School Board Policy

Alternative educational programs are those voluntary programs which differ significantly from the District's standard elementary, middle level, or secondary program in five or more of the following ways:

1. Organization
2. Student assessment
3. Curriculum
4. Instructional methods
5. Student involvement
6. Parent involvement
7. Learning location
8. Resource provision
9. Activities
10. Educational philosophy

A request for concept approval for alternative programs shall be submitted to the Superintendent or his/her designee in proposal form. The preliminary program proposal shall include the following:

1. A description of the proposed program and program organization: school-within-a-school or entire school alternative.
2. How the proposed program differs significantly from existing programs.
3. A statement of the proposed program's philosophy.
4. A description of the student population and the number of students to be served by the program.
5. Proposed site of the program.
6. Signatures of individuals proposing program.
7. Current school assignment and number of students represented by individuals proposing program.
8. Timeline for all major events to accomplish the proposal.

The Superintendent or his/her designee will review the request for concept approval and recommend approval or disapproval of the program to the School Board as soon as possible.

a. Purpose

b. Responsibilities

c. How to Apply

d. Time Period for Lotteries

e. Priorities – The following priorities apply only to the drawing process for placement on a wait list.  The priorities do not guarantee placement in the desired school or program. 

f. Drawing Process

g. Continued Participation

h. The Lottery Process

i. Waiting List

j. Criteria

k. Preemption Policy

(Section 332.3 - Approved April 9, 1984; Revised October 11, 1993; Revised February 28, 1994; Revised October 30, 1995; Revised March 3, 2003; Revised January 9, 2006; Revised October 8, 2007; Revised November 12, 2007)

A charter school operates as a school in the District except that a charter school:

1. is exempt from the District’s textbook, program, curriculum, and scheduling requirements; all other rules, regulations, and policies, unless specifically waived, will be followed by students, staff, and parents;

2. the principal of the charter school shall be selected by the Academic Policy Committee and shall select, appoint, or otherwise supervise employees of the charter school;

Note: AS 14.03.255(a) exempts charter schools from the legal requirements of AS 14.14.130(c) – a statute providing that the superintendent selects and controls all school district employees.




3. operates under the charter school’s annual program budget as set out in the contract between the School Board and the charter school Academic Policy Committee;

4. shall designate a contact person for all communications between the charter school and the Superintendent or designee;

5. may organize as a nonprofit corporation pursuant to the Alaska Non-profit Corporations Act, AS 10.20.005 et.seq. Organization as a nonprofit corporation shall not affect the charter school’s status as a public school in the District. A charter school organized as a nonprofit corporation, but not a distinct non-profit corporation organized to support the school, must include in its articles of incorporation a provision specifying that upon dissolution, voluntary or otherwise, assets of the corporation not required for discharge of existing liabilities and obligations of the charter school, shall be returned/transferred to the District.

The School Board shall accept applications for charter schools in accordance with the application procedure set forth in this policy.

1. Notice of Intent

   Any person(s) wishing to establish a charter school shall notify the Superintendent of their intention at their earliest convenience but no later than July 15 of the year the application will be submitted.

2. Application Submission

   Applications for charter schools shall be submitted to the District no later than September 1 of the school year prior to the school year the charter school is proposed to begin operation. Applications received after the September 1 deadline shall not be considered until the next school year. All charter schools shall begin operations as specified in the charter school application.

An individual, group or organization shall follow the steps delineated in 333.5 through 333.6 in applying to establish a charter school in the Anchorage School District.

A charter school application must include the following information in writing:

1. Name of the proposed charter school

2. Name, address, and telephone number of a designated contact person authorized to act for the charter school applicants.

3. Provisions for an Academic Policy Committee

4. Description of Organizational Structure

The application must include:

(1) the proposed organizational type and structure of the charter school;

(2) copies of proposed organizational documents, if any, including articles, bylaws, or similar organizational documents;

(3) a statement of proposed principles and guidelines to create a cooperative working relationship between the District and the charter school; these principles and guidelines must accommodate both the supervisory authority and responsibility of the School Board under state law and policy as well as an appropriate level of autonomy and self-determination for the charter school.

5. Description of the Educational Program

The application must include:

(1) a statement of the program mission and philosophy: explain the purpose of the program, for whom it is established, and what the intended areas in which student performance will be measured and performance targets will be for students enrolled in this charter school;

(2) an estimate of the demand for this charter school and the basis for the estimate;

(3) a statement of the goals for this charter school and a description of the process used to identify the goals;

(4) the curriculum in each subject matter area of the charter school (including educational/academic goals, State and District Content and Performance Standards, program of study, scope and sequence, instructional methods and materials, and evaluation procedures to be used);

(5) identification of any vocational courses to be offered in the charter school (if grades 9 through 12 are included);

(6) scheduling requirements (length of the school day with start and end times and a calendar for the school year);

(7)a description of the delivery model for specialized services, including, but not limited to, special education and required related services, gifted education, and English as a second language.

Note: The school calendar needs to be approved by the School Board and the Department of Education and Early Development.



