007-323, s. 28.22A(o); 2007-345, s. 12; 2009-239, s. 1; 2009-563, s. 2; 2010-10, s. 2(a); 2011-93, s. 2(a); 2011-145, s. 7.29(b); 2011-164, s. 4; 2011-282, s. 9; 2012-142, ss. 7A.1(f), 7A.3(c), 7A.11(b); 2012-145, s. 2.5; 2012-179, s. 1(c); 2013-307, s. 1.1; 2013-355, s. 1(f); 2013-359, s. 1; 2013-360, ss. 8.43(a), 9.7(q); 2014-101, s. 7; 2021-58, s. 5; 2023-110, s. 1(k).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 115C - Elementary and Secondary Education › Article 14A - Charter Schools. › § 115C-218.35 - Charter school facilities.

§ 115C-218.35. Charter school facilities.
(a) A charter school's specific location shall not be prescribed or limited by a local board or other authority except a zoning authority. The school may lease space from a local board of education or as is otherwise lawful in the local school administrative unit in which the charter school is located. If a charter school leases space from a sectarian organization, the charter school classes and students shall be physically separated from any parochial students, and there shall be no religious artifacts, symbols, iconography, or materials on display in the charter school's entrance, classrooms, or hallways. Furthermore, if a charter school leases space from a sectarian organization, the charter school shall not use the name of that organization in the name of the charter school.
(b) At the request of the charter school, the local board of education of the local school administrative unit in which the charter school will be located shall lease any available building or land to the charter school unless the board demonstrates that the lease is not economically or practically feasible or that the local board does not have adequate classroom space to meet its enrollment needs. For the purposes of this section, a building or land is available if it is closed, vacant, or otherwise unused for classrooms, administrative offices, or extracurricular activities of the schools of the local board of education. Notwithstanding any other law, a local board of education may provide a school facility to a charter school free of charge; however, the charter school is responsible for the maintenance of and insurance for the school facility.
(c) The local board of education shall make a decision on the charter's request to lease a building or land within 90 days of the request. If the local board of education does not make a decision within 90 days of the request of the charter school, the local board of education shall provide a written explanation of its reasons for not acting on the request within the 90-day time period to the North Carolina Charter Schools Review Board and the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee.
(d) If a charter school has requested to lease available buildings or land and is unable to reach an agreement with the local board of education, the charter school shall have the right to appeal to the board of county commissioners in which the building or land is located. The board of county commissioners shall have the final decision-making authority on the leasing of the available building or land.
(e) A charter school shall comply with G.S. 115C-521(i). For the purpose of this subsection, "charter school" shall mean "local board of education" as it is written in G.S. 115C-521(i). (1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 731, s. 2; 1997-430, s. 4; 2013-355, s. 1(e); 2014-101, s. 7; 2016-79, s. 1.8; 2021-180, s. 7.64(b); 2023-110, s. 1(l).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 115C - Elementary and Secondary Education › Article 14A - Charter Schools. › § 115C-218.37 - Public approval for private activity bonds.

§ 115C-218.37. Public approval for private activity bonds.
(a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) Applicable elected representative. – An elected official of a governmental unit having jurisdiction over the area in which a charter school facility is located, as defined in section 147(f)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. § 147(f)(2)).
(2) Charter school facility. – Real property, personal property, or both that is used or intended for use in connection with the operation of a charter school.
(b) The Superintendent of Public Instruction is hereby designated as an applicable elected representative who may approve the issuance of one or more private activity bonds to finance or refinance a charter school facility, after a public hearing following reasonable public notice, in accordance with section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. § 147(f)) and applicable State and federal laws and regulations. Procedures for the public hearing shall be determined by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the public hearing shall be conducted by the Superintendent or his or her designee, in the county where the charter school facility is or will be located. (2020-49, s. 7.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 115C - Elementary and Secondary Education › Article 14A - Charter Schools. › § 115C-218.40 - Charter school transportation.

