| 1 | | - | Amended IN Assembly April 29, 2019 Amended IN Assembly March 28, 2019 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20192020 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 1722Introduced by Assembly Member KileyFebruary 22, 2019 An act to amend Sections 32282 and 32282.1 32282, 32282.1, 47605, and 47605.6 of, and to add Section 32285 to, the Education Code, relating to school safety.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 1722, as amended, Kiley. Comprehensive school School safety plans.Existing law requires school districts and county offices of education to be responsible for the overall development of a comprehensive school safety plan for each of its schools operating kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive. Existing law requires the schoolsite council of a school to write and develop the comprehensive school safety plan relevant to the needs and resources of that particular school, in consultation with a representative from a law enforcement agency, a fire department, and other first responder entities. Existing law requires the plan to include specified components, including procedures for conducting tactical responses to criminal incidents. Existing law requires a petition to establish a charter school to include, among other things, a reasonably comprehensive description of the procedures that the charter school will follow to ensure the health and safety of pupils and staff, including requiring the development and annual update of a school safety plan that includes certain safety topics and procedures.This bill would require a comprehensive school safety plan plan, and the school safety plan of a charter school, to include a targeted violence prevention plan that, among other things, establishes a multidisciplinary threat assessment team of school personnel who will direct, manage, and document the threat assessment process, as prescribed. The bill would authorize, upon a preliminary determination by the threat assessment team that an individual poses a threat of violence to themself or others, any state or local agency or program that provides services to the individual to share with any other state or local agency or program records or information that are confidential or exempt from disclosure if the records or information are reasonably necessary to evaluate the threat, ensure access to appropriate services for the individual, or ensure the safety of the individual or others. The bill would also require a school district or district, county office of education education, or charter school that has a memorandum of understanding with a local law enforcement agency to incorporate the applicable targeted violence prevention plan requirements into that memorandum of understanding.Under existing law the Legislature encourages, as comprehensive school safety plans are reviewed and updated, all plans, to the extent that resources are available, to include policies and procedures aimed at the prevention of bullying and to include clear guidelines for the roles and responsibilities of mental health professionals, community intervention professionals, school counselors, school resource officers, and police officers on school campuses, if the school district uses these people. This bill would require, rather than encourage, comprehensive school safety plans plans, and school safety plans of charter schools, to include those elements as the plans are reviewed and updated.By imposing additional requirements on school districts and districts, county offices of education education, and charter schools in relation to comprehensive school safety plans, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 32282 of the Education Code is amended to read:32282. (a) The comprehensive school safety plan shall include, but not be limited to, both of the following:(1) Assessing the current status of school crime committed on school campuses and at school-related functions.(2) Identifying appropriate strategies and programs that will provide or maintain a high level of school safety and address the schools procedures for complying with existing laws related to school safety, which shall include the development of all of the following:(A) Child abuse reporting procedures consistent with Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 11164) of Chapter 2 of Title 1 of Part 4 of the Penal Code.(B) Disaster procedures, routine and emergency, including adaptations for pupils with disabilities in accordance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.). The disaster procedures shall also include, but not be limited to, both of the following:(i) Establishing an earthquake emergency procedure system in every public school building having an occupant capacity of 50 or more pupils or more than one classroom. A school district or county office of education may work with the Office of Emergency Services and the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission to develop and establish the earthquake emergency procedure system. The system shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:(I) A school building disaster plan, ready for implementation at any time, for maintaining the safety and care of pupils and staff. The department shall provide general direction to school districts and county offices of education on what to include in the school building disaster plan.(II) A drop procedure whereby each pupil and staff member takes cover under a table or desk, dropping to their knees, with the head protected by the arms, and the back to the windows. A drop procedure practice shall be held at least once each school quarter in elementary schools and at least once a semester in secondary schools.(III) Protective measures to be taken before, during, and following an earthquake.(IV) A program to ensure that pupils and both the certificated and classified staff are aware of, and properly trained in, the earthquake emergency procedure system.(ii) Establishing a procedure to allow a public agency, including the American Red Cross, to use school buildings, grounds, and equipment for mass care and welfare shelters during disasters or other emergencies affecting the public health and welfare. The school district or county office of education shall cooperate with the public agency in furnishing and maintaining the services as the school district or county office of education may deem necessary to meet the needs of the community.(C) Policies pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 48915 for pupils who committed an act listed in subdivision (c) of Section 48915 and other school-designated serious acts that would lead to suspension, expulsion, or mandatory expulsion recommendations pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 48900) of Chapter 6 of Part 27 of Division 4 of Title 2.(D) Procedures to notify teachers of dangerous pupils pursuant to Section 49079.(E) A discrimination and harassment policy consistent with the prohibition against discrimination contained in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 200) of Part 1.(F) The provisions of any schoolwide dress code, pursuant to Section 35183, that prohibits pupils from wearing gang-related apparel, if the school has adopted that type of a dress code. For those purposes, the comprehensive school safety plan shall define gang-related apparel. The definition shall be limited to apparel that, if worn or displayed on a school campus, reasonably could be determined to threaten the health and safety of the school environment. A schoolwide dress code established pursuant to this section and Section 35183 shall be enforced on the school campus and at any school-sponsored activity by the principal of the school or the person designated by the principal. For purposes of this paragraph, gang-related apparel shall not be considered a protected form of speech pursuant to Section 48950.(G) Procedures for safe ingress and egress of pupils, parents, and school employees to and from school.(H) A safe and orderly environment conducive to learning at the school.(I) The rules and procedures on school discipline adopted pursuant to Sections 35291, 35291.5, 47605, and 47605.6.(J) Procedures for conducting tactical responses to criminal incidents, including procedures related to individuals with guns on school campuses and at school-related functions. The procedures to prepare for active shooters or other armed assailants shall be based on the specific needs and context of each school and community.(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that schools develop comprehensive school safety plans using existing resources, including the materials and services of the partnership, pursuant to this chapter. It is also the intent of the Legislature that schools use the handbook developed and distributed by the School/Law Enforcement Partnership Program entitled Safe Schools: A Planning Guide for Action in conjunction with developing their plan for school safety.(c) Each schoolsite council or school safety planning committee, in developing and updating a comprehensive school safety plan, shall, where practical, consult, cooperate, and coordinate with other schoolsite councils or school safety planning committees.(d) The comprehensive school safety plan may be evaluated and amended, as needed, by the school safety planning committee, but shall be evaluated at least once a year, to ensure that the comprehensive school safety plan is properly implemented. An updated file of all safety-related plans and materials shall be readily available for inspection by the public.(e) As comprehensive school safety plans are reviewed and updated, the plans shall include policies and procedures aimed at the prevention of bullying.(f) The comprehensive school safety plan, as written and updated by the schoolsite council or school safety planning committee, shall be submitted for approval pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 32288.(g) The department shall maintain and conspicuously post on its internet website a compliance checklist for developing a comprehensive school safety plan, and shall update the checklist when necessary.SEC. 2. Section 32282.1 of the Education Code is amended to read:32282.1. (a) As comprehensive school safety plans are reviewed and updated, the plans shall include clear guidelines for the roles and responsibilities of mental health professionals, community intervention professionals, school counselors, school resource officers, and police officers on school campuses, if the school district uses these people.(b) The guidelines developed pursuant to subdivision (a) are encouraged to include both of the following:(1) Primary strategies to create and maintain a positive school climate, promote school safety, and increase pupil achievement, and prioritize mental health and intervention services, restorative and transformative justice programs, and positive behavior interventions and support.(2) Consistent with paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 32282, protocols to address the mental health care of pupils who have witnessed a violent act at any time, including, but not limited to, any of the following:(A) While on school grounds.(B) While going to or coming from school.(C) During a lunch period whether on or off campus.(D) During, or while going to or coming from, a school-sponsored activity.SEC. 3. Section 32285 is added to the Education Code, to read:32285. (a) A comprehensive school safety plan shall include a targeted violence prevention plan. The targeted violence prevention plan shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following requirements, which are recommended by the United States Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center:(1) (A) Establish a multidisciplinary threat assessment team of school personnel, including faculty, staff, administrators, coaches, school counselors, school psychologists, school nurses, school social workers, and available school resource officers, who will direct, manage, and document the threat assessment process.(B) Establish minimum standards for the threat assessment team, including, but not limited to, having members with expertise in counseling, pupil instruction, school administration, human resources, and law enforcement. (2) Define behaviors, including those that are prohibited and that will trigger immediate intervention, such as threats, violent acts, and weapons on campus, and other concerning behaviors that require a threat assessment.(3) Establish and provide training on a central reporting system such as an online form on the schools internet website, email address, phone number, smartphone application, or other mechanism. The central reporting system shall provide anonymity to those reporting concerns and be monitored by personnel who will follow up on all reports.(4) Determine the threshold for law enforcement intervention, especially if there is a safety risk.(5) Establish threat assessment procedures that include practices for maintaining documentation, identifying sources of information, reviewing records, and conducting interviews. Threat assessment procedures shall include all of the following investigative themes to guide the assessment process: process, as recommended by the United States Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center:(A)Motive: What motivated the pupil to engage in the behavior of concern? What is the pupil trying to solve?(B)Communications: Have there been concerning, unusual, threatening, or violent communications? Are there communications about thoughts of suicide, hopelessness, or information relevant to the other investigative themes?(C)Inappropriate Interests: Does the pupil have inappropriate interests in weapons, school attacks or attackers, mass attacks, or other violence? Is there a fixation on an issue or a person?(D)Weapons Access: Is there access to weapons? Is there evidence of manufactured explosives or incendiary devices?(E)Stressors: Have there been any recent setbacks, losses, or challenges? How is the pupil coping with stressors?(F)Emotional and Developmental Issues: Is the pupil dealing with mental health issues or developmental disabilities? Is the pupils behavior a product of those issues? What resources does the pupil need?(G)Desperation or Despair: Has the pupil felt hopeless, desperate, or that they are out of options?(H)Violence as an Option: Does the pupil think that violence is a way to solve a problem? Have they thought that in the past?(I)Concerned Others: Has the pupils behavior elicited concern? Was the concern related to safety?(J)Capacity: Is the pupil organized enough to plan and execute an attack? Does the pupil have the resources?(K)Planning: Has the pupil initiated an attack plan, researched tactics, selected targets, or practiced with a weapon?(L)Consistency: Are the pupils statements consistent with the pupils actions or what others observe? If not, why?(M)Protective Factors: Are there positive and prosocial influences in the pupils life? Does the pupil have a positive and trusting relationship with an adult at school? Does the pupil feel emotionally connected to other pupils?(A) Motive.(B) Communications.(C) Inappropriate interests.(D) Weapons access.(E) Stressors.(F) Emotional and developmental issues.(G) Desperation or despair.(H) Violence as an option.(I) Concerned others.(J) Capacity.(K) Planning.(L) Consistency.(M) Protective factors.(6) Develop risk management options to enact once a threat assessment is complete, including all of the following:(A) Create individualized management plans to mitigate identified risks.(B) Notify law enforcement immediately if the pupil is thinking about an attack.(C) Ensure the safety of potential targets.(D) Create a situation less prone to violence.(E) Redirect the pupils motive.(F) Reduce the effect of stressors.(7) Create and promote a safe school climate built on a culture of safety, respect, trust, and emotional support. This includes encouraging communication, intervening in conflicts and bullying, and empowering pupils to share their concerns.(8) Provide school safety training for all stakeholders, including school personnel, pupils, parents, and law enforcement.(b) A school district or district, county office of education education, or charter school that has a memorandum of understanding with a local law enforcement agency shall incorporate the applicable requirements of this section into that memorandum of understanding.(c) To the extent permitted by federal law and notwithstanding any other law, upon a preliminary determination by the threat assessment team that an individual poses a threat of violence to themself or others, any state or local agency or program that provides services to the individual, including any service or support provider contracting with one of those entities, may share with any other state or local agency or program records or information that are confidential or exempt from disclosure if the records or information are reasonably necessary to evaluate the threat, ensure access to appropriate services for the individual, or ensure the safety of the individual or others.(d) Subdivision (a) shall not apply to a small school district, as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 32281, if the small school district develops a targeted violence prevention plan that applies to schools within the school district, in cooperation with neighboring school districts or the county office of education.SEC. 4. Section 47605 of the Education Code is amended to read:47605. (a) (1) Except as set forth in paragraph (2), a petition for the establishment of a charter school within a school district may be circulated by one or more persons seeking to establish the charter school. A petition for the establishment of a charter school shall identify a single charter school that will operate within the geographic boundaries of that school district. A charter school may propose to operate at multiple sites within the school district if each location is identified in the charter school petition. The petition may be submitted to the governing board of the school district for review after either of the following conditions is met:(A) The petition is signed by a number of parents or legal guardians of pupils that is equivalent to at least one-half of the number of pupils that the charter school estimates will enroll in the charter school for its first year of operation.(B) The petition is signed by a number of teachers that is equivalent to at least one-half of the number of teachers that the charter school estimates will be employed at the charter school during its first year of operation.(2) A petition that proposes to convert an existing public school to a charter school that would not be eligible for a loan pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 41365 may be circulated by one or more persons seeking to establish the charter school. The petition may be submitted to the governing board of the school district for review after the petition is signed by not less than 50 percent of the permanent status teachers currently employed at the public school to be converted.(3) A petition shall include a prominent statement that a signature on the petition means that the parent or legal guardian is meaningfully interested in having his or her their child or ward attend the charter school, or in the case of a teachers signature, means that the teacher is meaningfully interested in teaching at the charter school. The proposed charter shall be attached to the petition.(4) After receiving approval of its petition, a charter school that proposes to establish operations at one or more additional sites shall request a material revision to its charter and shall notify the authority that granted its charter of those additional locations. The authority that granted its charter shall consider whether to approve those additional locations at an open, public meeting. If the additional locations are approved, there shall be a material revision to the charter schools charter.(5) A charter school that is unable to locate within the jurisdiction of the chartering school district may establish one site outside the boundaries of the school district, but within the county in which that school district is located, if the school district within the jurisdiction of which the charter school proposes to operate is notified in advance of the charter petition approval, the county superintendent of schools and the Superintendent are notified of the location of the charter school before it commences operations, and either of the following circumstances exists:(A) The school has attempted to locate a single site or facility to house the entire program, but a site or facility is unavailable in the area in which the school chooses to locate.(B) The site is needed for temporary use during a construction or expansion project.(6) Commencing January 1, 2003, a petition to establish a charter school shall not be approved to serve pupils in a grade level that is not served by the school district of the governing board considering the petition, unless the petition proposes to serve pupils in all of the grade levels served by that school district.(b) No later than 30 days after receiving a petition, in accordance with subdivision (a), the governing board of the school district shall hold a public hearing on the provisions of the charter, at which time the governing board of the school district shall consider the level of support for the petition by teachers employed by the school district, other employees of the school district, and parents. Following review of the petition and the public hearing, the governing board of the school district shall either grant or deny the charter within 60 days of receipt of the petition, provided, however, that the date may be extended by an additional 30 days if both parties agree to the extension. In reviewing petitions for the establishment of charter schools pursuant to this section, the chartering authority shall be guided by the intent of the Legislature that charter schools are and should become an integral part of the California educational system and that the establishment of charter schools should be encouraged. The governing board of the school district shall grant a charter for the operation of a school under this part if it is satisfied that granting the charter is consistent with sound educational practice. The governing board of the school district shall not deny a petition for the establishment of a charter school unless it makes written factual findings, specific to the particular petition, setting forth specific facts to support one or more of the following findings:(1) The charter school presents an unsound educational program for the pupils to be enrolled in the charter school.(2) The petitioners are demonstrably unlikely to successfully implement the program set forth in the petition.(3) The petition does not contain the number of signatures required by subdivision (a).(4) The petition does not contain an affirmation of each of the conditions described in subdivision (d).(5) The petition does not contain reasonably comprehensive descriptions of all of the following:(A) (i) The educational program of the charter school, designed, among other things, to identify those whom the charter school is attempting to educate, what it means to be an educated person in the 21st century, and how learning best occurs. The goals identified in that program shall include the objective of enabling pupils to become self-motivated, competent, and lifelong learners.(ii) The annual goals for the charter school for all pupils and for each subgroup of pupils identified pursuant to Section 52052, to be achieved in the state priorities, as described in subdivision (d) of Section 52060, that apply for the grade levels served, or the nature of the program operated, by the charter school, and specific annual actions to achieve those goals. A charter petition may identify additional school priorities, the goals for the school priorities, and the specific annual actions to achieve those goals.(iii) If the proposed charter school will serve high school pupils, the manner in which the charter school will inform parents about the transferability of courses to other public high schools and the eligibility of courses to meet college entrance requirements. Courses offered by the charter school that are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges may be considered transferable and courses approved by the University of California or the California State University as creditable under the A to G admissions criteria may be considered to meet college entrance requirements.(B) The measurable pupil outcomes identified for use by the charter school. Pupil outcomes, for purposes of this part, means the extent to which all pupils of the charter school demonstrate that they have attained the skills, knowledge, and attitudes specified as goals in the charter schools educational program. Pupil outcomes shall include outcomes that address increases in pupil academic achievement both schoolwide and for all groups of pupils served by the charter school, as that term is defined in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 47607. The pupil outcomes shall align with the state priorities, as described in subdivision (d) of Section 52060, that apply for the grade levels served, or the nature of the program operated, by the charter school.(C) The method by which pupil progress in meeting those pupil outcomes is to be measured. To the extent practicable, the method for measuring pupil outcomes for state priorities shall be consistent with the way information is reported on a school accountability report card.(D) The governance structure of the charter school, including, but not limited to, the process to be followed by the charter school to ensure parental involvement.(E) The qualifications to be met by individuals to be employed by the charter school.(F) The procedures that the charter school will follow to ensure the health and safety of pupils and staff. These procedures shall require all of the following:(i) That each employee of the charter school furnish the charter school with a criminal record summary as described in Section 44237.(ii) The development of a school safety plan, which shall include the safety topics listed in subparagraphs (A) to (H), inclusive, of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of of, and subdivision (e) of, Section 32282 and 32282, the guidelines described in Section 32282.1, procedures for conducting tactical responses to criminal incidents. incidents, and the targeted violence prevention plan described in Section 32285.(iii) That the school safety plan be reviewed and updated by March 1 of every year by the charter school.(G) The means by which the charter school will achieve a racial and ethnic balance among its pupils that is reflective of the general population residing within the territorial jurisdiction of the school district to which the charter petition is submitted.(H) Admission policies and procedures, consistent with subdivision (d).(I) The manner in which annual, independent financial audits shall be conducted, which shall employ generally accepted accounting principles, and the manner in which audit exceptions and deficiencies shall be resolved to the satisfaction of the chartering authority.(J) The procedures by which pupils can be suspended or expelled from the charter school for disciplinary reasons or otherwise involuntarily removed from the charter school for any reason. These procedures, at a minimum, shall include an explanation of how the charter school will comply with federal and state constitutional procedural and substantive due process requirements that is consistent with all of the following:(i) For suspensions of fewer than 10 days, provide oral or written notice of the charges against the pupil and, if the pupil denies the charges, an explanation of the evidence that supports the charges and an opportunity for the pupil to present his or her the pupils side of the story.(ii) For suspensions of 10 days or more and all other expulsions for disciplinary reasons, both of the following:(I) Provide timely, written notice of the charges against the pupil and an explanation of the pupils basic rights.(II) Provide a hearing adjudicated by a neutral officer within a reasonable number of days at which the pupil has a fair opportunity to present testimony, evidence, and witnesses and confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses, and at which the pupil has the right to bring legal counsel or an advocate.(iii) Contain a clear statement that no pupil shall be involuntarily removed by the charter school for any reason unless the parent or guardian of the pupil has been provided written notice of intent to remove the pupil no less than five schooldays before the effective date of the action. The written notice shall be in the native language of the pupil or the pupils parent or guardian or, if the pupil is a foster child or youth or a homeless child or youth, the pupils educational rights holder, and shall inform him or her that individual of the right to initiate the procedures specified in clause (ii) before the effective date of the action. If the pupils parent, guardian, or educational rights holder initiates the procedures specified in clause (ii), the pupil shall remain enrolled and shall not be removed until the charter school issues a final decision. For purposes of this clause, involuntarily removed includes disenrolled, dismissed, transferred, or terminated, but does not include suspensions specified in clauses (i) and (ii).(K) The manner by which staff members of the charter schools will be covered by the State Teachers Retirement System, the Public Employees Retirement System, or federal social security.(L) The public school attendance alternatives for pupils residing within the school district who choose not to attend charter schools.(M) The rights of an employee of the school district upon leaving the employment of the school district to work in a charter school, and of any rights of return to the school district after employment at a charter school.(N) The procedures to be followed by the charter school and the entity granting the charter chartering authority to resolve disputes relating to provisions of the charter.(O) The procedures to be used if the charter school closes. The procedures shall ensure a final audit of the charter school to determine the disposition of all assets and liabilities of the charter school, including plans for disposing of any net assets and for the maintenance and transfer of pupil records.(6) The petition does not contain a declaration of whether or not the charter school shall be deemed the exclusive public employer of the employees of the charter school for purposes of Chapter 10.7 (commencing with Section 3540) of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code.(c) (1) Charter schools shall meet all statewide standards and conduct the pupil assessments required pursuant to Section 60605 and any other statewide standards authorized in statute or pupil assessments applicable to pupils in noncharter public schools.(2) Charter schools shall, on a regular basis, consult with their parents, legal guardians, and teachers regarding the charter schools educational programs.(d) (1) In addition to any other requirement imposed under this part, a charter school shall be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices, and all other operations, shall not charge tuition, and shall not discriminate against a pupil on the basis of the characteristics listed in Section 220. Except as provided in paragraph (2), admission to a charter school shall not be determined according to the place of residence of the pupil, or of his or her that pupils parent or legal guardian, within this state, except that an existing public school converting partially or entirely to a charter school under this part shall adopt and maintain a policy giving admission preference to pupils who reside within the former attendance area of that public school.(2) (A) A charter school shall admit all pupils who wish to attend the charter school.(B) If the number of pupils who wish to attend the charter school exceeds the charter schools capacity, attendance, except for existing pupils of the charter school, shall be determined by a public random drawing. Preference shall be extended to pupils currently attending the charter school and pupils who reside in the school district except as provided for in Section 47614.5. Preferences, including, but not limited to, siblings of pupils admitted or attending the charter school and children of the charter schools teachers, staff, and founders identified in the initial charter, may also be permitted by the chartering authority on an individual charter school basis. Priority order for any preference shall be determined in the charter petition in accordance with all of the following:(i) Each type of preference shall be approved by the chartering authority at a public hearing.(ii) Preferences shall be consistent with federal law, the California Constitution, and Section 200.(iii) Preferences shall not result in limiting enrollment access for pupils with disabilities, academically low-achieving pupils, English learners, neglected or delinquent pupils, homeless pupils, or pupils who are economically disadvantaged, as determined by eligibility for any free or reduced-price meal program, foster youth, or pupils based on nationality, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.(iv) In accordance with Section 49011, preferences shall not require mandatory parental volunteer hours as a criterion for admission or continued enrollment.(C) In the event of a drawing, the chartering authority shall make reasonable efforts to accommodate the growth of the charter school and shall not take any action to impede the charter school from expanding enrollment to meet pupil demand.(3) If a pupil is expelled or leaves the charter school without graduating or completing the school year for any reason, the charter school shall notify the superintendent of the school district of the pupils last known address within 30 days, and shall, upon request, provide that school district with a copy of the cumulative record of the pupil, including report cards or a transcript of grades, and health information. If the pupil is subsequently expelled or leaves the school district without graduating or completing the school year for any reason, the school district shall provide this information to the charter school within 30 days if the charter school demonstrates that the pupil had been enrolled in the charter school. This paragraph applies only to pupils subject to compulsory full-time education pursuant to Section 48200.(e) The governing board of a school district shall not require an employee of the school district to be employed in a charter school.(f) The governing board of a school district shall not require a pupil enrolled in the school district to attend a charter school.(g) The governing board of a school district shall require that the petitioner or petitioners provide information regarding the proposed operation and potential effects of the charter school, including, but not limited to, the facilities to be used by the charter school, the manner in which administrative services of the charter school are to be provided, and potential civil liability effects, if any, upon the charter school and upon the school district. The description of the facilities to be used by the charter school shall specify where the charter school intends to locate. The petitioner or petitioners also shall be required to provide financial statements that include a proposed first-year operational budget, including startup costs, and cashflow and financial projections for the first three years of operation.(h) In reviewing petitions for the establishment of charter schools within the school district, the governing board of the school district shall give preference to petitions that demonstrate the capability to provide comprehensive learning experiences to pupils identified by the petitioner or petitioners as academically low achieving pursuant to the standards established by the department under Section 54032, as that section read before July 19, 2006.(i) Upon the approval of the petition by the governing board of the school district, the petitioner or petitioners shall provide written notice of that approval, including a copy of the petition, to the applicable county superintendent of schools, the department, and the state board.(j) (1) If the governing board of a school district denies a petition, the petitioner may elect to submit the petition for the establishment of a charter school to the county board of education. The county board of education shall review the petition pursuant to subdivision (b). If the petitioner elects to submit a petition for establishment of a charter school to the county board of education and the county board of education denies the petition, the petitioner may file a petition for establishment of a charter school with the state board, and the state board may approve the petition, in accordance with subdivision (b). A charter school that receives approval of its petition from a county board of education or from the state board on appeal shall be subject to the same requirements concerning geographic location to which it would otherwise be subject if it received approval from the entity to which it originally submitted its petition. A charter petition that is submitted to either a county board of education or to the state board shall meet all otherwise applicable petition requirements, including the identification of the proposed site or sites where the charter school will operate.(2) In assuming its role as a chartering agency, authority, the state board shall develop criteria to be used for the review and approval of charter school petitions presented to the state board. The criteria shall address all elements required for charter approval, as identified in subdivision (b), and shall define reasonably comprehensive, as used in paragraph (5) of subdivision (b), in a way that is consistent with the intent of this part. Upon satisfactory completion of the criteria, the state board shall adopt the criteria on or before June 30, 2001.(3) A charter school for which a charter is granted by either the county board of education or the state board based on an appeal pursuant to this subdivision shall qualify fully as a charter school for all funding and other purposes of this part.(4) If either the county board of education or the state board fails to act on a petition within 120 days of receipt, the decision of the governing board of the school district to deny the petition shall be subject to judicial review.(5) The state board shall adopt regulations implementing this subdivision.(6) Upon the approval of the petition by the county board of education, the petitioner or petitioners shall provide written notice of that approval, including a copy of the petition, to the department and the state board.(k) (1) The state board may, by mutual agreement, designate its supervisorial and oversight responsibilities for a charter school approved by the state board to any local educational agency in the county in which the charter school is located or to the governing board of the school district that first denied the petition.(2) The designated local educational agency shall have all monitoring and supervising authority of a chartering agency, authority, including, but not limited to, powers and duties set forth in Section 47607, except the power of revocation, which shall remain with the state board.(3) A charter school that is granted its charter through an appeal to the state board and elects to seek renewal of its charter shall, before expiration of the charter, submit its petition for renewal to the governing board of the school district that initially denied the charter. If the governing board of the school district denies the charter schools petition for renewal, the charter school may petition the state board for renewal of its charter.(l) Teachers in charter schools shall hold a Commission on Teacher Credentialing certificate, permit, or other document equivalent to that which a teacher in other public schools would be required to hold. These documents shall be maintained on file at the charter school and are subject to periodic inspection by the chartering authority. It is the intent of the Legislature that charter schools be given flexibility with regard to noncore, noncollege preparatory courses.(m) A charter school shall transmit a copy of its annual, independent financial audit report for the preceding fiscal year, as described in subparagraph (I) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (b), to its chartering entity, authority, the Controller, the county superintendent of schools of the county in which the charter school is sited, unless the county board of education of the county in which the charter school is sited is the chartering entity, authority, and the department by December 15 of each year. This subdivision does not apply if the audit of the charter school is encompassed in the audit of the chartering entity authority pursuant to Section 41020.(n) A charter school may encourage parental involvement, but shall notify the parents and guardians of applicant pupils and currently enrolled pupils that parental involvement is not a requirement for acceptance to, or continued enrollment at, the charter school.SEC. 5. Section 47605.6 of the Education Code is amended to read:47605.6. (a) (1) In addition to the authority provided by Section 47605.5, a county board of education may also approve a petition for the operation of a charter school that operates at one or more sites within the geographic boundaries of the county and that provides instructional services that are not generally provided by a county office of education. A county board of education may approve a countywide charter only if it finds, in addition to the other requirements of this section, that the educational services to be provided by the charter school will offer services to a pupil population that will benefit from those services and that cannot be served as well by a charter school that operates in only one school district in the county. A petition for the establishment of a countywide charter school pursuant to this subdivision may be circulated throughout the county by any one or more persons seeking to establish the charter school. The petition may be submitted to the county board of education for review after either of the following conditions is met:(A) The petition is signed by a number of parents or guardians of pupils residing within the county that is equivalent to at least one-half of the number of pupils that the charter school estimates will enroll in the school for its first year of operation and each of the school districts where the charter school petitioner proposes to operate a facility has received at least 30 days notice of the petitioners intent to operate a charter school pursuant to this section.(B) The petition is signed by a number of teachers that is equivalent to at least one-half of the number of teachers that the charter school estimates will be employed at the school during its first year of operation and each of the school districts where the charter school petitioner proposes to operate a facility has received at least 30 days notice of the petitioners intent to operate a charter school pursuant to this section.(2) An existing public school shall not be converted to a charter school in accordance with this section.(3) After receiving approval of its petition, a charter school that proposes to establish operations at additional sites within the geographic boundaries of the county board of education shall notify the school districts where those sites will be located. The charter school shall also request a material revision of its charter by the county board of education that approved its charter and the county board of education shall consider whether to approve those additional locations at an open, public meeting, held no sooner than 30 days following notification of the school districts where the sites will be located. If approved, the location of the approved sites shall be a material revision of the charter schools approved charter.(4) A petition shall include a prominent statement indicating that a signature on the petition means that the parent or guardian is meaningfully interested in having his or her their child or ward attend the charter school, or in the case of a teachers signature, means that the teacher is meaningfully interested in teaching at the charter school. The proposed charter shall be attached to the petition.(b) No later than 60 days after receiving a petition, in accordance with subdivision (a), the county board of education shall hold a public hearing on the provisions of the charter, at which time the county board of education shall consider the level of support for the petition by teachers, parents or guardians, and the school districts where the charter school petitioner proposes to place school facilities. Following review of the petition and the public hearing, the county board of education shall either grant or deny the charter within 90 days of receipt of the petition. However, this date may be extended by an additional 30 days if both parties agree to the extension. A county board of education may impose any additional requirements beyond those required by this section that it considers necessary for the sound operation of a countywide charter school. A county board of education may grant a charter for the operation of a charter school under this part only if it is satisfied that granting the charter is consistent with sound educational practice and that the charter school has reasonable justification for why it could not be established by petition to a school district pursuant to Section 47605. The county board of education shall deny a petition for the establishment of a charter school if it finds one or more of the following:(1) The charter school presents an unsound educational program for the pupils to be enrolled in the charter school.