2015 Utah Code
Title 53A - State System of Public Education
Chapter 1 - Administration of Public Education at the State Level
Part 12 - School Turnaround and Leadership Development Act
Section 1205 - Required action to terminate or turn around a low performing charter school.

Effective 5/12/2015
53A-1-1205. Required action to terminate or turn around a low performing charter school.

• (1) On or before August 20 of an initial remedial year, a charter school authorizer of a low performing school shall initiate a review to determine whether the charter school is in compliance with the school's charter agreement described in Section 53A-1a-508, including the school's established minimum standards for student achievement.

• (2) If a low performing school is found to be out of compliance with the school's charter agreement, the charter school authorizer may terminate the school's charter in accordance with Section 53A-1a-510.

• (3) A charter school authorizer shall make a determination on the status of a low performing school's charter under Subsection (2) on or before September 15 of an initial remedial year.

• (4) If a charter school authorizer does not terminate a low performing school's charter under Subsection (2), a charter school governing board of a low performing school shall:
  • (a) on or before October 1 of an initial remedial year, establish a school turnaround committee composed of the following members:
    • (i) a member of the charter school governing board, appointed by the chair of the charter school governing board;
    • (ii) the school principal;
    • (iii) three parents of students enrolled in the low performing school, appointed by the chair of the charter school governing board; and
    • (iv) two teachers at the low performing school, appointed by the school principal; and
  • (b) subject to Subsection (5), on or before October 15 of an initial remedial year, in partnership with the school turnaround committee, select an independent school turnaround expert from the experts identified by the board under Section 53A-1-1206.

• (5) A charter school governing board may not select a school turnaround expert that:
  • (a) is a member of the charter school governing board;
  • (b) is an employee of the charter school; or
  • (c) has a contract to operate the charter school.

• (6) A school turnaround committee shall partner with the independent school turnaround expert selected under Subsection (4)(b) to develop and implement a school turnaround plan that includes the elements described in Subsection 53A-1-1204(3).

• (7)
  • (a) On or before March 1 of an initial remedial year, a school turnaround committee shall submit the school turnaround plan to the charter school governing board for approval.
  • (b) Except as provided in Subsection (7)(c), on or before April 1 of an initial remedial year, a charter school governing board of a low performing school shall submit the school turnaround plan to the board for approval.
  • (c) If the charter school governing board does not approve the school turnaround plan submitted under Subsection (7)(a), the school turnaround committee may appeal the disapproval in accordance with rules made by the board as described in Subsection 53A-1-1206(5).

Enacted by Chapter 449, 2015 General Session