For Sections 1-30 of the narrative application: As a separate paragraph, indicate the beginning of proprietary or confidential information with the following language (all caps and bold): PROPRIETARY/CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION; and As a separate paragraph, indicate the end of proprietary or confidential information with the following language (all caps and bold): END PROPRIETARY/CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. For Attachments 1-35: Each page containing the information claimed to be exempt from disclosure must be identified with the language (all caps and bold) PROPRIETARY/CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION printed on the lower right-hand corner of the page. Applicants must use the guidance provided above to state clearly that the application contains any proprietary or confidential information, and should include as a footnote to the proprietary or confidential text or pages reasons that this information may be considered proprietary. Marking the entire application as proprietary, confidential, or exempt from disclosure will not be honored. To the extent consistent with RCW 42.56, the Public Disclosure Act, the Commission maintain the confidentiality of applicant’s information marked confidential or proprietary. If a request is made to view proprietary information, the Commission will notify the applicant of the request and of the date that the records will be released unless the applicant obtains a court order enjoining that disclosure. If the applicant fails to obtain the court order enjoining disclosure, the Commission will release the requested information on the date specified. The Commission’s sole responsibility be limited to maintaining the above data in a secure area, and to notify the applicant of any request(s) for disclosure for so long as the Commission retains the applicant’s information in Commission records. Failure to label such materials, or failure to timely respond after notice of request for public disclosure has been given, shall be deemed a waiver by the applicant of any claim that such materials are exempt from disclosure. Completeness Review All applications will be reviewed for completeness before they are accepted and distributed to the evaluation teams. If an application is found to be incomplete (i.e. missing responses to required application sections, certifications, assurances, attachments, signatures, etc.) or incorrectly formatted, the applicant will be disqualified from further review. Applicants will be notified of an application’s
The protests must contain a description of the relief or corrective action requested. Only protests stipulating an issue of fact concerning the following subjects will be considered: A matter of bias, discrimination, or conflict of interest on the part of an evaluator; and/or Non-compliance with procedures described in the New Charter School Application or Commission policy. Protests not based on the issues itemized in paragraph 3 will not be considered. Protests will be rejected as without merit if they address issues such as: An evaluator’s professional judgment on the quality of an application; and/or The Commission’s assessment of its own and/or agencies’ or communities’ needs or requirements. Upon receipt of a protest, a protest review will be held by the Commission. The Commission will assign responsibility for responding to the protest to a person who was not involved in the New Charter School Application or evaluation process; this person will prepare a recommendation report and submit it to the Commission. The Commission will consider the protest recommendation report, record all available facts, and issue a decision; the decision must be issued within five (5) business days of receipt of the protest. If additional time is required, the protesting party will be notified of the delay. The final determination of the protest shall: Find the protest lacking in merit and uphold the Commission’s action, denying the protest; or Find only technical or harmless errors in the New Charter School Application and evaluation process and determine the Commission to be in substantial compliance, denying the protest; or Find merit in the protest and provide the Commission options, which may include: Correcting the errors and reevaluating all applications; The reissue of the New Charter School Application and conducting a new process; and/or The making of other findings and the determination of other courses of action as appropriate.