GUIDELINES for CHARTER
PETITIONERS
Start-Up Charter Schools, Conversions,
High School Cluster or Renewals
to Open 2016-2017
Clayton County Public Schools
When are petitions due to the Clayton County Public Schools
Start-Ups
April 16, 2015, 4:00 PM
Start-Up Renewals
August 11, 2015, 4:00 PM
Deliveries will be accepted between the hours 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Hand Deliver To:
Delphia Young
1058 Fifth Avenue
Jonesboro, Georgia 30236
(770) 472-8451
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CCPS Guidelines for Petitioners Proposing a Start-Up Charter School to Open 2016-2017
Page 2
Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 4
Charter Authorization Timeline .................................................................................................. 5
Applicant Information Workshops .................................................................................. 5
Letter of Intent ................................................................................................................. 5
Deadline ........................................................................................................................... 5
Charter Authorization Timeline ....................................................................................... 6
Notification of Completion of Application ...................................................................... 7
Capacity Interviews ......................................................................................................... 7
Approved Petitions Requiring Changes and Amendments .............................................. 7
Petition Format ............................................................................................................................. 9
Start-Up Petition .............................................................................................................. 9
Renewal Petition ............................................................................................................ 10
PAST PERFORMANCE ............................................................................................... 11
PROPOSED CHANGES ............................................................................................... 12
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE ...................................................................................... 12
The Petition Submission Process – Step 1 ................................................................................ 13
Prior to Petition Submission .......................................................................................... 13
Charter Information Links ............................................................................................. 13
Understanding Important Federal and State Laws ......................................................... 13
Authority of Charter School........................................................................................... 14
Eligible Schools ............................................................................................................. 14
After Petition Submission – Step 2 ............................................................................................ 14
CCPS Charter School Agreement – Step 3............................................................................... 15
Charter School Petitioner Requirement Conflict of Interest Form ....................................... 16
Start-Up Charter Application Cover Pages ............................................................................. 17
Guidelines for Narrative Section of Petition ............................................................................ 20
The Case......................................................................................................................... 20
Academic Objectives, Plans, and Waivers .................................................................... 20
Organizational Objectives, Plans, and Waivers ............................................................. 22
Governance .................................................................................................................... 22
Contracts with Educational Service Providers ............................................................... 23
Financial Objectives, Plans, and Waivers ...................................................................... 23
Student Admissions ....................................................................................................... 24
Facilities ......................................................................................................................... 24
Operations ...................................................................................................................... 25
Assurances Form and Signature Sheet ..................................................................................... 28
Exhibits ........................................................................................................................................ 30
CCPS Guidelines for Petitioners Proposing a Start-Up Charter School to Open 2016-2017
Page 3
Introduction
This document serves as a guide to assist charter petitioners and applicants in communicating a
comprehensive education program that supports the vision of Georgia’s Charter School Act and
Clayton County Public School’s mission and goals. The document seeks to spell out clear
guidelines and expectations for drafting and submitting charter proposals and applications. The
guidelines and expectations were created to accompany the Clayton County Public School’s
Charter School Checklist and the Georgia Department of Education Charter School Petition
Checklist. An approved letter of intent must precede the petition for it to be considered by
Clayton County Board of Education.
Petitioners are advised to pay careful attention and follow all instructions in the application.
When providing details, descriptions, or specific procedures and/or processes, be sure to provide
information that ensures the response is properly addressed. The applicant’s responses need to
have sufficient detail so that the reviewer can reasonably ascertain that the applicants have
an in-depth knowledge of what will actually be expected from the school should the
application be approved and a charter granted
The charter writing and review process is rigorous and should not be treated lightly. Each
application/petition is reviewed and evaluated based on several factors including program
innovation, a demonstrably effective curriculum and academic plan, solid financial planning,
depth and breadth of community support, carefully designed accountability measures, evidence
of strong academic leadership, and an effective governing board with meaningful by-laws. If a
proposed school or school location is determined not to be in the best interest of Clayton County
Public Schools, the Clayton County Board of Education has the authority to deny the petition.