§ 115C-218.40. Charter school transportation.
The charter school may provide transportation for students enrolled at the school. The charter school shall develop a transportation plan so that transportation is not a barrier to any student who resides in the local school administrative unit in which the school is located. The charter school is not required to provide transportation to any student who lives within one and one-half miles of the school. At the request of the charter school and if the local board of the local school administrative unit in which the charter school is located operates a school bus system, then that local board may contract with the charter school to provide transportation in accordance with the charter school's transportation plan to students who reside in the local school administrative unit and who reside at least one and one-half miles of the charter school. A local board may charge the charter school a reasonable charge that is sufficient to cover the cost of providing this transportation. Furthermore, a local board may refuse to provide transportation under this section if it demonstrates there is no available space on buses it intends to operate during the term of the contract or it would not be practically feasible to provide this transportation. (1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 731, s. 2; 1997-430, s. 5; 1997-443, s. 8.19; 1997-456, s. 55.4; 1998-212, s. 9.14A(a); 1999-243, s. 8; 2001-462, s. 1; 2004-118, s. 3; 2004-203, s. 45(b); 2006-69, s. 3(e); 2006-137, s. 2; 2007-59, s. 2; 2007-126, s. 2; 2007-323, s. 28.22A(o); 2007-345, s. 12; 2009-239, s. 1; 2009-563, s. 2; 2010-10, s. 2(a); 2011-93, s. 2(a); 2011-145, s. 7.29(b); 2011-164, s. 4; 2011-282, s. 9; 2012-142, ss. 7A.1(f), 7A.3(c), 7A.11(b); 2012-145, s. 2.5; 2012-179, s. 1(c); 2013-307, s. 1.1; 2013-355, s. 1(f); 2013-359, s. 1; 2013-360, ss. 8.43(a), 9.7(q); 2014-101, s. 7.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 115C - Elementary and Secondary Education › Article 14A - Charter Schools. › § 115C-218.50 - Charter school nonsectarian.

§ 115C-218.50. Charter school nonsectarian.
(a) A charter school shall be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices, and all other operations. A charter school shall not be affiliated with a nonpublic sectarian school or a religious institution.
(b) A charter school shall not charge tuition or fees except as follows:
(1) A charter school may charge any fees that are charged by the local school administrative unit in which the charter school is located.
(2) A charter school, upon approval by the board of directors of the charter school, may establish fees for extracurricular activities, except those fees shall not exceed the fees for the same extracurricular activities charged by a local school administrative unit in which forty percent (40%) or more of the students enrolled in the charter school reside. (1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 731, s. 2; 1997-430, s. 5; 1997-443, s. 8.19; 1997-456, s. 55.4; 1998-212, s. 9.14A(a); 1999-243, s. 8; 2001-462, s. 1; 2004-118, s. 3; 2004-203, s. 45(b); 2006-69, s. 3(e); 2006-137, s. 2; 2007-59, s. 2; 2007-126, s. 2; 2007-323, s. 28.22A(o); 2007-345, s. 12; 2009-239, s. 1; 2009-563, s. 2; 2010-10, s. 2(a); 2011-93, s. 2(a); 2011-145, s. 7.29(b); 2011-164, s. 4; 2011-282, s. 9; 2012-142, ss. 7A.1(f), 7A.3(c), 7A.11(b); 2012-145, s. 2.5; 2012-179, s. 1(c); 2013-307, s. 1.1; 2013-355, s. 1(f); 2013-359, s. 1; 2013-360, ss. 8.43(a), 9.7(q); 2014-101, s. 7; 2015-248, s. 7.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 115C - Elementary and Secondary Education › Article 14A - Charter Schools. › § 115C-218.55 - Nondiscrimination in charter schools.

