Charter Issues

Submitted by hcsao on Mon, 2007-07-16 11:59. DRAFT Charter School Self Assessment Tool Kit Available

Self Assessment Tool Kit Available for Review

The Hawaii Charter School Network, in cooperation with Community Links Hawaii, has prepared a  self assessment tool kit for Hawaii's charter schools.

Topics covered:

• General Organizational Viability
• Local School Board Governance
• Financial Viability
• Human Resources
• Virtual Education
• Health and Safety

The Hawaii Charter Schools Network would appreciate any feedback or suggestions for the Tool Kit. Please send your feedback to: steve_hirakami@notes.k12.hi.us.

Submitted by hcsao on Tue, 2007-01-23 13:25. 2007 Legislative Session Opens with Call for More Charter Schools

Election results in new representation for charters

As a result of November's election there's been many changes in the State House and Senate. Many of the legislators representing districts that have charter schools have changed. And the membership of the key (education and money)  committees has changed.

DOWNLOAD>> List of Charter School Reps and Key Committee Members (compiled Jan. 2007)

A call for more charter from both houses of the legislature

The 2007 Regular Session of the Hawaii State Legislature opened on Wednesday, January 17th with the minority leadership of both houses calling for more charter schools.

Submitted by hcsao on Mon, 2006-09-18 10:40. 2007-09 Biennium Budget Approved by BOE

  UPDATE: full BOE approves budget proposal from budget committee

DOWNLOAD>>Budget Proposal Attachement A, approved by full board on October 19, 2006

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UPDATE: BOE budget committee passed out to the full board an adjusted budget

The CSAO presented a revised 2007-09 biennium budget proposal to the BOE Committee on Budget and Fiscal Accountability on October 18, 2006.

DOWNLOAD>> Memo to the BOE budget committee: DISCUSSION/RECOMMENDATION FOR BOARD ACTION ON THE CHARTER SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OPERATING BUDGET REQUEST FOR FISCAL BIENNIUM 2007-09, October 18, 2006

Submitted by hcsao on Mon, 2006-08-21 10:39. Memo to BOE - Report on Administrative Rules - August 21, 2006

August 21, 2006 

Dear Mr. Yee, Members of the Board,

Attached please find a copy of draft proposed rules for implementation of the new charter school law. The scope of these rules is limited to several important aspects of charter school operations: the application and approval process for new charter schools; the process for amending the detailed implementation plans of existing charter schools; the duties and responsibilities of the charter school administrative office; the evaluation system for ensuring the accountability of charter schools; the process for placing a charter school on probation; and the process for revoking the charter of a charter school. The new charter school law, Act 298, created significant changes in each of these statutory areas. 

Submitted by hcsao on Mon, 2006-07-24 16:05. CSAO Memo: AG Opinion on 302A-1506

Dated August 4, 2005, this memo from the CSAO executive director to all charter schools documents that the Board of Education received a legal opinion from the state attorney general saying that charter schools are subject to HRS 302A-1506.

This section of the law states that acquiring public school facilities is subject to the comptroller's approval.

CSAO Memo: AG Opinion on 302A-1506, dated Aug. 4, 2005

Submitted by hcsao on Mon, 2006-07-24 15:57. The Charter School Facility Finance Landscape

This national study covers the private, nonprofit and public providers of funding and financing for charter school facilities.

Includes extensive descriptions of organizations in the following categories:

• Private nonprofit organizations
• Public-private partnerships
• Public initiatives

Maps out which types of funding and financing sources are available by state.

The Charter School Facility Finance Landscape
The Education Facilitites Financing Corporation of Local Initiatives Support Corporation, May 2005

Submitted by hcsao on Mon, 2006-07-24 15:04. Building a Foundation for Success: How Authorizers Can Help Schools with the Facilities Gap

This issues brief discusses the positive role authorizers can play in the relationship between charter schools and financial institutions that provide facilities funding.

The authors argue that the political and operational stability that quality authorizing brings to the charter school system has a positive impact on how financial institutions view the creditworthyness of charter schools.

Additionally, the authors suggest several proactive steps authorizers can take, including:

• Funding a loan pool
• Providing a loan guaranty
• Accessing public funding
• Providing vacant space to charters

Building a Foundation of Success: How Authorizers Can Help Schools with the Facilities Challenge
National Association of Charter School Authorizers, May 2004

Submitted by hcsao on Mon, 2006-07-24 14:54. Facilities Financing: New Models for Districts that are Creating Schools New

This report outlines a number of innovative ways charter schools have addressed the challenge of creaing affordable facilities.

The authors argue that new approaches to solving facilitites needs  are required, including:

• Tapping non-traditional sources of financing
• Saving costs by rethinking the use of brink and mortar
• Establishing real estate trusts and intermediaries

Facilities Financing: New Models for Districts that are Creating Schools New
education/evolving, Jan. 2004

Submitted by hcsao on Mon, 2006-07-24 14:28. Small Schools "Best Practices" for Sharing Facilities

A list of "tips" aimed at creating more successful shared facilities arrangements for small schools.

Topics covered include:

• Ensuring autonomy between schools/organizations
• Developing strong working relationships
• Defining a conflict resolution process up front
• Establishing a neutral facilities coordinator
• Negotiating a memorandum of understanding/agreement

Small Schools "Best Practices" for Sharing Facilities
Business and Professional People for the Public Interest, Undated

Submitted by hcsao on Mon, 2006-07-24 14:13. Primer: Charter School Facilities

This resource guide takes you step-by-step through the process for developing and executing a plan to build or renovate a school facility. Includes worksheets and model budgets.

Sections include:

• Needs assessment
• Site Selection
• Construction vs. renovation
• Financing your charter school facility
• Model budgets
• Sample application

Charter School Facilities: A resource Guide on Development and Financing
Charter Friends National Network, 2000