Summary of Governance and Accountability Provisions of the School Reform Act FOCUS 10/3/01
Governance
* Board of Trustees governs the school in accordance with the charter,
which is granted for 15 years, and with the School Reform Act
* Areas of "exclusive control": expenditures, administration,
personnel, instructional methods
* Other powers: adopt name and corporate seal; acquire real property;
receive and disburse funds; secure insurance and make contracts and leases;
incur debt; solicit and accept grants and gifts; responsibility for the school's
operation, including preparation of budget and personnel matters; and to sue
and be sued
* School not part of D.C. government or D.C.P.S.
* School exempt from D.C. statutes, policies, rules, and regulations
established for D.C.P.S.
Accountability
Threshold
* Must petition for and be granted a charter by authorized board
Financial
* Funded for enrolled pupils only
* Must file quarterly enrollment reports
* Must file annual audited financial statement
* Must be financially viable
* Must follow generally accepted accounting principles
* Must manage funds properly
* Must advertise contracts in excess of $24,999
* May not enter into contracts that endanger the economic viability of
the school
Academic
* Must place two parents of enrolled students on board of trustees
* Must administer "district-wide assessments"
* Must seek, obtain, and maintain accreditation
* Must have an informal dispute resolution process
* Must file annual report
Legal
* Must comply with applicable laws, including civil rights and special
education
* Must maintain health and safety
Charter Boards
* May deny charter petitions
* Receive annual report and annual audited financial statement
* Have authority to monitor operations, compliance with law and charter,
and progress in meeting student academic achievement expectations specified
in charter
* May reject contracts over $24,999 that threaten economic viability
of school
* May request books, records, and documents needed to carry out functions
* May revoke charters
* May deny charter renewal petitions