Littleton Public Schools Policy

Policy Code    LBD Policy Name    Relations With Charter Schools Adoption            November 2, 1993 Revised              August 27, 1998

The state of Colorado has authorized charter schools as one avenue for parents, teachers, and community members to provide for the education of children within the public school system. The Board supports efforts by parents, teachers, or other persons or organizations interested in establishing charter schools within the District in accordance with state law.

A charter school shall be a public, nonsectarian, nonreligious, nonhome-based school which operates under the governance of the School District and is accountable to the Board of Education. It is subject to all federal and state laws and constitutional provisions prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, gender, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services.

Enrollment must be open to any child who resides within the School District, and may be open to students from other districts. However, no charter school shall be required to make special needs alterations in the structure of its facility or the arrangement or function of rooms within the facility except as may be required by state or federal law. A charter school shall not charge tuition except as otherwise provided by law.

Each charter school shall be governed by its own governing body in a manner agreed to by the charter school applicant and the Board of Education. Organizing as a nonprofit corporation under the Colorado Nonprofit Corporation Act shall not affect the charter school’s status as a public school for any purpose under Colorado law. As negotiated in the contract with the District, the charter school may operate free from specified local board policies and regulations, state board regulations, and state statutes.

A charter school shall be responsible for its own operation including, but not limited to, preparation of a budget, contracting for services and personnel matters. Services for which a charter school contracts with the School District shall be negotiated and provided at District cost. No rent shall be charged for use of District facilities which may be available for the charter school.

The Board of Education shall by resolution approve applications or renew or revoke charters. An approved charter application shall serve as the basis for a contract between the charter school and the District. The contract shall reflect all agreements between the District and the charter school, including the waiver of local district policies and regulations and the waiver of statutory requirements or rules by the State Board of Education. The Board and the charter school shall jointly request any such waivers from the State Board of Education. It shall be the policy of the Board not to waive charter school compliance with any state or federal laws or regulations regarding open records.

Each charter school shall have an educational program with student performance standards and curriculum that meets or exceeds District and state standards.

A charter school shall begin in the fall following the date the application is approved, unless another starting time is agreed upon by the Board and the applicant.

The period for which a new charter may be approved is a minimum of three academic years and a maximum of five academic years. Renewal of a charter shall be for a period of not more than five years. The Board of Education may, in its discretion, reasonably limit the number of charter schools in the School District.

Legal Reference:  C.R.S. 22-30.5-101 et. seq.