2006 Utah Code - 53A-1a-515 — Charters authorized by local school boards.

     53A-1a-515.   Charters authorized by local school boards.
     (1) (a) Individuals and entities identified in Section 53A-1a-504 may enter into an agreement with a local school board to establish and operate a charter school within the geographical boundaries of the school district administered by the board.
     (b) The charter schools described in Subsection (1)(a) are in addition to the limited number of charter schools authorized by the State Charter School Board in Section 53A-1a-502.5.
     (2) (a) An existing public school that converts to charter status under a charter granted by a local school board may:
     (i) continue to receive the same services from the school district that it received prior to its conversion; or
     (ii) contract out for some or all of those services with other public or private providers.
     (b) Any other charter school authorized by a local school board may contract with the board to receive some or all of the services referred to in Subsection (3)(a).
     (3) (a) (i) A public school that converts to a charter school under a charter granted by a local school board shall receive funding:
     (A) through the school district; and
     (B) on the same basis as it did prior to its conversion to a charter school.
     (ii) The school may also receive federal monies designated for charter schools under any federal program.
     (b) (i) A local school board-authorized charter school operating in a facility owned by the school district and not paying reasonable rent to the school district shall receive funding:
     (A) through the school district; and
     (B) on the same basis that other district schools receive funding.
     (ii) The school may also receive federal monies designated for charter schools under any federal program.
     (c) Any other charter school authorized by a local school board shall receive funding as provided in Section 53A-1a-513.
     (4) (a) A local school board that receives an application for a charter school under this section shall, within 45 days, either accept or reject the application.
     (b) If the board rejects the application, it shall notify the applicant in writing of the reason for the rejection.
     (c) The applicant may submit a revised application for reconsideration by the board.
     (d) If the local school board refuses to authorize the applicant, the applicant may seek a charter from the State Charter School Board under Section 53A-1a-505.
     (5) The State Board of Education shall make a rule providing for a timeline for the opening of a charter school following the approval of a charter school application by a local school board.
     (6) (a) After approval of a charter school application, the applicant and the local school board shall set forth the terms and conditions for the operation of the charter school in a written contractual agreement.
     (b) The agreement is the school's charter.
     (7) A local school board shall:
     (a) annually review and evaluate the performance of charter schools authorized by the local school board and hold the schools accountable for their performance;

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     (b) monitor charter schools authorized by the local school board for compliance with federal and state laws, rules, and regulations; and
     (c) provide technical support to charter schools authorized by the local school board to assist them in understanding and performing their charter obligations.
     (8) A local school board may terminate a charter school it authorizes as provided in Sections 53A-1a-509 and 53A-1a-510.
     (9) The governing body of a local school board-authorized charter school shall be independent of the local school board except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter.

Amended by Chapter 354, 2006 General Session