6. Admission Policies and Procedures

The application must include:

(1) the annual calendar of registration and admission dates;

(2) the proposed program for application and admission, including the school’s plan for academically low-achieving students, diverse student populations, “at risk” students (those students who because of physical, emotional, socioeconomic or cultural factors are less likely to succeed in school), and students who need specialized services;

(3) a statement affirming that any eligible student who applies in a timely manner will be admitted, subject to the maximum number of students identified in the proposal

a) During the first year of operation, a preference for enrollment may be given to the children of the originators of the charter school (parents and staff) if there are more applicants than the approved number of students.

b) As specified in law, in the event of an excess number of student applicants, the charter school and the School Board shall attempt to accommodate the students by considering additional classroom space and/or additional teachers.  If it is not feasible to accommodate all eligible students, students shall be selected through the Anchorage School District’s Lottery Procedures.

c) The District may not require a student to enroll in a charter school.

Note: The District’s lottery procedures are found at School Board Policy 332.3.  Applicable charter school law regarding enrollment is found at AS 14.03.265.

(4) a statement of non-discrimination in the school’s admissions policies, procedures, and educational program consistent with District, state and federal requirements;

(5) the application procedure for students, including a copy of the student application form, and the timelines for application, approvals, and notification;

(6) in the case of a multi-year charter school, provisions for handling the admissions procedures for continuing students from one school year to the next.

7. Administrative Policies

The application must include:

(1) administrative policies to be followed by the charter school;

(2) requested exemptions from specified School Board policies and/or administrative regulations;

Note: Requested waivers will be discussed during the Administrative Review and at the School Board Work Session.  Any Board approved exemptions must be specified in the contract.  The most current copies of School Board Policies and Administrative Procedures Manuals will be provided to each charter school during the initial administrative meeting and after any subsequent changes.  If desired before then, a complete listing of School Board policies and administrative procedures is available at the District administration offices (Public Affairs and the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction), at each school library in the District, and on the District Web Site (policies only).

(3) requests for waivers from state regulations except that a charter school must comply with all local, state and federal requirements for receipt and use of public money;

Note: Approval for waivers from state regulations will occur at the time the State Board of Education and Early Development acts on the locally approved application and must be requested by both the charter applicants and the School Board.  By law, waivers of state statutes are not permitted.  Copies of the state statutes and regulations are available for review on the Internet (http://www.legis.state.ak.us), at all schools, at the District administration offices, and the Loussac Library.

(4) requests for waivers from sections of applicable collective bargaining agreements

a) All provisions of the existing negotiated agreements apply to employees in the charter school unless the District and the bargaining unit agree to a waiver.

b) Requests for waivers must be initiated by the charter school applicants, which may include informal discussions with the unions.  The formal waiver request should be submitted in writing with the application to the Superintendent and the appropriate union; these will be reviewed administratively as well as by the specific bargaining unit affected by the charter school proposal.

c) Waiver requests and written responses from the appropriate bargaining units and the Superintendent must be submitted to the School Board prior to approval of the contract. 

d) No waiver will set a binding precedent for any other school staff.

8. Funding Allocation and Annual Program Budget

(1) During the administrative meeting held in accordance with Policy 333.61 the administrative committee shall provide to the charter school applicants an estimated per pupil allocation available from the District for the first year of operation of the charter school.

(2) The estimated per pupil allocation shall be computed in a manner consistent with the method by which the District receives revenues from the State less administrative costs retained by the District determined by applying the indirect cost rate approved by the Department of Education and Early Development.

(3) The District may allocate additional revenue beyond the per pupil allocation based on the approved program for the charter school; this increase must be approved by the School Board annually.  The School Board shall provide an approved charter school with an annual program budget that is not less than the amount determined in accordance with AS 14.03.260.

Note: Note:  AS 14.03.260 provides that the charter school budget “shall be not less than the amount generated by the students enrolled in the charter school less administrative costs retained by the local school district, determined by applying the indirect cost rate approved by the Department of Education and Early Development.  The ‘amount generated by students enrolled in the charter school’ is to be determined in the same manner as it would be for a student enrolled in another public school in that school district.”

(4) The application subsequently submitted by the charter school shall include an annual program budget proposed by the charter school.

(5) Actual revenues received by the charter school shall be derived from actual student enrollments in the charter school during the year in which the charter school is operating and by state funding for that year. 

(6) Actual student enrollments in the charter school (and revenues generated from those enrollments) shall be ascertained in the same manner that the state of Alaska uses to determine student enrollments and state revenues generated in the District.

(7) Foundation revenues generated for special populations of students, grants and special revenue funds will be available to the charter school as determined by the contract between the School Board and the Academic Policy Committee. 

(8) Operating revenues will be provided to the charter school as specified in the contract.

9. Method by Which the Charter School Shall Account for Receipts and Expenditures

The application must include:

(1) a description of how the charter school will be in compliance with AS 14.17.910 Restrictions Governing Receipt and Expenditure of Money from Public School Foundation Account;

(2) a description of how the charter school will account for receipts and expenditures by using and complying with District accounting, audit, and fiscal procedures;

(3) a request for waivers to be considered;

(4) an assurance that all leases, debts, and other financial obligations of the charter school shall not constitute a debt, liability, or financial obligation of the School Board or the District.