(2) The petitioners are demonstrably unlikely to successfully implement the program set forth in the petition.(3) The petition does not contain the number of signatures required by subdivision (a).(4) The petition does not contain an affirmation of each of the conditions described in subdivision (e).(5) The petition does not contain reasonably comprehensive descriptions of all of the following:(A) (i) The educational program of the charter school, designed, among other things, to identify those pupils whom the charter school is attempting to educate, what it means to be an educated person in the 21st century, and how learning best occurs. The goals identified in that program shall include the objective of enabling pupils to become self-motivated, competent, and lifelong learners.(ii) The annual goals for the charter school for all pupils and for each subgroup of pupils identified pursuant to Section 52052, to be achieved in the state priorities, as described in subdivision (d) of Section 52060, that apply for the grade levels served, or the nature of the program operated, by the charter school, and specific annual actions to achieve those goals. A charter petition may identify additional school priorities, the goals for the school priorities, and the specific annual actions to achieve those goals.(iii) If the proposed charter school will enroll high school pupils, the manner in which the charter school will inform parents regarding the transferability of courses to other public high schools. Courses offered by the charter school that are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges may be considered to be transferable to other public high schools.(iv) If the proposed charter school will enroll high school pupils, information as to the manner in which the charter school will inform parents as to whether each individual course offered by the charter school meets college entrance requirements. Courses approved by the University of California or the California State University as satisfying their prerequisites for admission may be considered as meeting college entrance requirements for purposes of this clause.(B) The measurable pupil outcomes identified for use by the charter school. Pupil outcomes, for purposes of this part, means the extent to which all pupils of the charter school demonstrate that they have attained the skills, knowledge, and aptitudes specified as goals in the charter schools educational program. Pupil outcomes shall include outcomes that address increases in pupil academic achievement both schoolwide and for all groups of pupils served by the charter school, as that term is defined in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 47607. The pupil outcomes shall align with the state priorities, as described in subdivision (d) of Section 52060, that apply for the grade levels served, or the nature of the program operated, by the charter school.(C) The method by which pupil progress in meeting those pupil outcomes is to be measured. To the extent practicable, the method for measuring pupil outcomes for state priorities shall be consistent with the way information is reported on a school accountability report card.(D) The location of each charter school facility that the petitioner proposes to operate.(E) The governance structure of the charter school, including, but not limited to, the process to be followed by the charter school to ensure parental involvement.(F) The qualifications to be met by individuals to be employed by the charter school.(G) The procedures that the charter school will follow to ensure the health and safety of pupils and staff. These procedures shall require all of the following:(i) That each employee of the charter school furnish the charter school with a criminal record summary as described in Section 44237.(ii) The development of a school safety plan, which shall include the safety topics listed in subparagraphs (A) to (H), inclusive, of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of of, and subdivision (e) of, Section 32282 and 32282, the guidelines described in Section 32282.1, procedures for conducting tactical responses to criminal incidents. incidents, and the targeted violence prevention plan described in Section 32285.(iii) That the school safety plan be reviewed and updated by March 1 of every year by the charter school.(H) The means by which the charter school will achieve a racial and ethnic balance among its pupils that is reflective of the general population residing within the territorial jurisdiction of the school district to which the charter petition is submitted.(I) The manner in which annual, independent financial audits shall be conducted, in accordance with regulations established by the state board, and the manner in which audit exceptions and deficiencies shall be resolved.(J) The procedures by which pupils can be suspended or expelled from the charter school for disciplinary reasons or otherwise involuntarily removed from the charter school for any reason. These procedures, at a minimum, shall include an explanation of how the charter school will comply with federal and state constitutional procedural and substantive due process requirements that is consistent with all of the following:(i) For suspensions of fewer than 10 days, provide oral or written notice of the charges against the pupil and, if the pupil denies the charges, an explanation of the evidence that supports the charges and an opportunity for the pupil to present his or her the pupils side of the story.(ii) For suspensions of 10 days or more and all other expulsions for disciplinary reasons, both of the following:(I) Provide timely, written notice of the charges against the pupil and an explanation of the pupils basic rights.(II) Provide a hearing adjudicated by a neutral officer within a reasonable number of days at which the pupil has a fair opportunity to present testimony, evidence, and witnesses and confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses, and at which the pupil has the right to bring legal counsel or an advocate.(iii) Contain a clear statement that no pupil shall be involuntarily removed by the charter school for any reason unless the parent or guardian of the pupil has been provided written notice of intent to remove the pupil no less than five schooldays before the effective date of the action. The written notice shall be in the native language of the pupil or the pupils parent or guardian or, if the pupil is a foster child or youth or a homeless child or youth, the pupils educational rights holder, and shall inform him or her that person of the right to initiate the procedures specified in clause (ii) before the effective date of the action. If the pupils parent, guardian, or educational rights holder initiates the procedures specified in clause (ii), the pupil shall remain enrolled and shall not be removed until the charter school issues a final decision. For purposes of this clause, involuntarily removed includes disenrolled, dismissed, transferred, or terminated, but does not include suspensions specified in clauses (i) and (ii).(K) The manner by which staff members of the charter school will be covered by the State Teachers Retirement System, the Public Employees Retirement System, or federal social security.(L) The procedures to be followed by the charter school and the county board of education to resolve disputes relating to provisions of the charter.(M) Admission policy and procedures, consistent with subdivision (e).(N) The public school attendance alternatives for pupils residing within the county who choose not to attend the charter school.(O) The rights of an employee of the county office of education, upon leaving the employment of the county office of education, to be employed by the charter school, and any rights of return to the county office of education that an employee may have upon leaving the employment of the charter school.(P) The procedures to be used if the charter school closes. The procedures shall ensure a final audit of the charter school to determine the disposition of all assets and liabilities of the charter school, including plans for disposing of any net assets and for the maintenance and transfer of public records.(6) A declaration of whether or not the charter school shall be deemed the exclusive public school employer of the employees of the charter school for purposes of the Educational Employment Relations Act (Chapter 10.7 (commencing with Section 3540) of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code).(7) Any other basis that the county board of education finds justifies the denial of the petition.(c) A county board of education that approves a petition for the operation of a countywide charter may, as a condition of charter approval, enter into an agreement with a third party, at the expense of the charter school, to oversee, monitor, and report to the county board of education on the operations of the charter school. The county board of education may prescribe the aspects of the charter schools operations to be monitored by the third party and may prescribe appropriate requirements regarding the reporting of information concerning the operations of the charter school to the county board of education.(d) (1) Charter schools shall meet all statewide standards and conduct the pupil assessments required pursuant to Section 60605 and any other statewide standards authorized in statute or pupil assessments applicable to pupils in noncharter public schools.(2) Charter schools shall on a regular basis consult with their parents and teachers regarding the charter schools educational programs.(e) (1) In addition to any other requirement imposed under this part, a charter school shall be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices, and all other operations, shall not charge tuition, and shall not discriminate against any pupil on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or disability. Except as provided in paragraph (2), admission to a charter school shall not be determined according to the place of residence of the pupil, or of his or her the pupils parent or guardian, within this state.(2) (A) A charter school shall admit all pupils who wish to attend the charter school.(B) If the number of pupils who wish to attend the charter school exceeds the charter schools capacity, attendance, except for existing pupils of the charter school, shall be determined by a public random drawing. Preference shall be extended to pupils currently attending the charter school and pupils who reside in the county except as provided for in Section 47614.5. Preferences, including, but not limited to, siblings of pupils admitted or attending the charter school and children of the charter schools teachers, staff, and founders identified in the initial charter, may also be permitted by the chartering authority on an individual charter school basis. Priority order for any preference shall be determined in the charter petition in accordance with all of the following:(i) Each type of preference shall be approved by the chartering authority at a public hearing.(ii) Preferences shall be consistent with federal law, the California Constitution, and Section 200.(iii) Preferences shall not result in limiting enrollment access for pupils with disabilities, academically low-achieving pupils, English learners, neglected or delinquent pupils, homeless pupils, or pupils who are economically disadvantaged, as determined by eligibility for any free or reduced-price meal program, foster youth, or pupils based on nationality, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.(iv) In accordance with Section 49011, preferences shall not require mandatory parental volunteer hours as a criterion for admission or continued enrollment.(C) In the event of a drawing, the county board of education shall make reasonable efforts to accommodate the growth of the charter school and in no event shall take any action to impede the charter school from expanding enrollment to meet pupil demand.(3) If a pupil is expelled or leaves the charter school without graduating or completing the school year for any reason, the charter school shall notify the superintendent of the school district of the pupils last known address within 30 days and shall, upon request, provide that school district with a copy of the cumulative record of the pupil, including report cards or a transcript of grades, and health information. If the pupil is subsequently expelled or leaves the school district without graduating or completing the school year for any reason, the school district shall provide this information to the charter school within 30 days if the charter school demonstrates that the pupil had been enrolled in the charter school. This paragraph applies only to pupils subject to compulsory full-time education pursuant to Section 48200.(f) The county board of education shall not require an employee of the county or a school district to be employed in a charter school.(g) The county board of education shall not require a pupil enrolled in a county program to attend a charter school.(h) The county board of education shall require that the petitioner or petitioners provide information regarding the proposed operation and potential effects of the charter school, including, but not limited to, the facilities to be used by the charter school, the manner in which administrative services of the charter school are to be provided, and potential civil liability effects, if any, upon the charter school, any school district where the charter school may operate, and upon the county board of education. The petitioner or petitioners shall also be required to provide financial statements that include a proposed first-year operational budget, including startup costs, and cashflow and financial projections for the first three years of operation.(i) In reviewing petitions for the establishment of charter schools within the county, the county board of education shall give preference to petitions that demonstrate the capability to provide comprehensive learning experiences to pupils identified by the petitioner or petitioners as academically low achieving pursuant to the standards established by the department under Section 54032, as that section read before July 19, 2006.(j) Upon the approval of the petition by the county board of education, the petitioner or petitioners shall provide written notice of that approval, including a copy of the petition, to the school districts within the county, the Superintendent, and the state board.(k) If a county board of education denies a petition, the petitioner shall not elect to submit the petition for the establishment of the charter school to the state board.(l) Teachers in charter schools shall be required to hold a Commission on Teacher Credentialing certificate, permit, or other document equivalent to that which a teacher in other public schools would be required to hold. These documents shall be maintained on file at the charter school and shall be subject to periodic inspection by the chartering authority.(m) A charter school shall transmit a copy of its annual, independent, financial audit report for the preceding fiscal year, as described in subparagraph (I) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (b), to the county office of education, the Controller, and the department by December 15 of each year. This subdivision does not apply if the audit of the charter school is encompassed in the audit of the chartering entity pursuant to Section 41020.(n) A charter school may encourage parental involvement but shall notify the parents and guardians of applicant pupils and currently enrolled pupils that parental involvement is not a requirement for acceptance to, or continued enrollment at, the charter school.SEC. 4.SEC. 6. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code. |
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| 1 | + | Amended IN Assembly March 28, 2019 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20192020 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 1722Introduced by Assembly Member KileyFebruary 22, 2019 An act to amend Section 35160 of Sections 32282 and 32282.1 of, and to add Section 32285 to, the Education Code, relating to school districts. safety.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 1722, as amended, Kiley. School districts: local authority. Comprehensive school safety plans.Existing law requires school districts and county offices of education to be responsible for the overall development of a comprehensive school safety plan for each of its schools operating kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive. Existing law requires the schoolsite council of a school to write and develop the comprehensive school safety plan relevant to the needs and resources of that particular school, in consultation with a representative from a law enforcement agency, a fire department, and other first responder entities. Existing law requires the plan to include specified components, including procedures for conducting tactical responses to criminal incidents. This bill would require a comprehensive school safety plan to include a targeted violence prevention plan that, among other things, establishes a multidisciplinary threat assessment team of school personnel who will direct, manage, and document the threat assessment process, as prescribed. The bill would authorize, upon a preliminary determination by the threat assessment team that an individual poses a threat of violence to themself or others, any state or local agency or program that provides services to the individual to share with any other state or local agency or program records or information that are confidential or exempt from disclosure if the records or information are reasonably necessary to evaluate the threat, ensure access to appropriate services for the individual, or ensure the safety of the individual or others. The bill would also require a school district or county office of education that has a memorandum of understanding with a local law enforcement agency to incorporate the applicable targeted violence prevention plan requirements into that memorandum of understanding.Under existing law the Legislature encourages, as comprehensive school safety plans are reviewed and updated, all plans, to the extent that resources are available, to include policies and procedures aimed at the prevention of bullying and to include clear guidelines for the roles and responsibilities of mental health professionals, community intervention professionals, school counselors, school resource officers, and police officers on school campuses, if the school district uses these people. This bill would require, rather than encourage, comprehensive school safety plans to include those elements as the plans are reviewed and updated.By imposing additional requirements on school districts and county offices of education in relation to comprehensive school safety plans, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.Existing law authorizes the governing board of any school district to initiate and carry on any program, activity, or to act in any manner which is not in conflict with or inconsistent with, or preempted by, any law and which is not in conflict with the purposes for which school districts are established. This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to that provision.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NOYES Local Program: NOYES Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 32282 of the Education Code is amended to read:32282. (a) The comprehensive school safety plan shall include, but not be limited to, both of the following:(1) Assessing the current status of school crime committed on school campuses and at school-related functions.(2) Identifying appropriate strategies and programs that will provide or maintain a high level of school safety and address the schools procedures for complying with existing laws related to school safety, which shall include the development of all of the following:(A) Child abuse reporting procedures consistent with Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 11164) of Chapter 2 of Title 1 of Part 4 of the Penal Code.(B) Disaster procedures, routine and emergency, including adaptations for pupils with disabilities in accordance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.). The disaster procedures shall also include, but not be limited to, both of the following:(i) Establishing an earthquake emergency procedure system in every public school building having an occupant capacity of 50 or more pupils or more than one classroom. A school district or county office of education may work with the Office of Emergency Services and the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission to develop and establish the earthquake emergency procedure system. The system shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:(I) A school building disaster plan, ready for implementation at any time, for maintaining the safety and care of pupils and staff. The department shall provide general direction to school districts and county offices of education on what to include in the school building disaster plan.(II) A drop procedure whereby each pupil and staff member takes cover under a table or desk, dropping to his or her their knees, with the head protected by the arms, and the back to the windows. A drop procedure practice shall be held at least once each school quarter in elementary schools and at least once a semester in secondary schools.(III) Protective measures to be taken before, during, and following an earthquake.(IV) A program to ensure that pupils and both the certificated and classified staff are aware of, and properly trained in, the earthquake emergency procedure system.(ii) Establishing a procedure to allow a public agency, including the American Red Cross, to use school buildings, grounds, and equipment for mass care and welfare shelters during disasters or other emergencies affecting the public health and welfare. The school district or county office of education shall cooperate with the public agency in furnishing and maintaining the services as the school district or county office of education may deem necessary to meet the needs of the community.(C) Policies pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 48915 for pupils who committed an act listed in subdivision (c) of Section 48915 and other school-designated serious acts that would lead to suspension, expulsion, or mandatory expulsion recommendations pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 48900) of Chapter 6 of Part 27 of Division 4 of Title 2.(D) Procedures to notify teachers of dangerous pupils pursuant to Section 49079.(E) A discrimination and harassment policy consistent with the prohibition against discrimination contained in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 200) of Part 1.(F) The provisions of any schoolwide dress code, pursuant to Section 35183, that prohibits pupils from wearing gang-related apparel, if the school has adopted that type of a dress code. For those purposes, the comprehensive school safety plan shall define gang-related apparel. The definition shall be limited to apparel that, if worn or displayed on a school campus, reasonably could be determined to threaten the health and safety of the school environment. A schoolwide dress code established pursuant to this section and Section 35183 shall be enforced on the school campus and at any school-sponsored activity by the principal of the school or the person designated by the principal. For purposes of this paragraph, gang-related apparel shall not be considered a protected form of speech pursuant to Section 48950.(G) Procedures for safe ingress and egress of pupils, parents, and school employees to and from school.(H) A safe and orderly environment conducive to learning at the school.(I) The rules and procedures on school discipline adopted pursuant to Sections 35291, 35291.5, 47605, and 47605.6.(J) Procedures for conducting tactical responses to criminal incidents, including procedures related to individuals with guns on school campuses and at school-related functions. The procedures to prepare for active shooters or other armed assailants shall be based on the specific needs and context of each school and community.(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that schools develop comprehensive school safety plans using existing resources, including the materials and services of the partnership, pursuant to this chapter. It is also the intent of the Legislature that schools use the handbook developed and distributed by the School/Law Enforcement Partnership Program entitled Safe Schools: A Planning Guide for Action in conjunction with developing their plan for school safety.(c) Each schoolsite council or school safety planning committee, in developing and updating a comprehensive school safety plan, shall, where practical, consult, cooperate, and coordinate with other schoolsite councils or school safety planning committees.(d) The comprehensive school safety plan may be evaluated and amended, as needed, by the school safety planning committee, but shall be evaluated at least once a year, to ensure that the comprehensive school safety plan is properly implemented. An updated file of all safety-related plans and materials shall be readily available for inspection by the public.(e) As comprehensive school safety plans are reviewed and updated, the Legislature encourages all plans, to the extent that resources are available, to plans shall include policies and procedures aimed at the prevention of bullying.(f) The comprehensive school safety plan, as written and updated by the schoolsite council or school safety planning committee, shall be submitted for approval pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 32288.(g) The department shall maintain and conspicuously post on its Internet Web site internet website a compliance checklist for developing a comprehensive school safety plan, and shall update the checklist when necessary.SEC. 2. Section 32282.1 of the Education Code is amended to read:32282.1. (a) As comprehensive school safety plans are reviewed and updated, the Legislature encourages all plans, to the extent that resources are available, to plans shall include clear guidelines for the roles and responsibilities of mental health professionals, community intervention professionals, school counselors, school resource officers, and police officers on school campuses, if the school district uses these people.(b) The guidelines developed pursuant to subdivision (a) are encouraged to include both of the following:(1) Primary strategies to create and maintain a positive school climate, promote school safety, and increase pupil achievement, and prioritize mental health and intervention services, restorative and transformative justice programs, and positive behavior interventions and support.(2) Consistent with paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 32282, protocols to address the mental health care of pupils who have witnessed a violent act at any time, including, but not limited to, any of the following:(A) While on school grounds.(B) While going to or coming from school.(C) During a lunch period whether on or off campus.(D) During, or while going to or coming from, a school-sponsored activity.SEC. 3. Section 32285 is added to the Education Code, to read:32285. (a) A comprehensive school safety plan shall include a targeted violence prevention plan. The targeted violence prevention plan shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following requirements, which are recommended by the United States Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center:(1) (A) Establish a multidisciplinary threat assessment team of school personnel, including faculty, staff, administrators, coaches, and available school resource officers, who will direct, manage, and document the threat assessment process.(B) Establish minimum standards for the threat assessment team, including, but not limited to, having members with expertise in counseling, pupil instruction, school administration, human resources, and law enforcement. (2) Define behaviors, including those that are prohibited and that will trigger immediate intervention, such as threats, violent acts, and weapons on campus, and other concerning behaviors that require a threat assessment.(3) Establish and provide training on a central reporting system such as an online form on the schools internet website, email address, phone number, smartphone application, or other mechanism. The central reporting system shall provide anonymity to those reporting concerns and be monitored by personnel who will follow up on all reports.(4) Determine the threshold for law enforcement intervention, especially if there is a safety risk.(5) Establish threat assessment procedures that include practices for maintaining documentation, identifying sources of information, reviewing records, and conducting interviews. Threat assessment procedures shall include all of the following investigative themes to guide the assessment process:(A) Motive: What motivated the pupil to engage in the behavior of concern? What is the pupil trying to solve?(B) Communications: Have there been concerning, unusual, threatening, or violent communications? Are there communications about thoughts of suicide, hopelessness, or information relevant to the other investigative themes?(C) Inappropriate Interests: Does the pupil have inappropriate interests in weapons, school attacks or attackers, mass attacks, or other violence? Is there a fixation on an issue or a person?(D) Weapons Access: Is there access to weapons? Is there evidence of manufactured explosives or incendiary devices?(E) Stressors: Have there been any recent setbacks, losses, or challenges? How is the pupil coping with stressors?(F) Emotional and Developmental Issues: Is the pupil dealing with mental health issues or developmental disabilities? Is the pupils behavior a product of those issues? What resources does the pupil need?(G) Desperation or Despair: Has the pupil felt hopeless, desperate, or that they are out of options?(H) Violence as an Option: Does the pupil think that violence is a way to solve a problem? Have they thought that in the past?(I) Concerned Others: Has the pupils behavior elicited concern? Was the concern related to safety?(J) Capacity: Is the pupil organized enough to plan and execute an attack? Does the pupil have the resources?(K) Planning: Has the pupil initiated an attack plan, researched tactics, selected targets, or practiced with a weapon?(L) Consistency: Are the pupils statements consistent with the pupils actions or what others observe? If not, why?(M) Protective Factors: Are there positive and prosocial influences in the pupils life? Does the pupil have a positive and trusting relationship with an adult at school? Does the pupil feel emotionally connected to other pupils?(6) Develop risk management options to enact once a threat assessment is complete, including all of the following:(A) Create individualized management plans to mitigate identified risks.(B) Notify law enforcement immediately if the pupil is thinking about an attack.(C) Ensure the safety of potential targets.(D) Create a situation less prone to violence.(E) Redirect the pupils motive.(F) Reduce the effect of stressors.(7) Create and promote a safe school climate built on a culture of safety, respect, trust, and emotional support. This includes encouraging communication, intervening in conflicts and bullying, and empowering pupils to share their concerns.(8) Provide school safety training for all stakeholders, including school personnel, pupils, parents, and law enforcement.(b) A school district or county office of education that has a memorandum of understanding with a local law enforcement agency shall incorporate the applicable requirements of this section into that memorandum of understanding.(c) To the extent permitted by federal law and notwithstanding any other law, upon a preliminary determination by the threat assessment team that an individual poses a threat of violence to themself or others, any state or local agency or program that provides services to the individual, including any service or support provider contracting with one of those entities, may share with any other state or local agency or program records or information that are confidential or exempt from disclosure if the records or information are reasonably necessary to evaluate the threat, ensure access to appropriate services for the individual, or ensure the safety of the individual or others.SEC. 4. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.SECTION 1.Section 35160 of the Education Code is amended to read:35160.On and after January 1, 1976, the governing board of a school district may initiate and carry on any program, activity, or may otherwise act in a manner that is not in conflict with or inconsistent with, or preempted by, any law and that is not in conflict with the purposes for which school districts are established. |
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| 47 | | - | The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 32282 of the Education Code is amended to read:32282. (a) The comprehensive school safety plan shall include, but not be limited to, both of the following:(1) Assessing the current status of school crime committed on school campuses and at school-related functions.(2) Identifying appropriate strategies and programs that will provide or maintain a high level of school safety and address the schools procedures for complying with existing laws related to school safety, which shall include the development of all of the following:(A) Child abuse reporting procedures consistent with Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 11164) of Chapter 2 of Title 1 of Part 4 of the Penal Code.(B) Disaster procedures, routine and emergency, including adaptations for pupils with disabilities in accordance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.). The disaster procedures shall also include, but not be limited to, both of the following:(i) Establishing an earthquake emergency procedure system in every public school building having an occupant capacity of 50 or more pupils or more than one classroom. A school district or county office of education may work with the Office of Emergency Services and the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission to develop and establish the earthquake emergency procedure system. The system shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:(I) A school building disaster plan, ready for implementation at any time, for maintaining the safety and care of pupils and staff. The department shall provide general direction to school districts and county offices of education on what to include in the school building disaster plan.(II) A drop procedure whereby each pupil and staff member takes cover under a table or desk, dropping to their knees, with the head protected by the arms, and the back to the windows. A drop procedure practice shall be held at least once each school quarter in elementary schools and at least once a semester in secondary schools.(III) Protective measures to be taken before, during, and following an earthquake.(IV) A program to ensure that pupils and both the certificated and classified staff are aware of, and properly trained in, the earthquake emergency procedure system.(ii) Establishing a procedure to allow a public agency, including the American Red Cross, to use school buildings, grounds, and equipment for mass care and welfare shelters during disasters or other emergencies affecting the public health and welfare. The school district or county office of education shall cooperate with the public agency in furnishing and maintaining the services as the school district or county office of education may deem necessary to meet the needs of the community.(C) Policies pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 48915 for pupils who committed an act listed in subdivision (c) of Section 48915 and other school-designated serious acts that would lead to suspension, expulsion, or mandatory expulsion recommendations pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 48900) of Chapter 6 of Part 27 of Division 4 of Title 2.(D) Procedures to notify teachers of dangerous pupils pursuant to Section 49079.(E) A discrimination and harassment policy consistent with the prohibition against discrimination contained in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 200) of Part 1.(F) The provisions of any schoolwide dress code, pursuant to Section 35183, that prohibits pupils from wearing gang-related apparel, if the school has adopted that type of a dress code. For those purposes, the comprehensive school safety plan shall define gang-related apparel. The definition shall be limited to apparel that, if worn or displayed on a school campus, reasonably could be determined to threaten the health and safety of the school environment. A schoolwide dress code established pursuant to this section and Section 35183 shall be enforced on the school campus and at any school-sponsored activity by the principal of the school or the person designated by the principal. For purposes of this paragraph, gang-related apparel shall not be considered a protected form of speech pursuant to Section 48950.(G) Procedures for safe ingress and egress of pupils, parents, and school employees to and from school.(H) A safe and orderly environment conducive to learning at the school.(I) The rules and procedures on school discipline adopted pursuant to Sections 35291, 35291.5, 47605, and 47605.6.(J) Procedures for conducting tactical responses to criminal incidents, including procedures related to individuals with guns on school campuses and at school-related functions. The procedures to prepare for active shooters or other armed assailants shall be based on the specific needs and context of each school and community.(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that schools develop comprehensive school safety plans using existing resources, including the materials and services of the partnership, pursuant to this chapter. It is also the intent of the Legislature that schools use the handbook developed and distributed by the School/Law Enforcement Partnership Program entitled Safe Schools: A Planning Guide for Action in conjunction with developing their plan for school safety.(c) Each schoolsite council or school safety planning committee, in developing and updating a comprehensive school safety plan, shall, where practical, consult, cooperate, and coordinate with other schoolsite councils or school safety planning committees.(d) The comprehensive school safety plan may be evaluated and amended, as needed, by the school safety planning committee, but shall be evaluated at least once a year, to ensure that the comprehensive school safety plan is properly implemented. An updated file of all safety-related plans and materials shall be readily available for inspection by the public.(e) As comprehensive school safety plans are reviewed and updated, the plans shall include policies and procedures aimed at the prevention of bullying.(f) The comprehensive school safety plan, as written and updated by the schoolsite council or school safety planning committee, shall be submitted for approval pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 32288.(g) The department shall maintain and conspicuously post on its internet website a compliance checklist for developing a comprehensive school safety plan, and shall update the checklist when necessary.SEC. 2. Section 32282.1 of the Education Code is amended to read:32282.1. (a) As comprehensive school safety plans are reviewed and updated, the plans shall include clear guidelines for the roles and responsibilities of mental health professionals, community intervention professionals, school counselors, school resource officers, and police officers on school campuses, if the school district uses these people.(b) The guidelines developed pursuant to subdivision (a) are encouraged to include both of the following:(1) Primary strategies to create and maintain a positive school climate, promote school safety, and increase pupil achievement, and prioritize mental health and intervention services, restorative and transformative justice programs, and positive behavior interventions and support.(2) Consistent with paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 32282, protocols to address the mental health care of pupils who have witnessed a violent act at any time, including, but not limited to, any of the following:(A) While on school grounds.(B) While going to or coming from school.(C) During a lunch period whether on or off campus.(D) During, or while going to or coming from, a school-sponsored activity.SEC. 3. Section 32285 is added to the Education Code, to read:32285. (a) A comprehensive school safety plan shall include a targeted violence prevention plan. The targeted violence prevention plan shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following requirements, which are recommended by the United States Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center:(1) (A) Establish a multidisciplinary threat assessment team of school personnel, including faculty, staff, administrators, coaches, school counselors, school psychologists, school nurses, school social workers, and available school resource officers, who will direct, manage, and document the threat assessment process.(B) Establish minimum standards for the threat assessment team, including, but not limited to, having members with expertise in counseling, pupil instruction, school administration, human resources, and law enforcement. (2) Define behaviors, including those that are prohibited and that will trigger immediate intervention, such as threats, violent acts, and weapons on campus, and other concerning behaviors that require a threat assessment.(3) Establish and provide training on a central reporting system such as an online form on the schools internet website, email address, phone number, smartphone application, or other mechanism. The central reporting system shall provide anonymity to those reporting concerns and be monitored by personnel who will follow up on all reports.(4) Determine the threshold for law enforcement intervention, especially if there is a safety risk.(5) Establish threat assessment procedures that include practices for maintaining documentation, identifying sources of information, reviewing records, and conducting interviews. Threat assessment procedures shall include all of the following investigative themes to guide the assessment process: process, as recommended by the United States Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center:(A)Motive: What motivated the pupil to engage in the behavior of concern? What is the pupil trying to solve?(B)Communications: Have there been concerning, unusual, threatening, or violent communications? Are there communications about thoughts of suicide, hopelessness, or information relevant to the other investigative themes?(C)Inappropriate Interests: Does the pupil have inappropriate interests in weapons, school attacks or attackers, mass attacks, or other violence? Is there a fixation on an issue or a person?(D)Weapons Access: Is there access to weapons? Is there evidence of manufactured explosives or incendiary devices?(E)Stressors: Have there been any recent setbacks, losses, or challenges? How is the pupil coping with stressors?(F)Emotional and Developmental Issues: Is the pupil dealing with mental health issues or developmental disabilities? Is the pupils behavior a product of those issues? What resources does the pupil need?(G)Desperation or Despair: Has the pupil felt hopeless, desperate, or that they are out of options?(H)Violence as an Option: Does the pupil think that violence is a way to solve a problem? Have they thought that in the past?(I)Concerned Others: Has the pupils behavior elicited concern? Was the concern related to safety?(J)Capacity: Is the pupil organized enough to plan and execute an attack? Does the pupil have the resources?(K)Planning: Has the pupil initiated an attack plan, researched tactics, selected targets, or practiced with a weapon?(L)Consistency: Are the pupils statements consistent with the pupils actions or what others observe? If not, why?(M)Protective Factors: Are there positive and prosocial influences in the pupils life? Does the pupil have a positive and trusting relationship with an adult at school? Does the pupil feel emotionally connected to other pupils?(A) Motive.(B) Communications.(C) Inappropriate interests.(D) Weapons access.(E) Stressors.(F) Emotional and developmental issues.(G) Desperation or despair.(H) Violence as an option.(I) Concerned others.(J) Capacity.(K) Planning.(L) Consistency.(M) Protective factors.(6) Develop risk management options to enact once a threat assessment is complete, including all of the following:(A) Create individualized management plans to mitigate identified risks.(B) Notify law enforcement immediately if the pupil is thinking about an attack.(C) Ensure the safety of potential targets.(D) Create a situation less prone to violence.(E) Redirect the pupils motive.(F) Reduce the effect of stressors.(7) Create and promote a safe school climate built on a culture of safety, respect, trust, and emotional support. This includes encouraging communication, intervening in conflicts and bullying, and empowering pupils to share their concerns.(8) Provide school safety training for all stakeholders, including school personnel, pupils, parents, and law enforcement.(b) A school district or district, county office of education education, or charter school that has a memorandum of understanding with a local law enforcement agency shall incorporate the applicable requirements of this section into that memorandum of understanding.