Information in this document is subject to change to reflect state and
local revisions in the laws, rules, and other statutes.
CCPS Guidelines for Petitioners Proposing a Start-Up Charter School to Open 2016-2017
Page 4
Charter Authorization Timeline
Applicant Information Workshops
Clayton County Public Schools will offer one (1) informational workshop for charter applicants.
The workshop will take place at 1058 Fifth Avenue, Jonesboro, Georgia on March 6, 2015, from
11:00 AM until 12:15 PM. The workshop will cover the following topics: Academic Planning
and Goals, Finance, Facilities, Transportation, Personnel, Student Admission, Nutrition, and
Community Support. Attendance is limited to two people from each group having submitted or
intending to submit a letter of intent to CCPS for the 2016-2017 opening date. Attendees for the
session must submit a request to delphia.young@clayton.k12.ga.us for reservations with the
Charter Office by March 2, 2015. Although not required in the state law or rule, the workshop
serves as an opportunity for the petitioners to have their questions about the charter review
process answered by the Charter School Office. Attendance is not mandatory, but is
recommended.
Letter of Intent
Each start-up charter and career academies petitioners must submit a letter of intent to Clayton
County Public Schools (CCPS) by February 1 (February 2, 2015). The letter must be addressed
to CCPS Charter Office and the State Board of Education (SBOE). Furthermore, the letter must
be received by the SBOE Charter Office by February 1 (February 2, 2015).
Deadline
Complete petitions for start-up charter schools and career academies proposing to open for 20162017 must be received by the Chief Academic Office no later than 4:00 PM, April 16, 2015, in
order to meet the 60 (sixty) calendar-day review and recommendation requirement. No
exceptions will be made to this deadline. All applications must be hand-delivered and signed in
at the Chief Academic Office at 1058 Fifth Avenue, Jonesboro, Georgia 30236. Mailed petitions
will not be accepted.
Complete petitions for conversion, renewal, or high school cluster charter schools proposing to
open for 2016-2017 must be received by the Chief Academic Office no later than 4:00 PM,
August 11, 2015, in order to meet the 60 (sixty) calendar-day review and recommendation
requirement. No exceptions will be made to this deadline. All applications must be handdelivered and signed in at the Chief Academic Office at 1058 Fifth Avenue, Jonesboro, Georgia
30236. Mailed petitions will not be accepted.
All content and supporting documents that are requested by Clayton County Public Schools and
the State Board of Education must be included within the application. Please refer to O.C.G.A.
§20-2-2063 and State Board Rule 160-4-9-04 and accompanying Guidance for Charter Schools
for further information.
 Petitioners will be required to follow CCPS directions regarding corrections, revisions, amendments,
etc. Coordination of final documents and required electronic formats will be at the direction of
CCPS.
CCPS Guidelines for Petitioners Proposing a Start-Up Charter School to Open 2016-2017
Page 5
Start-up charter schools and career academies petitions will be presented to Clayton County
Board of Education for approval or denial at the July 2015 Board meeting. Approved petitions
will be forwarded to the State Board of Education (SBOE) no later than August 1. Board denials
will be communicated in writing to the SBOE within to the petitioners within 20 (twenty)
calendar days of Board action.
Conversion, renewal, or high school cluster charter petitions will be presented to Clayton County
Board of Education for approval at the October 2015 Board meeting. Approved petitions will be
forwarded to the State Board of Education (SBOE) no later than November 1. Board denials will
be communicated in writing to the SBOE within to the petitioners within 20 (twenty) calendar
days of Board action.
Charter Authorization Timeline
Most successful planning teams have worked to develop their charter proposal for many months
before submitting it for review. The process is rigorous, and requires a strong commitment to
developing a viable application. Listed below is the CCPS authorization timeline. Note that dates
listed are subject to change.
