Charter Schools

Working toward establishing comprehensive, efficient, and effective charter school petition and renewal processes

The authorization and establishment of a charter school involves a complex petition process with which F3 attorneys are uniquely qualified to assist. We provide direct, hands-on support to our clients in reviewing and drafting petitions, and we evaluate the strength of petitions using tools and metrices that quickly spot anything amiss in the content of the petition and the petition review process itself. From both the perspective of a charter authorizer and a charter operator, a petition has to anticipate everything that can happen in operating a public school. Thus, our detailed toolkits holistically evaluate the proposed charter program from top to bottom. And, when a charter comes up for renewal, we provide support and advice to help that process run smoothly as well.

Providing training on charter school compliance and oversight, legislative changes impacting charter school, and a myriad of other current and emerging topics

Our attorneys regularly offer professional development workshops and in-service training for school administrators, boards of directors, and others on existing laws affecting charter school governance, operations, facilities, oversight, and what may be on the legislative horizon as well.

Helping to ensure charter school adherence to public integrity and transparency laws

California charter schools are held to several of the same legal standards as public school districts and county offices of education, and they must comply with key public integrity and transparency laws, including the Ralph M. Brown Act, California Public Records Act, and laws prohibiting financial and other conflicts of interest under Government Code sections 1090 et seq. and the Political Reform Act of 1974. Charter school governing bodies and officials are considered officers of public schools and, as such, are subject to these laws. We help both charter authorizers and operators to develop and review policies and procedures, coordinate sound and effective practices aligned with these laws, suggest corrective actions when needed, and provide guidance and advise in a variety of other charter matters. We also keep charter authorizers and schools advised on new legislation or changes to existing laws that may affect their operations, practices, roles, and responsibilities.

Advising on the oversight process

We advise charter authorizers on all components of the charter oversight process. Charter oversight can range significantly from authorizer to authorizer. As a result, we have developed checklists and a comprehensive, “soup to nuts” charter oversight toolkit that is customizable depending on the authorizer’s capacity, staffing, resources, and the number of charter schools it oversees. Our toolkit and checklists are updated annually to capture all legal changes impacting charter authorizers and operators. Utilizing these materials, our attorneys guide charter authorizers through the annual oversight review process from start to finish. In addition to providing guidance and advice in this context, we are also available and ready to roll up our sleeves as a member of the oversight team in monitoring and evaluating charter schools in key compliance areas including governance, the educational program, business/fiscal practices, operations and personnel, facilities, and legal matters. We also help coordinate meetings, compile reports, and assist with the communication and/or enforcement of any necessary corrective actions.