Writers Webinar #4 FAQ and Updates Mary Carmichael, Executive Director

FAQ: Who is my sponsor? You can be sponsored by a local school district or the SC Public Charter School District. Public Charter School Alliance of SC SC Dept of Education

FAQ: When is it due?  Absolutely no later than - Tuesday, May 1 at 12 noon  When should it be done – no later than Friday, April 27 th.  You can turn it in at anytime prior to May 1. The 60 days for the CSAC to review would start ticking then.

FAQ: What next? Steps in Developing a Charter School

Remember there is no “I” in team. Next steps -Formulate a Road Map – stick to deadlines to get a 200 to 400 page document turned in by May Make a comprehensive list with who and when Who is going to help get this done? How will I get this all done?

How do we explain charter schools in our community? Be positive. Explain the solutions your school is going to be bringing to the community without attacking past efforts or the local school district. Engage the community in the new opportunities. Discuss the autonomy your school will have as a charter to meet the needs of students. Educate the community that charter schools: are public schools. are free. do not have admissions tests or other barriers to entrance. are financially accountable non-profit corporations. have autonomy from the school district. & bring innovation and resources into the classroom where they belong.

Do I have to file for 501c3 status now?  No, most schools wait to file that after you are approved. Here are some incorporation items you do need to take prior to submitting your charter:  First, you will file SC Articles of Incorporation with SC Secretary of State.  Draft Bylaws for the Initial Meeting of Charter Committee: (do not need to be attached to Articles of Incorporation)  From SCSOS - at the initial meeting of your newly established corporation you must take the following actions, at minimum, elect officers, adopt bylaws, and carry on other business brought before the meeting. Minutes of all meetings of nonprofit corporations must be recorded and maintained by the organization at its principal place of business.

Can we have admissions tests?  No, entrance exams are not allowed for admission to any Public Charter School in South Carolina. By law, charter schools must have a fair and open admission process, conducting outreach and recruitment to all segments of the community they serve. There must be no barriers to entrance unless applicants exceed available slots in which case there is a lottery. Public charter schools are nonsectarian and nondiscriminatory in admission and employment practices.

Remember the PURPOSE OF THE SC CHARTER SCHOOL ACT: Purpose. This chapter is enacted to: (1) improve student learning; (2) increase learning opportunities for students; (3) encourage the use of a variety of productive teaching methods; (4) establish new forms of accountability for schools; (5) create new professional opportunities for teachers, including the opportunity to be responsible for the learning program at the school site; and (6) assist South Carolina in reaching academic excellence.

Writing Resources

Create Cultural Consistency  Target student population  Curriculum  Instructional strategies  Big picture long term overarching goals with measurable short term objectives!  Culture – Values and Beliefs The charter will be the “cookbook” for the staff and faculty to implement the vision.

Goals, Objectives, and Strategies Mission Goal 1 Goal 2 Goal 3 Objective 1.1 Objective 2.1 Objective 3.1 Objective 1.1 Objective 3.1 Strategies to reach these goals and objectives may be tied to each objective or all of them.

From Regs:(D) Educational Program, Goals, Objectives, Pupil Achievement Standards, and Curriculum (1) The goals and objectives must be clearly stated and must provide enough detail to indicate specific outcomes. (3) The educational goals must reflect the school's mission statement. (4) Strategies to accomplish the educational goals must be included.

Who works for who? Contractors, CMOs, EMOs, Consultants, etc.

How do we get Funding?

How do I Document Support?  Remember this ties directly to your funding via your budget.  Signed letters of interest with the grades of kids the year you will open.  Meetings with dates, sign in sheet, and number interested in the school at the end of the session  Internet survey  Facebook or Gmail Group

FAQ: What is going on with the Charter School Bill? H3241  Creates new authorizers through higher education institutions.  Authorizes single gender charter schools.  Supports public school student participation in sports and extracurricular activities in their community.  Clarifies Sponsor-Charter relations including autonomy and responsibilities.  Allows for staggered board terms of no more than three years and requires that at least 1/3 of the board positions at a charter school must be open for election annually with board members reelected for consecutive terms as allowed by the charter school’s bylaws. This is something requested for high quality governance and facilities lenders looking for stability in boards.  Allows for siblings to enroll in the same school, supporting families.

Top Ten Things to do for a Successful Charter Application: 1. Follow Directions – Follow all of the directions in the application. Yes, all of them! 2. Develop a dedicated and diverse charter planning committee. You need people with different skills – people who understand curriculum development, special education, finance, facilities, non-profit governance, etc… You cannot do this yourself – build trust and delegate. 3. Make sure your goals and objectives are mission driven and are able to be measured by your future faculty and staff. Make sure they are going to give your future board information they can use to make critical decisions in allocating resources. These are goals and objectives your sponsor can revoke your charter on if you are not making reasonable progress. 4. Make sure your budget adds up - We know this sounds simple, but believe me it has happened. There is a lot of money at stake and they want to make sure you are going to be excellent stewards of the taxpayers’ resources. 5. Document all outreach, community support, and actual student interest in enrolling. Document all support you have for this school with signed forms from families stating that they are interested in their children attending your school as presented for at least the number of students per grade you are presenting in the budget for year 1.

Top Ten Things to do for a Successful Charter Application: 6. Include all required attachments – Yes, all of them and anything else you tell the reader to look for in the appendices. 7. Use the Review Guide – Document everywhere you believe you have hit on the areas addressed in the regulations. You need the approval of the advisory board. 8. Be resourceful – beg, borrow, and deal! There are untapped resources in your community – you just need to know where to look and who to ask. 9. Ask for Help – the Alliance and our member schools are excited to share experience and resources with you. 10. Manage your time – make priorities about what is critical and find some kind of balance in your life. Do not take this down to the wire – in fact you can turn it in early and be on the top of the pile for your review.

Upcoming events  11 th Annual SC Public Charter School Conference March 1-3, 2012

PCSASC Charter Incubator  Supports High Capacity Planning Groups and Future School Leaders in Developing a High Performing Public Charter School.  Tailored to meet the unique needs of each group.  Priorities will be given to areas of the greatest needs and to groups with the capacity to create real and lasting change in their community.

What are the needs in your community?

How does your proposed public charter school bring a high quality solution to the table to address those needs?

How will you know you are advancing your mission – meeting needs in your community and creating impact?

Questions You Have Remember, Charter Schools: are public schools. are free. do not have admissions tests or other barriers to entrance. are financially accountable non-profit corporations. have autonomy from their school district. & bring innovation and resources into the classroom where they belong.