10. Location and Description of the Facility

The application must include:

(1) the mailing and physical address and a description of the location and facility used to house the charter school, if known;

(2) a description of how the facility will be obtained and maintained, any contracted services, and the identity of the proposed contractor;

(3) notice of whether or not District space is requested; and, if so:

a) specific parameters such as whether space is preferred at an elementary, middle, or high school, relocatables, geographic limitations, joint use of specific facilities and/or programs;

b) acknowledgement that the District will make available district space that is suitable for charter school use only if doing so does not cause undue interference with an existing District program; charter schools proposing to use District facilities which are already in use as public schools may do so only with the approval of the Superintendent; 

c) acknowledgement that a charter school operating in District facilities will pay not more than the fair market rental value of the space used and not less than the full operation and maintenance cost to the District including custodial/utility/ maintenance costs directly related to the charter school program, and depreciation;

Note: A housing/space analysis may be conducted by the District in conjunction with the development of the Six-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).  Upon request, the District will make available a list from the CIP showing programmatic utilization and capacity of all District sites.

(4) a statement that the charter school will meet and maintain the federal, state and local building, fire, health, and safety requirements of applicable law.

a) The Superintendent or designee shall make the determination of code compliance based on the Municipality of Anchorage code enforcement inspections paid for by the charter school applicants.

b) A certificate of occupancy must be issued by the Municipality of Anchorage prior to a charter school opening its doors for students.

c) A charter school using a private home or homes is subject to the applicable federal, state, and local building, fire, health, and safety requirements.  The Superintendent or designee will make this determination after consultation with appropriate Municipality of Anchorage officials.

d) The charter school shall be responsible for obtaining these inspections and for correcting any deficiencies in non-District facilities.

e) The charter school shall maintain code compliance in District and non-District facilities during the duration of the contract.

(5) for a charter school using non-District facilities,

a) The charter school may enter into a lease agreement with a property owner only after review and approval of the proposed lease agreement by the District Purchasing Department.  Review will occur within 20 school/working days after submission of the proposed agreement to the Purchasing Department.  Any renewals, extensions or amendments to a lease agreement shall also be subject to prior approval by the Purchasing Department.

b) No lease agreement may be entered into without the approval of the charter school’s Academic Policy Committee.

c) Unless the District expressly agrees otherwise in writing, a proposed lease agreement will be not be approved unless the agreement includes: a provision for termination of the lease agreement, without further obligation of the charter school, in the event of a lack of appropriation/funding for the charter school or in the event of termination of the charter school’s authorization to operate as a charter school; and, a provision stating the lessor’s agreement that the District is not a party to the lease agreement and is not subject to any obligation or liability under the lease agreement.

d) Rented/leased space must be cleaned by District custodians unless a waiver is secured from the appropriate bargaining unit or the lease itself includes custodial service. 

A location for the charter school must be identified by the charter school and approved by the District no later than May 1 of the year the charter school is scheduled to open.

Note: The State Department of Education and Early Development may require that the charter school have an established location prior to State approval of the charter school.



11. Teachers/Administrators in the Charter School

A teacher or principal may not be assigned to a charter school unless the teacher or principal consents to the assignment.

The application shall identify:

(1) the names of teachers who are interested in teaching in the charter school, if known;

a) It is understood that this shall not be a firm commitment, but an indication of interested and qualified teachers. 

b) Current District teachers who are listed on the application maintain their current placement with the District until such time that they request and are granted a transfer.  All teachers must meet District eligibility requirements prior to being hired to teach at the charter school, but need not satisfy all requirements at the time of application.

(2) whether a principal will be employed and may include the name of the principal, if known; 

a) The principal must possess a current Alaska Type B Administrative Certificate and be either an existing principal in the District or be on the District’s Eligible for Hire list for administrators.  A retired District administrator may serve as a charter school principal if the administrator left the District in good standing, had satisfactory performance evaluations, and has a current Type B certificate.

b) If the charter school Academic Policy Committee desires to contract by addendum with a principal who is currently employed as a District principal, the Superintendent’s approval is required prior to entering into the contract.

(3) if the employment of a principal is not anticipated, the charter school Academic Policy Committee shall identify who, by title(s) and name(s) if known, will perform each of the administrative functions of the charter school including:

a) the keeping of financial records;

b) the evaluation of staff;

c) the submission of appropriate information as required by the District;

d) the oversight of the charter school to ensure that the terms of the contract are being met;

e) meeting regularly with parents, teachers/staff, and students to review, evaluate, and improve operations of the charter school; and

f) meeting with the Academic Policy Committee at least quarterly to monitor progress in achieving the Committee’s policies and goals;

(4) description of evaluation procedures

a) Charter school certificated staff shall be evaluated in an equivalent manner as other teachers and administrators in equivalent positions in the District.

b) If the proposed evaluation procedures for certificated staff are not identical to the District’s procedures, then the charter school applicants shall include a detailed description of the evaluation procedures to be used in the charter school.  The Performance Standards adopted by the State Board of Education and Early Development and the Anchorage School District for teachers and administrators must be included in any alternative evaluation procedures that are proposed for certificated staff.  However, to clarify expectations, a charter school Academic Policy Committee may develop additional performance indicators that are relevant to the educational program of the charter school.  To the extent required by contract, any changes to the evaluation procedures for teachers must be developed in consultation with the teacher’s union, giving the union full opportunity to review and collaborate on those changes.

c) A charter school that hires an administrator who is not certificated may develop its own evaluation procedures for that administrator.

