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Statewide Charter School Board adopts contract template change, approves two charter contracts
Summary
The board accepted added language to section 8.1 of its charter contract template and approved charter contracts for Tempo Montessori and Southwest Academy, after staff and counsel discussed legal implications and the board weighed clarity versus potential confusion.
The Statewide Charter School Board approved May 11, 2026, an updated charter contract template that includes additional language added to section 8.1. Director of School Performance Skyler Lusnia introduced the template and described changes; Assistant Attorney General John Hadden and Deputy General Counsel Thomas Schneider provided legal guidance as members discussed whether the new language risked confusion or was necessary for legal clarity.
Damon Gardenhire moved to accept the additional language in section 8.1; Kitty Campbell seconded and the motion carried with one abstention (Courtney Anderson). The board then voted to approve the full template with the 8.1 addition. After template approval, the board approved the Tempo Montessori Charter School contract and the Southwest Academy Charter School contract; both were presented as largely school-specific language additions plus the approved section 8.1 wording.
Board members said staff would continue to consult with school leaders and external groups such as NACSA on contract best practices and future legislative improvements. The approvals allow the listed schools to proceed under the newly adopted template terms; the minutes record roll-call votes for each action.