Step
Description
Date
Other Information
1
Submit or postmark
letter of intent
Information meeting
with CCPS Charter
Liaison
Submit charter petition
Start-ups: February 1, 2015
Petitions will not be
accepted before the
established due date.
Written notice of
completion and
capacity interview
requests
Renewals: August 11, 2015
Petition must submit letter of intent to
both CCPS and SBOE
Information meeting for interested
petitions to answer questions on the
district’s charter process
Charter petitions will be forwarded to the
CCPS charter review team and the Board
Attorney
2
3
4
March 6, 2015, 11:00 AM
Start-ups: April 16, 2015
Notices of Completion Sent
Start-ups: April 28, 2015
Written notification of completion and
possibly a request to schedule a capacity
interview will be sent to petitioners
Interviews, if necessary (To be
Determined) – April 21 to May 6, 2015)
Renewals: August 22, 2015
Interviews, if necessary (To be
Determined) – August 18 to August 25,
2015)
5
6
Review of the charter
petition
Clarification request, if
necessary
Start-ups: April 16 to May 5,
2015
Renewals: August 11 to August
29, 2015
Start-ups:
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Send requests for more
information May 8 to May 12,
2015
Requests for addition
information must be honored
by May 19, 2015, 2:00 PM
CCPS charter review committee and
Board Attorney review and evaluate
petitions
CCPS charter school liaison may submit a
request of additional information to
petitioners
CCPS Guidelines for Petitioners Proposing a Start-Up Charter School to Open 2016-2017
Page 6
Step
Description
Date
Other Information
Renewals:


7
Send requests for more
information September 2 to
September 8, 2015
Requests for addition
information must be honored
by September 15, 2015, 2:00
PM
Submission of
additional information
from petitioners
Start-ups: Due May 19, 2015,
2:00 PM

Renewals: Due September 15,
2015 PM

Revisions are made
in the charter petition
Summary of
revisions is provided
If CCPS charter review committee votes
to approve a petition to move forward to
the next level, any necessary changes
requested information, questions, or
concerns must be addressed. The
resubmitted petition must meet the
established deadline.
Notification of Completion of Application
Failure to submit a timely and complete petition will serve as a reason to deny a petition. The
policies and procedures written in a petition are final if a proposal is approved. Therefore, all
petitions and plans submitted should be in final form.
All requested content and supporting documentation must be included and all formatting
guidelines must be followed in order for an application to be considered complete. Incomplete
petitions will not be considered for school year 2016-2017. After an initial review by CCPS
Charter Review Committee, the CCPS charter liaison will send a written notification
documenting whether a petition is complete. Notification may be made via e-mail and/or US
postal mail. If a petition is missing substantial amounts of required information, it will be
rejected without further review.
In some cases, a petitioner may be asked to make corrections, revisions, or amendments to a
petition that the CCPS Charter Review Committee has voted to move forward for final review.
Any necessary changes requested must be submitted by the established deadline.
All petitions that the Clayton County Board of Education votes to deny may be revised and
resubmitted during the next cycle of charter petition review for the following school year.
Capacity Interviews
Petitioners may be asked to schedule a face-to-face interview with panel members comprised of
the Charter Review Committee. The purpose of the interview is to discuss questions raised by the
Charter Review Committee and to assess the petitioner’s capacity to carry out successfully the
plan presented in the application.
Approved Petitions Requiring Changes and Amendments
If the initial charter petition is approved by the Clayton County Board of Education and has been
submitted to the Georgia Board of Education for approval or has been approved by the Georgia
Board of Education, the petitioner may request changes/amendments to the initial petition. Visit
www.doek.k12.ga.us to get additional information about Charter School Amendments and
Instructions.