(333.5 (k)(4)(b) – Revised August 27, 2007)

Other Staff in a Charter School

The application form shall also describe the positions of any other employees in the charter school.

Note: All bargaining agreements (TOTEM, Local 71, ACE, Teamsters, etc.) must be honored for any employees employed at a charter school unless specific waivers requested by the charter school’s Academic Policy Committee have been granted by the District, the bargaining unit, and the School Board.  See Policy 333.5(g)(4).




Pupil-Teacher Ratio

The application shall specify the projected number of students and pupil-teacher ratio.  This shall be determined by dividing the number of full-time equivalent students in the charter school by the number of full-time equivalent teachers in the charter school.  For the purposes of the application, the pupil-teacher ratio shall use the estimated number of full-time equivalent students in the numerator of this equation.

Number of Students Served

The application will include an estimate of the number of students to be served (specify both the full-time equivalent number of students and the headcount number of students) by the charter school for the next school year, how the estimate was determined, and the basis for confidence in the estimate.  Special education should be listed by level of service as is the current practice for all schools.  The anticipated number of bilingual students shall also be identified.

Transportation

The application will include a description of how the charter school will accommodate student transportation.  If there is a proposed contract and/or contractor for transportation services, this information and a budget must be attached to the application.

Food Service

The application will include a description of whether the charter school will provide student nutrition services.  If meals are to be provided by the charter school, a description and a budget must be provided with the application.  If meals are not to be provided by the charter school, the application must describe how student nutritional needs will be met.  The charter school contract will specify whether student nutrition services must, may, or may not be provided during the term of the contract.

The Term of the Contract

The application will specify the requested term of the contract.  No charter school may exceed a ten (10) year contract.  A charter school may apply for a contract extension or reapply for a new contract during the last year of the existing contract period, or for good cause at any other time.  During the initial contract, the term will generally not exceed five years.

A Termination Clause

The draft contract submitted with the application will include a termination clause providing that the contract may be terminated by the School Board for the failure of the charter school to meet educational achievement goals or fiscal management standards, or for other good cause.

Certification of Compliance for Receipt and Use of Public Money

The application will include a certification that the charter school will comply with all local, state and federal requirements for the receipt and use of public money.

State Requirements

The Charter School must include in its application any information requested by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development for review of a charter school application.

The application will include any additional submission that may be requested by the Department.

Note: The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development uses a “Charter Schools Application & Rating Template” as part of the state approval process.  This should be included in the charter school’s application to the School Board.  In using this template, charter school applicants may cross-reference to the District application the information sought in the template.




Other Requirements or Exemptions

The application should include any additional provisions that the charter school applicant wishes to include in the contract.  Additional provisions may include other requirements imposed by either the charter school or the School Board, or may include other waivers to exempt the charter school from School Board policies and regulations.  These additional provisions of the contract must also be agreed upon by both the charter school Academic Policy Committee and the School Board.  State regulations may only be waived by action of the State Board of Education and Early Development at the request of the School Board; state statutes may only be changed by action of the State Legislature.

333.61 Administrative Meeting

333.62 Administrative Review

333.63 School Board Work Session

1. The Superintendent shall notify the School Board of all applications to establish a charter school.

2. Following the timely receipt of the complete application form and the proposed written contract, and after the administrative review, the Board shall hold a public work session with the charter school applicants and other interested persons.

3. Prior to the School Board work session, the applicants may submit a revised application clearly showing revisions to the original application and contract that were discussed with the charter school applicants at the administrative review meeting.

4. During this work session, the charter school applicants shall present their proposal for a charter school and the contract to the School Board for discussion/clarification.

5. The School Board may seek additional information from the administration or the charter school applicants prior to scheduling formal School Board action. This will allow the charter school applicants to make adjustments, if necessary, before final Board action.

333.64 School Board Action and Public Hearing

1. Following the work session, the School Board shall place the charter school proposal on the agenda for action no later than the first regularly scheduled School Board meeting in December.

2. The School Board will take action to approve or deny the request to establish the charter school at this meeting, unless the Board determines that further information is needed.

3. The approval may set forth conditions which must be met by the charter school prior to finalization of the contract.

4. A separate opportunity for public testimony may be scheduled pertaining to the charter school application, or the opportunity for public testimony will be given at the meeting where the charter school application is scheduled for action.

5. The applicants may modify their proposal based on Board or District comments and concerns and submit it in advance of School Board action.

6. If an application for a charter school is denied by the School Board, the same person, group of people or organization may submit a new application in compliance with the timelines of these policies.

333.65 State Notification of a Charter School Application

The charter school shall operate under the provisions of a contract as mutually agreed upon by the School Board and the charter school Academic Policy Committee.