(c) To the extent permitted by federal law and notwithstanding any other law, upon a preliminary determination by the threat assessment team that an individual poses a threat of violence to themself or others, any state or local agency or program that provides services to the individual, including any service or support provider contracting with one of those entities, may share with any other state or local agency or program records or information that are confidential or exempt from disclosure if the records or information are reasonably necessary to evaluate the threat, ensure access to appropriate services for the individual, or ensure the safety of the individual or others.(d) Subdivision (a) shall not apply to a small school district, as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 32281, if the small school district develops a targeted violence prevention plan that applies to schools within the school district, in cooperation with neighboring school districts or the county office of education.SEC. 4. Section 47605 of the Education Code is amended to read:47605. (a) (1) Except as set forth in paragraph (2), a petition for the establishment of a charter school within a school district may be circulated by one or more persons seeking to establish the charter school. A petition for the establishment of a charter school shall identify a single charter school that will operate within the geographic boundaries of that school district. A charter school may propose to operate at multiple sites within the school district if each location is identified in the charter school petition. The petition may be submitted to the governing board of the school district for review after either of the following conditions is met:(A) The petition is signed by a number of parents or legal guardians of pupils that is equivalent to at least one-half of the number of pupils that the charter school estimates will enroll in the charter school for its first year of operation.(B) The petition is signed by a number of teachers that is equivalent to at least one-half of the number of teachers that the charter school estimates will be employed at the charter school during its first year of operation.(2) A petition that proposes to convert an existing public school to a charter school that would not be eligible for a loan pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 41365 may be circulated by one or more persons seeking to establish the charter school. The petition may be submitted to the governing board of the school district for review after the petition is signed by not less than 50 percent of the permanent status teachers currently employed at the public school to be converted.(3) A petition shall include a prominent statement that a signature on the petition means that the parent or legal guardian is meaningfully interested in having his or her their child or ward attend the charter school, or in the case of a teachers signature, means that the teacher is meaningfully interested in teaching at the charter school. The proposed charter shall be attached to the petition.(4) After receiving approval of its petition, a charter school that proposes to establish operations at one or more additional sites shall request a material revision to its charter and shall notify the authority that granted its charter of those additional locations. The authority that granted its charter shall consider whether to approve those additional locations at an open, public meeting. If the additional locations are approved, there shall be a material revision to the charter schools charter.(5) A charter school that is unable to locate within the jurisdiction of the chartering school district may establish one site outside the boundaries of the school district, but within the county in which that school district is located, if the school district within the jurisdiction of which the charter school proposes to operate is notified in advance of the charter petition approval, the county superintendent of schools and the Superintendent are notified of the location of the charter school before it commences operations, and either of the following circumstances exists:(A) The school has attempted to locate a single site or facility to house the entire program, but a site or facility is unavailable in the area in which the school chooses to locate.(B) The site is needed for temporary use during a construction or expansion project.(6) Commencing January 1, 2003, a petition to establish a charter school shall not be approved to serve pupils in a grade level that is not served by the school district of the governing board considering the petition, unless the petition proposes to serve pupils in all of the grade levels served by that school district.(b) No later than 30 days after receiving a petition, in accordance with subdivision (a), the governing board of the school district shall hold a public hearing on the provisions of the charter, at which time the governing board of the school district shall consider the level of support for the petition by teachers employed by the school district, other employees of the school district, and parents. Following review of the petition and the public hearing, the governing board of the school district shall either grant or deny the charter within 60 days of receipt of the petition, provided, however, that the date may be extended by an additional 30 days if both parties agree to the extension. In reviewing petitions for the establishment of charter schools pursuant to this section, the chartering authority shall be guided by the intent of the Legislature that charter schools are and should become an integral part of the California educational system and that the establishment of charter schools should be encouraged. The governing board of the school district shall grant a charter for the operation of a school under this part if it is satisfied that granting the charter is consistent with sound educational practice. The governing board of the school district shall not deny a petition for the establishment of a charter school unless it makes written factual findings, specific to the particular petition, setting forth specific facts to support one or more of the following findings:(1) The charter school presents an unsound educational program for the pupils to be enrolled in the charter school.(2) The petitioners are demonstrably unlikely to successfully implement the program set forth in the petition.(3) The petition does not contain the number of signatures required by subdivision (a).(4) The petition does not contain an affirmation of each of the conditions described in subdivision (d).(5) The petition does not contain reasonably comprehensive descriptions of all of the following:(A) (i) The educational program of the charter school, designed, among other things, to identify those whom the charter school is attempting to educate, what it means to be an educated person in the 21st century, and how learning best occurs. The goals identified in that program shall include the objective of enabling pupils to become self-motivated, competent, and lifelong learners.(ii) The annual goals for the charter school for all pupils and for each subgroup of pupils identified pursuant to Section 52052, to be achieved in the state priorities, as described in subdivision (d) of Section 52060, that apply for the grade levels served, or the nature of the program operated, by the charter school, and specific annual actions to achieve those goals. A charter petition may identify additional school priorities, the goals for the school priorities, and the specific annual actions to achieve those goals.(iii) If the proposed charter school will serve high school pupils, the manner in which the charter school will inform parents about the transferability of courses to other public high schools and the eligibility of courses to meet college entrance requirements. Courses offered by the charter school that are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges may be considered transferable and courses approved by the University of California or the California State University as creditable under the A to G admissions criteria may be considered to meet college entrance requirements.(B) The measurable pupil outcomes identified for use by the charter school. Pupil outcomes, for purposes of this part, means the extent to which all pupils of the charter school demonstrate that they have attained the skills, knowledge, and attitudes specified as goals in the charter schools educational program. Pupil outcomes shall include outcomes that address increases in pupil academic achievement both schoolwide and for all groups of pupils served by the charter school, as that term is defined in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 47607. The pupil outcomes shall align with the state priorities, as described in subdivision (d) of Section 52060, that apply for the grade levels served, or the nature of the program operated, by the charter school.(C) The method by which pupil progress in meeting those pupil outcomes is to be measured. To the extent practicable, the method for measuring pupil outcomes for state priorities shall be consistent with the way information is reported on a school accountability report card.(D) The governance structure of the charter school, including, but not limited to, the process to be followed by the charter school to ensure parental involvement.(E) The qualifications to be met by individuals to be employed by the charter school.(F) The procedures that the charter school will follow to ensure the health and safety of pupils and staff. These procedures shall require all of the following:(i) That each employee of the charter school furnish the charter school with a criminal record summary as described in Section 44237.(ii) The development of a school safety plan, which shall include the safety topics listed in subparagraphs (A) to (H), inclusive, of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of of, and subdivision (e) of, Section 32282 and 32282, the guidelines described in Section 32282.1, procedures for conducting tactical responses to criminal incidents. incidents, and the targeted violence prevention plan described in Section 32285.(iii) That the school safety plan be reviewed and updated by March 1 of every year by the charter school.(G) The means by which the charter school will achieve a racial and ethnic balance among its pupils that is reflective of the general population residing within the territorial jurisdiction of the school district to which the charter petition is submitted.(H) Admission policies and procedures, consistent with subdivision (d).(I) The manner in which annual, independent financial audits shall be conducted, which shall employ generally accepted accounting principles, and the manner in which audit exceptions and deficiencies shall be resolved to the satisfaction of the chartering authority.(J) The procedures by which pupils can be suspended or expelled from the charter school for disciplinary reasons or otherwise involuntarily removed from the charter school for any reason. These procedures, at a minimum, shall include an explanation of how the charter school will comply with federal and state constitutional procedural and substantive due process requirements that is consistent with all of the following:(i) For suspensions of fewer than 10 days, provide oral or written notice of the charges against the pupil and, if the pupil denies the charges, an explanation of the evidence that supports the charges and an opportunity for the pupil to present his or her the pupils side of the story.(ii) For suspensions of 10 days or more and all other expulsions for disciplinary reasons, both of the following:(I) Provide timely, written notice of the charges against the pupil and an explanation of the pupils basic rights.(II) Provide a hearing adjudicated by a neutral officer within a reasonable number of days at which the pupil has a fair opportunity to present testimony, evidence, and witnesses and confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses, and at which the pupil has the right to bring legal counsel or an advocate.(iii) Contain a clear statement that no pupil shall be involuntarily removed by the charter school for any reason unless the parent or guardian of the pupil has been provided written notice of intent to remove the pupil no less than five schooldays before the effective date of the action. The written notice shall be in the native language of the pupil or the pupils parent or guardian or, if the pupil is a foster child or youth or a homeless child or youth, the pupils educational rights holder, and shall inform him or her that individual of the right to initiate the procedures specified in clause (ii) before the effective date of the action. If the pupils parent, guardian, or educational rights holder initiates the procedures specified in clause (ii), the pupil shall remain enrolled and shall not be removed until the charter school issues a final decision. For purposes of this clause, involuntarily removed includes disenrolled, dismissed, transferred, or terminated, but does not include suspensions specified in clauses (i) and (ii).(K) The manner by which staff members of the charter schools will be covered by the State Teachers Retirement System, the Public Employees Retirement System, or federal social security.(L) The public school attendance alternatives for pupils residing within the school district who choose not to attend charter schools.(M) The rights of an employee of the school district upon leaving the employment of the school district to work in a charter school, and of any rights of return to the school district after employment at a charter school.(N) The procedures to be followed by the charter school and the entity granting the charter chartering authority to resolve disputes relating to provisions of the charter.(O) The procedures to be used if the charter school closes. The procedures shall ensure a final audit of the charter school to determine the disposition of all assets and liabilities of the charter school, including plans for disposing of any net assets and for the maintenance and transfer of pupil records.(6) The petition does not contain a declaration of whether or not the charter school shall be deemed the exclusive public employer of the employees of the charter school for purposes of Chapter 10.7 (commencing with Section 3540) of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code.(c) (1) Charter schools shall meet all statewide standards and conduct the pupil assessments required pursuant to Section 60605 and any other statewide standards authorized in statute or pupil assessments applicable to pupils in noncharter public schools.(2) Charter schools shall, on a regular basis, consult with their parents, legal guardians, and teachers regarding the charter schools educational programs.(d) (1) In addition to any other requirement imposed under this part, a charter school shall be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices, and all other operations, shall not charge tuition, and shall not discriminate against a pupil on the basis of the characteristics listed in Section 220. Except as provided in paragraph (2), admission to a charter school shall not be determined according to the place of residence of the pupil, or of his or her that pupils parent or legal guardian, within this state, except that an existing public school converting partially or entirely to a charter school under this part shall adopt and maintain a policy giving admission preference to pupils who reside within the former attendance area of that public school.(2) (A) A charter school shall admit all pupils who wish to attend the charter school.(B) If the number of pupils who wish to attend the charter school exceeds the charter schools capacity, attendance, except for existing pupils of the charter school, shall be determined by a public random drawing. Preference shall be extended to pupils currently attending the charter school and pupils who reside in the school district except as provided for in Section 47614.5. Preferences, including, but not limited to, siblings of pupils admitted or attending the charter school and children of the charter schools teachers, staff, and founders identified in the initial charter, may also be permitted by the chartering authority on an individual charter school basis. Priority order for any preference shall be determined in the charter petition in accordance with all of the following:(i) Each type of preference shall be approved by the chartering authority at a public hearing.(ii) Preferences shall be consistent with federal law, the California Constitution, and Section 200.(iii) Preferences shall not result in limiting enrollment access for pupils with disabilities, academically low-achieving pupils, English learners, neglected or delinquent pupils, homeless pupils, or pupils who are economically disadvantaged, as determined by eligibility for any free or reduced-price meal program, foster youth, or pupils based on nationality, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.(iv) In accordance with Section 49011, preferences shall not require mandatory parental volunteer hours as a criterion for admission or continued enrollment.(C) In the event of a drawing, the chartering authority shall make reasonable efforts to accommodate the growth of the charter school and shall not take any action to impede the charter school from expanding enrollment to meet pupil demand.(3) If a pupil is expelled or leaves the charter school without graduating or completing the school year for any reason, the charter school shall notify the superintendent of the school district of the pupils last known address within 30 days, and shall, upon request, provide that school district with a copy of the cumulative record of the pupil, including report cards or a transcript of grades, and health information. If the pupil is subsequently expelled or leaves the school district without graduating or completing the school year for any reason, the school district shall provide this information to the charter school within 30 days if the charter school demonstrates that the pupil had been enrolled in the charter school. This paragraph applies only to pupils subject to compulsory full-time education pursuant to Section 48200.(e) The governing board of a school district shall not require an employee of the school district to be employed in a charter school.(f) The governing board of a school district shall not require a pupil enrolled in the school district to attend a charter school.(g) The governing board of a school district shall require that the petitioner or petitioners provide information regarding the proposed operation and potential effects of the charter school, including, but not limited to, the facilities to be used by the charter school, the manner in which administrative services of the charter school are to be provided, and potential civil liability effects, if any, upon the charter school and upon the school district. The description of the facilities to be used by the charter school shall specify where the charter school intends to locate. The petitioner or petitioners also shall be required to provide financial statements that include a proposed first-year operational budget, including startup costs, and cashflow and financial projections for the first three years of operation.(h) In reviewing petitions for the establishment of charter schools within the school district, the governing board of the school district shall give preference to petitions that demonstrate the capability to provide comprehensive learning experiences to pupils identified by the petitioner or petitioners as academically low achieving pursuant to the standards established by the department under Section 54032, as that section read before July 19, 2006.(i) Upon the approval of the petition by the governing board of the school district, the petitioner or petitioners shall provide written notice of that approval, including a copy of the petition, to the applicable county superintendent of schools, the department, and the state board.(j) (1) If the governing board of a school district denies a petition, the petitioner may elect to submit the petition for the establishment of a charter school to the county board of education. The county board of education shall review the petition pursuant to subdivision (b). If the petitioner elects to submit a petition for establishment of a charter school to the county board of education and the county board of education denies the petition, the petitioner may file a petition for establishment of a charter school with the state board, and the state board may approve the petition, in accordance with subdivision (b). A charter school that receives approval of its petition from a county board of education or from the state board on appeal shall be subject to the same requirements concerning geographic location to which it would otherwise be subject if it received approval from the entity to which it originally submitted its petition. A charter petition that is submitted to either a county board of education or to the state board shall meet all otherwise applicable petition requirements, including the identification of the proposed site or sites where the charter school will operate.(2) In assuming its role as a chartering agency, authority, the state board shall develop criteria to be used for the review and approval of charter school petitions presented to the state board. The criteria shall address all elements required for charter approval, as identified in subdivision (b), and shall define reasonably comprehensive, as used in paragraph (5) of subdivision (b), in a way that is consistent with the intent of this part. Upon satisfactory completion of the criteria, the state board shall adopt the criteria on or before June 30, 2001.(3) A charter school for which a charter is granted by either the county board of education or the state board based on an appeal pursuant to this subdivision shall qualify fully as a charter school for all funding and other purposes of this part.(4) If either the county board of education or the state board fails to act on a petition within 120 days of receipt, the decision of the governing board of the school district to deny the petition shall be subject to judicial review.(5) The state board shall adopt regulations implementing this subdivision.(6) Upon the approval of the petition by the county board of education, the petitioner or petitioners shall provide written notice of that approval, including a copy of the petition, to the department and the state board.(k) (1) The state board may, by mutual agreement, designate its supervisorial and oversight responsibilities for a charter school approved by the state board to any local educational agency in the county in which the charter school is located or to the governing board of the school district that first denied the petition.(2) The designated local educational agency shall have all monitoring and supervising authority of a chartering agency, authority, including, but not limited to, powers and duties set forth in Section 47607, except the power of revocation, which shall remain with the state board.(3) A charter school that is granted its charter through an appeal to the state board and elects to seek renewal of its charter shall, before expiration of the charter, submit its petition for renewal to the governing board of the school district that initially denied the charter. If the governing board of the school district denies the charter schools petition for renewal, the charter school may petition the state board for renewal of its charter.(l) Teachers in charter schools shall hold a Commission on Teacher Credentialing certificate, permit, or other document equivalent to that which a teacher in other public schools would be required to hold. These documents shall be maintained on file at the charter school and are subject to periodic inspection by the chartering authority. It is the intent of the Legislature that charter schools be given flexibility with regard to noncore, noncollege preparatory courses.(m) A charter school shall transmit a copy of its annual, independent financial audit report for the preceding fiscal year, as described in subparagraph (I) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (b), to its chartering entity, authority, the Controller, the county superintendent of schools of the county in which the charter school is sited, unless the county board of education of the county in which the charter school is sited is the chartering entity, authority, and the department by December 15 of each year. This subdivision does not apply if the audit of the charter school is encompassed in the audit of the chartering entity authority pursuant to Section 41020.(n) A charter school may encourage parental involvement, but shall notify the parents and guardians of applicant pupils and currently enrolled pupils that parental involvement is not a requirement for acceptance to, or continued enrollment at, the charter school.SEC. 5. Section 47605.6 of the Education Code is amended to read:47605.6. (a) (1) In addition to the authority provided by Section 47605.5, a county board of education may also approve a petition for the operation of a charter school that operates at one or more sites within the geographic boundaries of the county and that provides instructional services that are not generally provided by a county office of education. A county board of education may approve a countywide charter only if it finds, in addition to the other requirements of this section, that the educational services to be provided by the charter school will offer services to a pupil population that will benefit from those services and that cannot be served as well by a charter school that operates in only one school district in the county. A petition for the establishment of a countywide charter school pursuant to this subdivision may be circulated throughout the county by any one or more persons seeking to establish the charter school. The petition may be submitted to the county board of education for review after either of the following conditions is met:(A) The petition is signed by a number of parents or guardians of pupils residing within the county that is equivalent to at least one-half of the number of pupils that the charter school estimates will enroll in the school for its first year of operation and each of the school districts where the charter school petitioner proposes to operate a facility has received at least 30 days notice of the petitioners intent to operate a charter school pursuant to this section.(B) The petition is signed by a number of teachers that is equivalent to at least one-half of the number of teachers that the charter school estimates will be employed at the school during its first year of operation and each of the school districts where the charter school petitioner proposes to operate a facility has received at least 30 days notice of the petitioners intent to operate a charter school pursuant to this section.(2) An existing public school shall not be converted to a charter school in accordance with this section.(3) After receiving approval of its petition, a charter school that proposes to establish operations at additional sites within the geographic boundaries of the county board of education shall notify the school districts where those sites will be located. The charter school shall also request a material revision of its charter by the county board of education that approved its charter and the county board of education shall consider whether to approve those additional locations at an open, public meeting, held no sooner than 30 days following notification of the school districts where the sites will be located. If approved, the location of the approved sites shall be a material revision of the charter schools approved charter.(4) A petition shall include a prominent statement indicating that a signature on the petition means that the parent or guardian is meaningfully interested in having his or her their child or ward attend the charter school, or in the case of a teachers signature, means that the teacher is meaningfully interested in teaching at the charter school. The proposed charter shall be attached to the petition.(b) No later than 60 days after receiving a petition, in accordance with subdivision (a), the county board of education shall hold a public hearing on the provisions of the charter, at which time the county board of education shall consider the level of support for the petition by teachers, parents or guardians, and the school districts where the charter school petitioner proposes to place school facilities. Following review of the petition and the public hearing, the county board of education shall either grant or deny the charter within 90 days of receipt of the petition. However, this date may be extended by an additional 30 days if both parties agree to the extension. A county board of education may impose any additional requirements beyond those required by this section that it considers necessary for the sound operation of a countywide charter school. A county board of education may grant a charter for the operation of a charter school under this part only if it is satisfied that granting the charter is consistent with sound educational practice and that the charter school has reasonable justification for why it could not be established by petition to a school district pursuant to Section 47605. The county board of education shall deny a petition for the establishment of a charter school if it finds one or more of the following:(1) The charter school presents an unsound educational program for the pupils to be enrolled in the charter school.(2) The petitioners are demonstrably unlikely to successfully implement the program set forth in the petition.(3) The petition does not contain the number of signatures required by subdivision (a).(4) The petition does not contain an affirmation of each of the conditions described in subdivision (e).(5) The petition does not contain reasonably comprehensive descriptions of all of the following:(A) (i) The educational program of the charter school, designed, among other things, to identify those pupils whom the charter school is attempting to educate, what it means to be an educated person in the 21st century, and how learning best occurs. The goals identified in that program shall include the objective of enabling pupils to become self-motivated, competent, and lifelong learners.(ii) The annual goals for the charter school for all pupils and for each subgroup of pupils identified pursuant to Section 52052, to be achieved in the state priorities, as described in subdivision (d) of Section 52060, that apply for the grade levels served, or the nature of the program operated, by the charter school, and specific annual actions to achieve those goals. A charter petition may identify additional school priorities, the goals for the school priorities, and the specific annual actions to achieve those goals.(iii) If the proposed charter school will enroll high school pupils, the manner in which the charter school will inform parents regarding the transferability of courses to other public high schools. Courses offered by the charter school that are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges may be considered to be transferable to other public high schools.(iv) If the proposed charter school will enroll high school pupils, information as to the manner in which the charter school will inform parents as to whether each individual course offered by the charter school meets college entrance requirements. Courses approved by the University of California or the California State University as satisfying their prerequisites for admission may be considered as meeting college entrance requirements for purposes of this clause.(B) The measurable pupil outcomes identified for use by the charter school. Pupil outcomes, for purposes of this part, means the extent to which all pupils of the charter school demonstrate that they have attained the skills, knowledge, and aptitudes specified as goals in the charter schools educational program. Pupil outcomes shall include outcomes that address increases in pupil academic achievement both schoolwide and for all groups of pupils served by the charter school, as that term is defined in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 47607. The pupil outcomes shall align with the state priorities, as described in subdivision (d) of Section 52060, that apply for the grade levels served, or the nature of the program operated, by the charter school.(C) The method by which pupil progress in meeting those pupil outcomes is to be measured. To the extent practicable, the method for measuring pupil outcomes for state priorities shall be consistent with the way information is reported on a school accountability report card.(D) The location of each charter school facility that the petitioner proposes to operate.(E) The governance structure of the charter school, including, but not limited to, the process to be followed by the charter school to ensure parental involvement.(F) The qualifications to be met by individuals to be employed by the charter school.(G) The procedures that the charter school will follow to ensure the health and safety of pupils and staff. These procedures shall require all of the following:(i) That each employee of the charter school furnish the charter school with a criminal record summary as described in Section 44237.(ii) The development of a school safety plan, which shall include the safety topics listed in subparagraphs (A) to (H), inclusive, of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of of, and subdivision (e) of, Section 32282 and 32282, the guidelines described in Section 32282.1, procedures for conducting tactical responses to criminal incidents. incidents, and the targeted violence prevention plan described in Section 32285.(iii) That the school safety plan be reviewed and updated by March 1 of every year by the charter school.(H) The means by which the charter school will achieve a racial and ethnic balance among its pupils that is reflective of the general population residing within the territorial jurisdiction of the school district to which the charter petition is submitted.(I) The manner in which annual, independent financial audits shall be conducted, in accordance with regulations established by the state board, and the manner in which audit exceptions and deficiencies shall be resolved.(J) The procedures by which pupils can be suspended or expelled from the charter school for disciplinary reasons or otherwise involuntarily removed from the charter school for any reason. These procedures, at a minimum, shall include an explanation of how the charter school will comply with federal and state constitutional procedural and substantive due process requirements that is consistent with all of the following:(i) For suspensions of fewer than 10 days, provide oral or written notice of the charges against the pupil and, if the pupil denies the charges, an explanation of the evidence that supports the charges and an opportunity for the pupil to present his or her the pupils side of the story.(ii) For suspensions of 10 days or more and all other expulsions for disciplinary reasons, both of the following:(I) Provide timely, written notice of the charges against the pupil and an explanation of the pupils basic rights.(II) Provide a hearing adjudicated by a neutral officer within a reasonable number of days at which the pupil has a fair opportunity to present testimony, evidence, and witnesses and confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses, and at which the pupil has the right to bring legal counsel or an advocate.(iii) Contain a clear statement that no pupil shall be involuntarily removed by the charter school for any reason unless the parent or guardian of the pupil has been provided written notice of intent to remove the pupil no less than five schooldays before the effective date of the action. The written notice shall be in the native language of the pupil or the pupils parent or guardian or, if the pupil is a foster child or youth or a homeless child or youth, the pupils educational rights holder, and shall inform him or her that person of the right to initiate the procedures specified in clause (ii) before the effective date of the action. If the pupils parent, guardian, or educational rights holder initiates the procedures specified in clause (ii), the pupil shall remain enrolled and shall not be removed until the charter school issues a final decision. For purposes of this clause, involuntarily removed includes disenrolled, dismissed, transferred, or terminated, but does not include suspensions specified in clauses (i) and (ii).(K) The manner by which staff members of the charter school will be covered by the State Teachers Retirement System, the Public Employees Retirement System, or federal social security.(L) The procedures to be followed by the charter school and the county board of education to resolve disputes relating to provisions of the charter.(M) Admission policy and procedures, consistent with subdivision (e).(N) The public school attendance alternatives for pupils residing within the county who choose not to attend the charter school.(O) The rights of an employee of the county office of education, upon leaving the employment of the county office of education, to be employed by the charter school, and any rights of return to the county office of education that an employee may have upon leaving the employment of the charter school.(P) The procedures to be used if the charter school closes. The procedures shall ensure a final audit of the charter school to determine the disposition of all assets and liabilities of the charter school, including plans for disposing of any net assets and for the maintenance and transfer of public records.(6) A declaration of whether or not the charter school shall be deemed the exclusive public school employer of the employees of the charter school for purposes of the Educational Employment Relations Act (Chapter 10.7 (commencing with Section 3540) of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code).(7) Any other basis that the county board of education finds justifies the denial of the petition.(c) A county board of education that approves a petition for the operation of a countywide charter may, as a condition of charter approval, enter into an agreement with a third party, at the expense of the charter school, to oversee, monitor, and report to the county board of education on the operations of the charter school. The county board of education may prescribe the aspects of the charter schools operations to be monitored by the third party and may prescribe appropriate requirements regarding the reporting of information concerning the operations of the charter school to the county board of education.(d) (1) Charter schools shall meet all statewide standards and conduct the pupil assessments required pursuant to Section 60605 and any other statewide standards authorized in statute or pupil assessments applicable to pupils in noncharter public schools.(2) Charter schools shall on a regular basis consult with their parents and teachers regarding the charter schools educational programs.(e) (1) In addition to any other requirement imposed under this part, a charter school shall be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices, and all other operations, shall not charge tuition, and shall not discriminate against any pupil on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or disability. Except as provided in paragraph (2), admission to a charter school shall not be determined according to the place of residence of the pupil, or of his or her the pupils parent or guardian, within this state.(2) (A) A charter school shall admit all pupils who wish to attend the charter school.(B) If the number of pupils who wish to attend the charter school exceeds the charter schools capacity, attendance, except for existing pupils of the charter school, shall be determined by a public random drawing. Preference shall be extended to pupils currently attending the charter school and pupils who reside in the county except as provided for in Section 47614.5. Preferences, including, but not limited to, siblings of pupils admitted or attending the charter school and children of the charter schools teachers, staff, and founders identified in the initial charter, may also be permitted by the chartering authority on an individual charter school basis. Priority order for any preference shall be determined in the charter petition in accordance with all of the following:(i) Each type of preference shall be approved by the chartering authority at a public hearing.(ii) Preferences shall be consistent with federal law, the California Constitution, and Section 200.(iii) Preferences shall not result in limiting enrollment access for pupils with disabilities, academically low-achieving pupils, English learners, neglected or delinquent pupils, homeless pupils, or pupils who are economically disadvantaged, as determined by eligibility for any free or reduced-price meal program, foster youth, or pupils based on nationality, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.(iv) In accordance with Section 49011, preferences shall not require mandatory parental volunteer hours as a criterion for admission or continued enrollment.(C) In the event of a drawing, the county board of education shall make reasonable efforts to accommodate the growth of the charter school and in no event shall take any action to impede the charter school from expanding enrollment to meet pupil demand.(3) If a pupil is expelled or leaves the charter school without graduating or completing the school year for any reason, the charter school shall notify the superintendent of the school district of the pupils last known address within 30 days and shall, upon request, provide that school district with a copy of the cumulative record of the pupil, including report cards or a transcript of grades, and health information. If the pupil is subsequently expelled or leaves the school district without graduating or completing the school year for any reason, the school district shall provide this information to the charter school within 30 days if the charter school demonstrates that the pupil had been enrolled in the charter school. This paragraph applies only to pupils subject to compulsory full-time education pursuant to Section 48200.(f) The county board of education shall not require an employee of the county or a school district to be employed in a charter school.(g) The county board of education shall not require a pupil enrolled in a county program to attend a charter school.(h) The county board of education shall require that the petitioner or petitioners provide information regarding the proposed operation and potential effects of the charter school, including, but not limited to, the facilities to be used by the charter school, the manner in which administrative services of the charter school are to be provided, and potential civil liability effects, if any, upon the charter school, any school district where the charter school may operate, and upon the county board of education. The petitioner or petitioners shall also be required to provide financial statements that include a proposed first-year operational budget, including startup costs, and cashflow and financial projections for the first three years of operation.(i) In reviewing petitions for the establishment of charter schools within the county, the county board of education shall give preference to petitions that demonstrate the capability to provide comprehensive learning experiences to pupils identified by the petitioner or petitioners as academically low achieving pursuant to the standards established by the department under Section 54032, as that section read before July 19, 2006.(j) Upon the approval of the petition by the county board of education, the petitioner or petitioners shall provide written notice of that approval, including a copy of the petition, to the school districts within the county, the Superintendent, and the state board.(k) If a county board of education denies a petition, the petitioner shall not elect to submit the petition for the establishment of the charter school to the state board.(l) Teachers in charter schools shall be required to hold a Commission on Teacher Credentialing certificate, permit, or other document equivalent to that which a teacher in other public schools would be required to hold. These documents shall be maintained on file at the charter school and shall be subject to periodic inspection by the chartering authority.(m) A charter school shall transmit a copy of its annual, independent, financial audit report for the preceding fiscal year, as described in subparagraph (I) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (b), to the county office of education, the Controller, and the department by December 15 of each year. This subdivision does not apply if the audit of the charter school is encompassed in the audit of the chartering entity pursuant to Section 41020.(n) A charter school may encourage parental involvement but shall notify the parents and guardians of applicant pupils and currently enrolled pupils that parental involvement is not a requirement for acceptance to, or continued enrollment at, the charter school.SEC. 4.SEC. 6. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code. |
