Definition of a Charter School
The Charter School is a public school which operates independently of the local "Board of Education" under a charter granted by the State Education Commisioner. Once a charter is approved and established, the school becomes a body politic with all the powers necessary to carry out its charter program. There are two types of charter schools: startup and conversion. A startup school is a newly created public school within a district, whereas a conversion changes an existing school to a charter school with the petition of 51% of the teachers and parents attending the school.
Authorization
The Charter School Program Act of 1995 became effective January 11th, 1996. This act permits the establishedment of up to 135 charter schools with a minimum of three charter schools alotted per county during the forty-eight months following the effective date of the act.
Establishment
A charter School can be established by either a group of teaching staff members, parents of children attending the school of the district, or a combination. In addition, an institution of higher education or private entity located within the state in conjunction with teaching staff members and parents attending the schools of the district can establish a charter.
Governance
A charter school is a public school that is governed by teachers, parents, administrators, or others who create and manage an innovative public school. Under the Charter School Legislation, a "Board of Trustees" replaces the "Board of Education. The "Board of Trustees" will be composed of parent and teacher representatives, as well as representatives from the business and academic communities.
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