1. The contract must include all the provisions listed in the application form and described in policy 333.5.

2. The contract will reference the final form of the application including revisions approved by the School Board.

3. Except for School Board policies that have been expressly waived by the Board, the contract will not supersede any Board policy but will be interpreted consistent with such policy.

4. The contract shall establish the relationship between the School Board and the charter school and shall reflect all agreements regarding the operation of the charter school.

5. Any revisions to the terms of the contract may be made only with the approval of the School Board and the charter school Academic Policy Committee.

Upon approval of the charter school by the School Board and the State Board of Education and Early Development, the contract will be signed by the president of the School Board and the legally designated representative of the charter school. If the legal representative(s) of the charter school changes, the Superintendent or designee must be notified in writing within 10 working/school days.

333.71 Breach of Contract

1. Failure to comply with the provisions of the contract between the charter school Academic Policy Committee and the School Board is considered a breach of contract and may result in the termination of the contract.

2. During the charter school’s annual review with the School Board, each party’s compliance with the provisions of the contract will be reviewed.

3. If any allegations of noncompliance with the charter school contract (either by the charter school or by the District) are presented either during the annual review or at any other time, then the School Board, through the Superintendent or designee, shall investigate these allegations. Any legal costs incurred as a result of an investigation will be borne by the charter school, if non-compliance by the charter school is verified.

4. Prior to terminating the charter school contract, the School Board and the charter school Academic Policy Committee shall attempt to remedy any violations of the contract.

333.72 Termination of Contract

The approved charter school contract may be modified at the request of either party by School Board action. Requests for waivers from any provisions of School Board Policy or administrative procedures must be submitted in writing to the Superintendent or designee by the charter school. Requests for waivers may be submitted at any time. The District will review the request within 30 days and issue a timely written recommendation to the School Board. The District will provide notice to the Academic Policy Committee of its recommendation.

Requests for waivers from any provisions of union contract(s) must be submitted in writing by the charter school to both the Superintendent or designee and the appropriate union.

333.91 Management

1. The Academic Policy Committee

   (1) The Academic Policy Committee shall consist of parents of students attending the charter school, teachers at the charter school, and employees of the charter school. It may also include other adult community members and students enrolled in the school in grades 9 through 12. A list of the members of the Academic Policy Committee shall be submitted during each annual review as described in section 333.10, below. The Superintendent or designee must be notified in writing within 10 working/school days of changes in the committee membership.

   (2) The Academic Policy Committee of the charter school shall supervise the operation of the charter school and ensure the fulfillment of its mission.

   (3) The Academic Policy Committee shall be responsible for ensuring that the charter school preserves the confidentiality of records relating to charter school students and personnel. Student records are confidential and may not be disclosed absent parental consent under federal and state law and the Anchorage School District’s student records policies (School Board Policy 343.3 - 343.38). Personnel records are confidential under state law and applicable provisions of the negotiated agreements governing charter school employees.

   (4) The Academic Policy Committee shall select and supervise the principal/administrator of the charter school. The principal/administrator shall select, appoint, and otherwise supervise employees of the charter school. The principal/administrator may hold another position in the school concurrently, such as a teacher, or may be a contract employee.

   (5) Personnel issues must be coordinated with the Human Resources office to insure compliance with administrative and statutory requirements with respect to the selection, hiring, termination, or non-retention of either a tenured or non-tenured charter school teacher or administrator.

   (6) The Academic Policy Committee shall select a District principal – which may be the Charter School principal, a retired District principal, or a person on the District’s eligible for hire list for administrators – with a current Alaska Type B certificate, to evaluate certificated staff. The evaluator must be available to do on-site observations of the staff in order to monitor compliance with required Performance Standards. If a contract evaluator is currently employed as a principal within the District, the Superintendent’s approval is required prior to entering into the contract.

Note: See 333.96(a) - Evaluation of Charter School Personnel



2. The Charter School Principal/Administrator

   (1) The Charter School Principal/Administrator shall keep financial records of the charter school and submit appropriate information as required by the District and/or the charter school Academic Policy Committee.

   (2) The Charter School Principal/Administrator shall oversee the operation of the charter school to ensure that the terms of the contract are being met.

   (3) The Charter School Principal/Administrator shall meet regularly with charter school parents and with teachers/staff and students, where appropriate, to review, evaluate, and improve operations of the charter school.

   (4) The Charter School Principal/Administrator shall provide to the District the names of the students who have pre-registered for the charter school prior to the starting date of the charter school each year, and shall provide waiting list information to the District on request. Membership information will be monitored on a monthly basis and reported on the District’s monthly membership report.

   (5) The Charter School Principal/Administrator shall meet with the Academic Policy Committee at least quarterly each year to monitor progress in achieving the Committee’s policies and goals.

   (6) The Charter School Principal/Administrator shall evaluate staff according to District approved practices and applicable bargaining agreements; certificated staff may be evaluated only by an administrator with a Type B certificate and according to District approved practices and in conformance with AS 14.20.149 and the State Board of Education and Early Development and Anchorage School District Performance Standards.