CCPS Guidelines for Petitioners Proposing a Start-Up Charter School to Open 2016-2017
Page 7
Changes or amendments to a revised approved petition should be submitted, electronic and
hard copies are required, to Delphia Young, Clayton County Public Schools Charter Office and
must comply with the following guidelines in order to be considered. Be sure to include each of
the following as part of the amendment application.
1. Charter Amendment Cover Pages
2. A written summary of changes
3. Text of the proposed amended charter petition, indicating all additions and deletions
made from the previously approved charter petition as follows:
a. Language to be deleted should have a double SINGLE line drawn through it.
b. Proposed new language should be in all CAPITAL LETTERS
c. Example:
Parents are not required to resubmit their A REVISED form. In that case,
the recommendation made to the Governing Board will MAY be to deny
the application. On the other hand, if parents do resubmit A REVISED
FORM, they must submit the document by the 5th day of each month.
4. A copy of the proposed amended charter on CD, in Microsoft Word
CCPS Guidelines for Petitioners Proposing a Start-Up Charter School to Open 2016-2017
Page 8
Petition Format
The petition shall be in adherence to the requirements set forth in the most current Clayton
County Public Schools Petitioner Guideline handbook and the Georgia Department of Education
Start-Up/Renewal School Petition Application. Petitioners must meet the following
requirements.
Start-Up Petition
Only applications that are complete and follow these guidelines will be considered for review.
Applications will not be returned. Faxed or e-mailed copies will not be accepted. Keep a copy
for your records. Start-up charter petitions must address each of the following requirements.
Include the DOE Start-Up Charter Petition Cover Pages
Answer every question or indicate “not applicable (N/A) with a brief explanation if specific questions are
not relevant to the proposed charter school
Be word-processed in no smaller than11-point Times New Roman or comparable font size printed on 8½”
by 11” white paper with 1” left, right, bottom, and top margins, single spaced, and ½” indented new
paragraphs
Number consecutively each page (including appendices)
Label or number all attachments
Tab and paginate all attachments/appendices
Include a table of contents with page numbers
Not exceed a maximum of 100 single-sided pages, not including attachments/appendices
Have all attachments labeled
Be submitted in three ring binders (no clips, staples, rubber bands, or folders); the original must be signed
in blue ink; stamped signatures will not be accepted
Application Package must also include 20 CDs that includes a:
o
o
o
o
o
Microsoft Word version of your Start-up Charter Application Cover Sheet
Microsoft Word version of your Start-up Charter Application
PDF Version of your signed Assurances Form
Microsoft Word (if available) or PDF version of your Exhibits
Excel version of your completed Budget Templates
Five (5) paper copies in binders of the entire petition and CDs must be hand delivered no later than 4:00
PM of the due date:
Chief Academic Office
1058 Fifth Avenue
Jonesboro, Georgia 30236
Attention: Delphia Young
All questions regarding the charter petition and review process should be directed to:
Delphia Young, Ed. D., Executive Director of Research, Evaluation, Assessment, and Accountability
Phone: (770) 473-2700
E-mail: delphia.young@clayton.k12.ga.us
CCPS Guidelines for Petitioners Proposing a Start-Up Charter School to Open 2016-2017
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Renewal Petition
All charter renewal petitions that are submitted by a charter petitioner to CCPS must meet all
charter petition requirements and must comply with current State Charter Law, Rules, and
Guidance. Recommendations for approval to the Clayton County Public Schools Board of
Education for renewal charter schools will not exceed five (5) year terms. Renewal petitions
must address each of the following requirements. Applications will not be returned. Faxed or
e-mailed copies will not be accepted. Keep a copy for your records. Only applications that are
complete and follow these guidelines will be considered for review.