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| 54 | + | The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 32282 of the Education Code is amended to read:32282. (a) The comprehensive school safety plan shall include, but not be limited to, both of the following:(1) Assessing the current status of school crime committed on school campuses and at school-related functions.(2) Identifying appropriate strategies and programs that will provide or maintain a high level of school safety and address the schools procedures for complying with existing laws related to school safety, which shall include the development of all of the following:(A) Child abuse reporting procedures consistent with Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 11164) of Chapter 2 of Title 1 of Part 4 of the Penal Code.(B) Disaster procedures, routine and emergency, including adaptations for pupils with disabilities in accordance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.). The disaster procedures shall also include, but not be limited to, both of the following:(i) Establishing an earthquake emergency procedure system in every public school building having an occupant capacity of 50 or more pupils or more than one classroom. A school district or county office of education may work with the Office of Emergency Services and the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission to develop and establish the earthquake emergency procedure system. The system shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:(I) A school building disaster plan, ready for implementation at any time, for maintaining the safety and care of pupils and staff. The department shall provide general direction to school districts and county offices of education on what to include in the school building disaster plan.(II) A drop procedure whereby each pupil and staff member takes cover under a table or desk, dropping to his or her their knees, with the head protected by the arms, and the back to the windows. A drop procedure practice shall be held at least once each school quarter in elementary schools and at least once a semester in secondary schools.(III) Protective measures to be taken before, during, and following an earthquake.(IV) A program to ensure that pupils and both the certificated and classified staff are aware of, and properly trained in, the earthquake emergency procedure system.(ii) Establishing a procedure to allow a public agency, including the American Red Cross, to use school buildings, grounds, and equipment for mass care and welfare shelters during disasters or other emergencies affecting the public health and welfare. The school district or county office of education shall cooperate with the public agency in furnishing and maintaining the services as the school district or county office of education may deem necessary to meet the needs of the community.(C) Policies pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 48915 for pupils who committed an act listed in subdivision (c) of Section 48915 and other school-designated serious acts that would lead to suspension, expulsion, or mandatory expulsion recommendations pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 48900) of Chapter 6 of Part 27 of Division 4 of Title 2.(D) Procedures to notify teachers of dangerous pupils pursuant to Section 49079.(E) A discrimination and harassment policy consistent with the prohibition against discrimination contained in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 200) of Part 1.(F) The provisions of any schoolwide dress code, pursuant to Section 35183, that prohibits pupils from wearing gang-related apparel, if the school has adopted that type of a dress code. For those purposes, the comprehensive school safety plan shall define gang-related apparel. The definition shall be limited to apparel that, if worn or displayed on a school campus, reasonably could be determined to threaten the health and safety of the school environment. A schoolwide dress code established pursuant to this section and Section 35183 shall be enforced on the school campus and at any school-sponsored activity by the principal of the school or the person designated by the principal. For purposes of this paragraph, gang-related apparel shall not be considered a protected form of speech pursuant to Section 48950.(G) Procedures for safe ingress and egress of pupils, parents, and school employees to and from school.(H) A safe and orderly environment conducive to learning at the school.(I) The rules and procedures on school discipline adopted pursuant to Sections 35291, 35291.5, 47605, and 47605.6.(J) Procedures for conducting tactical responses to criminal incidents, including procedures related to individuals with guns on school campuses and at school-related functions. The procedures to prepare for active shooters or other armed assailants shall be based on the specific needs and context of each school and community.(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that schools develop comprehensive school safety plans using existing resources, including the materials and services of the partnership, pursuant to this chapter. It is also the intent of the Legislature that schools use the handbook developed and distributed by the School/Law Enforcement Partnership Program entitled Safe Schools: A Planning Guide for Action in conjunction with developing their plan for school safety.(c) Each schoolsite council or school safety planning committee, in developing and updating a comprehensive school safety plan, shall, where practical, consult, cooperate, and coordinate with other schoolsite councils or school safety planning committees.(d) The comprehensive school safety plan may be evaluated and amended, as needed, by the school safety planning committee, but shall be evaluated at least once a year, to ensure that the comprehensive school safety plan is properly implemented. An updated file of all safety-related plans and materials shall be readily available for inspection by the public.(e) As comprehensive school safety plans are reviewed and updated, the Legislature encourages all plans, to the extent that resources are available, to plans shall include policies and procedures aimed at the prevention of bullying.(f) The comprehensive school safety plan, as written and updated by the schoolsite council or school safety planning committee, shall be submitted for approval pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 32288.(g) The department shall maintain and conspicuously post on its Internet Web site internet website a compliance checklist for developing a comprehensive school safety plan, and shall update the checklist when necessary.SEC. 2. Section 32282.1 of the Education Code is amended to read:32282.1. (a) As comprehensive school safety plans are reviewed and updated, the Legislature encourages all plans, to the extent that resources are available, to plans shall include clear guidelines for the roles and responsibilities of mental health professionals, community intervention professionals, school counselors, school resource officers, and police officers on school campuses, if the school district uses these people.(b) The guidelines developed pursuant to subdivision (a) are encouraged to include both of the following:(1) Primary strategies to create and maintain a positive school climate, promote school safety, and increase pupil achievement, and prioritize mental health and intervention services, restorative and transformative justice programs, and positive behavior interventions and support.(2) Consistent with paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 32282, protocols to address the mental health care of pupils who have witnessed a violent act at any time, including, but not limited to, any of the following:(A) While on school grounds.(B) While going to or coming from school.(C) During a lunch period whether on or off campus.(D) During, or while going to or coming from, a school-sponsored activity.SEC. 3. Section 32285 is added to the Education Code, to read:32285. (a) A comprehensive school safety plan shall include a targeted violence prevention plan. The targeted violence prevention plan shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following requirements, which are recommended by the United States Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center:(1) (A) Establish a multidisciplinary threat assessment team of school personnel, including faculty, staff, administrators, coaches, and available school resource officers, who will direct, manage, and document the threat assessment process.(B) Establish minimum standards for the threat assessment team, including, but not limited to, having members with expertise in counseling, pupil instruction, school administration, human resources, and law enforcement. (2) Define behaviors, including those that are prohibited and that will trigger immediate intervention, such as threats, violent acts, and weapons on campus, and other concerning behaviors that require a threat assessment.(3) Establish and provide training on a central reporting system such as an online form on the schools internet website, email address, phone number, smartphone application, or other mechanism. The central reporting system shall provide anonymity to those reporting concerns and be monitored by personnel who will follow up on all reports.(4) Determine the threshold for law enforcement intervention, especially if there is a safety risk.(5) Establish threat assessment procedures that include practices for maintaining documentation, identifying sources of information, reviewing records, and conducting interviews. Threat assessment procedures shall include all of the following investigative themes to guide the assessment process:(A) Motive: What motivated the pupil to engage in the behavior of concern? What is the pupil trying to solve?(B) Communications: Have there been concerning, unusual, threatening, or violent communications? Are there communications about thoughts of suicide, hopelessness, or information relevant to the other investigative themes?(C) Inappropriate Interests: Does the pupil have inappropriate interests in weapons, school attacks or attackers, mass attacks, or other violence? Is there a fixation on an issue or a person?(D) Weapons Access: Is there access to weapons? Is there evidence of manufactured explosives or incendiary devices?(E) Stressors: Have there been any recent setbacks, losses, or challenges? How is the pupil coping with stressors?(F) Emotional and Developmental Issues: Is the pupil dealing with mental health issues or developmental disabilities? Is the pupils behavior a product of those issues? What resources does the pupil need?(G) Desperation or Despair: Has the pupil felt hopeless, desperate, or that they are out of options?(H) Violence as an Option: Does the pupil think that violence is a way to solve a problem? Have they thought that in the past?(I) Concerned Others: Has the pupils behavior elicited concern? Was the concern related to safety?(J) Capacity: Is the pupil organized enough to plan and execute an attack? Does the pupil have the resources?(K) Planning: Has the pupil initiated an attack plan, researched tactics, selected targets, or practiced with a weapon?(L) Consistency: Are the pupils statements consistent with the pupils actions or what others observe? If not, why?(M) Protective Factors: Are there positive and prosocial influences in the pupils life? Does the pupil have a positive and trusting relationship with an adult at school? Does the pupil feel emotionally connected to other pupils?(6) Develop risk management options to enact once a threat assessment is complete, including all of the following:(A) Create individualized management plans to mitigate identified risks.(B) Notify law enforcement immediately if the pupil is thinking about an attack.(C) Ensure the safety of potential targets.(D) Create a situation less prone to violence.(E) Redirect the pupils motive.(F) Reduce the effect of stressors.(7) Create and promote a safe school climate built on a culture of safety, respect, trust, and emotional support. This includes encouraging communication, intervening in conflicts and bullying, and empowering pupils to share their concerns.(8) Provide school safety training for all stakeholders, including school personnel, pupils, parents, and law enforcement.(b) A school district or county office of education that has a memorandum of understanding with a local law enforcement agency shall incorporate the applicable requirements of this section into that memorandum of understanding.(c) To the extent permitted by federal law and notwithstanding any other law, upon a preliminary determination by the threat assessment team that an individual poses a threat of violence to themself or others, any state or local agency or program that provides services to the individual, including any service or support provider contracting with one of those entities, may share with any other state or local agency or program records or information that are confidential or exempt from disclosure if the records or information are reasonably necessary to evaluate the threat, ensure access to appropriate services for the individual, or ensure the safety of the individual or others.SEC. 4. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.SECTION 1.Section 35160 of the Education Code is amended to read:35160.On and after January 1, 1976, the governing board of a school district may initiate and carry on any program, activity, or may otherwise act in a manner that is not in conflict with or inconsistent with, or preempted by, any law and that is not in conflict with the purposes for which school districts are established. |
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| 283 | | - | 47605. (a) (1) Except as set forth in paragraph (2), a petition for the establishment of a charter school within a school district may be circulated by one or more persons seeking to establish the charter school. A petition for the establishment of a charter school shall identify a single charter school that will operate within the geographic boundaries of that school district. A charter school may propose to operate at multiple sites within the school district if each location is identified in the charter school petition. The petition may be submitted to the governing board of the school district for review after either of the following conditions is met:(A) The petition is signed by a number of parents or legal guardians of pupils that is equivalent to at least one-half of the number of pupils that the charter school estimates will enroll in the charter school for its first year of operation.(B) The petition is signed by a number of teachers that is equivalent to at least one-half of the number of teachers that the charter school estimates will be employed at the charter school during its first year of operation.(2) A petition that proposes to convert an existing public school to a charter school that would not be eligible for a loan pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 41365 may be circulated by one or more persons seeking to establish the charter school. The petition may be submitted to the governing board of the school district for review after the petition is signed by not less than 50 percent of the permanent status teachers currently employed at the public school to be converted.(3) A petition shall include a prominent statement that a signature on the petition means that the parent or legal guardian is meaningfully interested in having his or her their child or ward attend the charter school, or in the case of a teachers signature, means that the teacher is meaningfully interested in teaching at the charter school. The proposed charter shall be attached to the petition.(4) After receiving approval of its petition, a charter school that proposes to establish operations at one or more additional sites shall request a material revision to its charter and shall notify the authority that granted its charter of those additional locations. The authority that granted its charter shall consider whether to approve those additional locations at an open, public meeting. If the additional locations are approved, there shall be a material revision to the charter schools charter.(5) A charter school that is unable to locate within the jurisdiction of the chartering school district may establish one site outside the boundaries of the school district, but within the county in which that school district is located, if the school district within the jurisdiction of which the charter school proposes to operate is notified in advance of the charter petition approval, the county superintendent of schools and the Superintendent are notified of the location of the charter school before it commences operations, and either of the following circumstances exists:(A) The school has attempted to locate a single site or facility to house the entire program, but a site or facility is unavailable in the area in which the school chooses to locate.(B) The site is needed for temporary use during a construction or expansion project.(6) Commencing January 1, 2003, a petition to establish a charter school shall not be approved to serve pupils in a grade level that is not served by the school district of the governing board considering the petition, unless the petition proposes to serve pupils in all of the grade levels served by that school district.(b) No later than 30 days after receiving a petition, in accordance with subdivision (a), the governing board of the school district shall hold a public hearing on the provisions of the charter, at which time the governing board of the school district shall consider the level of support for the petition by teachers employed by the school district, other employees of the school district, and parents. Following review of the petition and the public hearing, the governing board of the school district shall either grant or deny the charter within 60 days of receipt of the petition, provided, however, that the date may be extended by an additional 30 days if both parties agree to the extension. In reviewing petitions for the establishment of charter schools pursuant to this section, the chartering authority shall be guided by the intent of the Legislature that charter schools are and should become an integral part of the California educational system and that the establishment of charter schools should be encouraged. The governing board of the school district shall grant a charter for the operation of a school under this part if it is satisfied that granting the charter is consistent with sound educational practice. The governing board of the school district shall not deny a petition for the establishment of a charter school unless it makes written factual findings, specific to the particular petition, setting forth specific facts to support one or more of the following findings:(1) The charter school presents an unsound educational program for the pupils to be enrolled in the charter school.(2) The petitioners are demonstrably unlikely to successfully implement the program set forth in the petition.(3) The petition does not contain the number of signatures required by subdivision (a).(4) The petition does not contain an affirmation of each of the conditions described in subdivision (d).(5) The petition does not contain reasonably comprehensive descriptions of all of the following:(A) (i) The educational program of the charter school, designed, among other things, to identify those whom the charter school is attempting to educate, what it means to be an educated person in the 21st century, and how learning best occurs. The goals identified in that program shall include the objective of enabling pupils to become self-motivated, competent, and lifelong learners.(ii) The annual goals for the charter school for all pupils and for each subgroup of pupils identified pursuant to Section 52052, to be achieved in the state priorities, as described in subdivision (d) of Section 52060, that apply for the grade levels served, or the nature of the program operated, by the charter school, and specific annual actions to achieve those goals. A charter petition may identify additional school priorities, the goals for the school priorities, and the specific annual actions to achieve those goals.(iii) If the proposed charter school will serve high school pupils, the manner in which the charter school will inform parents about the transferability of courses to other public high schools and the eligibility of courses to meet college entrance requirements. Courses offered by the charter school that are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges may be considered transferable and courses approved by the University of California or the California State University as creditable under the A to G admissions criteria may be considered to meet college entrance requirements.(B) The measurable pupil outcomes identified for use by the charter school. Pupil outcomes, for purposes of this part, means the extent to which all pupils of the charter school demonstrate that they have attained the skills, knowledge, and attitudes specified as goals in the charter schools educational program. Pupil outcomes shall include outcomes that address increases in pupil academic achievement both schoolwide and for all groups of pupils served by the charter school, as that term is defined in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 47607. The pupil outcomes shall align with the state priorities, as described in subdivision (d) of Section 52060, that apply for the grade levels served, or the nature of the program operated, by the charter school.(C) The method by which pupil progress in meeting those pupil outcomes is to be measured. To the extent practicable, the method for measuring pupil outcomes for state priorities shall be consistent with the way information is reported on a school accountability report card.(D) The governance structure of the charter school, including, but not limited to, the process to be followed by the charter school to ensure parental involvement.(E) The qualifications to be met by individuals to be employed by the charter school.(F) The procedures that the charter school will follow to ensure the health and safety of pupils and staff. These procedures shall require all of the following:(i) That each employee of the charter school furnish the charter school with a criminal record summary as described in Section 44237.(ii) The development of a school safety plan, which shall include the safety topics listed in subparagraphs (A) to (H), inclusive, of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of of, and subdivision (e) of, Section 32282 and 32282, the guidelines described in Section 32282.1, procedures for conducting tactical responses to criminal incidents. incidents, and the targeted violence prevention plan described in Section 32285.(iii) That the school safety plan be reviewed and updated by March 1 of every year by the charter school.(G) The means by which the charter school will achieve a racial and ethnic balance among its pupils that is reflective of the general population residing within the territorial jurisdiction of the school district to which the charter petition is submitted.(H) Admission policies and procedures, consistent with subdivision (d).(I) The manner in which annual, independent financial audits shall be conducted, which shall employ generally accepted accounting principles, and the manner in which audit exceptions and deficiencies shall be resolved to the satisfaction of the chartering authority.(J) The procedures by which pupils can be suspended or expelled from the charter school for disciplinary reasons or otherwise involuntarily removed from the charter school for any reason. These procedures, at a minimum, shall include an explanation of how the charter school will comply with federal and state constitutional procedural and substantive due process requirements that is consistent with all of the following:(i) For suspensions of fewer than 10 days, provide oral or written notice of the charges against the pupil and, if the pupil denies the charges, an explanation of the evidence that supports the charges and an opportunity for the pupil to present his or her the pupils side of the story.(ii) For suspensions of 10 days or more and all other expulsions for disciplinary reasons, both of the following:(I) Provide timely, written notice of the charges against the pupil and an explanation of the pupils basic rights.(II) Provide a hearing adjudicated by a neutral officer within a reasonable number of days at which the pupil has a fair opportunity to present testimony, evidence, and witnesses and confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses, and at which the pupil has the right to bring legal counsel or an advocate.(iii) Contain a clear statement that no pupil shall be involuntarily removed by the charter school for any reason unless the parent or guardian of the pupil has been provided written notice of intent to remove the pupil no less than five schooldays before the effective date of the action. The written notice shall be in the native language of the pupil or the pupils parent or guardian or, if the pupil is a foster child or youth or a homeless child or youth, the pupils educational rights holder, and shall inform him or her that individual of the right to initiate the procedures specified in clause (ii) before the effective date of the action. If the pupils parent, guardian, or educational rights holder initiates the procedures specified in clause (ii), the pupil shall remain enrolled and shall not be removed until the charter school issues a final decision. For purposes of this clause, involuntarily removed includes disenrolled, dismissed, transferred, or terminated, but does not include suspensions specified in clauses (i) and (ii).(K) The manner by which staff members of the charter schools will be covered by the State Teachers Retirement System, the Public Employees Retirement System, or federal social security.(L) The public school attendance alternatives for pupils residing within the school district who choose not to attend charter schools.(M) The rights of an employee of the school district upon leaving the employment of the school district to work in a charter school, and of any rights of return to the school district after employment at a charter school.(N) The procedures to be followed by the charter school and the entity granting the charter chartering authority to resolve disputes relating to provisions of the charter.(O) The procedures to be used if the charter school closes. The procedures shall ensure a final audit of the charter school to determine the disposition of all assets and liabilities of the charter school, including plans for disposing of any net assets and for the maintenance and transfer of pupil records.(6) The petition does not contain a declaration of whether or not the charter school shall be deemed the exclusive public employer of the employees of the charter school for purposes of Chapter 10.7 (commencing with Section 3540) of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code.(c) (1) Charter schools shall meet all statewide standards and conduct the pupil assessments required pursuant to Section 60605 and any other statewide standards authorized in statute or pupil assessments applicable to pupils in noncharter public schools.(2) Charter schools shall, on a regular basis, consult with their parents, legal guardians, and teachers regarding the charter schools educational programs.(d) (1) In addition to any other requirement imposed under this part, a charter school shall be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices, and all other operations, shall not charge tuition, and shall not discriminate against a pupil on the basis of the characteristics listed in Section 220. Except as provided in paragraph (2), admission to a charter school shall not be determined according to the place of residence of the pupil, or of his or her that pupils parent or legal guardian, within this state, except that an existing public school converting partially or entirely to a charter school under this part shall adopt and maintain a policy giving admission preference to pupils who reside within the former attendance area of that public school.(2) (A) A charter school shall admit all pupils who wish to attend the charter school.(B) If the number of pupils who wish to attend the charter school exceeds the charter schools capacity, attendance, except for existing pupils of the charter school, shall be determined by a public random drawing. Preference shall be extended to pupils currently attending the charter school and pupils who reside in the school district except as provided for in Section 47614.5. Preferences, including, but not limited to, siblings of pupils admitted or attending the charter school and children of the charter schools teachers, staff, and founders identified in the initial charter, may also be permitted by the chartering authority on an individual charter school basis. Priority order for any preference shall be determined in the charter petition in accordance with all of the following:(i) Each type of preference shall be approved by the chartering authority at a public hearing.(ii) Preferences shall be consistent with federal law, the California Constitution, and Section 200.(iii) Preferences shall not result in limiting enrollment access for pupils with disabilities, academically low-achieving pupils, English learners, neglected or delinquent pupils, homeless pupils, or pupils who are economically disadvantaged, as determined by eligibility for any free or reduced-price meal program, foster youth, or pupils based on nationality, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.(iv) In accordance with Section 49011, preferences shall not require mandatory parental volunteer hours as a criterion for admission or continued enrollment.(C) In the event of a drawing, the chartering authority shall make reasonable efforts to accommodate the growth of the charter school and shall not take any action to impede the charter school from expanding enrollment to meet pupil demand.(3) If a pupil is expelled or leaves the charter school without graduating or completing the school year for any reason, the charter school shall notify the superintendent of the school district of the pupils last known address within 30 days, and shall, upon request, provide that school district with a copy of the cumulative record of the pupil, including report cards or a transcript of grades, and health information. If the pupil is subsequently expelled or leaves the school district without graduating or completing the school year for any reason, the school district shall provide this information to the charter school within 30 days if the charter school demonstrates that the pupil had been enrolled in the charter school. This paragraph applies only to pupils subject to compulsory full-time education pursuant to Section 48200.(e) The governing board of a school district shall not require an employee of the school district to be employed in a charter school.(f) The governing board of a school district shall not require a pupil enrolled in the school district to attend a charter school.(g) The governing board of a school district shall require that the petitioner or petitioners provide information regarding the proposed operation and potential effects of the charter school, including, but not limited to, the facilities to be used by the charter school, the manner in which administrative services of the charter school are to be provided, and potential civil liability effects, if any, upon the charter school and upon the school district. The description of the facilities to be used by the charter school shall specify where the charter school intends to locate. The petitioner or petitioners also shall be required to provide financial statements that include a proposed first-year operational budget, including startup costs, and cashflow and financial projections for the first three years of operation.(h) In reviewing petitions for the establishment of charter schools within the school district, the governing board of the school district shall give preference to petitions that demonstrate the capability to provide comprehensive learning experiences to pupils identified by the petitioner or petitioners as academically low achieving pursuant to the standards established by the department under Section 54032, as that section read before July 19, 2006.(i) Upon the approval of the petition by the governing board of the school district, the petitioner or petitioners shall provide written notice of that approval, including a copy of the petition, to the applicable county superintendent of schools, the department, and the state board.(j) (1) If the governing board of a school district denies a petition, the petitioner may elect to submit the petition for the establishment of a charter school to the county board of education. The county board of education shall review the petition pursuant to subdivision (b). If the petitioner elects to submit a petition for establishment of a charter school to the county board of education and the county board of education denies the petition, the petitioner may file a petition for establishment of a charter school with the state board, and the state board may approve the petition, in accordance with subdivision (b). A charter school that receives approval of its petition from a county board of education or from the state board on appeal shall be subject to the same requirements concerning geographic location to which it would otherwise be subject if it received approval from the entity to which it originally submitted its petition. A charter petition that is submitted to either a county board of education or to the state board shall meet all otherwise applicable petition requirements, including the identification of the proposed site or sites where the charter school will operate.(2) In assuming its role as a chartering agency, authority, the state board shall develop criteria to be used for the review and approval of charter school petitions presented to the state board. The criteria shall address all elements required for charter approval, as identified in subdivision (b), and shall define reasonably comprehensive, as used in paragraph (5) of subdivision (b), in a way that is consistent with the intent of this part. Upon satisfactory completion of the criteria, the state board shall adopt the criteria on or before June 30, 2001.(3) A charter school for which a charter is granted by either the county board of education or the state board based on an appeal pursuant to this subdivision shall qualify fully as a charter school for all funding and other purposes of this part.(4) If either the county board of education or the state board fails to act on a petition within 120 days of receipt, the decision of the governing board of the school district to deny the petition shall be subject to judicial review.(5) The state board shall adopt regulations implementing this subdivision.(6) Upon the approval of the petition by the county board of education, the petitioner or petitioners shall provide written notice of that approval, including a copy of the petition, to the department and the state board.(k) (1) The state board may, by mutual agreement, designate its supervisorial and oversight responsibilities for a charter school approved by the state board to any local educational agency in the county in which the charter school is located or to the governing board of the school district that first denied the petition.(2) The designated local educational agency shall have all monitoring and supervising authority of a chartering agency, authority, including, but not limited to, powers and duties set forth in Section 47607, except the power of revocation, which shall remain with the state board.(3) A charter school that is granted its charter through an appeal to the state board and elects to seek renewal of its charter shall, before expiration of the charter, submit its petition for renewal to the governing board of the school district that initially denied the charter. If the governing board of the school district denies the charter schools petition for renewal, the charter school may petition the state board for renewal of its charter.(l) Teachers in charter schools shall hold a Commission on Teacher Credentialing certificate, permit, or other document equivalent to that which a teacher in other public schools would be required to hold. These documents shall be maintained on file at the charter school and are subject to periodic inspection by the chartering authority. It is the intent of the Legislature that charter schools be given flexibility with regard to noncore, noncollege preparatory courses.(m) A charter school shall transmit a copy of its annual, independent financial audit report for the preceding fiscal year, as described in subparagraph (I) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (b), to its chartering entity, authority, the Controller, the county superintendent of schools of the county in which the charter school is sited, unless the county board of education of the county in which the charter school is sited is the chartering entity, authority, and the department by December 15 of each year. This subdivision does not apply if the audit of the charter school is encompassed in the audit of the chartering entity authority pursuant to Section 41020.(n) A charter school may encourage parental involvement, but shall notify the parents and guardians of applicant pupils and currently enrolled pupils that parental involvement is not a requirement for acceptance to, or continued enrollment at, the charter school. |
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| 285 | | - | 47605. (a) (1) Except as set forth in paragraph (2), a petition for the establishment of a charter school within a school district may be circulated by one or more persons seeking to establish the charter school. A petition for the establishment of a charter school shall identify a single charter school that will operate within the geographic boundaries of that school district. A charter school may propose to operate at multiple sites within the school district if each location is identified in the charter school petition. The petition may be submitted to the governing board of the school district for review after either of the following conditions is met:(A) The petition is signed by a number of parents or legal guardians of pupils that is equivalent to at least one-half of the number of pupils that the charter school estimates will enroll in the charter school for its first year of operation.(B) The petition is signed by a number of teachers that is equivalent to at least one-half of the number of teachers that the charter school estimates will be employed at the charter school during its first year of operation.(2) A petition that proposes to convert an existing public school to a charter school that would not be eligible for a loan pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 41365 may be circulated by one or more persons seeking to establish the charter school. The petition may be submitted to the governing board of the school district for review after the petition is signed by not less than 50 percent of the permanent status teachers currently employed at the public school to be converted.(3) A petition shall include a prominent statement that a signature on the petition means that the parent or legal guardian is meaningfully interested in having his or her their child or ward attend the charter school, or in the case of a teachers signature, means that the teacher is meaningfully interested in teaching at the charter school. The proposed charter shall be attached to the petition.(4) After receiving approval of its petition, a charter school that proposes to establish operations at one or more additional sites shall request a material revision to its charter and shall notify the authority that granted its charter of those additional locations. The authority that granted its charter shall consider whether to approve those additional locations at an open, public meeting. If the additional locations are approved, there shall be a material revision to the charter schools charter.(5) A charter school that is unable to locate within the jurisdiction of the chartering school district may establish one site outside the boundaries of the school district, but within the county in which that school district is located, if the school district within the jurisdiction of which the charter school proposes to operate is notified in advance of the charter petition approval, the county superintendent of schools and the Superintendent are notified of the location of the charter school before it commences operations, and either of the following circumstances exists:(A) The school has attempted to locate a single site or facility to house the entire program, but a site or facility is unavailable in the area in which the school chooses to locate.(B) The site is needed for temporary use during a construction or expansion project.(6) Commencing January 1, 2003, a petition to establish a charter school shall not be approved to serve pupils in a grade level that is not served by the school district of the governing board considering the petition, unless the petition proposes to serve pupils in all of the grade levels served by that school district.(b) No later than 30 days after receiving a petition, in accordance with subdivision (a), the governing board of the school district shall hold a public hearing on the provisions of the charter, at which time the governing board of the school district shall consider the level of support for the petition by teachers employed by the school district, other employees of the school district, and parents. Following review of the petition and the public hearing, the governing board of the school district shall either grant or deny the charter within 60 days of receipt of the petition, provided, however, that the date may be extended by an additional 30 days if both parties agree to the extension. In reviewing petitions for the establishment of charter schools pursuant to this section, the chartering authority shall be guided by the intent of the Legislature that charter schools are and should become an integral part of the California educational system and that the establishment of charter schools should be encouraged. The governing board of the school district shall grant a charter for the operation of a school under this part if it is satisfied that granting the charter is consistent with sound educational practice. The governing board of the school district shall not deny a petition for the establishment of a charter school unless it makes written factual findings, specific to the particular petition, setting forth specific facts to support one or more of the following findings:(1) The charter school presents an unsound educational program for the pupils to be enrolled in the charter school.(2) The petitioners are demonstrably unlikely to successfully implement the program set forth in the petition.(3) The petition does not contain the number of signatures required by subdivision (a).(4) The petition does not contain an affirmation of each of the conditions described in subdivision (d).(5) The petition does not contain reasonably comprehensive descriptions of all of the following:(A) (i) The educational program of the charter school, designed, among other things, to identify those whom the charter school is attempting to educate, what it means to be an educated person in the 21st century, and how learning best occurs. The goals identified in that program shall include the objective of enabling pupils to become self-motivated, competent, and lifelong learners.(ii) The annual goals for the charter school for all pupils and for each subgroup of pupils identified pursuant to Section 52052, to be achieved in the state priorities, as described in subdivision (d) of Section 52060, that apply for the grade levels served, or the nature of the program operated, by the charter school, and specific annual actions to achieve those goals. A charter petition may identify additional school priorities, the goals for the school priorities, and the specific annual actions to achieve those goals.(iii) If the proposed charter school will serve high school pupils, the manner in which the charter school will inform parents about the transferability of courses to other public high schools and the eligibility of courses to meet college entrance requirements. Courses offered by the charter school that are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges may be considered transferable and courses approved by the University of California or the California State University as creditable under the A to G admissions criteria may be considered to meet college entrance requirements.(B) The measurable pupil outcomes identified for use by the charter school. Pupil outcomes, for purposes of this part, means the extent to which all pupils of the charter school demonstrate that they have attained the skills, knowledge, and attitudes specified as goals in the charter schools educational program. Pupil outcomes shall include outcomes that address increases in pupil academic achievement both schoolwide and for all groups of pupils served by the charter school, as that term is defined in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 47607. The pupil outcomes shall align with the state priorities, as described in subdivision (d) of Section 52060, that apply for the grade levels served, or the nature of the program operated, by the charter school.(C) The method by which pupil progress in meeting those pupil outcomes is to be measured. To the extent practicable, the method for measuring pupil outcomes for state priorities shall be consistent with the way information is reported on a school accountability report card.(D) The governance structure of the charter school, including, but not limited to, the process to be followed by the charter school to ensure parental involvement.(E) The qualifications to be met by individuals to be employed by the charter school.(F) The procedures that the charter school will follow to ensure the health and safety of pupils and staff. These procedures shall require all of the following:(i) That each employee of the charter school furnish the charter school with a criminal record summary as described in Section 44237.(ii) The development of a school safety plan, which shall include the safety topics listed in subparagraphs (A) to (H), inclusive, of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of of, and subdivision (e) of, Section 32282 and 32282, the guidelines described in Section 32282.1, procedures for conducting tactical responses to criminal incidents. incidents, and the targeted violence prevention plan described in Section 32285.