Arkansas Administrative Code › Agency 005 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › Division 15 - Division of Learning Services › Rule 005.15.12-004 - District Conversion or Limited Public Charter School new Application

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 6, June, 2024
August 31 Deadline for conversion or limited charter letters of
				intent to be filed with the ADE.
October 31 Deadline for conversion or limited charter
				applications to be submitted with letter of support from the school board to
				the ADE.
January/February Tentative date for application submitted to
				the State Board of Education. (Pending hearing timelines.)
*Note - All information must be
received
(not
				postmarked) in the Charter School Office of the Arkansas Department of
				Education no later than 4:00 p.m. on the date of the deadline. Information
				received in the Charter School Office after 4:00 p.m. on the established date
				will not be processed. It is the responsibility of the applicant to strongly
				adhere to the charter application timeline. Please take into consideration the
				length of the time that may be required for your application to reach the
				Charter School Office, particularly when mailing your application. Should the
				deadline date fall on a weekend, all materials must be received no later than
				4:00 p.m. the following Monday.
REQUIREMENTS FOR LETTER OF INTENT
To Apply For A
District Conversion
or
Limited
Public School Charter
Applicants for district conversion or limited public charter
				schools are required to send a one (1) page
"Letter of Intent to Apply
				for a District Conversion or Limited Public School Charter"
to the
				Arkansas Department of Education.
Submit the letter of intent via certified mail to the
				Department of Education at the following address no later than the close of the
				business day (4:00 p.m.)
on August 31,
in order for the
				application to be considered by the State Board of Education at a later
				date:
Arkansas Department of Education
Charter School Office
Four Capitol Mall, Room 302-B
Little Rock, AR 72201
Required format to be followed for the letter of
				intent:
1. The letter of intent
			 is to consist of only one (1) page;
2. Identify the school district which intends
			 to apply for a charter;
3. Include
			 the contact person's name, full address, daytime telephone number, FAX number,
			 and e-mail address;
4. Give the
			 name of the school which intends to apply for a charter
5. Give the name of the proposed charter
			 school;
6. State whether the
			 proposed charter school will be a district conversion public charter school or
			 limited public charter school;
7.
			 Describe the location of the proposed district conversion or limited public
			 charter school;
8. Identify the
			 grade levels of students to be served by the district conversion or limited
			 public charter school;
9. Provide
			 proposed student enrollment cap for district conversion or limited public
			 charter school; and
10. Provide a
			 one-paragraph description of the purpose or special emphasis of the proposed
			 school.
The superintendent of the school district for the
				proposed district conversion or limited public charter school should sign the
				letter.
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
APPLICATION FOR A DISTRICT CONVERSION OR
				LIMITED
PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL
A.
GENERAL INFORMATION
(Please
			 type.)
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B.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
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C.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND CONTENTS
: The total
				number of pages prepared by the applicant in response to Section D. of this
				application form plus any attachments used to support those responses cannot
				exceed 30 pages. Any attachments required by the application form are not to be
				included in the count for the total number of pages and are indicated by the
				word "required" in the list of contents below. Do not use dividers or
				separators noting the various parts of the application.
All pages and
				attachments should be numbered and attachments clearly referred to in the
				narrative text.
The narrative responses should be given in the order requested.
Brevity and clarity are strongly encouraged.
The responses and all
				supporting attachments should be prepared/ typed on white, 8 ½" x 11"
				paper (copied on one side only) suitable for reproduction. The type should be
				in 12 point font or larger and page margins of at least one inch on all sides
				with page numbers clearly marked.
List of Contents:
The following is a list for the contents of the final
				application to be submitted to the State Board of Education.
The contents
				must be arranged in the order listed below:
1. Sections A and B of the application form
			 with all information provided (required)
2. Responses to all inquiries in Section D.
			 in the prescribed order and numbered accordingly
3. Applicant's attachments (if any)
			 supporting narrative responses
4. A
			 copy of the school's calendar and daily schedule (required)
5. Proposed two-year budget using worksheet
			 provided (required)
6. Proposed
			 salary schedule for both administrative and teaching positions
			 (required)
7. Evidence of parental
			 and community support (required)
8.
