Board adopts broad charter-policy revisions and sets new renewal and expansion terms; option packages split for separate votes

The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board approved a package of revisions to the district’s charter school policy and then took separate votes on two consequential Chapter 8 items: renewal term lengths for locally authorized charters and the rules governing material amendments that change enrollment or add grade levels.

General policy revisions: The board first approved extensive revisions to the general charter school policy (the backup identifies state-driven changes and several district-level clarifications). Legal counsel explained that two provisions required additional separate votes and those sections were therefore discussed as distinct agenda items following public comment.

Renewal terms (Chapter 8): On a separate vote (item d6), the board considered three options for initial and subsequent renewal terms for district-authorized Type 1 charter schools. The board approved option B: an initial seven-year term with a possible additional three-year extension contingent on meeting performance expectations. The vote followed extended public comment; several speakers, including Tanya Nyman, urged retaining shorter terms and preserving local oversight, while board supporters argued longer terms could reward sustained high performance and allow stability for schools that meet expectations. A substitute motion to maintain current five-year terms (option C) failed; the original motion adopting option B was approved by electronic vote. Counsel confirmed revocation procedures remain available under the revised policy.

Material amendments (Chapter 8, locally authorized charters): The board then considered item d7—whether a charter with a current grade of C (or higher) — or in a more permissive variant a D with an A progress index — should be able to expand enrollment above 120% of its charter cap without submitting a new charter application. After debate and public comment opposing broader expansion authority, the board ultimately adopted option B for item d7 (which permits expansions only for charters meeting a C or higher/similar SPS threshold and excludes the D-with-A-progress-index exception). A substitute motion and discussion occurred; the motion to adopt option B passed on electronic vote.

Public comment and board debate: Members of the public raised concerns that recent state-level charter policy changes and BESE rules have reduced local control; speakers argued expanded renewal lengths and relaxed expansion rules risked resegregation and reduced oversight. Several board members expressed the need to protect and grow direct-run schools and to ensure accountability; others argued the board needs clear, consistent policy so applicants and operators know the standards.

Votes and recusals: Several votes were recorded electronically; at least two board members recused from a separate contract item (LSU externs), which was handled earlier in the meeting. Counsel noted the revised charter policy retains revocation language and staff said the board may call any charter forward for review or potential revocation under the policy.

Ending: The board enacted new charter-policy revisions and set renewal and expansion rules intended to balance stability for performing operators with accountability. The district’s legal counsel and staff will publish the revised policy and apply the new renewal/expansion standards to future applications and renewal decisions.

Note: The transcript records motions and outcomes but does not publish precise numerical vote tallies for the charter votes; the record shows electronic voting and that specific substitute motions were offered and defeated as described.