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Board reviews proposed virtual charter academy contract, staff outlines governance and timeline to ODE approval
Summary
District staff briefed the board on a proposed Lower Columbia virtual charter academy, explaining sponsorship responsibilities, the need for the charter to establish a legal entity and bylaws before a contract takes effect, and a target ODE recognition date of 06/01/2026; staff said academy employees would remain district employees and the academy will seek independent bookkeeping/auditing services.
Astoria SD 1 staff presented an overview of a proposed Lower Columbia Virtual Charter Academy and answered trustees' questions about governance, financial oversight and the approval timeline.
Staff told the board the charter board has already held an organizational meeting and passed bylaws among its organizers, but the academy must formally establish itself as a legal entity to enter into a contract with the district and to become subject to public‑meeting laws. Staff said the district attorney advised that, until the charter exists as a legal entity, the charter board is not yet bound by public‑meeting statutes.
On governance, staff said the charter board will provide strategic direction, fiscal oversight and policy governance; the academy will issue an RFP for independent bookkeeping and auditing and will be required to undergo an annual audit. Staff also noted that employees of the academy would remain employees of the Astoria School District, a sponsorship practice intended to protect staff positions should the academy later change status.
Staff summarized timeline and next steps, saying the district's goal is to receive Oregon Department of Education recognition for the virtual academy by June 1, 2026, and that approval timing may affect enrollment and funding. "The goal is to receive the approval from the Oregon Department of Education by 06/01/2026 to be recognized," staff said. Staff also said the proposed contract before the board had been reviewed by the district attorney and revised to align the district's proposal with the charter's bylaws.
Board members asked whether charter board members serving as advisors could still vote on charter‑related items at district board meetings; staff said charter board advisory members cannot vote on charter board matters but are not restricted from voting on related matters in regular school‑board meetings.
Next steps: staff will continue contract review and bring recommended language back to the board; the board may be asked to take action when the charter has completed required legal steps and the contract language is finalized.