   (7) The Charter School Principal/Administrator shall select, appoint, or otherwise supervise employees of the charter school.

   (8) The Charter School Principal/Administrator shall perform other duties as assigned by the Academic Policy Committee.

3. The Charter School Lead Teacher/ Headmaster

   (1) The Academic Policy Committee may designate specific activities which will be the purview of a lead teacher/headmaster of the charter school.

   (2) Under no circumstances will the charter school lead teacher/headmaster evaluate certificated staff unless a waiver has been approved by the School Board consistent with applicable terms of any agreement with the Anchorage Education Association.

4. Charter School Teachers

   All teachers in the charter school shall be selected from current teachers employed in the District, from the District’s eligible to hire list of approved teacher candidates, or from retired District teachers who left the District in good standing, had satisfactory performance evaluations, and maintained a current Type A certificate.

333.92 Specific Levels of Achievement for the Educational Program

333.93 Charter School Location in District Facilities

333.94 Finances

333.95 Legal Status

1. Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the School Board, a charter school shall be a separate entity solely responsible for its own operation and the performance of all its obligations under the contract between the School Board and the charter school Academic Policy Committee.

2. A charter school shall not enter into any agreement or contract that gives rise to a multiple-fiscal year obligation on the part of the charter school without the prior express written consent of the District. No contract shall extend beyond the termination date of the charter without approval by the School Board and the charter school Academic Policy Committee.

3. Except to the extent expressly assumed by the School Board (by a written contract with the charter school distinct from the contract described in school board policy 333.7), direct leases and financial obligations of a charter school shall not constitute a debt, liability or financial obligation of the District.

333.96 Evaluation of Charter School Personnel

333.97 Complaint Resolution

1. Written Procedure

   The Academic Policy Committee shall adopt a written procedure for informal and formal complaint resolution. These procedures will not apply to matters of discipline of specific students, personnel matters relating to specific employees, other than the principal/administrator of the charter school, or the matters listed in “i,” below.

   (1) The Charter School’s written complaint resolution procedure must contain a provision for review and decision by the school’s Academic Policy Committee. The Committee’s decision shall be final and binding unless appealed to the District. The complaint resolution procedure may contain steps prior to the Academic Policy Committee review.

   (2) The procedure shall be subject to review and approval by the Superintendent to ensure that the procedure complies with applicable law, including confidentiality requirements, and with respect to employees represented by a bargaining unit, complies with the collective bargaining agreement in effect at that time.

   (3) Copies of this procedure shall be made available in the school’s office, during orientation meetings, and at other appropriate times. A copy of this procedure will also be made available in the Superintendent’s office and at other locations at the discretion of the Superintendent.

2. Informal Complaints

   The existence of a formal complaint procedure is not intended to discourage parents, students, and other concerned citizens from discussing their concerns informally with Charter School administrators or staff.

3. Municipal Ombudsman

   The Municipal Ombudsman has jurisdiction to investigate complaints concerning the Anchorage School District, including Charter Schools. The existence of a formal complaint procedure is not intended to preclude or limit the powers of the Ombudsman.

4. District Appeal

   Any party directly involved in the complaint may appeal the Academic Policy Committee’s decision to the Anchorage School District. Appeals must be in writing and signed by the person bringing the appeal. In addition, all appeals will include the following information:

   (1) a clear, concise statement of the complaint or dispute;

   (2) a statement of the steps by which the Charter School’s complaint resolution process has been followed, or the reasons that process could not be followed; and

   (3) a proposed remedy or resolution.

   Ordinarily, if the complaint resolution process has not been followed or completed, the appeal will be referred back to the Charter School for completion of that process.

5. District Review

   The Superintendent or designee shall review the written appeal and may conduct such other investigation as he or she deems appropriate. At his or her discretion, a hearing may be held by the Superintendent, designee, or hearing officer. A written decision shall be issued promptly, but in any event within 30 days unless extenuating circumstances require more time.

6. School Board Review

   A party to the dispute or complaint may request that the School Board review the Superintendent’s decision. The decision will be presented as a Board Memorandum for approval, modification, or rejection, and the Board will take such action as it deems appropriate.

7. Standard of Review

   The Academic Policy Committee should remain free to make reasonable discretionary decisions concerning the operation of the Charter School without interference from the Board or District except as stated in this policy. The Academic Policy Committee’s decision will not be reversed or modified unless clearly required for health or safety reasons, or to comply with law, collective bargaining agreements, the Charter School Contract, or School Board Policies with which the Charter School is required to comply.

8. Charter School Complaints

   If a charter school believes the District’s actions or inactions are inappropriate, it should attempt to resolve that situation informally. In addition, the Academic Policy Committee may file a complaint with the District pursuant to the procedures set out in 333.97(d) – (g), above, except that d(2) is not applicable.

9. Exclusions

   Allegations of criminal activity, or of acts or conditions tending to create immediate risk of serious harm to the health or safety of others, are excluded from this Complaint Resolution Policy. A report should be immediately made to the Superintendent, or the appropriate state or municipal enforcement agency.

