Section 7. Definitions

A. “Authorizer” means either a local school board or the commission that permits the operation of a charter school. B. “Charter school” means a conversion school or start-up school authorized by a chartering authority to operate as a charter school. C. “Chartering authority” means either a local school board or the commission. D. “Commission” means the public education commission. E. “Conversion school” means an existing public school within a school district that was authorized by a local school board to become a charter school. F. “Department” means the public education department. G. “Division” means the charter school division of the department. H. “Governing body” means the governing body of a charter school as set forth in the school's charter. I. “Secretary” means the New Mexico secretary of public education. J. “Start-up cost” means the initial costs associated with opening a start-up school. K. “Start-up school” means a public school developed by one or more parents, teachers or community members authorized by a chartering authority to become a charter school.