Commission approves PowerSchool procurement, budgets, meeting dates and multiple policy and rule updates

The Tennessee Public Charter School Commission voted on a series of administrative and policy items at its July 25, 2025 meeting, approving a student information system contract, budgets, meeting dates and multiple policy and rule changes.

The commission approved the annual procurement of PowerSchool, the commission's student information system. Commissioner Grisman moved the procurement and the motion carried on a voice vote; the chair announced, “The ayes have it. The procurement is approved.”

The commission also approved its proposed 2026 meeting dates, an amended fiscal year 2026 budget and a preliminary fiscal year 2027 budget. Each item was moved and approved by voice vote. The chair announced the approval of the meeting dates and budgets after commissioners voted “aye.” No dissenting votes were recorded on those items.

On policy and rule matters, the commission adopted a series of LEA and commission policies and rule updates after committee consideration: - Adoption of the LEA policy consent agenda (including the wireless communication device prohibition to be codified as LEA policy 6301) was approved on first and final reading after committee recommendation. General Counsel Ashley Thomas described the provision as requiring commission-authorized charter schools “to adopt a policy that prohibits the use of any wireless communication device during instructional time,” with statutory exceptions and a requirement that schools publish the policy on their websites. - LEA policy 18‑01 (special education) was adopted on final reading after stakeholder input and edits to clarify the commission’s role in individualized education program (IEP) decisions and external placements. - Commission policy updates (including updates tied to the change in statute allowing charter agreements of up to 10 years and additions to renewal criteria at commission policy 3.6) were approved on first and final reading where noted. Specific commission policies acted upon included commission policy 3.1 and 3.6 (first and final reading), commission policy 3.01 (first reading), and commission policy 3.7 (final reading). - The commission approved emergency commission rule 1185‑01‑01‑04 (described in the meeting as relating to replication applications, letters of intent, fees, application requirements and the commission’s review process) on first and final reading by roll call vote. Hayden called the roll; the chair announced, “Madam chair, you have 6 ayes.” Commissioners later approved the permanent rule 1185‑01‑01‑04 on first reading by roll call; staff said the permanent rule will return for a final reading in October after a rulemaking hearing to solicit public comment.

Commissioners used standard roll-call voting for the rule packets as required by statute. Most other actions were voice votes recorded as passing with the ayes prevailing. No motions before the commission failed during the meeting.

Why it matters: These approvals set near-term operations for the commission — committing to an enterprise student information system, adopting budgets that fund operations, and establishing policy and rule changes that will affect charter schools the commission authorizes (including updated renewal criteria and school performance framework language). Several of the rule changes were filed as emergency rules to avoid a regulatory gap ahead of anticipated direct applications this fall.

Several items (procurement, budgets, meeting dates, LEA policy updates and rule packets) will affect schools statewide; the commission noted it intends to follow the formal rulemaking timeline (emergency rules effective upon filing; permanent rules returned in October after a hearing) so the commission will have rules in place if direct applications arrive this fall.

Votes at a glance (items acted on during the July 25, 2025 meeting): - Annual procurement of PowerSchool — approved (voice vote). Motion: approve procurement; mover: Commissioner Grisman; outcome: approved. (Agenda item: procurement; amount: not specified.) - Commission 2026 meeting dates — approved (voice vote). Motion: adopt 2026 meeting dates; outcome: approved. - Amended FY26 budget — approved (voice vote). Motion: approve amended FY26 budget; outcome: approved. - Preliminary FY27 budget — approved (voice vote). Motion: approve preliminary FY27 budget; outcome: approved. - LEA policy consent agenda (including LEA policy 6301, wireless communication devices) — adopted on first and final reading (voice vote). Motion: adopt LEA policy consent agenda; outcome: approved. - LEA policy 18‑01 (special education) — adopted on final reading (voice vote). Motion: adopt LEA policy 18‑01; outcome: approved. - Commission policies 3.1 and 3.6 — adopted on first and final reading (voice vote). Motion: adopt commission policies 3.1 and 3.6; outcome: approved. - Commission policy 3.01 — adopted on first reading (voice vote). Motion: adopt policy 3.01 on first reading; outcome: approved. - Commission policy 3.7 (school performance framework/renewal criteria) — adopted on final reading (voice vote). Motion: adopt policy 3.7 on final reading; outcome: approved. - Emergency commission rule packet 1185‑01‑01‑04 (replication applications) — adopted on first and final reading by roll call (6 ayes). Motion: adopt emergency rule 1185‑01‑01‑04 on first and final reading; outcome: approved (roll call: 6 ayes). - Permanent commission rule packet 1185‑01‑01‑04 — adopted on first reading by roll call (6 ayes); will return in October for final reading. Motion: adopt permanent rule 1185‑01‑01‑04 on first reading; outcome: approved (roll call: 6 ayes).

What commissioners said: Chair Richards thanked staff for advancing the items from committee and noted the approvals prepare the commission for the fall cycle of applications. General Counsel Ashley Thomas summarized statutory drivers for the policy changes and said the commission would circulate acknowledgment forms to schools about the performance framework changes.

What’s next: The permanent rulemaking process will include a public rulemaking hearing before the commission considers final adoption in October. The commission indicated the emergency rules will be filed with the secretary of state to remain effective while the permanent rulemaking proceeds. Staff will circulate the finalized policy texts and (when available) any fiscal detail for budget items to commissioners and post materials to TNShare and the commission website.

Ending note: Commissioners approved all items presented by staff at the July 25 meeting; several rule and policy changes took effect as emergency rules or were advanced on first and final readings to meet statutory timelines for new application types and the post‑legislative compliance work underway.