			 Signed Statement of Assurances Form (required)
Submit the original copy of the application
with
				original pages for all attachments including original signatures on any
				attachment requiring a signature. DO NOT STAPLE THE ORIGINAL APPLICATION PAGES
				OR ANY OF THE ORIGINAL ATTACHMENTS.
In addition to the original unbound copy of the application and
				all attachments, please submit: Twelve (12) one sided bound/stapled copies (no
				notebooks); One (1) CD copy of the application in Microsoft Word or Adobe
				Acrobat PDF file. Please ensure that the information saved on the CD can be
				accessed. CD should be labeled with the name of the proposed school.
All application materials must be received by the Charter
				School Office at the Arkansas Department of Education by 4:00 p.m. on October
				31.
Please make sure that applications being submitted by United States
				Postal Service are done so in a timely manner as to be received in the Charter
				School Office by the deadline. Facsimile transmissions (FAX) will not be
				accepted, and any application received after 4:00 p.m. on October 31 will not
				be forwarded to the State Board of Education for consideration. Applications
				should be mailed or hand-delivered to:
Arkansas Department of Education
Charter School Office
Four Capitol Mall, Room 302-B
Little Rock, AR 72201
D.
REQUIRED INFORMATION
The applicant for the proposed district conversion or limited
				public charter, if approved by the State Board of Education, agrees to operate
				the educational program described below in accordance with the provisions
				described within this document, Arkansas Code Annotated §
										6-23-101 et seq., the
				Arkansas Department of Education Rules Governing Charter Schools, and the
				attached assurances. This is a narrative description of various components of
				the proposed charter school, and the responses to the following inquiries
				including any supporting attachment pages must be limited to no more than 30
				pages.
Application Standards:
1. Describe the results of the public
			 hearing, which was held for the purpose of assessing support for the
			 establishment of this district conversion or limited public charter school.
			 Provide verification that notice of the public hearing was distributed to the
			 community, certified school personnel, and parents of all students enrolled in
			 the public schools in the community to be served by the proposed charter
			 school. Also, include verification that notice of the public hearing was
			 published on a weekly basis for at least three (3) consecutive weeks prior to
			 the date of the hearing in a newspaper having general circulation in the school
			 district.
2. Give the mission
			 statement of the proposed district conversion or limited public charter
			 school.
3. Describe the educational
			 need for the school.
4. Describe
			 the educational program to be offered by the district conversion or limited
			 public charter school.
5. List the
			 specific measurable goals in reading, reading comprehension, mathematics, and
			 mathematic reasoning based on the state mandated assessments, and any other
			 assessment tools if used, for improving student academic achievement for each
			 year of the public charter schools' initial five (5) year period.
6. Describe the process that will be used to
			 develop and align the curriculum with the Arkansas Curriculum Frameworks. Also
			 describe plans to implement the curriculum requirements of the Common Core
			 Standards in accordance with the timeframe adopted by the State Board of
			 Education.
7. Describe the
			 enrollment criteria and the student selection process. Include a statement of
			 what student selection method will be utilized in the event that more students
			 apply for admission to the district conversion or limited public charter school
			 than can be accommodated under the terms of the charter.
8. Summarize the job descriptions of the
			 school director and other key personnel. Specify the qualifications to be met
			 by professional employees (administrators, teachers, counselors, etc.) of the
			 program. List the types of administrative positions, teaching positions, and
			 support positions and how many of each.
9. Describe the manner in which the school
			 will make provisions for the following student services:
(A) Guidance Program
(B) Health Services
(C) Media Center
(D) Transportation
(E) Food Services
(F) Special Education
(G) Alternative Education/ALE
(H) Gifted and Talented Program
Please note that under federal guidelines students with
				disabilities shall be provided specific services and all aspects of IDEA apply.