Include the DOE Start-Up Charter Petition Cover Pages
Answer every question or indicate “not applicable (N/A) with a brief explanation if specific questions are
not relevant to the proposed charter school
Be word-processed in no smaller than 11-point Times New Roman or comparable font size printed on 8½”
by 11” white paper with 1” left, right, bottom, and top margins, single spaced, and ½” indented new
paragraphs
Number consecutively each page (including appendices)
Label or number all attachments
Tab and paginate all attachments/appendices
Include a table of contents with page numbers
Not exceed a maximum of 100 single-sided pages, not including attachments/appendices
Have all attachments labeled
Be submitted in three ring binders (no clips, staples, rubber bands, or folders); the original must be signed
in blue ink; stamped signatures will not be accepted
Include Excel version of your completed Accountability Spreadsheet
Application Package must also include 20 CDs that includes a:
o
o
o
o
o
Microsoft Word version of your Start-up Charter Application Cover Sheet
Microsoft Word version of your Start-up Charter Application
PDF Version of your signed Assurances Form
Microsoft Word (if available) or PDF version of your Exhibits
Excel version of your completed Budget Templates
Five (5) paper copies in binders of the entire petition and CDs must be hand delivered no later than 4:00
PM of the due date:
Chief Academic Office
1058 Fifth Avenue
Jonesboro, Georgia 30236
Attention: Delphia Young
All questions regarding the charter petition and review process should be directed to:
Delphia Young, Ed. D., Executive Director of Research, Evaluation, Assessment, and Accountability
Phone: (770) 473-2700
E-mail: delphia.young@clayton.k12.ga.us
CCPS Guidelines for Petitioners Proposing a Start-Up Charter School to Open 2016-2017
Page 10
A charter renewal petitions submitted to CCPS must meet all District and Georgia charter laws,
rules, and guidance. In addition, a charter school’s renewal petition must contain an
executive summary that provides each of the following:
PAST PERFORMANCE
1. Please provide a narrative describing how your charter school performed in meeting the
academic and performance goals set forth in their previous charter contract. Please
provide any charts, tables or graphs that provide quantitative data that can support your
narrative. Please make sure to address your school’s performance in each year of its
charter term.
a. In addition to the narrative above, please fill out the accountability spreadsheet
available at http://www.gadoe.org/External-Affairs-and-Policy/CharterSchools/Pages/default.aspx. The spreadsheet has spaces for your initial charter goals
and objectives, as well as your actual progress towards meeting those goals and
objectives in each of the first four years. Please be sure to highlight in green those
targets, which were met in a given year and use red for those that were not met -- and
a yellow highlight for those that were close or showed significant growth or progress.
This spreadsheet will be presented to the State Board of Education with your charter
petition so please ensure its accuracy.
b. If your charter school did not meet all the goals in its charter contract, please explain
any mitigating factors this can be attributed to and how the school plans to address
this issue in the upcoming renewal charter term.
2. Please describe your school’s current financial situation. Please detail any financial
successes or struggles your school experienced during the current charter term. Please
provide an explanation of how your school will address any outstanding debts or allocate
any surplus funds. If financial stability was not achieved, please explain the reasons as
such and how the school plans to address these for the upcoming renewal charter term.
3. Please provide a brief overview of your school’s current organizational structure. Please
provide a summary of any organizational or governance changes that your school made
since the beginning of your charter term. If financial stability was not achieved, please
explain the reasons as such and how the school plans to address these for the upcoming
renewal charter term.
4. Please describe, in detail, any other unforeseen difficulties faced during the charter term
and how your school dealt with such difficulties, or if they are still currently an issue for
the school. Also, please explain how you plan to avoid these difficulties for the future
charter term.
5. Please describe in detail if your school had any compliance findings/failures by the Local
District and/or State and during the past charter term. Please explain what steps were
taken to remedy these findings and what steps the school took to ensure they do not
happen again in the future.
CCPS Guidelines for Petitioners Proposing a Start-Up Charter School to Open 2016-2017
Page 11
6. Please state whether termination proceedings were initiated during the past charter term.
If so, please explain the status of those proceedings.
7. Please state whether the school’s charter was amended via a formal amendment or an
administrative clarification during the past charter term. Please explain the reasoning for
the changes to the charter contract and how they have benefited the school.
