Missouri Code of State Regulations › Title 5 - DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION › Division 20 - Division of Learning Services › Chapter 100 - Office of Quality Schools › Section 5 CSR 20-100.275 - Transfer of Charter Sponsorship

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 14, July 15, 2024
PURPOSE: This rule establishes requirements and
				  procedures for transfer of sponsorship for charter schools prior to the
				  expiration of a contract between a charter and its sponsor. This transfer
				  process is designed to ensure continuity of support for the charter school,
				  accurate and timely data submissions, and accurate transmittal of funds due to
				  sponsors.
(1) Transfer
				Requirements and Application.
(A) A transfer
				of charter school sponsorship from one (1) sponsor to another prior to the
				expiration of the current contract, may only occur if approved by the State
				Board of Education (board).
(B) All
				standards and requirements established in the current charter contract shall
				remain in effect until the scheduled renewal of the charter school, unless the
				board approves any changes.
(C) All
				parties, the charter school, and its current sponsor, along with the proposed
				sponsor, must submit a joint application for transfer to the board for
				consideration prior to February 1 to be considered for the following school
				year. The joint application shall include the following components:
1. An explanation of why the school is
				seeking to transfer to another sponsor, including:
A. Evidence that the applicant has solicited
				input from and notified students in grades 5-12, parents/guardians, and staff
				of the request to transfer sponsors at least four (4) months prior to
				approaching other sponsoring institutions related to potential transfer.
				Feedback should be included in application for transfer
2. A signed resolution from the governing
				board of the proposed sponsor to which the school seeks to transfer in support
				of such request; and
3. An
				explanation of why the school is seeking to transfer to another sponsor,
				including:
A. An explanation as to how this
				transfer is in the best interest of the students served by the
				school;
B. Evidence that the
				applicant has solicited input from and notified students, parents, and staff of
				the request to transfer sponsors at least six (6) months prior to approaching
				other sponsoring institutions related to potential transfer. Feedback should be
				included in application for transfer;
C. Evidence of the proposed sponsor's
				financial health and capacity to support and oversee an additional charter
				school(s);
D. Evidence that the
				proposed sponsor has implemented the department's sponsorship standards for
				charter school sponsors, including the adoption of performance measures to
				guide the ongoing oversight and evaluation of the school; and
E. A detailed plan that outlines how services
				provided for students will not be disrupted by the change in sponsoring
				institution.
(D) The board shall only consider approval of
				charter school requests to transfer to another sponsor if it finds the transfer
				applicant has submitted evidence of the criteria outlined in subsection (1)(C),
				above. The board maintains its discretion to deny a transfer request if the
				criteria outlined in subsection (1)(C), above, is not met, and for good cause
				including, but not limited to:
1. Failure to
				seek input from students, parents/guardians, and staff;
2. The transfer is motivated by an adverse
				review by the department; or
3.
				There is evidence of the current sponsor's unwillingness to end its contract
				early.