(iii) That the school safety plan be reviewed and updated by March 1 of every year by the charter school.(G) The means by which the charter school will achieve a racial and ethnic balance among its pupils that is reflective of the general population residing within the territorial jurisdiction of the school district to which the charter petition is submitted.(H) Admission policies and procedures, consistent with subdivision (d).(I) The manner in which annual, independent financial audits shall be conducted, which shall employ generally accepted accounting principles, and the manner in which audit exceptions and deficiencies shall be resolved to the satisfaction of the chartering authority.(J) The procedures by which pupils can be suspended or expelled from the charter school for disciplinary reasons or otherwise involuntarily removed from the charter school for any reason. These procedures, at a minimum, shall include an explanation of how the charter school will comply with federal and state constitutional procedural and substantive due process requirements that is consistent with all of the following:(i) For suspensions of fewer than 10 days, provide oral or written notice of the charges against the pupil and, if the pupil denies the charges, an explanation of the evidence that supports the charges and an opportunity for the pupil to present his or her the pupils side of the story.(ii) For suspensions of 10 days or more and all other expulsions for disciplinary reasons, both of the following:(I) Provide timely, written notice of the charges against the pupil and an explanation of the pupils basic rights.(II) Provide a hearing adjudicated by a neutral officer within a reasonable number of days at which the pupil has a fair opportunity to present testimony, evidence, and witnesses and confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses, and at which the pupil has the right to bring legal counsel or an advocate.(iii) Contain a clear statement that no pupil shall be involuntarily removed by the charter school for any reason unless the parent or guardian of the pupil has been provided written notice of intent to remove the pupil no less than five schooldays before the effective date of the action. The written notice shall be in the native language of the pupil or the pupils parent or guardian or, if the pupil is a foster child or youth or a homeless child or youth, the pupils educational rights holder, and shall inform him or her that individual of the right to initiate the procedures specified in clause (ii) before the effective date of the action. If the pupils parent, guardian, or educational rights holder initiates the procedures specified in clause (ii), the pupil shall remain enrolled and shall not be removed until the charter school issues a final decision. For purposes of this clause, involuntarily removed includes disenrolled, dismissed, transferred, or terminated, but does not include suspensions specified in clauses (i) and (ii).(K) The manner by which staff members of the charter schools will be covered by the State Teachers Retirement System, the Public Employees Retirement System, or federal social security.(L) The public school attendance alternatives for pupils residing within the school district who choose not to attend charter schools.(M) The rights of an employee of the school district upon leaving the employment of the school district to work in a charter school, and of any rights of return to the school district after employment at a charter school.(N) The procedures to be followed by the charter school and the entity granting the charter chartering authority to resolve disputes relating to provisions of the charter.(O) The procedures to be used if the charter school closes. The procedures shall ensure a final audit of the charter school to determine the disposition of all assets and liabilities of the charter school, including plans for disposing of any net assets and for the maintenance and transfer of pupil records.(6) The petition does not contain a declaration of whether or not the charter school shall be deemed the exclusive public employer of the employees of the charter school for purposes of Chapter 10.7 (commencing with Section 3540) of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code.(c) (1) Charter schools shall meet all statewide standards and conduct the pupil assessments required pursuant to Section 60605 and any other statewide standards authorized in statute or pupil assessments applicable to pupils in noncharter public schools.(2) Charter schools shall, on a regular basis, consult with their parents, legal guardians, and teachers regarding the charter schools educational programs.(d) (1) In addition to any other requirement imposed under this part, a charter school shall be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices, and all other operations, shall not charge tuition, and shall not discriminate against a pupil on the basis of the characteristics listed in Section 220. Except as provided in paragraph (2), admission to a charter school shall not be determined according to the place of residence of the pupil, or of his or her that pupils parent or legal guardian, within this state, except that an existing public school converting partially or entirely to a charter school under this part shall adopt and maintain a policy giving admission preference to pupils who reside within the former attendance area of that public school.(2) (A) A charter school shall admit all pupils who wish to attend the charter school.(B) If the number of pupils who wish to attend the charter school exceeds the charter schools capacity, attendance, except for existing pupils of the charter school, shall be determined by a public random drawing. Preference shall be extended to pupils currently attending the charter school and pupils who reside in the school district except as provided for in Section 47614.5. Preferences, including, but not limited to, siblings of pupils admitted or attending the charter school and children of the charter schools teachers, staff, and founders identified in the initial charter, may also be permitted by the chartering authority on an individual charter school basis. Priority order for any preference shall be determined in the charter petition in accordance with all of the following:(i) Each type of preference shall be approved by the chartering authority at a public hearing.(ii) Preferences shall be consistent with federal law, the California Constitution, and Section 200.(iii) Preferences shall not result in limiting enrollment access for pupils with disabilities, academically low-achieving pupils, English learners, neglected or delinquent pupils, homeless pupils, or pupils who are economically disadvantaged, as determined by eligibility for any free or reduced-price meal program, foster youth, or pupils based on nationality, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.(iv) In accordance with Section 49011, preferences shall not require mandatory parental volunteer hours as a criterion for admission or continued enrollment.(C) In the event of a drawing, the chartering authority shall make reasonable efforts to accommodate the growth of the charter school and shall not take any action to impede the charter school from expanding enrollment to meet pupil demand.(3) If a pupil is expelled or leaves the charter school without graduating or completing the school year for any reason, the charter school shall notify the superintendent of the school district of the pupils last known address within 30 days, and shall, upon request, provide that school district with a copy of the cumulative record of the pupil, including report cards or a transcript of grades, and health information. If the pupil is subsequently expelled or leaves the school district without graduating or completing the school year for any reason, the school district shall provide this information to the charter school within 30 days if the charter school demonstrates that the pupil had been enrolled in the charter school. This paragraph applies only to pupils subject to compulsory full-time education pursuant to Section 48200.(e) The governing board of a school district shall not require an employee of the school district to be employed in a charter school.(f) The governing board of a school district shall not require a pupil enrolled in the school district to attend a charter school.(g) The governing board of a school district shall require that the petitioner or petitioners provide information regarding the proposed operation and potential effects of the charter school, including, but not limited to, the facilities to be used by the charter school, the manner in which administrative services of the charter school are to be provided, and potential civil liability effects, if any, upon the charter school and upon the school district. The description of the facilities to be used by the charter school shall specify where the charter school intends to locate. The petitioner or petitioners also shall be required to provide financial statements that include a proposed first-year operational budget, including startup costs, and cashflow and financial projections for the first three years of operation.(h) In reviewing petitions for the establishment of charter schools within the school district, the governing board of the school district shall give preference to petitions that demonstrate the capability to provide comprehensive learning experiences to pupils identified by the petitioner or petitioners as academically low achieving pursuant to the standards established by the department under Section 54032, as that section read before July 19, 2006.(i) Upon the approval of the petition by the governing board of the school district, the petitioner or petitioners shall provide written notice of that approval, including a copy of the petition, to the applicable county superintendent of schools, the department, and the state board.(j) (1) If the governing board of a school district denies a petition, the petitioner may elect to submit the petition for the establishment of a charter school to the county board of education. The county board of education shall review the petition pursuant to subdivision (b). If the petitioner elects to submit a petition for establishment of a charter school to the county board of education and the county board of education denies the petition, the petitioner may file a petition for establishment of a charter school with the state board, and the state board may approve the petition, in accordance with subdivision (b). A charter school that receives approval of its petition from a county board of education or from the state board on appeal shall be subject to the same requirements concerning geographic location to which it would otherwise be subject if it received approval from the entity to which it originally submitted its petition. A charter petition that is submitted to either a county board of education or to the state board shall meet all otherwise applicable petition requirements, including the identification of the proposed site or sites where the charter school will operate.(2) In assuming its role as a chartering agency, authority, the state board shall develop criteria to be used for the review and approval of charter school petitions presented to the state board. The criteria shall address all elements required for charter approval, as identified in subdivision (b), and shall define reasonably comprehensive, as used in paragraph (5) of subdivision (b), in a way that is consistent with the intent of this part. Upon satisfactory completion of the criteria, the state board shall adopt the criteria on or before June 30, 2001.(3) A charter school for which a charter is granted by either the county board of education or the state board based on an appeal pursuant to this subdivision shall qualify fully as a charter school for all funding and other purposes of this part.(4) If either the county board of education or the state board fails to act on a petition within 120 days of receipt, the decision of the governing board of the school district to deny the petition shall be subject to judicial review.(5) The state board shall adopt regulations implementing this subdivision.(6) Upon the approval of the petition by the county board of education, the petitioner or petitioners shall provide written notice of that approval, including a copy of the petition, to the department and the state board.(k) (1) The state board may, by mutual agreement, designate its supervisorial and oversight responsibilities for a charter school approved by the state board to any local educational agency in the county in which the charter school is located or to the governing board of the school district that first denied the petition.(2) The designated local educational agency shall have all monitoring and supervising authority of a chartering agency, authority, including, but not limited to, powers and duties set forth in Section 47607, except the power of revocation, which shall remain with the state board.(3) A charter school that is granted its charter through an appeal to the state board and elects to seek renewal of its charter shall, before expiration of the charter, submit its petition for renewal to the governing board of the school district that initially denied the charter. If the governing board of the school district denies the charter schools petition for renewal, the charter school may petition the state board for renewal of its charter.(l) Teachers in charter schools shall hold a Commission on Teacher Credentialing certificate, permit, or other document equivalent to that which a teacher in other public schools would be required to hold. These documents shall be maintained on file at the charter school and are subject to periodic inspection by the chartering authority. It is the intent of the Legislature that charter schools be given flexibility with regard to noncore, noncollege preparatory courses.(m) A charter school shall transmit a copy of its annual, independent financial audit report for the preceding fiscal year, as described in subparagraph (I) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (b), to its chartering entity, authority, the Controller, the county superintendent of schools of the county in which the charter school is sited, unless the county board of education of the county in which the charter school is sited is the chartering entity, authority, and the department by December 15 of each year. This subdivision does not apply if the audit of the charter school is encompassed in the audit of the chartering entity authority pursuant to Section 41020.(n) A charter school may encourage parental involvement, but shall notify the parents and guardians of applicant pupils and currently enrolled pupils that parental involvement is not a requirement for acceptance to, or continued enrollment at, the charter school. |
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| 287 | | - | 47605. (a) (1) Except as set forth in paragraph (2), a petition for the establishment of a charter school within a school district may be circulated by one or more persons seeking to establish the charter school. A petition for the establishment of a charter school shall identify a single charter school that will operate within the geographic boundaries of that school district. A charter school may propose to operate at multiple sites within the school district if each location is identified in the charter school petition. The petition may be submitted to the governing board of the school district for review after either of the following conditions is met:(A) The petition is signed by a number of parents or legal guardians of pupils that is equivalent to at least one-half of the number of pupils that the charter school estimates will enroll in the charter school for its first year of operation.(B) The petition is signed by a number of teachers that is equivalent to at least one-half of the number of teachers that the charter school estimates will be employed at the charter school during its first year of operation.(2) A petition that proposes to convert an existing public school to a charter school that would not be eligible for a loan pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 41365 may be circulated by one or more persons seeking to establish the charter school. The petition may be submitted to the governing board of the school district for review after the petition is signed by not less than 50 percent of the permanent status teachers currently employed at the public school to be converted.(3) A petition shall include a prominent statement that a signature on the petition means that the parent or legal guardian is meaningfully interested in having his or her their child or ward attend the charter school, or in the case of a teachers signature, means that the teacher is meaningfully interested in teaching at the charter school. The proposed charter shall be attached to the petition.(4) After receiving approval of its petition, a charter school that proposes to establish operations at one or more additional sites shall request a material revision to its charter and shall notify the authority that granted its charter of those additional locations. The authority that granted its charter shall consider whether to approve those additional locations at an open, public meeting. If the additional locations are approved, there shall be a material revision to the charter schools charter.(5) A charter school that is unable to locate within the jurisdiction of the chartering school district may establish one site outside the boundaries of the school district, but within the county in which that school district is located, if the school district within the jurisdiction of which the charter school proposes to operate is notified in advance of the charter petition approval, the county superintendent of schools and the Superintendent are notified of the location of the charter school before it commences operations, and either of the following circumstances exists:(A) The school has attempted to locate a single site or facility to house the entire program, but a site or facility is unavailable in the area in which the school chooses to locate.(B) The site is needed for temporary use during a construction or expansion project.(6) Commencing January 1, 2003, a petition to establish a charter school shall not be approved to serve pupils in a grade level that is not served by the school district of the governing board considering the petition, unless the petition proposes to serve pupils in all of the grade levels served by that school district.(b) No later than 30 days after receiving a petition, in accordance with subdivision (a), the governing board of the school district shall hold a public hearing on the provisions of the charter, at which time the governing board of the school district shall consider the level of support for the petition by teachers employed by the school district, other employees of the school district, and parents. Following review of the petition and the public hearing, the governing board of the school district shall either grant or deny the charter within 60 days of receipt of the petition, provided, however, that the date may be extended by an additional 30 days if both parties agree to the extension. In reviewing petitions for the establishment of charter schools pursuant to this section, the chartering authority shall be guided by the intent of the Legislature that charter schools are and should become an integral part of the California educational system and that the establishment of charter schools should be encouraged. The governing board of the school district shall grant a charter for the operation of a school under this part if it is satisfied that granting the charter is consistent with sound educational practice. The governing board of the school district shall not deny a petition for the establishment of a charter school unless it makes written factual findings, specific to the particular petition, setting forth specific facts to support one or more of the following findings:(1) The charter school presents an unsound educational program for the pupils to be enrolled in the charter school.(2) The petitioners are demonstrably unlikely to successfully implement the program set forth in the petition.(3) The petition does not contain the number of signatures required by subdivision (a).(4) The petition does not contain an affirmation of each of the conditions described in subdivision (d).(5) The petition does not contain reasonably comprehensive descriptions of all of the following:(A) (i) The educational program of the charter school, designed, among other things, to identify those whom the charter school is attempting to educate, what it means to be an educated person in the 21st century, and how learning best occurs. The goals identified in that program shall include the objective of enabling pupils to become self-motivated, competent, and lifelong learners.(ii) The annual goals for the charter school for all pupils and for each subgroup of pupils identified pursuant to Section 52052, to be achieved in the state priorities, as described in subdivision (d) of Section 52060, that apply for the grade levels served, or the nature of the program operated, by the charter school, and specific annual actions to achieve those goals. A charter petition may identify additional school priorities, the goals for the school priorities, and the specific annual actions to achieve those goals.(iii) If the proposed charter school will serve high school pupils, the manner in which the charter school will inform parents about the transferability of courses to other public high schools and the eligibility of courses to meet college entrance requirements. Courses offered by the charter school that are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges may be considered transferable and courses approved by the University of California or the California State University as creditable under the A to G admissions criteria may be considered to meet college entrance requirements.(B) The measurable pupil outcomes identified for use by the charter school. Pupil outcomes, for purposes of this part, means the extent to which all pupils of the charter school demonstrate that they have attained the skills, knowledge, and attitudes specified as goals in the charter schools educational program. Pupil outcomes shall include outcomes that address increases in pupil academic achievement both schoolwide and for all groups of pupils served by the charter school, as that term is defined in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 47607. The pupil outcomes shall align with the state priorities, as described in subdivision (d) of Section 52060, that apply for the grade levels served, or the nature of the program operated, by the charter school.(C) The method by which pupil progress in meeting those pupil outcomes is to be measured. To the extent practicable, the method for measuring pupil outcomes for state priorities shall be consistent with the way information is reported on a school accountability report card.(D) The governance structure of the charter school, including, but not limited to, the process to be followed by the charter school to ensure parental involvement.(E) The qualifications to be met by individuals to be employed by the charter school.(F) The procedures that the charter school will follow to ensure the health and safety of pupils and staff. These procedures shall require all of the following:(i) That each employee of the charter school furnish the charter school with a criminal record summary as described in Section 44237.(ii) The development of a school safety plan, which shall include the safety topics listed in subparagraphs (A) to (H), inclusive, of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of of, and subdivision (e) of, Section 32282 and 32282, the guidelines described in Section 32282.1, procedures for conducting tactical responses to criminal incidents. incidents, and the targeted violence prevention plan described in Section 32285.(iii) That the school safety plan be reviewed and updated by March 1 of every year by the charter school.(G) The means by which the charter school will achieve a racial and ethnic balance among its pupils that is reflective of the general population residing within the territorial jurisdiction of the school district to which the charter petition is submitted.(H) Admission policies and procedures, consistent with subdivision (d).(I) The manner in which annual, independent financial audits shall be conducted, which shall employ generally accepted accounting principles, and the manner in which audit exceptions and deficiencies shall be resolved to the satisfaction of the chartering authority.(J) The procedures by which pupils can be suspended or expelled from the charter school for disciplinary reasons or otherwise involuntarily removed from the charter school for any reason. These procedures, at a minimum, shall include an explanation of how the charter school will comply with federal and state constitutional procedural and substantive due process requirements that is consistent with all of the following:(i) For suspensions of fewer than 10 days, provide oral or written notice of the charges against the pupil and, if the pupil denies the charges, an explanation of the evidence that supports the charges and an opportunity for the pupil to present his or her the pupils side of the story.(ii) For suspensions of 10 days or more and all other expulsions for disciplinary reasons, both of the following:(I) Provide timely, written notice of the charges against the pupil and an explanation of the pupils basic rights.(II) Provide a hearing adjudicated by a neutral officer within a reasonable number of days at which the pupil has a fair opportunity to present testimony, evidence, and witnesses and confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses, and at which the pupil has the right to bring legal counsel or an advocate.(iii) Contain a clear statement that no pupil shall be involuntarily removed by the charter school for any reason unless the parent or guardian of the pupil has been provided written notice of intent to remove the pupil no less than five schooldays before the effective date of the action. The written notice shall be in the native language of the pupil or the pupils parent or guardian or, if the pupil is a foster child or youth or a homeless child or youth, the pupils educational rights holder, and shall inform him or her that individual of the right to initiate the procedures specified in clause (ii) before the effective date of the action. If the pupils parent, guardian, or educational rights holder initiates the procedures specified in clause (ii), the pupil shall remain enrolled and shall not be removed until the charter school issues a final decision. For purposes of this clause, involuntarily removed includes disenrolled, dismissed, transferred, or terminated, but does not include suspensions specified in clauses (i) and (ii).(K) The manner by which staff members of the charter schools will be covered by the State Teachers Retirement System, the Public Employees Retirement System, or federal social security.(L) The public school attendance alternatives for pupils residing within the school district who choose not to attend charter schools.(M) The rights of an employee of the school district upon leaving the employment of the school district to work in a charter school, and of any rights of return to the school district after employment at a charter school.(N) The procedures to be followed by the charter school and the entity granting the charter chartering authority to resolve disputes relating to provisions of the charter.(O) The procedures to be used if the charter school closes. The procedures shall ensure a final audit of the charter school to determine the disposition of all assets and liabilities of the charter school, including plans for disposing of any net assets and for the maintenance and transfer of pupil records.(6) The petition does not contain a declaration of whether or not the charter school shall be deemed the exclusive public employer of the employees of the charter school for purposes of Chapter 10.7 (commencing with Section 3540) of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code.(c) (1) Charter schools shall meet all statewide standards and conduct the pupil assessments required pursuant to Section 60605 and any other statewide standards authorized in statute or pupil assessments applicable to pupils in noncharter public schools.(2) Charter schools shall, on a regular basis, consult with their parents, legal guardians, and teachers regarding the charter schools educational programs.(d) (1) In addition to any other requirement imposed under this part, a charter school shall be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices, and all other operations, shall not charge tuition, and shall not discriminate against a pupil on the basis of the characteristics listed in Section 220. Except as provided in paragraph (2), admission to a charter school shall not be determined according to the place of residence of the pupil, or of his or her that pupils parent or legal guardian, within this state, except that an existing public school converting partially or entirely to a charter school under this part shall adopt and maintain a policy giving admission preference to pupils who reside within the former attendance area of that public school.(2) (A) A charter school shall admit all pupils who wish to attend the charter school.(B) If the number of pupils who wish to attend the charter school exceeds the charter schools capacity, attendance, except for existing pupils of the charter school, shall be determined by a public random drawing. Preference shall be extended to pupils currently attending the charter school and pupils who reside in the school district except as provided for in Section 47614.5. Preferences, including, but not limited to, siblings of pupils admitted or attending the charter school and children of the charter schools teachers, staff, and founders identified in the initial charter, may also be permitted by the chartering authority on an individual charter school basis. Priority order for any preference shall be determined in the charter petition in accordance with all of the following:(i) Each type of preference shall be approved by the chartering authority at a public hearing.(ii) Preferences shall be consistent with federal law, the California Constitution, and Section 200.(iii) Preferences shall not result in limiting enrollment access for pupils with disabilities, academically low-achieving pupils, English learners, neglected or delinquent pupils, homeless pupils, or pupils who are economically disadvantaged, as determined by eligibility for any free or reduced-price meal program, foster youth, or pupils based on nationality, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.(iv) In accordance with Section 49011, preferences shall not require mandatory parental volunteer hours as a criterion for admission or continued enrollment.(C) In the event of a drawing, the chartering authority shall make reasonable efforts to accommodate the growth of the charter school and shall not take any action to impede the charter school from expanding enrollment to meet pupil demand.(3) If a pupil is expelled or leaves the charter school without graduating or completing the school year for any reason, the charter school shall notify the superintendent of the school district of the pupils last known address within 30 days, and shall, upon request, provide that school district with a copy of the cumulative record of the pupil, including report cards or a transcript of grades, and health information. If the pupil is subsequently expelled or leaves the school district without graduating or completing the school year for any reason, the school district shall provide this information to the charter school within 30 days if the charter school demonstrates that the pupil had been enrolled in the charter school. This paragraph applies only to pupils subject to compulsory full-time education pursuant to Section 48200.(e) The governing board of a school district shall not require an employee of the school district to be employed in a charter school.(f) The governing board of a school district shall not require a pupil enrolled in the school district to attend a charter school.(g) The governing board of a school district shall require that the petitioner or petitioners provide information regarding the proposed operation and potential effects of the charter school, including, but not limited to, the facilities to be used by the charter school, the manner in which administrative services of the charter school are to be provided, and potential civil liability effects, if any, upon the charter school and upon the school district. The description of the facilities to be used by the charter school shall specify where the charter school intends to locate. The petitioner or petitioners also shall be required to provide financial statements that include a proposed first-year operational budget, including startup costs, and cashflow and financial projections for the first three years of operation.(h) In reviewing petitions for the establishment of charter schools within the school district, the governing board of the school district shall give preference to petitions that demonstrate the capability to provide comprehensive learning experiences to pupils identified by the petitioner or petitioners as academically low achieving pursuant to the standards established by the department under Section 54032, as that section read before July 19, 2006.(i) Upon the approval of the petition by the governing board of the school district, the petitioner or petitioners shall provide written notice of that approval, including a copy of the petition, to the applicable county superintendent of schools, the department, and the state board.(j) (1) If the governing board of a school district denies a petition, the petitioner may elect to submit the petition for the establishment of a charter school to the county board of education. The county board of education shall review the petition pursuant to subdivision (b). If the petitioner elects to submit a petition for establishment of a charter school to the county board of education and the county board of education denies the petition, the petitioner may file a petition for establishment of a charter school with the state board, and the state board may approve the petition, in accordance with subdivision (b). A charter school that receives approval of its petition from a county board of education or from the state board on appeal shall be subject to the same requirements concerning geographic location to which it would otherwise be subject if it received approval from the entity to which it originally submitted its petition. A charter petition that is submitted to either a county board of education or to the state board shall meet all otherwise applicable petition requirements, including the identification of the proposed site or sites where the charter school will operate.(2) In assuming its role as a chartering agency, authority, the state board shall develop criteria to be used for the review and approval of charter school petitions presented to the state board. The criteria shall address all elements required for charter approval, as identified in subdivision (b), and shall define reasonably comprehensive, as used in paragraph (5) of subdivision (b), in a way that is consistent with the intent of this part. Upon satisfactory completion of the criteria, the state board shall adopt the criteria on or before June 30, 2001.(3) A charter school for which a charter is granted by either the county board of education or the state board based on an appeal pursuant to this subdivision shall qualify fully as a charter school for all funding and other purposes of this part.(4) If either the county board of education or the state board fails to act on a petition within 120 days of receipt, the decision of the governing board of the school district to deny the petition shall be subject to judicial review.(5) The state board shall adopt regulations implementing this subdivision.(6) Upon the approval of the petition by the county board of education, the petitioner or petitioners shall provide written notice of that approval, including a copy of the petition, to the department and the state board.(k) (1) The state board may, by mutual agreement, designate its supervisorial and oversight responsibilities for a charter school approved by the state board to any local educational agency in the county in which the charter school is located or to the governing board of the school district that first denied the petition.(2) The designated local educational agency shall have all monitoring and supervising authority of a chartering agency, authority, including, but not limited to, powers and duties set forth in Section 47607, except the power of revocation, which shall remain with the state board.(3) A charter school that is granted its charter through an appeal to the state board and elects to seek renewal of its charter shall, before expiration of the charter, submit its petition for renewal to the governing board of the school district that initially denied the charter. If the governing board of the school district denies the charter schools petition for renewal, the charter school may petition the state board for renewal of its charter.(l) Teachers in charter schools shall hold a Commission on Teacher Credentialing certificate, permit, or other document equivalent to that which a teacher in other public schools would be required to hold. These documents shall be maintained on file at the charter school and are subject to periodic inspection by the chartering authority. It is the intent of the Legislature that charter schools be given flexibility with regard to noncore, noncollege preparatory courses.(m) A charter school shall transmit a copy of its annual, independent financial audit report for the preceding fiscal year, as described in subparagraph (I) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (b), to its chartering entity, authority, the Controller, the county superintendent of schools of the county in which the charter school is sited, unless the county board of education of the county in which the charter school is sited is the chartering entity, authority, and the department by December 15 of each year. This subdivision does not apply if the audit of the charter school is encompassed in the audit of the chartering entity authority pursuant to Section 41020.(n) A charter school may encourage parental involvement, but shall notify the parents and guardians of applicant pupils and currently enrolled pupils that parental involvement is not a requirement for acceptance to, or continued enrollment at, the charter school. |
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| 293 | | - | (A) The petition is signed by a number of parents or legal guardians of pupils that is equivalent to at least one-half of the number of pupils that the charter school estimates will enroll in the charter school for its first year of operation. |
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| 294 | | - | |
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| 295 | | - | (B) The petition is signed by a number of teachers that is equivalent to at least one-half of the number of teachers that the charter school estimates will be employed at the charter school during its first year of operation. |
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| 296 | | - | |
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| 297 | | - | (2) A petition that proposes to convert an existing public school to a charter school that would not be eligible for a loan pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 41365 may be circulated by one or more persons seeking to establish the charter school. The petition may be submitted to the governing board of the school district for review after the petition is signed by not less than 50 percent of the permanent status teachers currently employed at the public school to be converted. |
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| 298 | | - | |
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| 299 | | - | (3) A petition shall include a prominent statement that a signature on the petition means that the parent or legal guardian is meaningfully interested in having his or her their child or ward attend the charter school, or in the case of a teachers signature, means that the teacher is meaningfully interested in teaching at the charter school. The proposed charter shall be attached to the petition. |
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| 300 | | - | |
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| 301 | | - | (4) After receiving approval of its petition, a charter school that proposes to establish operations at one or more additional sites shall request a material revision to its charter and shall notify the authority that granted its charter of those additional locations. The authority that granted its charter shall consider whether to approve those additional locations at an open, public meeting. If the additional locations are approved, there shall be a material revision to the charter schools charter. |
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| 302 | | - | |
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| 303 | | - | (5) A charter school that is unable to locate within the jurisdiction of the chartering school district may establish one site outside the boundaries of the school district, but within the county in which that school district is located, if the school district within the jurisdiction of which the charter school proposes to operate is notified in advance of the charter petition approval, the county superintendent of schools and the Superintendent are notified of the location of the charter school before it commences operations, and either of the following circumstances exists: |
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| 304 | | - | |
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| 305 | | - | (A) The school has attempted to locate a single site or facility to house the entire program, but a site or facility is unavailable in the area in which the school chooses to locate. |
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| 306 | | - | |
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| 307 | | - | (B) The site is needed for temporary use during a construction or expansion project. |
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| 308 | | - | |
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| 309 | | - | (6) Commencing January 1, 2003, a petition to establish a charter school shall not be approved to serve pupils in a grade level that is not served by the school district of the governing board considering the petition, unless the petition proposes to serve pupils in all of the grade levels served by that school district. |
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| 310 | | - | |
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| 311 | | - | (b) No later than 30 days after receiving a petition, in accordance with subdivision (a), the governing board of the school district shall hold a public hearing on the provisions of the charter, at which time the governing board of the school district shall consider the level of support for the petition by teachers employed by the school district, other employees of the school district, and parents. Following review of the petition and the public hearing, the governing board of the school district shall either grant or deny the charter within 60 days of receipt of the petition, provided, however, that the date may be extended by an additional 30 days if both parties agree to the extension. In reviewing petitions for the establishment of charter schools pursuant to this section, the chartering authority shall be guided by the intent of the Legislature that charter schools are and should become an integral part of the California educational system and that the establishment of charter schools should be encouraged. The governing board of the school district shall grant a charter for the operation of a school under this part if it is satisfied that granting the charter is consistent with sound educational practice. The governing board of the school district shall not deny a petition for the establishment of a charter school unless it makes written factual findings, specific to the particular petition, setting forth specific facts to support one or more of the following findings: |
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| 312 | | - | |
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| 313 | | - | (1) The charter school presents an unsound educational program for the pupils to be enrolled in the charter school. |
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| 314 | | - | |
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| 315 | | - | (2) The petitioners are demonstrably unlikely to successfully implement the program set forth in the petition. |
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| 316 | | - | |
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| 317 | | - | (3) The petition does not contain the number of signatures required by subdivision (a). |
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| 318 | | - | |
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| 319 | | - | (4) The petition does not contain an affirmation of each of the conditions described in subdivision (d). |
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| 320 | | - | |
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| 321 | | - | (5) The petition does not contain reasonably comprehensive descriptions of all of the following: |