PROPOSED CHANGES
Please describe in detail any proposed changes and the reasoning for such changes from your
school’s previous charter term. Please address if there will be any changes and the related
reasoning for each of the following:
A. ACADEMIC CHANGES TO:
1. The academic program and curriculum.
2. The use of waivers/innovation. (Is your school changing from a broad flexibility waiver
to specific waivers or vise-versa? Is your school adding any new waivers or discontinuing
the use of other waivers? Please explain the basis for such decisions.)
3. School programs. This would include Students with Disabilities, Gifted and Talented,
English Language Learners, etc.
4. Any assessments being used.
5. Any administrative positions.
B. GOVERNANCE CHANGES TO:
1. The school’s governance structure.
2. The school’s governing board members.
3. The school’s relationship with an Educational Management Organization.
4. The relationship with the local district.
C. FINANCIAL CHANGES TO:
1. The school’s financial structure.
2. The school’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
3. The school’s relationship with any major creditors (i.e. landlords, investors etc.)
D. OPERATIONAL CHANGES TO:
1. The school’s facilities. (Please note this should include any proposed renovations.)
2. The length of the charter term.
3. The school’s attendance zone and any enrollment priorities being used.
4. Any services provided to students such as transportation, food service, etc.
5. The grades the charter school will serve. Please note this includes adding additional
grades or reducing current grades.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
Please describe briefly how your school has and will continue with its proposed changes to
serve the needs of its students for the upcoming charter term.
CCPS Guidelines for Petitioners Proposing a Start-Up Charter School to Open 2016-2017
Page 12
The Petition Submission Process – Step 1
Prior to Petition Submission
Follow the CCPS petitioner narrative outline, addressing each requirement as thoroughly and
clearly as possible in the sequence in which they appear. Include specific language in the petition
as required. Be sure to complete and include all required documentation.
Charter Information Links
The petitioner is responsible for addressing all requirements in the petition as described by state
and local documents. All state requirements are available from the Georgia Department of
Education website, including Charter School Law, Charter School Rule, and Guidance. Local
requirements are contained within these Guidelines. The petitioner may attend the CCPS
informational workshop offered and should call the CCPS Charter School (Special Projects)
office with any questions about the process.
Understanding Important Federal and State Laws
Applicants are encouraged to have their legal counsel read and understand the following Federal
and State laws to ensure compliance is reflected in their charter petition.
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Accountability assessment program (O.C.G.A. § 20-14-30 through §20-14-41)
Age Discrimination Act of 1967
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
Brief period of quiet reflection provision of O.C.G.A. § 20-2-1050
Charter Schools Act (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2061 through §20-2-2071);
Charter Schools Act of 1998
Equal Pay for Equal Work Act of 1963
Fair Labor Standards Act
Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Federal, state, and local statutes, rules, regulations, and court orders relating to insurance; the
protection of the physical health and safety of students, employees, and visitors; conflicting
interest transactions; and the prevention of unlawful conduct
Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA)
Laws prohibiting the charging of tuition or fees to attend a public school, except as may be
authorized by O.C.G.A. § 20-2-133
Laws relating to unlawful conduct in or near a public school
No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB)
Occupation Safety and Health Act of 1970
Open Meetings Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1 through §50-14-6) and the Open Records Act (O.C.G.A.
§ 50-18-70 through § 50-18-79)
Reporting requirements of O.C.G.A. § 20-2-320
Section 504 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Title XX: Georgia School Laws (Official Code of Georgia)
Unemployment Compensation
Workers’ Compensation, O.C.G.A. § 34-9-81.1
CCPS Guidelines for Petitioners Proposing a Start-Up Charter School to Open 2016-2017
Page 13
Authority of Charter School
A charter school is authorized to serve one or more of the grades one through twelve. It may also
establish a Kindergarten program.
