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Centennial Charter Schools Task Force

MINUTES OF

CENTENNIAL CHARTER SCHOOLS TASK FORCE

November 12, 1997 - 1:30 p.m. - Room 405 State Capitol



Members Present:
    Sen. David H. Steele, Cochair    Supt. Steven Baugh    
    Rep. Brian R. Allen, Cochair    Dr. Gary Carlston
    Sen. Joseph L. Hull        Ms. Margie Coombs        
    Sen. Howard A. Stephenson    Ms. Sharlene W. Hawkes
    Rep. Brad King        Dr. Steven Laing
    Rep. Evan L. Olsen        Mr. William P. Moore
    Rep. Bill Wright        Ms. Pat Rusk    

Members Excused:
     Rep. Judy Ann Buffmire    
    
Staff Present:
    Mr. J. Wayne Lewis, Research Analyst
    Mr. James L. Wilson, Associate General Counsel
    Mrs. Nedra Duzett, Secretary

Note: A list of others present and copies of materials distributed in the meeting are on file in the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel.

1.    Call to Order -Sen. Steele called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m.

2.    Committee Business

a.    Approval of Minutes -

MOTION: Sen. Hull moved to approve the minutes of the October 27, 1997 meeting. The motion passed with all present voting in favor.

b.    Proposal for Completion of Task Force Work - Another task force meeting was scheduled for November 20, 1997 at 1:30 p.m.

3.    Continued Review of Charter School Elements - Sen. Steele proposed the task force continue to review the elements of charter schools which will be included in proposed legislation. The first issue for discussion focused on charter school sponsors. Sen. Steele suggested the following language for discussion: "Charter schools may be established with local boards with an appeal to the State Board of Education, and charters may be granted by the State Board of Education."


MOTION: Ms. Hawkes moved for the task force to adopt the concept that charter schools may be established through local boards with appeal to the State Board of Education, and charters may be granted by the State Board of Education.

    The task force discussed the motion and requested it be divided as follows: "Charter schools may be established through local boards with an appeal to the State Board of Education." A vote was taken and the motion passed with all present voting in favor with the exception of Reps. Wright and Olsen.

    Continuing the discussion, Ms. Hawkes proposed an amendment to the adopted motion.

AMENDED MOTION: Ms. Hawkes moved that charter schools may be established through local boards within their own boundaries with an appeal to the State Board of Education. The motion passed with all present voting in favor.

MOTION: Ms. Hawkes moved that charter schools may be sponsored by the State Board of Education.

    The task force debated the merits of requiring the State Board of Education to grant charters. Much of the discussion centered on restricting the number of charters the State Board of Education could create. Other options for designating granting agencies were discussed but the task force discussion generally leaned towards permitting local districts or the State Board of Education to be the principal chartering agency.

SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Supt. Baugh moved to permit the State Board of Education to grant charters to applying entities upon appeal or referral from local boards limiting that number to ten. The motion passed with Sen. Steele, Sen. Hull, Rep. King, Supt. Baugh, Ms. Coombs, Supt. Laing, Mr. Moore, and Ms. Rusk voting in favor. Sen. Stephenson, Rep. Allen, Rep. Olsen, Rep. Wright, Mr. Carlston, and Ms. Hawkes voted against the motion.
    
    The discussion turned to approving a reporting process that should be implemented by each charter school.

MOTION:    Supt. Laing moved that Charter Schools shall participate in the annual reporting of areas listed in Title 53A of the Utah Code and file annual financial reports similar to the S-3 report, which shall be delivered to each chartering organization. The motion passed with all present voting in favor with the exception of Rep. Olsen who voted against the motion.

    The task force then focused its discussion on charter school funding issues, and Sen. Hull made the following motion.

MOTION: Sen. Hull moved that applicants may apply for start-up costs in the form of a grant through state funding identified by the Legislature but which would not be part of current public education funding. The motion passed with Reps. Olsen and Wright voting against the motion. Mr. Carlston was absent for the vote.

    The second part of the funding issue discussion allowed charter schools to be eligible for up to $100,000 start-up money on an RFP basis. There was substantial discussion regarding the use of public education money for start-up costs. After debating the issue thoroughly, a motion was made by Sen. Hull.

MOTION: Sen. Hull moved that the State Superintendent of Public Instruction may allocate grants for start-up costs to eligible applicants based upon a legislative appropriation. Grants may vary based upon the size, scope, and special circumstances of charter school applicants. The motion passed with all present voting in favor with exception of Ms. Rusk and Supt. Baugh.

    After a lengthly discussion on certification, the following motion was proposed.

MOTION: Rep. Wright moved that Action Plan No. 4 from the Utah State Public Education Strategic Plan be adopted by the task force and include the following language: "Develop and implement a licensing/certification process for educators and administrators, based on demonstrated competency and alternative certification routes, which accommodate differentiated staffing and better meets student needs." The motion passed with all present voting in favor. Ms. Hawkes and Mr. Moore were absent for the vote.

    The next issue discussed was charter school liability.

MOTION: Sen. Hull moved that liability issues would be managed by the charter school and not the charter granting organization. However, the charter school may participate in the state's risk management insurance program. The motion passed with all present voting in favor. Ms. Hawkes and Mr. Moore were absent for the vote.

    Waivers from rules and regulations was the next item of discussion. There was concern that charter schools are accountable for educational results rather than process. After considerable discussion and debate the following language was adopted.

MOTION: Rep. King moved that applications for waivers from "rules and regulations" are to be heard by the waiver granting authority. The motion passed with those present voting in favor. Absent for the vote were Ms. Coombs, Ms. Hawkes, Mr. Moore, Sen. Stephenson, and Rep. Olsen.

4.    Establish Agreed Upon Format for Proposed Legislation - It was suggested that a format to be used for legislation be addressed in the next meeting.

5.    Adjournment - MOTION: Supt. Baugh moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:05 p.m.

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