Charter School Business Tips

Today's Charter School Business Manager's Networking meeting yielded numerous tips and ideas for the state's charter schools. Here are a few:

1. Most of the charter school employee's file is not subject to Open Records laws, but the contract and salary are. Evaluations are not. Teacher emails are subject to Open Records laws.
2. The League of Charter Schools, the Charter School Institute and CDE are collaborating on several projects including a common application and review rubric that will allow applicants and authorizers to see what is expected in each component of the application and it will also define a standard for good applications.
3. The Charter School Support Initiative process will soon include an eleventh standard, which will define indicators of financial health.
4. Several business managers are beginning their budgeting process for next year and are factoring a zero percent increase in revenue (PPR).
5. Regarding charter school capital construction dollars: the $5 million on top of the base isn't expected to survive budget cuts; the $5 million base (originated with Amendment 23 funds) is up for a potential cut. This refers to the current year's capital construction.
6. The League has established a health insurance pool. Presently five charter schools are participating.

There were about 40 people at today's Network meeting. This group meets every other month to discuss issues pertinent to their jobs.