Charter schools may not provide English language instruction, GED preparation courses,
technical certification courses, or other programs or services to parents or family members using
Quality Basic Education (QBE) formula funds. While these services are permitted in the school
facilities, they must be funded through other revenue sources. It is recommended that any such
programs be organized through a separate non-profit entity to ensure funds are not commingled.
Eligible Schools
A charter school petition may not be submitted by home study programs or schools, existing
private schools, sectarian or religious schools, private for-profit schools, or private educational
institutions not established, operated, or governed by the State of Georgia.
An existing private school shall not be eligible to convert to a charter school. An applicant can
demonstrate that their application does not involve the conversion of an existing private school
by answering NO to all of the following:
a) Will your proposed charter school have the same or substantially the same board of
trustees and/or officers as an existing private school?
b) Will your proposed charter school employ a substantial proportion of employees who
will be drawn from an existing private school?
c) Will your proposed charter school receive a substantial portion of the assets and
property of an existing private school?
d) Will your proposed charter school be located at the same site as an existing private
school?
e) Will the private school close within one year of establishment of your proposed
charter school?
f) Will a substantial portion of your proposed charter school’s students be drawn from
the existing private school?
After Petition Submission – Step 2
After an initial review by CCPS Charter Review Committee, the CCPS charter liaison will send a
written notification documenting whether a petition is complete. Notification may be made via email and/or US postal mail. If a petition is missing substantial amounts of required information,
it will be rejected without further review.
In some cases, a petitioner may be asked to make corrections, revisions, or amendments to a
petition that the CCPS Charter Review Committee has voted to move forward for final review.
Any necessary changes requested must be submitted by the established deadline.
CCPS Guidelines for Petitioners Proposing a Start-Up Charter School to Open 2016-2017
Page 14
CCPS Charter School Agreement – Step 3
The Superintendent will make a recommendation to the Clayton County Public Schools Board of
Education for either approval or denial of petitions. Recommendations for approval to the
Clayton County Public Schools Board of Education for charter schools will not exceed five
(5) year terms. The Charter Review Committee may recommend to the Superintendent a term
less than 5 years for renewed charter schools.
Following any Board approval, the petitioner and CCPS will complete a contract referred to as
the Clayton County Public Schools Charter School Agreement. The CCPS Charter School
Agreement will not be executed until after the locally approved petition has been submitted to
the Georgia Department of Education and is approved by the State Board of Education. It is the
District’s expectation that the petitioner upholds and abides by the terms of the petition.
 Petitioners will be required to follow CCPS directions regarding corrections, revisions, amendments,
etc. The design of the final documents and required electronic formats will be at the direction of
CCPS
CCPS Guidelines for Petitioners Proposing a Start-Up Charter School to Open 2016-2017
Page 15
Charter School Petitioner Requirement Conflict of Interest Form
Clayton County Public Schools
(This form must be included in the petition appendices and completed by each funding and/or
governing board as well as team members)
Instructions: If you answer “yes” to any of the following questions, provide an explanation on a
separate sheet of paper. Label explanations with the number of the corresponding questions.
Do or will you or your spouse, or any member of your immediate family have any
contractual agreements with the proposed charter school?
Yes
No
Do or will you, your spouse, or any member of your immediate family have any
ownership interest in any educational service provider (ESP) or any other legal entity
contracting with the proposed charter school?
Yes
No
Did or will you or your spouse, or any member of your immediate family lease or sell
property to the proposed charter school?
Yes
No
Did or will you or your spouse or any member of your immediate family sell any
supplies, materials, equipment or other personal property to the proposed charter
school?
Yes
No
Have you or your spouse, or any member of your immediate family guaranteed any
loans for the proposed charter school or loaned it any money?
Yes
No
Are or will you, your spouse, or any member of your immediate family be employed
by the proposed charter school, its ESP or other contractors?
Yes
No
Did you or your spouse, or any member of your immediate family provide any start-up
funds to the proposed charter school?