				The public charter school cannot waive the responsibility of providing services
				for students with disabilities.
10. Provide a statement affirming that the
			 charter school will participate in the Arkansas Public School Computer Network,
			 as required by state statute or by State Board of Education rule, for reporting
			 education and financial data, including grants or private donations received by
			 the school.
11. Describe the
			 facilities to be used. Give the present use of the facility and the use for the
			 past three (3) years. Include a statement that the facility will comply with
			 all requirements for accessibility in accordance with the Americans with
			 Disabilities Act (ADA) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
			 and all other state and federal laws. If the facility does not currently meet
			 these requirements, provide a list of items that will need to be addressed to
			 bring the facility into compliance.
Include a statement that the facility will comply with all
				requirements for accessibility in accordance with the Americans with
				Disabilities Act (ADA) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
				and all other state and federal laws. The facility will be inspected by staff
				of the ADE or its designee prior to any State Board of Education action on the
				application. If the facility does not currently meet these requirements,
				provide a list of items that will need to be addressed to bring the facility
				into compliance. Also include a statement of permissible uses for the facility
				from the local zoning authority, and whether there are any alcohol sales within
				1000 feet of the facility.
12. List the provisions of Title 6 of the
			 Arkansas Code Annotated (Education Code), Arkansas Department of Education
			 rules, and the
Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools
			 and School Districts
that the district conversion public charter
			 school seeks to be exempted from in order to meet the goals of the school.
			 Identify the specific statute, rule, or standard requested to be waived by
			 title and section number if applicable.
Provide a brief description of
			 the rationale for each waiver requested.
If the application is for a limited public charter
				school,
the only waivers which may be requested are those waivers listed
				in Ark. Code Ann. §
										6-23-601.
This
				limitation applies only to limited public charter schools.
13. Describe the potential impact of the
			 proposed district conversion or limited public charter school on the efforts of
			 a public school district or districts to comply with court orders and statutory
			 obligations to create and maintain a unitary system of desegregated public
			 schools.
14. Describe how the
			 parents or guardians of the enrolled students will be involved with the school
			 and its educational program.
Standards 15, 16, & 17 apply only to applications for
				limited public charter schools.
They do not apply to applications for
				district conversion public charter schools.
15.
If the application is for a limited
			 public charter school,
describe how the licensed employees of the school
			 will be involved in:
A. Developing and
			 implementing a school improvement plan that addresses how the school will
			 improve student learning and meet the state education goals; and
B. Identifying performance
			 criteria.
16.
If
			 the application is for a limited public charter school,
describe how the
			 school will enhance teacher performance and improve employee salaries,
			 professional opportunities, and professional growth experiences.
17.
If the application is for a limited
			 public charter school,
describe the alternative comprehensive staffing
			 model by summarizing the job descriptions of the instructional personnel.
			 Specifically the qualifications and compensation for each position. Identify
			 the number of administrative positions, teaching positions, and support
			 positions.
Attachments must be included in the following
				order:
* Applicant's attachments (if any) supporting narrative
				responses
* A copy of the school's calendar and daily schedule
				(required)
* Proposed two-year budget using worksheet as provided
				(required)
* Proposed salary schedule for both administrative and teaching
				positions (required)
* Evidence of parental and community support (required)
* Signed Statement of Assurances Form (required)
Charter School Budget Information
The Budget Worksheet has been developed for application
				purposes. It is intended to challenge the applicant to consider the many
				expenses incurred in the operation of a school. It is formatted to expedite the
				application process. Budget revenues must equal or exceed expenses for each
				school year.
Upon approval of the District Conversion or Limited Public
				Charter School, the ADE Public School Finance and Administrative Support
				Section will provide technical assistance. At that time, a detailed budget will
				be developed specific to the terms of the Charter. That budget will also meet
				the data reporting requirements of the Arkansas Public School Computer
				Network.