333.98 Risk Management

The charter school will be subject to review of its operations and finances by the School Board.  Annually, the Academic Policy Committee will submit a concise written report and make a presentation to the School Board and the public no later than September 15 of each school year.  This report will include, but is not limited to:

1. information on the attainment of student performance expectations, including copies of the Terra Nova and Benchmark reports;

2. recommendations for remediation of poor student performance;

3. school goal attainment;

4. trends in student/staff enrollment and mobility;

5. an end of year preliminary financial statement showing revenues and expenditures;

6. minutes of the meetings of the governing body of the charter school;

7. descriptions of charter school activities;

8. copies of any leases signed by the charter school;

9. current bylaws of the Academic Policy Committee;

10. notification of establishment of non-profit 501(c)(3) status;

11. list of officers in any PTA/PTO or other parent organization;

12. any changes in facility location;

13. any major changes planned for the following school year;

14. a list of the Academic Policy Committee for the past and coming school year, including officers, and staff members by position;

15. a list of employees and job titles; and

16. other information requested by the School Board.

If there is evidence of a breach of contract, then the School Board, through the Superintendent or designee, shall have a right to investigate this breach of contract and meet with the charter school to discuss possible remedies and/or possible termination of the contract.

(333.10 – Revised August 27, 2007)

“Eligible for hire list of approved teacher/administrator candidates” means the list of persons who have applied to be teachers/ administrators in the District and who have passed the personnel office’s screening, interviewing, and reference checks and are eligible to be hired by a building principal, or in the case of the principal, the Academic Policy Committee. With respect to charter schools, the eligible for hire list will be deemed to include teachers and administrators who are retired from the District if they have a current Type A and/or Type B certificate, have received satisfactory performance evaluations, and have left the District in good standing.

“Employees” of charter schools are considered employees of the Anchorage School District with all rights guaranteed by their respective collective bargaining agreements unless specifically waived by mutual agreement between the appropriate bargaining unit and the School Board.

“Administrator” means a person selected by the Academic Policy Committee to perform the administrative functions of the charter school including the keeping of financial records; the submission of appropriate information as required by the District; the oversight of the charter school to ensure that the terms of the contract are being met; meeting regularly with parents and teachers/staff and students to review, evaluate, and improve operations of the charter school; and meeting with the Academic Policy Committee at least quarterly to monitor progress in achieving the committee’s policies and goals. The administrator may be a Type B certificated principal, a head teacher, headmaster, or other title as established by the charter school Academic Policy Committee. An administrator who does not possess a current Type B administrative certificate may not conduct certificated employee evaluations. The District assumes no responsibility for employing this person after the termination of the charter school contract unless the person is also employed as a teacher.

“Principal” means a person selected by the Academic Policy Committee to select, appoint, or otherwise supervise employees of the charter school. This person is required to possess a current Alaska Type B Administrative Certificate in the Anchorage School District. The District assumes no responsibility for employing this person after the termination of the charter school contract unless the person is also employed as a teacher.

“Per-pupil allocation” means the funding generated, calculated on a per student basis, using the formula for basic need defined in AS 14.17.410.

(Section 333 - Revised January 25, 1999)
(Section 333 – Revised February 7, 2005)

The secondary courses will include language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, world languages, career technology, fine arts, physical education and health. Additional electives in the middle schools may be offered, pending approval of Middle School Executive Director. A Program of Studies book for each level will be published annually and describe the curricular offerings.

The elementary curriculum shall include language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, art, health, music, physical education and library skills.

(Section 341.1 - Revised May 18, 1998)

The District's curriculum is regularly reviewed and developed to enhance student achievement. The Superintendent, or his/her designee, shall be responsible for developing procedures for planning, implementing, and evaluating curriculum. The Board shall have opportunities to provide comments and direction on the specific curriculum under review at the beginning of the process.

(Section 341.2 - Revised May 18, 1998)

341.21 Curriculum Committees

341.22 Pilot Programs

The Committee shall be a standing committee with members appointed to staggered two year terms. The Superintendent shall appoint an administrator as a non–voting chairperson for the committee.

The Superintendent or designee shall be responsible for staff education that is consistent with the District's mission and goals. In carrying out a staff development program, priority will be given to activities that prepare staff to use effective management and instructional practices and provide instructional programs in priority areas as established by the Board. Unique building level needs may also be considered. Efforts shall be made to minimize the impact to the instructional day.

(Section 341.4 - Revised September 12, 1983)
(Section 341.4 - Revised May 18, 1998)

The school year begins on the first day of July and ends on the last day of June. (Sec. 1, Ch 98, SLA 1966)

342.2 School Calendar

342.3 The School Day

342.4 Class Schedules

342.5 Released Time for Special Instructions or Activities

342.6 Special Events and Ceremonies

342.7 Safety Drills

344.11 Statutory Provisions

344.12 District Provisions

344.13 Definition

In situations where public or private nonprofit institutions within the Municipality provide residential care for school-age children who are otherwise entitled to free public education within the Municipality, the District shall make such arrangements as are deemed appropriate by the District to provide educational programs to such children. To the extent consistent with federal and state legal requirements, arrangement in these situations may, but need not, include the assignment of certificated personnel to provide appropriate on-site instruction and/or the placement of District-owned facilities on-site to house the District's operated instructional program. Nothing in this policy is intended to require the District to provide educational programs at any location where not otherwise required or to offer programs to individuals not otherwise entitled to receive them.

