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Board reviews Cornerstone Classical Academy charter contract; staff says charter will be K–12 and enroll in 2027 opening plan
Summary
District staff presented a standard state charter contract for Cornerstone Classical Academy, identified the Nassau County School Board as sponsor, filled the authorized grades as K–12 and said the charter expects to begin enrollment in January and target an August 2027 opening; board members asked about ESE/IEP responsibilities and how student funding is handled.
District staff reviewed a draft charter contract for Cornerstone Classical Academy during the April 6 workshop and told the board the contract uses the state’s standard template with the Nassau County School Board named as sponsor.
Staff said the contract's term was provisionally set in the draft and that the school will be authorized for kindergarten through grade 12 (the district filled the maximum grade levels required by the contract). The district's draft identifies "Miss Cook" on the signature page as the board chair for signing the contract. Staff said the charter intends to begin open enrollment in January and is targeting an August 2027 opening for facility construction and operations.
Why it matters: A sponsored charter's students draw a per‑student share of local revenue; district staff reminded the board that, if the local millage continues, sponsored charters receive a proportionate allocation based on enrollment. Board members questioned how ESE/IEP services will be provided and how the district and charter will coordinate when a charter cannot meet a student’s needs.
Details from the workshop: District staff said the charter’s application included projected enrollments by year, and that initial state funding in the charter’s first July payment would be based on reported enrollment; staff noted routine state procedures that reconcile funding early in the school year if actual enrollment differs. A district staff member said IEP decisions remain the responsibility of an IEP committee and that the charter must refer students back to the district if they cannot provide required services.
What happens next: District attorneys are reviewing contract language on a few fill‑ins; staff said copies of the contract were provided to board members and that the item will be on the agenda for the Thursday board meeting for potential action.