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| 322 | | - | |
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| 323 | | - | (A) (i) The educational program of the charter school, designed, among other things, to identify those whom the charter school is attempting to educate, what it means to be an educated person in the 21st century, and how learning best occurs. The goals identified in that program shall include the objective of enabling pupils to become self-motivated, competent, and lifelong learners. |
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| 324 | | - | |
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| 325 | | - | (ii) The annual goals for the charter school for all pupils and for each subgroup of pupils identified pursuant to Section 52052, to be achieved in the state priorities, as described in subdivision (d) of Section 52060, that apply for the grade levels served, or the nature of the program operated, by the charter school, and specific annual actions to achieve those goals. A charter petition may identify additional school priorities, the goals for the school priorities, and the specific annual actions to achieve those goals. |
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| 326 | | - | |
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| 327 | | - | (iii) If the proposed charter school will serve high school pupils, the manner in which the charter school will inform parents about the transferability of courses to other public high schools and the eligibility of courses to meet college entrance requirements. Courses offered by the charter school that are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges may be considered transferable and courses approved by the University of California or the California State University as creditable under the A to G admissions criteria may be considered to meet college entrance requirements. |
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| 328 | | - | |
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| 329 | | - | (B) The measurable pupil outcomes identified for use by the charter school. Pupil outcomes, for purposes of this part, means the extent to which all pupils of the charter school demonstrate that they have attained the skills, knowledge, and attitudes specified as goals in the charter schools educational program. Pupil outcomes shall include outcomes that address increases in pupil academic achievement both schoolwide and for all groups of pupils served by the charter school, as that term is defined in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 47607. The pupil outcomes shall align with the state priorities, as described in subdivision (d) of Section 52060, that apply for the grade levels served, or the nature of the program operated, by the charter school. |
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| 330 | | - | |
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| 331 | | - | (C) The method by which pupil progress in meeting those pupil outcomes is to be measured. To the extent practicable, the method for measuring pupil outcomes for state priorities shall be consistent with the way information is reported on a school accountability report card. |
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| 332 | | - | |
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| 333 | | - | (D) The governance structure of the charter school, including, but not limited to, the process to be followed by the charter school to ensure parental involvement. |
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| 334 | | - | |
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| 335 | | - | (E) The qualifications to be met by individuals to be employed by the charter school. |
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| 336 | | - | |
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| 337 | | - | (F) The procedures that the charter school will follow to ensure the health and safety of pupils and staff. These procedures shall require all of the following: |
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| 338 | | - | |
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| 339 | | - | (i) That each employee of the charter school furnish the charter school with a criminal record summary as described in Section 44237. |
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| 340 | | - | |
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| 341 | | - | (ii) The development of a school safety plan, which shall include the safety topics listed in subparagraphs (A) to (H), inclusive, of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of of, and subdivision (e) of, Section 32282 and 32282, the guidelines described in Section 32282.1, procedures for conducting tactical responses to criminal incidents. incidents, and the targeted violence prevention plan described in Section 32285. |
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| 342 | | - | |
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| 343 | | - | (iii) That the school safety plan be reviewed and updated by March 1 of every year by the charter school. |
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| 344 | | - | |
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| 345 | | - | (G) The means by which the charter school will achieve a racial and ethnic balance among its pupils that is reflective of the general population residing within the territorial jurisdiction of the school district to which the charter petition is submitted. |
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| 346 | | - | |
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| 347 | | - | (H) Admission policies and procedures, consistent with subdivision (d). |
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| 348 | | - | |
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| 349 | | - | (I) The manner in which annual, independent financial audits shall be conducted, which shall employ generally accepted accounting principles, and the manner in which audit exceptions and deficiencies shall be resolved to the satisfaction of the chartering authority. |
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| 350 | | - | |
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| 351 | | - | (J) The procedures by which pupils can be suspended or expelled from the charter school for disciplinary reasons or otherwise involuntarily removed from the charter school for any reason. These procedures, at a minimum, shall include an explanation of how the charter school will comply with federal and state constitutional procedural and substantive due process requirements that is consistent with all of the following: |
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| 352 | | - | |
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| 353 | | - | (i) For suspensions of fewer than 10 days, provide oral or written notice of the charges against the pupil and, if the pupil denies the charges, an explanation of the evidence that supports the charges and an opportunity for the pupil to present his or her the pupils side of the story. |
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| 354 | | - | |
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| 355 | | - | (ii) For suspensions of 10 days or more and all other expulsions for disciplinary reasons, both of the following: |
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| 356 | | - | |
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| 357 | | - | (I) Provide timely, written notice of the charges against the pupil and an explanation of the pupils basic rights. |
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| 358 | | - | |
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| 359 | | - | (II) Provide a hearing adjudicated by a neutral officer within a reasonable number of days at which the pupil has a fair opportunity to present testimony, evidence, and witnesses and confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses, and at which the pupil has the right to bring legal counsel or an advocate. |
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| 360 | | - | |
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| 361 | | - | (iii) Contain a clear statement that no pupil shall be involuntarily removed by the charter school for any reason unless the parent or guardian of the pupil has been provided written notice of intent to remove the pupil no less than five schooldays before the effective date of the action. The written notice shall be in the native language of the pupil or the pupils parent or guardian or, if the pupil is a foster child or youth or a homeless child or youth, the pupils educational rights holder, and shall inform him or her that individual of the right to initiate the procedures specified in clause (ii) before the effective date of the action. If the pupils parent, guardian, or educational rights holder initiates the procedures specified in clause (ii), the pupil shall remain enrolled and shall not be removed until the charter school issues a final decision. For purposes of this clause, involuntarily removed includes disenrolled, dismissed, transferred, or terminated, but does not include suspensions specified in clauses (i) and (ii). |
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| 362 | | - | |
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| 363 | | - | (K) The manner by which staff members of the charter schools will be covered by the State Teachers Retirement System, the Public Employees Retirement System, or federal social security. |
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| 364 | | - | |
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| 365 | | - | (L) The public school attendance alternatives for pupils residing within the school district who choose not to attend charter schools. |
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| 366 | | - | |
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| 367 | | - | (M) The rights of an employee of the school district upon leaving the employment of the school district to work in a charter school, and of any rights of return to the school district after employment at a charter school. |
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| 368 | | - | |
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| 369 | | - | (N) The procedures to be followed by the charter school and the entity granting the charter chartering authority to resolve disputes relating to provisions of the charter. |
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| 370 | | - | |
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| 371 | | - | (O) The procedures to be used if the charter school closes. The procedures shall ensure a final audit of the charter school to determine the disposition of all assets and liabilities of the charter school, including plans for disposing of any net assets and for the maintenance and transfer of pupil records. |
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| 372 | | - | |
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| 373 | | - | (6) The petition does not contain a declaration of whether or not the charter school shall be deemed the exclusive public employer of the employees of the charter school for purposes of Chapter 10.7 (commencing with Section 3540) of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code. |
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| 374 | | - | |
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| 375 | | - | (c) (1) Charter schools shall meet all statewide standards and conduct the pupil assessments required pursuant to Section 60605 and any other statewide standards authorized in statute or pupil assessments applicable to pupils in noncharter public schools. |
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| 376 | | - | |
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| 377 | | - | (2) Charter schools shall, on a regular basis, consult with their parents, legal guardians, and teachers regarding the charter schools educational programs. |
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| 378 | | - | |
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| 379 | | - | (d) (1) In addition to any other requirement imposed under this part, a charter school shall be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices, and all other operations, shall not charge tuition, and shall not discriminate against a pupil on the basis of the characteristics listed in Section 220. Except as provided in paragraph (2), admission to a charter school shall not be determined according to the place of residence of the pupil, or of his or her that pupils parent or legal guardian, within this state, except that an existing public school converting partially or entirely to a charter school under this part shall adopt and maintain a policy giving admission preference to pupils who reside within the former attendance area of that public school. |
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| 380 | | - | |
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| 381 | | - | (2) (A) A charter school shall admit all pupils who wish to attend the charter school. |
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| 382 | | - | |
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| 383 | | - | (B) If the number of pupils who wish to attend the charter school exceeds the charter schools capacity, attendance, except for existing pupils of the charter school, shall be determined by a public random drawing. Preference shall be extended to pupils currently attending the charter school and pupils who reside in the school district except as provided for in Section 47614.5. Preferences, including, but not limited to, siblings of pupils admitted or attending the charter school and children of the charter schools teachers, staff, and founders identified in the initial charter, may also be permitted by the chartering authority on an individual charter school basis. Priority order for any preference shall be determined in the charter petition in accordance with all of the following: |
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| 384 | | - | |
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| 385 | | - | (i) Each type of preference shall be approved by the chartering authority at a public hearing. |
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| 386 | | - | |
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| 387 | | - | (ii) Preferences shall be consistent with federal law, the California Constitution, and Section 200. |
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| 388 | | - | |
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| 389 | | - | (iii) Preferences shall not result in limiting enrollment access for pupils with disabilities, academically low-achieving pupils, English learners, neglected or delinquent pupils, homeless pupils, or pupils who are economically disadvantaged, as determined by eligibility for any free or reduced-price meal program, foster youth, or pupils based on nationality, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. |
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| 390 | | - | |
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| 391 | | - | (iv) In accordance with Section 49011, preferences shall not require mandatory parental volunteer hours as a criterion for admission or continued enrollment. |
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| 392 | | - | |
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| 393 | | - | (C) In the event of a drawing, the chartering authority shall make reasonable efforts to accommodate the growth of the charter school and shall not take any action to impede the charter school from expanding enrollment to meet pupil demand. |
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| 394 | | - | |
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| 395 | | - | (3) If a pupil is expelled or leaves the charter school without graduating or completing the school year for any reason, the charter school shall notify the superintendent of the school district of the pupils last known address within 30 days, and shall, upon request, provide that school district with a copy of the cumulative record of the pupil, including report cards or a transcript of grades, and health information. If the pupil is subsequently expelled or leaves the school district without graduating or completing the school year for any reason, the school district shall provide this information to the charter school within 30 days if the charter school demonstrates that the pupil had been enrolled in the charter school. This paragraph applies only to pupils subject to compulsory full-time education pursuant to Section 48200. |
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| 396 | | - | |
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| 397 | | - | (e) The governing board of a school district shall not require an employee of the school district to be employed in a charter school. |
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| 398 | | - | |
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| 399 | | - | (f) The governing board of a school district shall not require a pupil enrolled in the school district to attend a charter school. |
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| 400 | | - | |
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| 401 | | - | (g) The governing board of a school district shall require that the petitioner or petitioners provide information regarding the proposed operation and potential effects of the charter school, including, but not limited to, the facilities to be used by the charter school, the manner in which administrative services of the charter school are to be provided, and potential civil liability effects, if any, upon the charter school and upon the school district. The description of the facilities to be used by the charter school shall specify where the charter school intends to locate. The petitioner or petitioners also shall be required to provide financial statements that include a proposed first-year operational budget, including startup costs, and cashflow and financial projections for the first three years of operation. |
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| 402 | | - | |
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| 403 | | - | (h) In reviewing petitions for the establishment of charter schools within the school district, the governing board of the school district shall give preference to petitions that demonstrate the capability to provide comprehensive learning experiences to pupils identified by the petitioner or petitioners as academically low achieving pursuant to the standards established by the department under Section 54032, as that section read before July 19, 2006. |
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| 404 | | - | |
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| 405 | | - | (i) Upon the approval of the petition by the governing board of the school district, the petitioner or petitioners shall provide written notice of that approval, including a copy of the petition, to the applicable county superintendent of schools, the department, and the state board. |
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| 406 | | - | |
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| 407 | | - | (j) (1) If the governing board of a school district denies a petition, the petitioner may elect to submit the petition for the establishment of a charter school to the county board of education. The county board of education shall review the petition pursuant to subdivision (b). If the petitioner elects to submit a petition for establishment of a charter school to the county board of education and the county board of education denies the petition, the petitioner may file a petition for establishment of a charter school with the state board, and the state board may approve the petition, in accordance with subdivision (b). A charter school that receives approval of its petition from a county board of education or from the state board on appeal shall be subject to the same requirements concerning geographic location to which it would otherwise be subject if it received approval from the entity to which it originally submitted its petition. A charter petition that is submitted to either a county board of education or to the state board shall meet all otherwise applicable petition requirements, including the identification of the proposed site or sites where the charter school will operate. |
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| 408 | | - | |
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| 409 | | - | (2) In assuming its role as a chartering agency, authority, the state board shall develop criteria to be used for the review and approval of charter school petitions presented to the state board. The criteria shall address all elements required for charter approval, as identified in subdivision (b), and shall define reasonably comprehensive, as used in paragraph (5) of subdivision (b), in a way that is consistent with the intent of this part. Upon satisfactory completion of the criteria, the state board shall adopt the criteria on or before June 30, 2001. |
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| 410 | | - | |
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| 411 | | - | (3) A charter school for which a charter is granted by either the county board of education or the state board based on an appeal pursuant to this subdivision shall qualify fully as a charter school for all funding and other purposes of this part. |
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| 412 | | - | |
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| 413 | | - | (4) If either the county board of education or the state board fails to act on a petition within 120 days of receipt, the decision of the governing board of the school district to deny the petition shall be subject to judicial review. |
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| 414 | | - | |
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| 415 | | - | (5) The state board shall adopt regulations implementing this subdivision. |
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| 416 | | - | |
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| 417 | | - | (6) Upon the approval of the petition by the county board of education, the petitioner or petitioners shall provide written notice of that approval, including a copy of the petition, to the department and the state board. |
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| 418 | | - | |
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| 419 | | - | (k) (1) The state board may, by mutual agreement, designate its supervisorial and oversight responsibilities for a charter school approved by the state board to any local educational agency in the county in which the charter school is located or to the governing board of the school district that first denied the petition. |
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| 420 | | - | |
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| 421 | | - | (2) The designated local educational agency shall have all monitoring and supervising authority of a chartering agency, authority, including, but not limited to, powers and duties set forth in Section 47607, except the power of revocation, which shall remain with the state board. |
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| 422 | | - | |
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| 423 | | - | (3) A charter school that is granted its charter through an appeal to the state board and elects to seek renewal of its charter shall, before expiration of the charter, submit its petition for renewal to the governing board of the school district that initially denied the charter. If the governing board of the school district denies the charter schools petition for renewal, the charter school may petition the state board for renewal of its charter. |
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| 424 | | - | |
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| 425 | | - | (l) Teachers in charter schools shall hold a Commission on Teacher Credentialing certificate, permit, or other document equivalent to that which a teacher in other public schools would be required to hold. These documents shall be maintained on file at the charter school and are subject to periodic inspection by the chartering authority. It is the intent of the Legislature that charter schools be given flexibility with regard to noncore, noncollege preparatory courses. |
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| 426 | | - | |
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| 427 | | - | (m) A charter school shall transmit a copy of its annual, independent financial audit report for the preceding fiscal year, as described in subparagraph (I) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (b), to its chartering entity, authority, the Controller, the county superintendent of schools of the county in which the charter school is sited, unless the county board of education of the county in which the charter school is sited is the chartering entity, authority, and the department by December 15 of each year. This subdivision does not apply if the audit of the charter school is encompassed in the audit of the chartering entity authority pursuant to Section 41020. |
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| 428 | | - | |
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| 429 | | - | (n) A charter school may encourage parental involvement, but shall notify the parents and guardians of applicant pupils and currently enrolled pupils that parental involvement is not a requirement for acceptance to, or continued enrollment at, the charter school. |
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| 430 | | - | |
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| 431 | | - | SEC. 5. Section 47605.6 of the Education Code is amended to read:47605.6. (a) (1) In addition to the authority provided by Section 47605.5, a county board of education may also approve a petition for the operation of a charter school that operates at one or more sites within the geographic boundaries of the county and that provides instructional services that are not generally provided by a county office of education. A county board of education may approve a countywide charter only if it finds, in addition to the other requirements of this section, that the educational services to be provided by the charter school will offer services to a pupil population that will benefit from those services and that cannot be served as well by a charter school that operates in only one school district in the county. A petition for the establishment of a countywide charter school pursuant to this subdivision may be circulated throughout the county by any one or more persons seeking to establish the charter school. The petition may be submitted to the county board of education for review after either of the following conditions is met:(A) The petition is signed by a number of parents or guardians of pupils residing within the county that is equivalent to at least one-half of the number of pupils that the charter school estimates will enroll in the school for its first year of operation and each of the school districts where the charter school petitioner proposes to operate a facility has received at least 30 days notice of the petitioners intent to operate a charter school pursuant to this section.(B) The petition is signed by a number of teachers that is equivalent to at least one-half of the number of teachers that the charter school estimates will be employed at the school during its first year of operation and each of the school districts where the charter school petitioner proposes to operate a facility has received at least 30 days notice of the petitioners intent to operate a charter school pursuant to this section.(2) An existing public school shall not be converted to a charter school in accordance with this section.(3) After receiving approval of its petition, a charter school that proposes to establish operations at additional sites within the geographic boundaries of the county board of education shall notify the school districts where those sites will be located. The charter school shall also request a material revision of its charter by the county board of education that approved its charter and the county board of education shall consider whether to approve those additional locations at an open, public meeting, held no sooner than 30 days following notification of the school districts where the sites will be located. If approved, the location of the approved sites shall be a material revision of the charter schools approved charter.(4) A petition shall include a prominent statement indicating that a signature on the petition means that the parent or guardian is meaningfully interested in having his or her their child or ward attend the charter school, or in the case of a teachers signature, means that the teacher is meaningfully interested in teaching at the charter school. The proposed charter shall be attached to the petition.(b) No later than 60 days after receiving a petition, in accordance with subdivision (a), the county board of education shall hold a public hearing on the provisions of the charter, at which time the county board of education shall consider the level of support for the petition by teachers, parents or guardians, and the school districts where the charter school petitioner proposes to place school facilities. Following review of the petition and the public hearing, the county board of education shall either grant or deny the charter within 90 days of receipt of the petition. However, this date may be extended by an additional 30 days if both parties agree to the extension. A county board of education may impose any additional requirements beyond those required by this section that it considers necessary for the sound operation of a countywide charter school. A county board of education may grant a charter for the operation of a charter school under this part only if it is satisfied that granting the charter is consistent with sound educational practice and that the charter school has reasonable justification for why it could not be established by petition to a school district pursuant to Section 47605. The county board of education shall deny a petition for the establishment of a charter school if it finds one or more of the following:(1) The charter school presents an unsound educational program for the pupils to be enrolled in the charter school.(2) The petitioners are demonstrably unlikely to successfully implement the program set forth in the petition.(3) The petition does not contain the number of signatures required by subdivision (a).(4) The petition does not contain an affirmation of each of the conditions described in subdivision (e).(5) The petition does not contain reasonably comprehensive descriptions of all of the following:(A) (i) The educational program of the charter school, designed, among other things, to identify those pupils whom the charter school is attempting to educate, what it means to be an educated person in the 21st century, and how learning best occurs. The goals identified in that program shall include the objective of enabling pupils to become self-motivated, competent, and lifelong learners.(ii) The annual goals for the charter school for all pupils and for each subgroup of pupils identified pursuant to Section 52052, to be achieved in the state priorities, as described in subdivision (d) of Section 52060, that apply for the grade levels served, or the nature of the program operated, by the charter school, and specific annual actions to achieve those goals. A charter petition may identify additional school priorities, the goals for the school priorities, and the specific annual actions to achieve those goals.(iii) If the proposed charter school will enroll high school pupils, the manner in which the charter school will inform parents regarding the transferability of courses to other public high schools. Courses offered by the charter school that are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges may be considered to be transferable to other public high schools.(iv) If the proposed charter school will enroll high school pupils, information as to the manner in which the charter school will inform parents as to whether each individual course offered by the charter school meets college entrance requirements. Courses approved by the University of California or the California State University as satisfying their prerequisites for admission may be considered as meeting college entrance requirements for purposes of this clause.(B) The measurable pupil outcomes identified for use by the charter school. Pupil outcomes, for purposes of this part, means the extent to which all pupils of the charter school demonstrate that they have attained the skills, knowledge, and aptitudes specified as goals in the charter schools educational program. Pupil outcomes shall include outcomes that address increases in pupil academic achievement both schoolwide and for all groups of pupils served by the charter school, as that term is defined in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 47607. The pupil outcomes shall align with the state priorities, as described in subdivision (d) of Section 52060, that apply for the grade levels served, or the nature of the program operated, by the charter school.(C) The method by which pupil progress in meeting those pupil outcomes is to be measured. To the extent practicable, the method for measuring pupil outcomes for state priorities shall be consistent with the way information is reported on a school accountability report card.(D) The location of each charter school facility that the petitioner proposes to operate.(E) The governance structure of the charter school, including, but not limited to, the process to be followed by the charter school to ensure parental involvement.(F) The qualifications to be met by individuals to be employed by the charter school.(G) The procedures that the charter school will follow to ensure the health and safety of pupils and staff. These procedures shall require all of the following:(i) That each employee of the charter school furnish the charter school with a criminal record summary as described in Section 44237.(ii) The development of a school safety plan, which shall include the safety topics listed in subparagraphs (A) to (H), inclusive, of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of of, and subdivision (e) of, Section 32282 and 32282, the guidelines described in Section 32282.1, procedures for conducting tactical responses to criminal incidents. incidents, and the targeted violence prevention plan described in Section 32285.(iii) That the school safety plan be reviewed and updated by March 1 of every year by the charter school.(H) The means by which the charter school will achieve a racial and ethnic balance among its pupils that is reflective of the general population residing within the territorial jurisdiction of the school district to which the charter petition is submitted.(I) The manner in which annual, independent financial audits shall be conducted, in accordance with regulations established by the state board, and the manner in which audit exceptions and deficiencies shall be resolved.(J) The procedures by which pupils can be suspended or expelled from the charter school for disciplinary reasons or otherwise involuntarily removed from the charter school for any reason. These procedures, at a minimum, shall include an explanation of how the charter school will comply with federal and state constitutional procedural and substantive due process requirements that is consistent with all of the following:(i) For suspensions of fewer than 10 days, provide oral or written notice of the charges against the pupil and, if the pupil denies the charges, an explanation of the evidence that supports the charges and an opportunity for the pupil to present his or her the pupils side of the story.(ii) For suspensions of 10 days or more and all other expulsions for disciplinary reasons, both of the following:(I) Provide timely, written notice of the charges against the pupil and an explanation of the pupils basic rights.(II) Provide a hearing adjudicated by a neutral officer within a reasonable number of days at which the pupil has a fair opportunity to present testimony, evidence, and witnesses and confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses, and at which the pupil has the right to bring legal counsel or an advocate.(iii) Contain a clear statement that no pupil shall be involuntarily removed by the charter school for any reason unless the parent or guardian of the pupil has been provided written notice of intent to remove the pupil no less than five schooldays before the effective date of the action. The written notice shall be in the native language of the pupil or the pupils parent or guardian or, if the pupil is a foster child or youth or a homeless child or youth, the pupils educational rights holder, and shall inform him or her that person of the right to initiate the procedures specified in clause (ii) before the effective date of the action. If the pupils parent, guardian, or educational rights holder initiates the procedures specified in clause (ii), the pupil shall remain enrolled and shall not be removed until the charter school issues a final decision. For purposes of this clause, involuntarily removed includes disenrolled, dismissed, transferred, or terminated, but does not include suspensions specified in clauses (i) and (ii).(K) The manner by which staff members of the charter school will be covered by the State Teachers Retirement System, the Public Employees Retirement System, or federal social security.(L) The procedures to be followed by the charter school and the county board of education to resolve disputes relating to provisions of the charter.(M) Admission policy and procedures, consistent with subdivision (e).(N) The public school attendance alternatives for pupils residing within the county who choose not to attend the charter school.(O) The rights of an employee of the county office of education, upon leaving the employment of the county office of education, to be employed by the charter school, and any rights of return to the county office of education that an employee may have upon leaving the employment of the charter school.(P) The procedures to be used if the charter school closes. The procedures shall ensure a final audit of the charter school to determine the disposition of all assets and liabilities of the charter school, including plans for disposing of any net assets and for the maintenance and transfer of public records.(6) A declaration of whether or not the charter school shall be deemed the exclusive public school employer of the employees of the charter school for purposes of the Educational Employment Relations Act (Chapter 10.7 (commencing with Section 3540) of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code).(7) Any other basis that the county board of education finds justifies the denial of the petition.(c) A county board of education that approves a petition for the operation of a countywide charter may, as a condition of charter approval, enter into an agreement with a third party, at the expense of the charter school, to oversee, monitor, and report to the county board of education on the operations of the charter school. The county board of education may prescribe the aspects of the charter schools operations to be monitored by the third party and may prescribe appropriate requirements regarding the reporting of information concerning the operations of the charter school to the county board of education.(d) (1) Charter schools shall meet all statewide standards and conduct the pupil assessments required pursuant to Section 60605 and any other statewide standards authorized in statute or pupil assessments applicable to pupils in noncharter public schools.(2) Charter schools shall on a regular basis consult with their parents and teachers regarding the charter schools educational programs.(e) (1) In addition to any other requirement imposed under this part, a charter school shall be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices, and all other operations, shall not charge tuition, and shall not discriminate against any pupil on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or disability. Except as provided in paragraph (2), admission to a charter school shall not be determined according to the place of residence of the pupil, or of his or her the pupils parent or guardian, within this state.(2) (A) A charter school shall admit all pupils who wish to attend the charter school.(B) If the number of pupils who wish to attend the charter school exceeds the charter schools capacity, attendance, except for existing pupils of the charter school, shall be determined by a public random drawing. Preference shall be extended to pupils currently attending the charter school and pupils who reside in the county except as provided for in Section 47614.5. Preferences, including, but not limited to, siblings of pupils admitted or attending the charter school and children of the charter schools teachers, staff, and founders identified in the initial charter, may also be permitted by the chartering authority on an individual charter school basis. Priority order for any preference shall be determined in the charter petition in accordance with all of the following:(i) Each type of preference shall be approved by the chartering authority at a public hearing.(ii) Preferences shall be consistent with federal law, the California Constitution, and Section 200.(iii) Preferences shall not result in limiting enrollment access for pupils with disabilities, academically low-achieving pupils, English learners, neglected or delinquent pupils, homeless pupils, or pupils who are economically disadvantaged, as determined by eligibility for any free or reduced-price meal program, foster youth, or pupils based on nationality, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.(iv) In accordance with Section 49011, preferences shall not require mandatory parental volunteer hours as a criterion for admission or continued enrollment.(C) In the event of a drawing, the county board of education shall make reasonable efforts to accommodate the growth of the charter school and in no event shall take any action to impede the charter school from expanding enrollment to meet pupil demand.(3) If a pupil is expelled or leaves the charter school without graduating or completing the school year for any reason, the charter school shall notify the superintendent of the school district of the pupils last known address within 30 days and shall, upon request, provide that school district with a copy of the cumulative record of the pupil, including report cards or a transcript of grades, and health information. If the pupil is subsequently expelled or leaves the school district without graduating or completing the school year for any reason, the school district shall provide this information to the charter school within 30 days if the charter school demonstrates that the pupil had been enrolled in the charter school. This paragraph applies only to pupils subject to compulsory full-time education pursuant to Section 48200.(f) The county board of education shall not require an employee of the county or a school district to be employed in a charter school.(g) The county board of education shall not require a pupil enrolled in a county program to attend a charter school.(h) The county board of education shall require that the petitioner or petitioners provide information regarding the proposed operation and potential effects of the charter school, including, but not limited to, the facilities to be used by the charter school, the manner in which administrative services of the charter school are to be provided, and potential civil liability effects, if any, upon the charter school, any school district where the charter school may operate, and upon the county board of education. The petitioner or petitioners shall also be required to provide financial statements that include a proposed first-year operational budget, including startup costs, and cashflow and financial projections for the first three years of operation.(i) In reviewing petitions for the establishment of charter schools within the county, the county board of education shall give preference to petitions that demonstrate the capability to provide comprehensive learning experiences to pupils identified by the petitioner or petitioners as academically low achieving pursuant to the standards established by the department under Section 54032, as that section read before July 19, 2006.(j) Upon the approval of the petition by the county board of education, the petitioner or petitioners shall provide written notice of that approval, including a copy of the petition, to the school districts within the county, the Superintendent, and the state board.(k) If a county board of education denies a petition, the petitioner shall not elect to submit the petition for the establishment of the charter school to the state board.(l) Teachers in charter schools shall be required to hold a Commission on Teacher Credentialing certificate, permit, or other document equivalent to that which a teacher in other public schools would be required to hold. These documents shall be maintained on file at the charter school and shall be subject to periodic inspection by the chartering authority.(m) A charter school shall transmit a copy of its annual, independent, financial audit report for the preceding fiscal year, as described in subparagraph (I) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (b), to the county office of education, the Controller, and the department by December 15 of each year. This subdivision does not apply if the audit of the charter school is encompassed in the audit of the chartering entity pursuant to Section 41020.(n) A charter school may encourage parental involvement but shall notify the parents and guardians of applicant pupils and currently enrolled pupils that parental involvement is not a requirement for acceptance to, or continued enrollment at, the charter school. |
