Committee forwards new-start and amendment‑appeals rule updates to full commission

The Rules, Policy and Governance Committee on Oct. 8 voted 3-0 to recommend two rule updates to the full Tennessee Public Charter School Commission: a new‑start application rule and a charter school amendment‑appeals rule.

General Counsel Ashley Thomas told the committee staff held a rule‑making hearing Oct. 1. "We did conduct a rule making hearing on October 1 to receive any public comment as it relates to the new start application rules. We did not receive any public comment and so there have been no substantive changes to that rule," Thomas said. The committee recommended the new‑start application rule to the full commission by roll call.

Thomas said the amendment‑appeals rule (per the draft citation 1185‑01‑01‑0.04) received one written comment at the rule‑making hearing. The commenter suggested adding the language "or assignment of a charter management organization" to the definition of a material modification so the rule would explicitly cover assignments of charter management organizations. Thomas said the suggested language would "clarify the types of modifications that can be considered on an amendment petition."

The committee voted by roll call to recommend both rules to the full commission; Commissioners LaVine and Tom Marino and Chair Lauren Smith voted yes. Committee discussion did not include additional public commenters or substantive edits beyond the single written suggestion on the amendment rule. The committee materials note the new‑start rule includes application fee, timeline, capacity interview and a public hearing in the application process for sponsors applying directly to the commission.

The rules will go before the full commission for final action; the committee record does not show a final decision at this meeting. The staff signaled the commission will use the established rule‑making process to consider the written comment and finalize language before full‑commission action.