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Commission advances renewal criteria; adopts charter-agreement policy and updates renewal appeals rule
Summary
The commission approved renewal criteria on first reading, approved LEA policy 1801 and commission policy 3.7 on first reading, adopted commission policy 3.1 on final reading, and adopted the renewal appeals rule (1185-01-01-02) on final reading via roll call.
The Tennessee Public Charter School Commission on March 28 approved several policy and rule changes affecting charter review and renewal.
Beth Figueroa, director of authorizing, told commissioners the commission received an "exemplary" rating on its authorizer evaluation from the State Board of Education and that staff would continue working on identified next steps. Figueroa presented the renewal criteria that staff developed to determine whether schools are on track or off track for renewal; the commission approved the renewal criteria on first reading by voice vote.
"This is a criteria that will be adopted for our schools to be able to determine whether or not they're on track or off track for renewal," Figueroa said.
The Rules, Policy and Governance Committee recommended two items for first reading: LEA policy 1801 (special education policy updates) and commission policy 3.7 (school performance framework). Ashley Thomas, general counsel, said the LEA policy clarifies responsibilities and roles between the commission and operators and that staff would continue seeking stakeholder input before final action. Thomas also presented commission policy 3.1 (Charter Agreements) on final reading; she said the policy language adopted at final reading updates the commission's approach to operator requests to delay initial openings beyond the one-year statutory delay and includes the executive director's recommendation, the commission's right to require an in-person appearance and a prohibition against more than one such delay.
On final reading the commission adopted commission rule 1185-01-01-02, the renewal appeals rule. Thomas described the amendment as a cleanup that "removes language that is not in statute." The rule required and received a roll call vote pursuant to rulemaking procedures; Chair Richards recorded the roll call and staff reported five ayes.
Commissioners also approved LEA policy 1801 and commission policy 3.7 on first reading and signaled that further stakeholder engagement will continue before second readings or final action.
The actions change how staff and commissioners will evaluate renewals and appeals and clarify procedural expectations for applicants and local education agencies.