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| 432 | | - | |
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| 433 | | - | SEC. 5. Section 47605.6 of the Education Code is amended to read: |
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| 434 | | - | |
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| 435 | | - | ### SEC. 5. |
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| 436 | | - | |
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| 437 | | - | 47605.6. (a) (1) In addition to the authority provided by Section 47605.5, a county board of education may also approve a petition for the operation of a charter school that operates at one or more sites within the geographic boundaries of the county and that provides instructional services that are not generally provided by a county office of education. A county board of education may approve a countywide charter only if it finds, in addition to the other requirements of this section, that the educational services to be provided by the charter school will offer services to a pupil population that will benefit from those services and that cannot be served as well by a charter school that operates in only one school district in the county. A petition for the establishment of a countywide charter school pursuant to this subdivision may be circulated throughout the county by any one or more persons seeking to establish the charter school. The petition may be submitted to the county board of education for review after either of the following conditions is met:(A) The petition is signed by a number of parents or guardians of pupils residing within the county that is equivalent to at least one-half of the number of pupils that the charter school estimates will enroll in the school for its first year of operation and each of the school districts where the charter school petitioner proposes to operate a facility has received at least 30 days notice of the petitioners intent to operate a charter school pursuant to this section.(B) The petition is signed by a number of teachers that is equivalent to at least one-half of the number of teachers that the charter school estimates will be employed at the school during its first year of operation and each of the school districts where the charter school petitioner proposes to operate a facility has received at least 30 days notice of the petitioners intent to operate a charter school pursuant to this section.(2) An existing public school shall not be converted to a charter school in accordance with this section.(3) After receiving approval of its petition, a charter school that proposes to establish operations at additional sites within the geographic boundaries of the county board of education shall notify the school districts where those sites will be located. The charter school shall also request a material revision of its charter by the county board of education that approved its charter and the county board of education shall consider whether to approve those additional locations at an open, public meeting, held no sooner than 30 days following notification of the school districts where the sites will be located. If approved, the location of the approved sites shall be a material revision of the charter schools approved charter.(4) A petition shall include a prominent statement indicating that a signature on the petition means that the parent or guardian is meaningfully interested in having his or her their child or ward attend the charter school, or in the case of a teachers signature, means that the teacher is meaningfully interested in teaching at the charter school. The proposed charter shall be attached to the petition.(b) No later than 60 days after receiving a petition, in accordance with subdivision (a), the county board of education shall hold a public hearing on the provisions of the charter, at which time the county board of education shall consider the level of support for the petition by teachers, parents or guardians, and the school districts where the charter school petitioner proposes to place school facilities. Following review of the petition and the public hearing, the county board of education shall either grant or deny the charter within 90 days of receipt of the petition. However, this date may be extended by an additional 30 days if both parties agree to the extension. A county board of education may impose any additional requirements beyond those required by this section that it considers necessary for the sound operation of a countywide charter school. A county board of education may grant a charter for the operation of a charter school under this part only if it is satisfied that granting the charter is consistent with sound educational practice and that the charter school has reasonable justification for why it could not be established by petition to a school district pursuant to Section 47605. The county board of education shall deny a petition for the establishment of a charter school if it finds one or more of the following:(1) The charter school presents an unsound educational program for the pupils to be enrolled in the charter school.(2) The petitioners are demonstrably unlikely to successfully implement the program set forth in the petition.(3) The petition does not contain the number of signatures required by subdivision (a).(4) The petition does not contain an affirmation of each of the conditions described in subdivision (e).(5) The petition does not contain reasonably comprehensive descriptions of all of the following:(A) (i) The educational program of the charter school, designed, among other things, to identify those pupils whom the charter school is attempting to educate, what it means to be an educated person in the 21st century, and how learning best occurs. The goals identified in that program shall include the objective of enabling pupils to become self-motivated, competent, and lifelong learners.(ii) The annual goals for the charter school for all pupils and for each subgroup of pupils identified pursuant to Section 52052, to be achieved in the state priorities, as described in subdivision (d) of Section 52060, that apply for the grade levels served, or the nature of the program operated, by the charter school, and specific annual actions to achieve those goals. A charter petition may identify additional school priorities, the goals for the school priorities, and the specific annual actions to achieve those goals.(iii) If the proposed charter school will enroll high school pupils, the manner in which the charter school will inform parents regarding the transferability of courses to other public high schools. Courses offered by the charter school that are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges may be considered to be transferable to other public high schools.(iv) If the proposed charter school will enroll high school pupils, information as to the manner in which the charter school will inform parents as to whether each individual course offered by the charter school meets college entrance requirements. Courses approved by the University of California or the California State University as satisfying their prerequisites for admission may be considered as meeting college entrance requirements for purposes of this clause.(B) The measurable pupil outcomes identified for use by the charter school. Pupil outcomes, for purposes of this part, means the extent to which all pupils of the charter school demonstrate that they have attained the skills, knowledge, and aptitudes specified as goals in the charter schools educational program. Pupil outcomes shall include outcomes that address increases in pupil academic achievement both schoolwide and for all groups of pupils served by the charter school, as that term is defined in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 47607. The pupil outcomes shall align with the state priorities, as described in subdivision (d) of Section 52060, that apply for the grade levels served, or the nature of the program operated, by the charter school.(C) The method by which pupil progress in meeting those pupil outcomes is to be measured. To the extent practicable, the method for measuring pupil outcomes for state priorities shall be consistent with the way information is reported on a school accountability report card.(D) The location of each charter school facility that the petitioner proposes to operate.(E) The governance structure of the charter school, including, but not limited to, the process to be followed by the charter school to ensure parental involvement.(F) The qualifications to be met by individuals to be employed by the charter school.(G) The procedures that the charter school will follow to ensure the health and safety of pupils and staff. These procedures shall require all of the following:(i) That each employee of the charter school furnish the charter school with a criminal record summary as described in Section 44237.(ii) The development of a school safety plan, which shall include the safety topics listed in subparagraphs (A) to (H), inclusive, of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of of, and subdivision (e) of, Section 32282 and 32282, the guidelines described in Section 32282.1, procedures for conducting tactical responses to criminal incidents. incidents, and the targeted violence prevention plan described in Section 32285.(iii) That the school safety plan be reviewed and updated by March 1 of every year by the charter school.(H) The means by which the charter school will achieve a racial and ethnic balance among its pupils that is reflective of the general population residing within the territorial jurisdiction of the school district to which the charter petition is submitted.(I) The manner in which annual, independent financial audits shall be conducted, in accordance with regulations established by the state board, and the manner in which audit exceptions and deficiencies shall be resolved.(J) The procedures by which pupils can be suspended or expelled from the charter school for disciplinary reasons or otherwise involuntarily removed from the charter school for any reason. These procedures, at a minimum, shall include an explanation of how the charter school will comply with federal and state constitutional procedural and substantive due process requirements that is consistent with all of the following:(i) For suspensions of fewer than 10 days, provide oral or written notice of the charges against the pupil and, if the pupil denies the charges, an explanation of the evidence that supports the charges and an opportunity for the pupil to present his or her the pupils side of the story.(ii) For suspensions of 10 days or more and all other expulsions for disciplinary reasons, both of the following:(I) Provide timely, written notice of the charges against the pupil and an explanation of the pupils basic rights.(II) Provide a hearing adjudicated by a neutral officer within a reasonable number of days at which the pupil has a fair opportunity to present testimony, evidence, and witnesses and confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses, and at which the pupil has the right to bring legal counsel or an advocate.(iii) Contain a clear statement that no pupil shall be involuntarily removed by the charter school for any reason unless the parent or guardian of the pupil has been provided written notice of intent to remove the pupil no less than five schooldays before the effective date of the action. The written notice shall be in the native language of the pupil or the pupils parent or guardian or, if the pupil is a foster child or youth or a homeless child or youth, the pupils educational rights holder, and shall inform him or her that person of the right to initiate the procedures specified in clause (ii) before the effective date of the action. If the pupils parent, guardian, or educational rights holder initiates the procedures specified in clause (ii), the pupil shall remain enrolled and shall not be removed until the charter school issues a final decision. For purposes of this clause, involuntarily removed includes disenrolled, dismissed, transferred, or terminated, but does not include suspensions specified in clauses (i) and (ii).(K) The manner by which staff members of the charter school will be covered by the State Teachers Retirement System, the Public Employees Retirement System, or federal social security.(L) The procedures to be followed by the charter school and the county board of education to resolve disputes relating to provisions of the charter.(M) Admission policy and procedures, consistent with subdivision (e).(N) The public school attendance alternatives for pupils residing within the county who choose not to attend the charter school.(O) The rights of an employee of the county office of education, upon leaving the employment of the county office of education, to be employed by the charter school, and any rights of return to the county office of education that an employee may have upon leaving the employment of the charter school.(P) The procedures to be used if the charter school closes. The procedures shall ensure a final audit of the charter school to determine the disposition of all assets and liabilities of the charter school, including plans for disposing of any net assets and for the maintenance and transfer of public records.(6) A declaration of whether or not the charter school shall be deemed the exclusive public school employer of the employees of the charter school for purposes of the Educational Employment Relations Act (Chapter 10.7 (commencing with Section 3540) of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code).(7) Any other basis that the county board of education finds justifies the denial of the petition.(c) A county board of education that approves a petition for the operation of a countywide charter may, as a condition of charter approval, enter into an agreement with a third party, at the expense of the charter school, to oversee, monitor, and report to the county board of education on the operations of the charter school. The county board of education may prescribe the aspects of the charter schools operations to be monitored by the third party and may prescribe appropriate requirements regarding the reporting of information concerning the operations of the charter school to the county board of education.(d) (1) Charter schools shall meet all statewide standards and conduct the pupil assessments required pursuant to Section 60605 and any other statewide standards authorized in statute or pupil assessments applicable to pupils in noncharter public schools.(2) Charter schools shall on a regular basis consult with their parents and teachers regarding the charter schools educational programs.(e) (1) In addition to any other requirement imposed under this part, a charter school shall be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices, and all other operations, shall not charge tuition, and shall not discriminate against any pupil on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or disability. Except as provided in paragraph (2), admission to a charter school shall not be determined according to the place of residence of the pupil, or of his or her the pupils parent or guardian, within this state.(2) (A) A charter school shall admit all pupils who wish to attend the charter school.(B) If the number of pupils who wish to attend the charter school exceeds the charter schools capacity, attendance, except for existing pupils of the charter school, shall be determined by a public random drawing. Preference shall be extended to pupils currently attending the charter school and pupils who reside in the county except as provided for in Section 47614.5. Preferences, including, but not limited to, siblings of pupils admitted or attending the charter school and children of the charter schools teachers, staff, and founders identified in the initial charter, may also be permitted by the chartering authority on an individual charter school basis. Priority order for any preference shall be determined in the charter petition in accordance with all of the following:(i) Each type of preference shall be approved by the chartering authority at a public hearing.(ii) Preferences shall be consistent with federal law, the California Constitution, and Section 200.(iii) Preferences shall not result in limiting enrollment access for pupils with disabilities, academically low-achieving pupils, English learners, neglected or delinquent pupils, homeless pupils, or pupils who are economically disadvantaged, as determined by eligibility for any free or reduced-price meal program, foster youth, or pupils based on nationality, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.(iv) In accordance with Section 49011, preferences shall not require mandatory parental volunteer hours as a criterion for admission or continued enrollment.(C) In the event of a drawing, the county board of education shall make reasonable efforts to accommodate the growth of the charter school and in no event shall take any action to impede the charter school from expanding enrollment to meet pupil demand.(3) If a pupil is expelled or leaves the charter school without graduating or completing the school year for any reason, the charter school shall notify the superintendent of the school district of the pupils last known address within 30 days and shall, upon request, provide that school district with a copy of the cumulative record of the pupil, including report cards or a transcript of grades, and health information. If the pupil is subsequently expelled or leaves the school district without graduating or completing the school year for any reason, the school district shall provide this information to the charter school within 30 days if the charter school demonstrates that the pupil had been enrolled in the charter school. This paragraph applies only to pupils subject to compulsory full-time education pursuant to Section 48200.(f) The county board of education shall not require an employee of the county or a school district to be employed in a charter school.(g) The county board of education shall not require a pupil enrolled in a county program to attend a charter school.(h) The county board of education shall require that the petitioner or petitioners provide information regarding the proposed operation and potential effects of the charter school, including, but not limited to, the facilities to be used by the charter school, the manner in which administrative services of the charter school are to be provided, and potential civil liability effects, if any, upon the charter school, any school district where the charter school may operate, and upon the county board of education. The petitioner or petitioners shall also be required to provide financial statements that include a proposed first-year operational budget, including startup costs, and cashflow and financial projections for the first three years of operation.(i) In reviewing petitions for the establishment of charter schools within the county, the county board of education shall give preference to petitions that demonstrate the capability to provide comprehensive learning experiences to pupils identified by the petitioner or petitioners as academically low achieving pursuant to the standards established by the department under Section 54032, as that section read before July 19, 2006.(j) Upon the approval of the petition by the county board of education, the petitioner or petitioners shall provide written notice of that approval, including a copy of the petition, to the school districts within the county, the Superintendent, and the state board.(k) If a county board of education denies a petition, the petitioner shall not elect to submit the petition for the establishment of the charter school to the state board.(l) Teachers in charter schools shall be required to hold a Commission on Teacher Credentialing certificate, permit, or other document equivalent to that which a teacher in other public schools would be required to hold. These documents shall be maintained on file at the charter school and shall be subject to periodic inspection by the chartering authority.(m) A charter school shall transmit a copy of its annual, independent, financial audit report for the preceding fiscal year, as described in subparagraph (I) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (b), to the county office of education, the Controller, and the department by December 15 of each year. This subdivision does not apply if the audit of the charter school is encompassed in the audit of the chartering entity pursuant to Section 41020.(n) A charter school may encourage parental involvement but shall notify the parents and guardians of applicant pupils and currently enrolled pupils that parental involvement is not a requirement for acceptance to, or continued enrollment at, the charter school. |
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| 439 | | - | 47605.6. (a) (1) In addition to the authority provided by Section 47605.5, a county board of education may also approve a petition for the operation of a charter school that operates at one or more sites within the geographic boundaries of the county and that provides instructional services that are not generally provided by a county office of education. A county board of education may approve a countywide charter only if it finds, in addition to the other requirements of this section, that the educational services to be provided by the charter school will offer services to a pupil population that will benefit from those services and that cannot be served as well by a charter school that operates in only one school district in the county. A petition for the establishment of a countywide charter school pursuant to this subdivision may be circulated throughout the county by any one or more persons seeking to establish the charter school. The petition may be submitted to the county board of education for review after either of the following conditions is met:(A) The petition is signed by a number of parents or guardians of pupils residing within the county that is equivalent to at least one-half of the number of pupils that the charter school estimates will enroll in the school for its first year of operation and each of the school districts where the charter school petitioner proposes to operate a facility has received at least 30 days notice of the petitioners intent to operate a charter school pursuant to this section.(B) The petition is signed by a number of teachers that is equivalent to at least one-half of the number of teachers that the charter school estimates will be employed at the school during its first year of operation and each of the school districts where the charter school petitioner proposes to operate a facility has received at least 30 days notice of the petitioners intent to operate a charter school pursuant to this section.(2) An existing public school shall not be converted to a charter school in accordance with this section.(3) After receiving approval of its petition, a charter school that proposes to establish operations at additional sites within the geographic boundaries of the county board of education shall notify the school districts where those sites will be located. The charter school shall also request a material revision of its charter by the county board of education that approved its charter and the county board of education shall consider whether to approve those additional locations at an open, public meeting, held no sooner than 30 days following notification of the school districts where the sites will be located. If approved, the location of the approved sites shall be a material revision of the charter schools approved charter.(4) A petition shall include a prominent statement indicating that a signature on the petition means that the parent or guardian is meaningfully interested in having his or her their child or ward attend the charter school, or in the case of a teachers signature, means that the teacher is meaningfully interested in teaching at the charter school. The proposed charter shall be attached to the petition.(b) No later than 60 days after receiving a petition, in accordance with subdivision (a), the county board of education shall hold a public hearing on the provisions of the charter, at which time the county board of education shall consider the level of support for the petition by teachers, parents or guardians, and the school districts where the charter school petitioner proposes to place school facilities. Following review of the petition and the public hearing, the county board of education shall either grant or deny the charter within 90 days of receipt of the petition. However, this date may be extended by an additional 30 days if both parties agree to the extension. A county board of education may impose any additional requirements beyond those required by this section that it considers necessary for the sound operation of a countywide charter school. A county board of education may grant a charter for the operation of a charter school under this part only if it is satisfied that granting the charter is consistent with sound educational practice and that the charter school has reasonable justification for why it could not be established by petition to a school district pursuant to Section 47605. The county board of education shall deny a petition for the establishment of a charter school if it finds one or more of the following:(1) The charter school presents an unsound educational program for the pupils to be enrolled in the charter school.(2) The petitioners are demonstrably unlikely to successfully implement the program set forth in the petition.(3) The petition does not contain the number of signatures required by subdivision (a).(4) The petition does not contain an affirmation of each of the conditions described in subdivision (e).(5) The petition does not contain reasonably comprehensive descriptions of all of the following:(A) (i) The educational program of the charter school, designed, among other things, to identify those pupils whom the charter school is attempting to educate, what it means to be an educated person in the 21st century, and how learning best occurs. The goals identified in that program shall include the objective of enabling pupils to become self-motivated, competent, and lifelong learners.(ii) The annual goals for the charter school for all pupils and for each subgroup of pupils identified pursuant to Section 52052, to be achieved in the state priorities, as described in subdivision (d) of Section 52060, that apply for the grade levels served, or the nature of the program operated, by the charter school, and specific annual actions to achieve those goals. A charter petition may identify additional school priorities, the goals for the school priorities, and the specific annual actions to achieve those goals.(iii) If the proposed charter school will enroll high school pupils, the manner in which the charter school will inform parents regarding the transferability of courses to other public high schools. Courses offered by the charter school that are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges may be considered to be transferable to other public high schools.(iv) If the proposed charter school will enroll high school pupils, information as to the manner in which the charter school will inform parents as to whether each individual course offered by the charter school meets college entrance requirements. Courses approved by the University of California or the California State University as satisfying their prerequisites for admission may be considered as meeting college entrance requirements for purposes of this clause.(B) The measurable pupil outcomes identified for use by the charter school. Pupil outcomes, for purposes of this part, means the extent to which all pupils of the charter school demonstrate that they have attained the skills, knowledge, and aptitudes specified as goals in the charter schools educational program. Pupil outcomes shall include outcomes that address increases in pupil academic achievement both schoolwide and for all groups of pupils served by the charter school, as that term is defined in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 47607. The pupil outcomes shall align with the state priorities, as described in subdivision (d) of Section 52060, that apply for the grade levels served, or the nature of the program operated, by the charter school.(C) The method by which pupil progress in meeting those pupil outcomes is to be measured. To the extent practicable, the method for measuring pupil outcomes for state priorities shall be consistent with the way information is reported on a school accountability report card.(D) The location of each charter school facility that the petitioner proposes to operate.(E) The governance structure of the charter school, including, but not limited to, the process to be followed by the charter school to ensure parental involvement.(F) The qualifications to be met by individuals to be employed by the charter school.(G) The procedures that the charter school will follow to ensure the health and safety of pupils and staff. These procedures shall require all of the following:(i) That each employee of the charter school furnish the charter school with a criminal record summary as described in Section 44237.(ii) The development of a school safety plan, which shall include the safety topics listed in subparagraphs (A) to (H), inclusive, of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of of, and subdivision (e) of, Section 32282 and 32282, the guidelines described in Section 32282.1, procedures for conducting tactical responses to criminal incidents. incidents, and the targeted violence prevention plan described in Section 32285.(iii) That the school safety plan be reviewed and updated by March 1 of every year by the charter school.(H) The means by which the charter school will achieve a racial and ethnic balance among its pupils that is reflective of the general population residing within the territorial jurisdiction of the school district to which the charter petition is submitted.(I) The manner in which annual, independent financial audits shall be conducted, in accordance with regulations established by the state board, and the manner in which audit exceptions and deficiencies shall be resolved.(J) The procedures by which pupils can be suspended or expelled from the charter school for disciplinary reasons or otherwise involuntarily removed from the charter school for any reason. These procedures, at a minimum, shall include an explanation of how the charter school will comply with federal and state constitutional procedural and substantive due process requirements that is consistent with all of the following:(i) For suspensions of fewer than 10 days, provide oral or written notice of the charges against the pupil and, if the pupil denies the charges, an explanation of the evidence that supports the charges and an opportunity for the pupil to present his or her the pupils side of the story.(ii) For suspensions of 10 days or more and all other expulsions for disciplinary reasons, both of the following:(I) Provide timely, written notice of the charges against the pupil and an explanation of the pupils basic rights.(II) Provide a hearing adjudicated by a neutral officer within a reasonable number of days at which the pupil has a fair opportunity to present testimony, evidence, and witnesses and confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses, and at which the pupil has the right to bring legal counsel or an advocate.(iii) Contain a clear statement that no pupil shall be involuntarily removed by the charter school for any reason unless the parent or guardian of the pupil has been provided written notice of intent to remove the pupil no less than five schooldays before the effective date of the action. The written notice shall be in the native language of the pupil or the pupils parent or guardian or, if the pupil is a foster child or youth or a homeless child or youth, the pupils educational rights holder, and shall inform him or her that person of the right to initiate the procedures specified in clause (ii) before the effective date of the action. If the pupils parent, guardian, or educational rights holder initiates the procedures specified in clause (ii), the pupil shall remain enrolled and shall not be removed until the charter school issues a final decision. For purposes of this clause, involuntarily removed includes disenrolled, dismissed, transferred, or terminated, but does not include suspensions specified in clauses (i) and (ii).(K) The manner by which staff members of the charter school will be covered by the State Teachers Retirement System, the Public Employees Retirement System, or federal social security.(L) The procedures to be followed by the charter school and the county board of education to resolve disputes relating to provisions of the charter.(M) Admission policy and procedures, consistent with subdivision (e).(N) The public school attendance alternatives for pupils residing within the county who choose not to attend the charter school.(O) The rights of an employee of the county office of education, upon leaving the employment of the county office of education, to be employed by the charter school, and any rights of return to the county office of education that an employee may have upon leaving the employment of the charter school.(P) The procedures to be used if the charter school closes. The procedures shall ensure a final audit of the charter school to determine the disposition of all assets and liabilities of the charter school, including plans for disposing of any net assets and for the maintenance and transfer of public records.(6) A declaration of whether or not the charter school shall be deemed the exclusive public school employer of the employees of the charter school for purposes of the Educational Employment Relations Act (Chapter 10.7 (commencing with Section 3540) of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code).(7) Any other basis that the county board of education finds justifies the denial of the petition.(c) A county board of education that approves a petition for the operation of a countywide charter may, as a condition of charter approval, enter into an agreement with a third party, at the expense of the charter school, to oversee, monitor, and report to the county board of education on the operations of the charter school. The county board of education may prescribe the aspects of the charter schools operations to be monitored by the third party and may prescribe appropriate requirements regarding the reporting of information concerning the operations of the charter school to the county board of education.(d) (1) Charter schools shall meet all statewide standards and conduct the pupil assessments required pursuant to Section 60605 and any other statewide standards authorized in statute or pupil assessments applicable to pupils in noncharter public schools.(2) Charter schools shall on a regular basis consult with their parents and teachers regarding the charter schools educational programs.(e) (1) In addition to any other requirement imposed under this part, a charter school shall be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices, and all other operations, shall not charge tuition, and shall not discriminate against any pupil on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or disability. Except as provided in paragraph (2), admission to a charter school shall not be determined according to the place of residence of the pupil, or of his or her the pupils parent or guardian, within this state.(2) (A) A charter school shall admit all pupils who wish to attend the charter school.(B) If the number of pupils who wish to attend the charter school exceeds the charter schools capacity, attendance, except for existing pupils of the charter school, shall be determined by a public random drawing. Preference shall be extended to pupils currently attending the charter school and pupils who reside in the county except as provided for in Section 47614.5. Preferences, including, but not limited to, siblings of pupils admitted or attending the charter school and children of the charter schools teachers, staff, and founders identified in the initial charter, may also be permitted by the chartering authority on an individual charter school basis. Priority order for any preference shall be determined in the charter petition in accordance with all of the following:(i) Each type of preference shall be approved by the chartering authority at a public hearing.(ii) Preferences shall be consistent with federal law, the California Constitution, and Section 200.(iii) Preferences shall not result in limiting enrollment access for pupils with disabilities, academically low-achieving pupils, English learners, neglected or delinquent pupils, homeless pupils, or pupils who are economically disadvantaged, as determined by eligibility for any free or reduced-price meal program, foster youth, or pupils based on nationality, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.(iv) In accordance with Section 49011, preferences shall not require mandatory parental volunteer hours as a criterion for admission or continued enrollment.(C) In the event of a drawing, the county board of education shall make reasonable efforts to accommodate the growth of the charter school and in no event shall take any action to impede the charter school from expanding enrollment to meet pupil demand.(3) If a pupil is expelled or leaves the charter school without graduating or completing the school year for any reason, the charter school shall notify the superintendent of the school district of the pupils last known address within 30 days and shall, upon request, provide that school district with a copy of the cumulative record of the pupil, including report cards or a transcript of grades, and health information. If the pupil is subsequently expelled or leaves the school district without graduating or completing the school year for any reason, the school district shall provide this information to the charter school within 30 days if the charter school demonstrates that the pupil had been enrolled in the charter school. This paragraph applies only to pupils subject to compulsory full-time education pursuant to Section 48200.(f) The county board of education shall not require an employee of the county or a school district to be employed in a charter school.(g) The county board of education shall not require a pupil enrolled in a county program to attend a charter school.(h) The county board of education shall require that the petitioner or petitioners provide information regarding the proposed operation and potential effects of the charter school, including, but not limited to, the facilities to be used by the charter school, the manner in which administrative services of the charter school are to be provided, and potential civil liability effects, if any, upon the charter school, any school district where the charter school may operate, and upon the county board of education. The petitioner or petitioners shall also be required to provide financial statements that include a proposed first-year operational budget, including startup costs, and cashflow and financial projections for the first three years of operation.(i) In reviewing petitions for the establishment of charter schools within the county, the county board of education shall give preference to petitions that demonstrate the capability to provide comprehensive learning experiences to pupils identified by the petitioner or petitioners as academically low achieving pursuant to the standards established by the department under Section 54032, as that section read before July 19, 2006.(j) Upon the approval of the petition by the county board of education, the petitioner or petitioners shall provide written notice of that approval, including a copy of the petition, to the school districts within the county, the Superintendent, and the state board.(k) If a county board of education denies a petition, the petitioner shall not elect to submit the petition for the establishment of the charter school to the state board.(l) Teachers in charter schools shall be required to hold a Commission on Teacher Credentialing certificate, permit, or other document equivalent to that which a teacher in other public schools would be required to hold. These documents shall be maintained on file at the charter school and shall be subject to periodic inspection by the chartering authority.(m) A charter school shall transmit a copy of its annual, independent, financial audit report for the preceding fiscal year, as described in subparagraph (I) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (b), to the county office of education, the Controller, and the department by December 15 of each year. This subdivision does not apply if the audit of the charter school is encompassed in the audit of the chartering entity pursuant to Section 41020.(n) A charter school may encourage parental involvement but shall notify the parents and guardians of applicant pupils and currently enrolled pupils that parental involvement is not a requirement for acceptance to, or continued enrollment at, the charter school. |
