Iowa Admin. Code r. 281-19.6

Current through Regsiter Vol. 46, No. 26, June 12, 2024

Rule 281-19.6 - General application provisions

The following general application provisions apply to both the school board-state board and founding group-state board charter establishment models.

(1)Instructions. The instructions for completing an application shall include or otherwise inform applicants of all of the following:

a. The performance framework adopted by the state board for charter school oversight and evaluation requirements in accordance with Iowa Code sections 256E.9 and 256E.10.

b. The criteria the state board will use in evaluating applications.

c. The requirements concerning the format and content essential for applicants to demonstrate the capacities necessary to establish and operate a successful charter school.

(2)Review. In reviewing and evaluating charter school applications, the state board shall employ procedures, practices, and criteria consistent with nationally recognized principles and standards for reviewing charter school applications. Each application review shall include:

a. A thorough evaluation of the written application.

b. An in-person interview with the founding group.

c. An opportunity in a public forum for local residents to learn about and provide input on each application.

(3)State board actions following review. Following review of a charter school application and completion of the process required under subrule 19.6(2), the state board shall do all of the following:

a. Approve a charter school application only if the founding group has demonstrated competence in each element of the approval criteria and if the founding group is likely to open and operate a successful charter school.

b. Make application decisions on documented evidence collected through the application review process.

c. Adhere to the policies and criteria that are transparent, are based on merit, and avoid conflicts of interest or any appearance thereof.

(4)Application approval. The state board shall approve a charter school application if the application satisfies the requirements of this chapter.

a. The state board shall approve or deny a charter school application no later than 75 calendar days after the application is received.

b. If the state board denies an application, the state board shall provide notice of denial to the founding group in writing within 30 days after the state board's action. The notice shall specify the exact reasons for denial and provide documentation supporting those reasons.

c. An approval decision may include, if appropriate, reasonable conditions that the founding group must meet before a charter school contract may be executed pursuant to Iowa Code section 256E.6.

d. An approved charter application shall not serve as a charter school contract.

e. A decision of the state board relating to an application under this rule is not appealable.

f. An unsuccessful applicant under this rule may subsequently reapply to the state board.

(5)Application deadlines and timelines. For school years on or after the school year beginning on July 1, 2023, applications submitted to the state board on or before November 1 of the preceding school year shall be considered for approval for the establishment of the charter school for the next school year. For the school year beginning on July 1, 2022, applications submitted to the state board on or before February 1, 2022, shall be considered for approval for the establishment of the charter school for the next school year.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 281-19.6

Adopted by IAB December 15, 2021/Volume XLIV, Number 12, effective 1/19/2022