The Budget Worksheet is to be used as an estimate of the
				Revenues and Expenditures associated with the operation of the District
				Conversion or Limited Public Charter School. The Expenditures section is a
				comprehensive overview of the normal expenses incurred in the operation of a
				school.
The following definitions are provided to assist the applicant
				in the completion of the Budget Worksheet:
The "Number of Students" is the number of students expected to
				be enrolled in the district conversion or limited public charter school. The
				description of student numbers including addition of students by year and or
				grade must clearly be defined within the application.
All public schools in Arkansas receive "foundation funding," a
				set amount of money per student based upon average daily membership, the amount
				determined necessary to provide all students with an adequate education. Please
				note the funding amounts are based on the 2012-2013 amounts, as the General
				Assembly has not yet determined the funding amounts for future years.
Number of Positions, both certified and non-certified should be
				stated as the full time equivalent (FTE) of each position. For example, if the
				Charter will have 5 FTE's position at 1.00 and 3 part-time FTE's positions at
				.50 employees: the 5.00 FTE's position equal a total of 5.00 FTE's positions,
				the 3 part-time .50 FTE's positions equal a total of 1.50 FTE's positions, for
				a grand total of 6.50 FTE's positions.
Fringe Benefits at a minimum should include F.I.C.A., teacher
				retirement, health insurance, and unemployment obligations.
Two budget worksheets must be completed, one for the school's
				first year of operation and one for the school's second year of operation. The
				proposed budget should not rely on one-time grants or other funds that are not
				presently guaranteed.
Public Charter School Application Estimated Budget
				Worksheet, Year One (2013-2014)
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Public Charter School Application Estimated Budget
				Worksheet, Year Two (2014-2015)
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DISTRICT CONVERSION or LIMITED PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL
				APPLICATION STATEMENT OF ASSURANCES
The signature of the Superintendent of the School District of
				the public charter school certifies that the following statements are and will
				be addressed through policies adopted by the public charter school and, if the
				application is approved, the local board, administration, and staff of the
				district conversion or limited public charter school shall abide by
				them:
1. The information submitted in
			 this application is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
2. The proposed district conversion or
			 limited public charter school shall be open to all students, on a space
			 available basis, and shall not discriminate in its admission policy on the
			 basis of gender, national origin, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, or
			 academic or athletic eligibility, although the charter may provide for the
			 exclusion of a student who has been expelled from another public school
			 district.
3. In accordance with
			 federal and state laws the proposed district conversion or limited public
			 charter school hiring and retention policies of administrators, teachers, and
			 other employees shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national
			 origin, creed, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, mental or physical
			 disability, age, ancestry, or special need.
4. Any educator employed by a school district
			 before the effective date of a charter for a district conversion or limited
			 public charter school operated at a school district facility shall not be
			 transferred to or employed by the public charter school over the educator's
			 objection.
5. The proposed district
			 conversion or limited public charter school shall operate in accordance with
			 federal laws and rules governing public schools; applicable provisions of the
			 Arkansas Constitution; and state statutes or regulations governing public
			 school not so waived by the approved charter.
6. The proposed district conversion or
			 limited public charter school shall ensure that any of its employees who
			 qualify for membership in the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System or the State
			 and Public School Employee Insurance Program shall be covered under those
			 systems to the same extent a qualified employee of the school district is
			 covered.
7. The proposed district
			 conversion or limited public charter school shall comply with all health and
			 safety laws, rules and regulations of the federal, state, county, region, or
			 community that may apply to the facilities and school property.
8. The employees and volunteers of the
			 district conversion or limited public charter school are held immune from
			 liability to the same extent as other school district employees and volunteers
			 under applicable state laws.
9. The
			 district conversion or limited public charter school shall be reviewed for its
			 potential impact on the efforts of a public school district to comply with
			 court orders and statutory obligations to create and maintain a unitary system
			 of desegregated public schools.
