LAC 28:CXXXIX.513. Stages of Application Cycle for BESE-Authorized Charter Schools

A. Each charter application process shall be approved by BESE on an annual basis. B. Application Evaluation by Team of Evaluators 1. Teams of local, state, and national evaluators with expertise in charter schools and charter school authorizing, curriculum and instruction, governance and management, and finance shall be assembled for the review of charter applications. 2. Each charter application will be reviewed by the evaluation team and scored with a uniform evaluation rubric. C. Application Process Components 1. Letter of Intent. As a prerequisite for application submission, the charter applicant shall submit a letter of intent to the department in accordance with BESE Charter Application timelines. The letter of intent shall include the mission, vision, instructional model, grades to be served, anticipated number of students, and potential physical location. 2. Eligibility Determination. Applicants shall submit the required documents to the department to determine eligibility prior to the submission of the full application. 3. Charter Board Capacity Interview. The charter applicant and charter board shall demonstrate the capacity to execute and operate a high-quality charter school. A majority of the identified charter board members of the charter applicant group shall attend the capacity interview. Members of the charter board shall be prepared to discuss the content of the application, inclusive of the academic, organizational, and financial proposals. D. Evaluators shall make recommendations to the LDE for approval or denial of each charter school application. E. Prior to the consideration of a charter school proposal by BESE, each charter applicant shall be afforded the opportunity to provide a written response to the independent evaluation of the application. Such response shall be available to the independent reviewers for consideration prior to issuing a final recommendation to BESE. F. Prior to approving a charter for a Type 2, Type 4, or Type 5 school, BESE shall hold a public meeting for the purpose of considering the proposal and receiving public input. Such meeting shall be held after reasonable efforts have been made by BESE to notify the public of the meeting and agenda content. G. The department shall forward to the charter applicant, either by electronic means or hand delivery, the final evaluation and recommendations of the third-party evaluator. Such information shall be sent no later than five business days prior to the meeting at which BESE will take action on the charter proposal. H. The department shall notify the local school district superintendent of the receipt of a charter application and any BESE action taken on such application in accordance with procedures developed as part of the BESE approved timeline.