(Section 344.2 - Approved December 9, 1995)

Textbooks are furnished free of cost to students. In the case of excessive damage or mistreatment, a reasonable fine, as determined by the principal, may be assessed.

The Board will provide within budgetary limitations other materials for staff use. Upon the recommendations of the unit principals and within budgetary limitations, instructional materials including library books, films, workbooks, etc., will be provided.

School library/media center materials may be loaned to students and to other private citizens living within the school’s attendance area, and/or through school/community sponsored library/media center programs.

(Section 346.3 – Approved on May 21, 2001)

346.31 Mission and Objectives

Fees may be charged only for those items that become personal property of the students. A student's grade shall not be affected as a result of inability to provide those items required by the instructor.

(Section 345.4 - Approved July 13, 1992)
(Section 345.4 - Revised October 11, 1993)

The Superintendent shall develop and implement administrative procedures to manage the disposal of textbooks, library books, and supplies. Public notice and public access to surplus school books and supplies shall be a part of the procedures.

(Section 345.5 - Approved July 13, 1992)
(Section 345.5 - Revised October 11, 1993)

The District is committed to teach students to become proficient and frequent users of the technology necessary for the acquisition of knowledge, their future world of work, and communication.

The Anchorage School Board recognizes that one way to enhance the educational mission is to allow students and staff use of the Internet or other electronic information networks in order for students and staff to participate in distance learning activities, to communicate with others, and to locate material to meet educational and developmental needs.

District administrators, classroom teachers, technology specialists, and media specialists/librarians have a professional responsibility to work together to identify information appropriate to age and developmental levels of the students they serve and to instruct students in the appropriate use of this information. In addition, they have the responsibility to teach students to develop the intellectual skills needed to discriminate among information sources, and to evaluate and use pertinent information to meet their educational and instructional goals.

Students, staff, and community users will be expected to use the Internet appropriately; this assumes compliance with applicable School Board policies, federal, state, and local statutes and regulations. Anyone abusing their access to the Internet will lose their privilege and access to the Internet through the School District as well as be subject to appropriate disciplinary and possible legal action. Disciplinary procedures and due process rights for students and staff will be governed by School Board Policy 451 and appropriate negotiated agreements.

The Superintendent shall issue administrative procedures to govern access to, and use of the electronic information networks by students, staff, and community users. At a minimum, such procedures must provide that use of the Internet or other electronic information networks will be conducted in accordance with applicable School Board Policies, federal, state, and local statutes and regulations regarding copyright and technology use, and that the use of the Internet on District premises is a privilege that carries with it many responsibilities. Parental/guardian permission will be required prior to any student use of the Internet.

(Section 345.6 - Approved June 24, 1996)

Curriculum adoptions recommended by subject area committees must have the approval of the School Board.

Elementary, middle level and secondary administrative manuals are to be developed and maintained, under the direction of the administrators in charge of Elementary, Middle Level and Secondary Education. Such manuals when approved by the Superintendent of Schools and the Board shall have the full force and effect of Board rules and regulations.

Student and faculty handbooks issued by the principal of any unit must be consistent with Board policy and administrative rules and regulations and should include the following information:

1. Expectations for student behavior including specific codes of conduct and consequences.

2. Expectations for staff performance.

Unit principals may organize school groups within the following criteria:

1. School groups may be formed for educational and school purposes within approved curricular and extracurricular school programs.

2. Membership in any school group shall be open to all students who meet membership requirements. Membership requirements shall not include discriminatory factors related to race, color, creed, national origin, ethnicity or gender.

3. Student groups must have a statement of purpose and constitution approved by the school principal. The school group will operate under the rules set forth in the constitution. The school principal or designee will be responsible for maintaining group operation according to the group constitution.

4. A school sponsor shall be designated for each group.

5. The School District does endorse and sponsor meetings and activities of school groups. School groups exist to promote and enhance school curricular and extracurricular activities.

6. School groups may raise and expend money to support the curricular and extracurricular activities designated in the group statement of purpose and constitution.

348.11 Athletic/Activity Booster Clubs and Alumni Associations

348.21 Administration of Sports and Athletic Program

1. The Superintendent or his/her designee shall be responsible to the Board for all matters pertaining to interscholastic athletics of the schools.

2. The Secondary School Principal shall be responsible to the Superintendent in matters pertaining to interscholastic athletics. He/she may delegate some of his/her powers, but such delegation shall not relieve him/her of responsibility for any infraction by his/her school or orders of the Board, the Superintendent of the rules of inter-school athletic bodies.

The Alaska Schools Activities Association (ASAA) will regulate interscholastic contests. The Superintendent or his/her designee may establish regulations above the minimal standards for ASAA.

348.31 Transportation

Field trips are authorized with the approval of the administrator in charge of Elementary, Middle Level and Secondary School Education or his/her designee.

348.41 Out-of-District Field Trips

351.1   Nutrition

351.2 Physical Activity

351.3 Monitoring