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| 441 | | - | 47605.6. (a) (1) In addition to the authority provided by Section 47605.5, a county board of education may also approve a petition for the operation of a charter school that operates at one or more sites within the geographic boundaries of the county and that provides instructional services that are not generally provided by a county office of education. A county board of education may approve a countywide charter only if it finds, in addition to the other requirements of this section, that the educational services to be provided by the charter school will offer services to a pupil population that will benefit from those services and that cannot be served as well by a charter school that operates in only one school district in the county. A petition for the establishment of a countywide charter school pursuant to this subdivision may be circulated throughout the county by any one or more persons seeking to establish the charter school. The petition may be submitted to the county board of education for review after either of the following conditions is met:(A) The petition is signed by a number of parents or guardians of pupils residing within the county that is equivalent to at least one-half of the number of pupils that the charter school estimates will enroll in the school for its first year of operation and each of the school districts where the charter school petitioner proposes to operate a facility has received at least 30 days notice of the petitioners intent to operate a charter school pursuant to this section.(B) The petition is signed by a number of teachers that is equivalent to at least one-half of the number of teachers that the charter school estimates will be employed at the school during its first year of operation and each of the school districts where the charter school petitioner proposes to operate a facility has received at least 30 days notice of the petitioners intent to operate a charter school pursuant to this section.(2) An existing public school shall not be converted to a charter school in accordance with this section.(3) After receiving approval of its petition, a charter school that proposes to establish operations at additional sites within the geographic boundaries of the county board of education shall notify the school districts where those sites will be located. The charter school shall also request a material revision of its charter by the county board of education that approved its charter and the county board of education shall consider whether to approve those additional locations at an open, public meeting, held no sooner than 30 days following notification of the school districts where the sites will be located. If approved, the location of the approved sites shall be a material revision of the charter schools approved charter.(4) A petition shall include a prominent statement indicating that a signature on the petition means that the parent or guardian is meaningfully interested in having his or her their child or ward attend the charter school, or in the case of a teachers signature, means that the teacher is meaningfully interested in teaching at the charter school. The proposed charter shall be attached to the petition.(b) No later than 60 days after receiving a petition, in accordance with subdivision (a), the county board of education shall hold a public hearing on the provisions of the charter, at which time the county board of education shall consider the level of support for the petition by teachers, parents or guardians, and the school districts where the charter school petitioner proposes to place school facilities. Following review of the petition and the public hearing, the county board of education shall either grant or deny the charter within 90 days of receipt of the petition. However, this date may be extended by an additional 30 days if both parties agree to the extension. A county board of education may impose any additional requirements beyond those required by this section that it considers necessary for the sound operation of a countywide charter school. A county board of education may grant a charter for the operation of a charter school under this part only if it is satisfied that granting the charter is consistent with sound educational practice and that the charter school has reasonable justification for why it could not be established by petition to a school district pursuant to Section 47605. The county board of education shall deny a petition for the establishment of a charter school if it finds one or more of the following:(1) The charter school presents an unsound educational program for the pupils to be enrolled in the charter school.(2) The petitioners are demonstrably unlikely to successfully implement the program set forth in the petition.(3) The petition does not contain the number of signatures required by subdivision (a).(4) The petition does not contain an affirmation of each of the conditions described in subdivision (e).(5) The petition does not contain reasonably comprehensive descriptions of all of the following:(A) (i) The educational program of the charter school, designed, among other things, to identify those pupils whom the charter school is attempting to educate, what it means to be an educated person in the 21st century, and how learning best occurs. The goals identified in that program shall include the objective of enabling pupils to become self-motivated, competent, and lifelong learners.(ii) The annual goals for the charter school for all pupils and for each subgroup of pupils identified pursuant to Section 52052, to be achieved in the state priorities, as described in subdivision (d) of Section 52060, that apply for the grade levels served, or the nature of the program operated, by the charter school, and specific annual actions to achieve those goals. A charter petition may identify additional school priorities, the goals for the school priorities, and the specific annual actions to achieve those goals.(iii) If the proposed charter school will enroll high school pupils, the manner in which the charter school will inform parents regarding the transferability of courses to other public high schools. Courses offered by the charter school that are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges may be considered to be transferable to other public high schools.(iv) If the proposed charter school will enroll high school pupils, information as to the manner in which the charter school will inform parents as to whether each individual course offered by the charter school meets college entrance requirements. Courses approved by the University of California or the California State University as satisfying their prerequisites for admission may be considered as meeting college entrance requirements for purposes of this clause.(B) The measurable pupil outcomes identified for use by the charter school. Pupil outcomes, for purposes of this part, means the extent to which all pupils of the charter school demonstrate that they have attained the skills, knowledge, and aptitudes specified as goals in the charter schools educational program. Pupil outcomes shall include outcomes that address increases in pupil academic achievement both schoolwide and for all groups of pupils served by the charter school, as that term is defined in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 47607. The pupil outcomes shall align with the state priorities, as described in subdivision (d) of Section 52060, that apply for the grade levels served, or the nature of the program operated, by the charter school.(C) The method by which pupil progress in meeting those pupil outcomes is to be measured. To the extent practicable, the method for measuring pupil outcomes for state priorities shall be consistent with the way information is reported on a school accountability report card.(D) The location of each charter school facility that the petitioner proposes to operate.(E) The governance structure of the charter school, including, but not limited to, the process to be followed by the charter school to ensure parental involvement.(F) The qualifications to be met by individuals to be employed by the charter school.(G) The procedures that the charter school will follow to ensure the health and safety of pupils and staff. These procedures shall require all of the following:(i) That each employee of the charter school furnish the charter school with a criminal record summary as described in Section 44237.(ii) The development of a school safety plan, which shall include the safety topics listed in subparagraphs (A) to (H), inclusive, of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of of, and subdivision (e) of, Section 32282 and 32282, the guidelines described in Section 32282.1, procedures for conducting tactical responses to criminal incidents. incidents, and the targeted violence prevention plan described in Section 32285.(iii) That the school safety plan be reviewed and updated by March 1 of every year by the charter school.(H) The means by which the charter school will achieve a racial and ethnic balance among its pupils that is reflective of the general population residing within the territorial jurisdiction of the school district to which the charter petition is submitted.(I) The manner in which annual, independent financial audits shall be conducted, in accordance with regulations established by the state board, and the manner in which audit exceptions and deficiencies shall be resolved.(J) The procedures by which pupils can be suspended or expelled from the charter school for disciplinary reasons or otherwise involuntarily removed from the charter school for any reason. These procedures, at a minimum, shall include an explanation of how the charter school will comply with federal and state constitutional procedural and substantive due process requirements that is consistent with all of the following:(i) For suspensions of fewer than 10 days, provide oral or written notice of the charges against the pupil and, if the pupil denies the charges, an explanation of the evidence that supports the charges and an opportunity for the pupil to present his or her the pupils side of the story.(ii) For suspensions of 10 days or more and all other expulsions for disciplinary reasons, both of the following:(I) Provide timely, written notice of the charges against the pupil and an explanation of the pupils basic rights.(II) Provide a hearing adjudicated by a neutral officer within a reasonable number of days at which the pupil has a fair opportunity to present testimony, evidence, and witnesses and confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses, and at which the pupil has the right to bring legal counsel or an advocate.(iii) Contain a clear statement that no pupil shall be involuntarily removed by the charter school for any reason unless the parent or guardian of the pupil has been provided written notice of intent to remove the pupil no less than five schooldays before the effective date of the action. The written notice shall be in the native language of the pupil or the pupils parent or guardian or, if the pupil is a foster child or youth or a homeless child or youth, the pupils educational rights holder, and shall inform him or her that person of the right to initiate the procedures specified in clause (ii) before the effective date of the action. If the pupils parent, guardian, or educational rights holder initiates the procedures specified in clause (ii), the pupil shall remain enrolled and shall not be removed until the charter school issues a final decision. For purposes of this clause, involuntarily removed includes disenrolled, dismissed, transferred, or terminated, but does not include suspensions specified in clauses (i) and (ii).(K) The manner by which staff members of the charter school will be covered by the State Teachers Retirement System, the Public Employees Retirement System, or federal social security.(L) The procedures to be followed by the charter school and the county board of education to resolve disputes relating to provisions of the charter.(M) Admission policy and procedures, consistent with subdivision (e).(N) The public school attendance alternatives for pupils residing within the county who choose not to attend the charter school.(O) The rights of an employee of the county office of education, upon leaving the employment of the county office of education, to be employed by the charter school, and any rights of return to the county office of education that an employee may have upon leaving the employment of the charter school.(P) The procedures to be used if the charter school closes. The procedures shall ensure a final audit of the charter school to determine the disposition of all assets and liabilities of the charter school, including plans for disposing of any net assets and for the maintenance and transfer of public records.(6) A declaration of whether or not the charter school shall be deemed the exclusive public school employer of the employees of the charter school for purposes of the Educational Employment Relations Act (Chapter 10.7 (commencing with Section 3540) of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code).(7) Any other basis that the county board of education finds justifies the denial of the petition.(c) A county board of education that approves a petition for the operation of a countywide charter may, as a condition of charter approval, enter into an agreement with a third party, at the expense of the charter school, to oversee, monitor, and report to the county board of education on the operations of the charter school. The county board of education may prescribe the aspects of the charter schools operations to be monitored by the third party and may prescribe appropriate requirements regarding the reporting of information concerning the operations of the charter school to the county board of education.(d) (1) Charter schools shall meet all statewide standards and conduct the pupil assessments required pursuant to Section 60605 and any other statewide standards authorized in statute or pupil assessments applicable to pupils in noncharter public schools.(2) Charter schools shall on a regular basis consult with their parents and teachers regarding the charter schools educational programs.(e) (1) In addition to any other requirement imposed under this part, a charter school shall be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices, and all other operations, shall not charge tuition, and shall not discriminate against any pupil on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or disability. Except as provided in paragraph (2), admission to a charter school shall not be determined according to the place of residence of the pupil, or of his or her the pupils parent or guardian, within this state.(2) (A) A charter school shall admit all pupils who wish to attend the charter school.(B) If the number of pupils who wish to attend the charter school exceeds the charter schools capacity, attendance, except for existing pupils of the charter school, shall be determined by a public random drawing. Preference shall be extended to pupils currently attending the charter school and pupils who reside in the county except as provided for in Section 47614.5. Preferences, including, but not limited to, siblings of pupils admitted or attending the charter school and children of the charter schools teachers, staff, and founders identified in the initial charter, may also be permitted by the chartering authority on an individual charter school basis. Priority order for any preference shall be determined in the charter petition in accordance with all of the following:(i) Each type of preference shall be approved by the chartering authority at a public hearing.(ii) Preferences shall be consistent with federal law, the California Constitution, and Section 200.(iii) Preferences shall not result in limiting enrollment access for pupils with disabilities, academically low-achieving pupils, English learners, neglected or delinquent pupils, homeless pupils, or pupils who are economically disadvantaged, as determined by eligibility for any free or reduced-price meal program, foster youth, or pupils based on nationality, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.(iv) In accordance with Section 49011, preferences shall not require mandatory parental volunteer hours as a criterion for admission or continued enrollment.(C) In the event of a drawing, the county board of education shall make reasonable efforts to accommodate the growth of the charter school and in no event shall take any action to impede the charter school from expanding enrollment to meet pupil demand.(3) If a pupil is expelled or leaves the charter school without graduating or completing the school year for any reason, the charter school shall notify the superintendent of the school district of the pupils last known address within 30 days and shall, upon request, provide that school district with a copy of the cumulative record of the pupil, including report cards or a transcript of grades, and health information. If the pupil is subsequently expelled or leaves the school district without graduating or completing the school year for any reason, the school district shall provide this information to the charter school within 30 days if the charter school demonstrates that the pupil had been enrolled in the charter school. This paragraph applies only to pupils subject to compulsory full-time education pursuant to Section 48200.(f) The county board of education shall not require an employee of the county or a school district to be employed in a charter school.(g) The county board of education shall not require a pupil enrolled in a county program to attend a charter school.(h) The county board of education shall require that the petitioner or petitioners provide information regarding the proposed operation and potential effects of the charter school, including, but not limited to, the facilities to be used by the charter school, the manner in which administrative services of the charter school are to be provided, and potential civil liability effects, if any, upon the charter school, any school district where the charter school may operate, and upon the county board of education. The petitioner or petitioners shall also be required to provide financial statements that include a proposed first-year operational budget, including startup costs, and cashflow and financial projections for the first three years of operation.(i) In reviewing petitions for the establishment of charter schools within the county, the county board of education shall give preference to petitions that demonstrate the capability to provide comprehensive learning experiences to pupils identified by the petitioner or petitioners as academically low achieving pursuant to the standards established by the department under Section 54032, as that section read before July 19, 2006.(j) Upon the approval of the petition by the county board of education, the petitioner or petitioners shall provide written notice of that approval, including a copy of the petition, to the school districts within the county, the Superintendent, and the state board.(k) If a county board of education denies a petition, the petitioner shall not elect to submit the petition for the establishment of the charter school to the state board.(l) Teachers in charter schools shall be required to hold a Commission on Teacher Credentialing certificate, permit, or other document equivalent to that which a teacher in other public schools would be required to hold. These documents shall be maintained on file at the charter school and shall be subject to periodic inspection by the chartering authority.(m) A charter school shall transmit a copy of its annual, independent, financial audit report for the preceding fiscal year, as described in subparagraph (I) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (b), to the county office of education, the Controller, and the department by December 15 of each year. This subdivision does not apply if the audit of the charter school is encompassed in the audit of the chartering entity pursuant to Section 41020.(n) A charter school may encourage parental involvement but shall notify the parents and guardians of applicant pupils and currently enrolled pupils that parental involvement is not a requirement for acceptance to, or continued enrollment at, the charter school. |
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| 442 | | - | |
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| 443 | | - | |
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| 444 | | - | |
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| 445 | | - | 47605.6. (a) (1) In addition to the authority provided by Section 47605.5, a county board of education may also approve a petition for the operation of a charter school that operates at one or more sites within the geographic boundaries of the county and that provides instructional services that are not generally provided by a county office of education. A county board of education may approve a countywide charter only if it finds, in addition to the other requirements of this section, that the educational services to be provided by the charter school will offer services to a pupil population that will benefit from those services and that cannot be served as well by a charter school that operates in only one school district in the county. A petition for the establishment of a countywide charter school pursuant to this subdivision may be circulated throughout the county by any one or more persons seeking to establish the charter school. The petition may be submitted to the county board of education for review after either of the following conditions is met: |
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| 446 | | - | |
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| 447 | | - | (A) The petition is signed by a number of parents or guardians of pupils residing within the county that is equivalent to at least one-half of the number of pupils that the charter school estimates will enroll in the school for its first year of operation and each of the school districts where the charter school petitioner proposes to operate a facility has received at least 30 days notice of the petitioners intent to operate a charter school pursuant to this section. |
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| 448 | | - | |
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| 449 | | - | (B) The petition is signed by a number of teachers that is equivalent to at least one-half of the number of teachers that the charter school estimates will be employed at the school during its first year of operation and each of the school districts where the charter school petitioner proposes to operate a facility has received at least 30 days notice of the petitioners intent to operate a charter school pursuant to this section. |
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| 450 | | - | |
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| 451 | | - | (2) An existing public school shall not be converted to a charter school in accordance with this section. |
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| 452 | | - | |
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| 453 | | - | (3) After receiving approval of its petition, a charter school that proposes to establish operations at additional sites within the geographic boundaries of the county board of education shall notify the school districts where those sites will be located. The charter school shall also request a material revision of its charter by the county board of education that approved its charter and the county board of education shall consider whether to approve those additional locations at an open, public meeting, held no sooner than 30 days following notification of the school districts where the sites will be located. If approved, the location of the approved sites shall be a material revision of the charter schools approved charter. |
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| 454 | | - | |
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| 455 | | - | (4) A petition shall include a prominent statement indicating that a signature on the petition means that the parent or guardian is meaningfully interested in having his or her their child or ward attend the charter school, or in the case of a teachers signature, means that the teacher is meaningfully interested in teaching at the charter school. The proposed charter shall be attached to the petition. |
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| 456 | | - | |
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| 457 | | - | (b) No later than 60 days after receiving a petition, in accordance with subdivision (a), the county board of education shall hold a public hearing on the provisions of the charter, at which time the county board of education shall consider the level of support for the petition by teachers, parents or guardians, and the school districts where the charter school petitioner proposes to place school facilities. Following review of the petition and the public hearing, the county board of education shall either grant or deny the charter within 90 days of receipt of the petition. However, this date may be extended by an additional 30 days if both parties agree to the extension. A county board of education may impose any additional requirements beyond those required by this section that it considers necessary for the sound operation of a countywide charter school. A county board of education may grant a charter for the operation of a charter school under this part only if it is satisfied that granting the charter is consistent with sound educational practice and that the charter school has reasonable justification for why it could not be established by petition to a school district pursuant to Section 47605. The county board of education shall deny a petition for the establishment of a charter school if it finds one or more of the following: |
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| 458 | | - | |
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| 459 | | - | (1) The charter school presents an unsound educational program for the pupils to be enrolled in the charter school. |
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| 460 | | - | |
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| 461 | | - | (2) The petitioners are demonstrably unlikely to successfully implement the program set forth in the petition. |
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| 462 | | - | |
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| 463 | | - | (3) The petition does not contain the number of signatures required by subdivision (a). |
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| 464 | | - | |
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| 465 | | - | (4) The petition does not contain an affirmation of each of the conditions described in subdivision (e). |
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| 466 | | - | |
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| 467 | | - | (5) The petition does not contain reasonably comprehensive descriptions of all of the following: |
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| 468 | | - | |
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| 469 | | - | (A) (i) The educational program of the charter school, designed, among other things, to identify those pupils whom the charter school is attempting to educate, what it means to be an educated person in the 21st century, and how learning best occurs. The goals identified in that program shall include the objective of enabling pupils to become self-motivated, competent, and lifelong learners. |
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| 470 | | - | |
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| 471 | | - | (ii) The annual goals for the charter school for all pupils and for each subgroup of pupils identified pursuant to Section 52052, to be achieved in the state priorities, as described in subdivision (d) of Section 52060, that apply for the grade levels served, or the nature of the program operated, by the charter school, and specific annual actions to achieve those goals. A charter petition may identify additional school priorities, the goals for the school priorities, and the specific annual actions to achieve those goals. |
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| 472 | | - | |
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| 473 | | - | (iii) If the proposed charter school will enroll high school pupils, the manner in which the charter school will inform parents regarding the transferability of courses to other public high schools. Courses offered by the charter school that are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges may be considered to be transferable to other public high schools. |
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| 474 | | - | |
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| 475 | | - | (iv) If the proposed charter school will enroll high school pupils, information as to the manner in which the charter school will inform parents as to whether each individual course offered by the charter school meets college entrance requirements. Courses approved by the University of California or the California State University as satisfying their prerequisites for admission may be considered as meeting college entrance requirements for purposes of this clause. |
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| 476 | | - | |
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| 477 | | - | (B) The measurable pupil outcomes identified for use by the charter school. Pupil outcomes, for purposes of this part, means the extent to which all pupils of the charter school demonstrate that they have attained the skills, knowledge, and aptitudes specified as goals in the charter schools educational program. Pupil outcomes shall include outcomes that address increases in pupil academic achievement both schoolwide and for all groups of pupils served by the charter school, as that term is defined in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 47607. The pupil outcomes shall align with the state priorities, as described in subdivision (d) of Section 52060, that apply for the grade levels served, or the nature of the program operated, by the charter school. |
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| 478 | | - | |
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| 479 | | - | (C) The method by which pupil progress in meeting those pupil outcomes is to be measured. To the extent practicable, the method for measuring pupil outcomes for state priorities shall be consistent with the way information is reported on a school accountability report card. |
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| 480 | | - | |
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| 481 | | - | (D) The location of each charter school facility that the petitioner proposes to operate. |
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| 482 | | - | |
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| 483 | | - | (E) The governance structure of the charter school, including, but not limited to, the process to be followed by the charter school to ensure parental involvement. |
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| 484 | | - | |
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| 485 | | - | (F) The qualifications to be met by individuals to be employed by the charter school. |
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| 486 | | - | |
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| 487 | | - | (G) The procedures that the charter school will follow to ensure the health and safety of pupils and staff. These procedures shall require all of the following: |
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| 488 | | - | |
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| 489 | | - | (i) That each employee of the charter school furnish the charter school with a criminal record summary as described in Section 44237. |
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| 490 | | - | |
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| 491 | | - | (ii) The development of a school safety plan, which shall include the safety topics listed in subparagraphs (A) to (H), inclusive, of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of of, and subdivision (e) of, Section 32282 and 32282, the guidelines described in Section 32282.1, procedures for conducting tactical responses to criminal incidents. incidents, and the targeted violence prevention plan described in Section 32285. |
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| 492 | | - | |
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| 493 | | - | (iii) That the school safety plan be reviewed and updated by March 1 of every year by the charter school. |
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| 494 | | - | |
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| 495 | | - | (H) The means by which the charter school will achieve a racial and ethnic balance among its pupils that is reflective of the general population residing within the territorial jurisdiction of the school district to which the charter petition is submitted. |
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| 496 | | - | |
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| 497 | | - | (I) The manner in which annual, independent financial audits shall be conducted, in accordance with regulations established by the state board, and the manner in which audit exceptions and deficiencies shall be resolved. |
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| 498 | | - | |
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| 499 | | - | (J) The procedures by which pupils can be suspended or expelled from the charter school for disciplinary reasons or otherwise involuntarily removed from the charter school for any reason. These procedures, at a minimum, shall include an explanation of how the charter school will comply with federal and state constitutional procedural and substantive due process requirements that is consistent with all of the following: |
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| 500 | | - | |
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| 501 | | - | (i) For suspensions of fewer than 10 days, provide oral or written notice of the charges against the pupil and, if the pupil denies the charges, an explanation of the evidence that supports the charges and an opportunity for the pupil to present his or her the pupils side of the story. |
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| 502 | | - | |
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| 503 | | - | (ii) For suspensions of 10 days or more and all other expulsions for disciplinary reasons, both of the following: |
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| 504 | | - | |
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| 505 | | - | (I) Provide timely, written notice of the charges against the pupil and an explanation of the pupils basic rights. |
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| 506 | | - | |
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| 507 | | - | (II) Provide a hearing adjudicated by a neutral officer within a reasonable number of days at which the pupil has a fair opportunity to present testimony, evidence, and witnesses and confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses, and at which the pupil has the right to bring legal counsel or an advocate. |
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| 508 | | - | |
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| 509 | | - | (iii) Contain a clear statement that no pupil shall be involuntarily removed by the charter school for any reason unless the parent or guardian of the pupil has been provided written notice of intent to remove the pupil no less than five schooldays before the effective date of the action. The written notice shall be in the native language of the pupil or the pupils parent or guardian or, if the pupil is a foster child or youth or a homeless child or youth, the pupils educational rights holder, and shall inform him or her that person of the right to initiate the procedures specified in clause (ii) before the effective date of the action. If the pupils parent, guardian, or educational rights holder initiates the procedures specified in clause (ii), the pupil shall remain enrolled and shall not be removed until the charter school issues a final decision. For purposes of this clause, involuntarily removed includes disenrolled, dismissed, transferred, or terminated, but does not include suspensions specified in clauses (i) and (ii). |
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| 510 | | - | |
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| 511 | | - | (K) The manner by which staff members of the charter school will be covered by the State Teachers Retirement System, the Public Employees Retirement System, or federal social security. |
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| 512 | | - | |
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| 513 | | - | (L) The procedures to be followed by the charter school and the county board of education to resolve disputes relating to provisions of the charter. |
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| 514 | | - | |
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| 515 | | - | (M) Admission policy and procedures, consistent with subdivision (e). |
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| 516 | | - | |
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| 517 | | - | (N) The public school attendance alternatives for pupils residing within the county who choose not to attend the charter school. |
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| 518 | | - | |
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| 519 | | - | (O) The rights of an employee of the county office of education, upon leaving the employment of the county office of education, to be employed by the charter school, and any rights of return to the county office of education that an employee may have upon leaving the employment of the charter school. |
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| 520 | | - | |
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| 521 | | - | (P) The procedures to be used if the charter school closes. The procedures shall ensure a final audit of the charter school to determine the disposition of all assets and liabilities of the charter school, including plans for disposing of any net assets and for the maintenance and transfer of public records. |
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| 522 | | - | |
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| 523 | | - | (6) A declaration of whether or not the charter school shall be deemed the exclusive public school employer of the employees of the charter school for purposes of the Educational Employment Relations Act (Chapter 10.7 (commencing with Section 3540) of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code). |
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| 524 | | - | |
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| 525 | | - | (7) Any other basis that the county board of education finds justifies the denial of the petition. |
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| 526 | | - | |
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| 527 | | - | (c) A county board of education that approves a petition for the operation of a countywide charter may, as a condition of charter approval, enter into an agreement with a third party, at the expense of the charter school, to oversee, monitor, and report to the county board of education on the operations of the charter school. The county board of education may prescribe the aspects of the charter schools operations to be monitored by the third party and may prescribe appropriate requirements regarding the reporting of information concerning the operations of the charter school to the county board of education. |
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| 528 | | - | |
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| 529 | | - | (d) (1) Charter schools shall meet all statewide standards and conduct the pupil assessments required pursuant to Section 60605 and any other statewide standards authorized in statute or pupil assessments applicable to pupils in noncharter public schools. |
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| 530 | | - | |
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| 531 | | - | (2) Charter schools shall on a regular basis consult with their parents and teachers regarding the charter schools educational programs. |
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| 532 | | - | |
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| 533 | | - | (e) (1) In addition to any other requirement imposed under this part, a charter school shall be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices, and all other operations, shall not charge tuition, and shall not discriminate against any pupil on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or disability. Except as provided in paragraph (2), admission to a charter school shall not be determined according to the place of residence of the pupil, or of his or her the pupils parent or guardian, within this state. |
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| 534 | | - | |
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| 535 | | - | (2) (A) A charter school shall admit all pupils who wish to attend the charter school. |
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| 536 | | - | |
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| 537 | | - | (B) If the number of pupils who wish to attend the charter school exceeds the charter schools capacity, attendance, except for existing pupils of the charter school, shall be determined by a public random drawing. Preference shall be extended to pupils currently attending the charter school and pupils who reside in the county except as provided for in Section 47614.5. Preferences, including, but not limited to, siblings of pupils admitted or attending the charter school and children of the charter schools teachers, staff, and founders identified in the initial charter, may also be permitted by the chartering authority on an individual charter school basis. Priority order for any preference shall be determined in the charter petition in accordance with all of the following: |
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| 538 | | - | |
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| 539 | | - | (i) Each type of preference shall be approved by the chartering authority at a public hearing. |
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| 540 | | - | |
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| 541 | | - | (ii) Preferences shall be consistent with federal law, the California Constitution, and Section 200. |
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| 542 | | - | |
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| 543 | | - | (iii) Preferences shall not result in limiting enrollment access for pupils with disabilities, academically low-achieving pupils, English learners, neglected or delinquent pupils, homeless pupils, or pupils who are economically disadvantaged, as determined by eligibility for any free or reduced-price meal program, foster youth, or pupils based on nationality, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. |
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| 544 | | - | |
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| 545 | | - | (iv) In accordance with Section 49011, preferences shall not require mandatory parental volunteer hours as a criterion for admission or continued enrollment. |
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| 546 | | - | |
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| 547 | | - | (C) In the event of a drawing, the county board of education shall make reasonable efforts to accommodate the growth of the charter school and in no event shall take any action to impede the charter school from expanding enrollment to meet pupil demand. |
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| 548 | | - | |
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| 549 | | - | (3) If a pupil is expelled or leaves the charter school without graduating or completing the school year for any reason, the charter school shall notify the superintendent of the school district of the pupils last known address within 30 days and shall, upon request, provide that school district with a copy of the cumulative record of the pupil, including report cards or a transcript of grades, and health information. If the pupil is subsequently expelled or leaves the school district without graduating or completing the school year for any reason, the school district shall provide this information to the charter school within 30 days if the charter school demonstrates that the pupil had been enrolled in the charter school. This paragraph applies only to pupils subject to compulsory full-time education pursuant to Section 48200. |
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| 550 | | - | |
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| 551 | | - | (f) The county board of education shall not require an employee of the county or a school district to be employed in a charter school. |
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| 552 | | - | |
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| 553 | | - | (g) The county board of education shall not require a pupil enrolled in a county program to attend a charter school. |
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| 554 | | - | |
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| 555 | | - | (h) The county board of education shall require that the petitioner or petitioners provide information regarding the proposed operation and potential effects of the charter school, including, but not limited to, the facilities to be used by the charter school, the manner in which administrative services of the charter school are to be provided, and potential civil liability effects, if any, upon the charter school, any school district where the charter school may operate, and upon the county board of education. The petitioner or petitioners shall also be required to provide financial statements that include a proposed first-year operational budget, including startup costs, and cashflow and financial projections for the first three years of operation. |
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| 556 | | - | |
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| 557 | | - | (i) In reviewing petitions for the establishment of charter schools within the county, the county board of education shall give preference to petitions that demonstrate the capability to provide comprehensive learning experiences to pupils identified by the petitioner or petitioners as academically low achieving pursuant to the standards established by the department under Section 54032, as that section read before July 19, 2006. |
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| 558 | | - | |
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| 559 | | - | (j) Upon the approval of the petition by the county board of education, the petitioner or petitioners shall provide written notice of that approval, including a copy of the petition, to the school districts within the county, the Superintendent, and the state board. |
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| 560 | | - | |
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| 561 | | - | (k) If a county board of education denies a petition, the petitioner shall not elect to submit the petition for the establishment of the charter school to the state board. |
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| 562 | | - | |
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| 563 | | - | (l) Teachers in charter schools shall be required to hold a Commission on Teacher Credentialing certificate, permit, or other document equivalent to that which a teacher in other public schools would be required to hold. These documents shall be maintained on file at the charter school and shall be subject to periodic inspection by the chartering authority. |
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| 564 | | - | |
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| 565 | | - | (m) A charter school shall transmit a copy of its annual, independent, financial audit report for the preceding fiscal year, as described in subparagraph (I) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (b), to the county office of education, the Controller, and the department by December 15 of each year. This subdivision does not apply if the audit of the charter school is encompassed in the audit of the chartering entity pursuant to Section 41020. |
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| 566 | | - | |
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| 567 | | - | (n) A charter school may encourage parental involvement but shall notify the parents and guardians of applicant pupils and currently enrolled pupils that parental involvement is not a requirement for acceptance to, or continued enrollment at, the charter school. |
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| 568 | | - | |
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| 569 | | - | SEC. 4.SEC. 6. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code. |
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| 570 | | - | |
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| 571 | | - | SEC. 4.SEC. 6. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code. |
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| 572 | | - | |
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| 573 | | - | SEC. 4.SEC. 6. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code. |
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| 574 | | - | |
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| 575 | | - | ### SEC. 4.SEC. 6. |
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| 242 | + | On and after January 1, 1976, the governing board of a school district may initiate and carry on any program, activity, or may otherwise act in a manner that is not in conflict with or inconsistent with, or preempted by, any law and that is not in conflict with the purposes for which school districts are established. |
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