2010 Rhode Island Code
Title 16 Education
CHAPTER 16-77.3 Independent Charter Schools
§ 16-77.3-3 Process for consideration of proposed charter.

§ 16-77.3-3 Process for consideration of proposed charter. – (a) If the commissioner finds the proposed charter to be incomplete, further information may be requested and required. The commissioner shall develop regulations for amending an approved charter, consistent with the provisions of this chapter.

(b) After having received a satisfactory proposed charter, the commissioner will provide for a public comment period of not less than sixty (60) days, during which they will hold at least two (2) public hearings on the proposed charter. These hearings will be held in the district where the proposed independent charter school is to be located. Any person may file with the commissioner comments, recommendations, and/or objections relevant to the granting of a charter.

(c) The commissioner will decide on whether or not to recommend the granting of the charter to the board of regents within ninety (90) days after the conclusion of the public comment period.

(d) If the commissioner recommends the granting of the proposed charter, the matter shall be referred to the board of regents for a decision on whether to grant a revocable charter. The board of regents may grant a charter for a period of up to five (5) years. The decision of the board of regents, complete with reasons and conditions, shall be made available to the public and to the applicant. Charter public school approval for establishment or continuation shall be for up to a five (5) year period. At the conclusion of each five (5) year period, the board of regents may conduct a subsequent review of the independent charter school's charter. If the board of regents does not conduct such a review, the charter shall renew for another five (5) year period. The commissioner, with approval of the board of regents, shall promulgate rules and regulations for these five (5) year reviews.

(e) The commissioner, with the approval of the board of regents, may grant a variance to any provision of title 16 other than those enumerated in § 16-77.3-7 and to any department of education regulation and to any school district regulation which does not affect the health and safety or civil rights of pupils in independent charter schools.

(f) All proposed charters shall be matters of public record and will be provided to members of the public upon request.
History of Section.
(P.L. 2010, ch. 84, § 5; P.L. 2010, ch. 107, § 5.)