§ 115C-218.55. Nondiscrimination in charter schools.
A charter school shall not discriminate against any student on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, gender, or disability. (1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 731, s. 2; 1997-430, s. 5; 1997-443, s. 8.19; 1997-456, s. 55.4; 1998-212, s. 9.14A(a); 1999-243, s. 8; 2001-462, s. 1; 2004-118, s. 3; 2004-203, s. 45(b); 2006-69, s. 3(e); 2006-137, s. 2; 2007-59, s. 2; 2007-126, s. 2; 2007-323, s. 28.22A(o); 2007-345, s. 12; 2009-239, s. 1; 2009-563, s. 2; 2010-10, s. 2(a); 2011-93, s. 2(a); 2011-145, s. 7.29(b); 2011-164, s. 4; 2011-282, s. 9; 2012-142, ss. 7A.1(f), 7A.3(c), 7A.11(b); 2012-145, s. 2.5; 2012-179, s. 1(c); 2013-307, s. 1.1; 2013-355, s. 1(f); 2013-359, s. 1; 2013-360, ss. 8.43(a), 9.7(q); 2014-101, ss. 3, 7.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 115C - Elementary and Secondary Education › Article 14A - Charter Schools. › § 115C-218.60 - Student discipline.

§ 115C-218.60. Student discipline.
The school is subject to and shall comply with Article 27 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes, except that a charter school may also exclude a student from the charter school and return that student to another school in the local school administrative unit in accordance with the terms of its charter after due process. (1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 731, s. 2; 1997-430, s. 5; 1997-443, s. 8.19; 1997-456, s. 55.4; 1998-212, s. 9.14A(a); 1999-243, s. 8; 2001-462, s. 1; 2004-118, s. 3; 2004-203, s. 45(b); 2006-69, s. 3(e); 2006-137, s. 2; 2007-59, s. 2; 2007-126, s. 2; 2007-323, s. 28.22A(o); 2007-345, s. 12; 2009-239, s. 1; 2009-563, s. 2; 2010-10, s. 2(a); 2011-93, s. 2(a); 2011-145, s. 7.29(b); 2011-164, s. 4; 2011-282, s. 9; 2012-142, ss. 7A.1(f), 7A.3(c), 7A.11(b); 2012-145, s. 2.5; 2012-179, s. 1(c); 2013-307, s. 1.1; 2013-355, s. 1(f); 2013-359, s. 1; 2013-360, ss. 8.43(a), 9.7(q); 2014-101, s. 7.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 115C - Elementary and Secondary Education › Article 14A - Charter Schools. › § 115C-218.65 - North Carolina School Report Cards.

§ 115C-218.65. North Carolina School Report Cards.
A charter school shall ensure that the report card issued for it by the State Board of Education receives wide distribution to the local press or is otherwise provided to the public. A charter school shall ensure that the overall school performance score and grade earned by the charter school for the current and previous four school years is prominently displayed on the school Web site. If a charter school earned an overall school performance grade of D or F, the charter school shall provide notice of the grade in writing to the parent or guardian of all students enrolled in that school. (1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 731, s. 2; 1997-430, s. 5; 1997-443, s. 8.19; 1997-456, s. 55.4; 1998-212, s. 9.14A(a); 1999-243, s. 8; 2001-462, s. 1; 2004-118, s. 3; 2004-203, s. 45(b); 2006-69, s. 3(e); 2006-137, s. 2; 2007-59, s. 2; 2007-126, s. 2; 2007-323, s. 28.22A(o); 2007-345, s. 12; 2009-239, s. 1; 2009-563, s. 2; 2010-10, s. 2(a); 2011-93, s. 2(a); 2011-145, s. 7.29(b); 2011-164, s. 4; 2011-282, s. 9; 2012-142, ss. 7A.1(f), 7A.3(c), 7A.11(b); 2012-145, s. 2.5; 2012-179, s. 1(c); 2013-307, s. 1.1; 2013-355, s. 1(f); 2013-359, s. 1; 2013-360, ss. 8.43(a), 9.7(q); 2014-101, s. 7; 2017-57, s. 7.26(h).)