10.
			 The charter applicant should know that certain provisions of state law shall
			 not be waived. The proposed district conversion or limited public charter
			 school is subject to any prohibition, restriction, or requirement imposed by
			 Title 6 of the Arkansas Code Annotated and any rule and regulation approved by
			 the State Board of Education under this title relating to:
(a) Monitoring compliance with Arkansas Code
			 Annotated §
											6-23-101 et seq. as
			 determined by the Commissioner of the Department of Education;
(b) Conducting criminal background checks for
			 employees;
(c) High school
			 graduation requirements as established by the State Board of
			 Education;
(d) Special education
			 programs as provided by this title;
(e) Public school accountability under this
			 title; and
(f) Health and safety
			 codes as established by the State Board of Education and local governmental
			 entities.
11. The
			 facilities of the proposed charter school shall comply with all requirements
			 for accessibility for individuals with disabilities in accordance with the ADA
			 and IDEA and all other state and federal laws.
_______________________________ Date:________________
Signature of Superintendent of School District
_______________________________
Print or type name
District Conversion or Limited Public Charter School
				Application Checklist
[] Submit one (1) page letter of intent, following the letter
				of intent guidelines, to ADE Charter School Office by certified mail. Letter of
				intent must be received by the Charter School Office no later than 4:00 p.m.,
				August 31.
[] Notice of the public hearing shall be:
A. Distributed to the community, certified
			 personnel, and the parents of all students enrolled at the public school for
			 which the district initiated the application; and
B. Published in a newspaper having general
			 circulation in the public school district at least three (3) consecutive weeks
			 prior to the date of the meeting.
Documentation that these requirements have been met must
				be included in the charter school application.
[] Conduct the public hearing; include results of the public
				hearing in the charter school application.
[] Additional check points for the charter application
* Responses to section D of the application, including
				attachments, cannot exceed 30 pages
* Sections A and B of the application form are completed
* Copy of proposed two-year budget must be included
* Copy of the proposed school calendar must be included
* Copy of the proposed daily schedule must be included
* Copy of proposed salary schedule must be included
* Evidence of parental and community support must be
				included
* Signed statement of assurance page must be included
[] Submit final copies of the charter school application to ADE
				Charter School Office as follows:
* 1 original copy with original signatures (unbound)
* 12 copies of the original (bound/stapled, no
				notebooks)
* 1 cd copy in either Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat PDF
				(labeled)
It is the applicant's responsibility to comply with all
				aspects of Arkansas Code Annotated §
												6-23-101 et seq., the ADE
				Rules Governing Charter Schools, and the requirements outlined in the
				application for an district conversion public charter school. Contact the ADE
				Charter School Office for questions and for assistance with developing the
				application.
Charter School Application Evaluation
				Instrument
The following instrument will be used to evaluate
				applications submitted to the Arkansas Department of Education ("ADE") for the
				establishment of new district conversion or limited public charter schools.
				This instrument is only intended to provide clarity, transpareny and consisteny
				in the charter school application review process.
The ADE will use the following instrument only to evaluate the
				quality of a district conversion or limited charter school application against
				the criteria stated herein. For each of the application requirements, the
				criteria define the characteristics and elements of a response that meet the
				standard for charter approval. The following definitions will guide the rating
				of each information requirement:
Meets the Standard:
The response reflects a thorough understanding of key
						  issues and demonstrates capacity to open and operate a quality charter school.
						  It addresses the topic with specific and accurate information that shows
						  thorough preparation and presents a clear, realistic picture of how the school
						  expects to operate.
Partially Meets the Standard:
The response addresses most of the criteria, but
						  response lacks meaningful detail and requires important additional
						  information.
Does Not Meet the Standard:
The response lacks meaningful detail, demonstrates lack
						  of preparation, or otherwise raises substantial concerns about the applicant's
						  understanding of the issue in concept and/or ability to meet the requirement in
						  practice.
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