Yes
No
Did or do you or your spouse, or other member of your immediate family, have
ownership interest, directly or indirectly, in any corporation, partnership, association
or other legal entity which would answer “yes” to any of the questions 1-7?
Yes
No
Does any other board, group, or corporation believe it has a right to control or have
input on votes you will cast as a founding member or member of the Board?
Yes
No
10.
Do you currently serve as a member of the Board of any public charter school?
Yes
No
11.
Do you currently serve as a public official?
Yes
No
12.
Have you, your spouse, or any member of your immediate family applied to establish
or participated in the establishment of a charter school?
Yes
No
To the best of your knowledge, are there situations not described above that may give
the appearance of a conflict of interest between you and the proposed charter school,
or which would make it difficult for you to discharge your duties or exercise your
judgment independently on behalf of the proposed charter school?
Yes
No
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
13.
Signature
Title
Printed Name
Date Submitted
Name of Proposed Charter School
CCPS Guidelines for Petitioners Proposing a Start-Up Charter School to Open 2016-2017
Page 16
Start-Up Charter Application Cover Pages
Check One:
New Petition
Renewal Petition
(If renewal, when was the
original charter term start date?
)
Name of the Georgia nonprofit corporation that will hold the charter if granted:
Name of the Proposed Charter School:
Local school system in which charter school will be physically located:
School Address:
Contact Person:
Name
Title
Contact Address:
Telephone Number of Contact:
Fax Number of Contact:
E-mail Address of Contact:
CCPS Guidelines for Petitioners Proposing a Start-Up Charter School to Open 2016-2017
Page 17
Charter School Name:
Type:
(Locally approved Start-up, State Chartered Special School, Career Academy, Jointly
Authorized, Virtual)
Approved by the Clayton County Board of Education on
Grade Levels Served:
Ages Served:
Proposed Charter Term:
(Recommendations for approval to the Clayton County Public
Schools Board of Education for charter schools will not exceed five (5) years)
Mission Statement:
For each year of the proposed charter term, please indicate the number of pupils the
charter school plans to serve.
Grade K
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Total
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
Year 7
Year 8
Year 9
Year 10
CCPS Guidelines for Petitioners Proposing a Start-Up Charter School to Open 2016-2017
Page 18
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-36-1(e)(2), please complete the following Affidavit. A list of secure
and verifiable documents can be found on our website. This form should be completed by the
CEO or President of the Non-profit Corporation.
O.C.G.A. § 50-36-1(e)(2) Affidavit
By executing this affidavit under oath, as an applicant for a charter school contract, as referenced in O.C.G.A. § 5036-1, from the State Board of Education, the undersigned applicant verifies one of the following with respect to my
application for a public benefit:
1) _________
I am a United States citizen.
2) _________
I am a legal permanent resident of the United States.
3) _________
I am a qualified alien or non-immigrant under the Federal Immigration and Nationality Act with an
alien number issued by the Department of Homeland Security or other federal immigration agency.
My alien number issued by the Department of Homeland Security or other federal immigration agency is:
The undersigned applicant also hereby verifies that he or she is 18 years of age or older and has provided at least one
secure and verifiable document, as required by O.C.G.A. § 50-36-1(e)(1), with this affidavit.
The secure and verifiable document provided with this affidavit can best be classified as:
In making the above representation under oath, I understand that any person who knowingly and willfully makes a
false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation in an affidavit shall be guilty of a violation of O.C.G.A. §
16-10-20, and face criminal penalties as allowed by such criminal statute.
Executed in ________________________________________ (city), ___________________________ (state).
__________________________________________
Signature of Applicant
__________________________________________
Printed Name of Applicant
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN
BEFORE ME ON THIS THE
_______ DAY OF ___________, 20______
__________________________________
NOTARY PUBLIC
My Commission Expires: _______________
CCPS Guidelines for Petitioners Proposing a Start-Up Charter School to Open 2016-2017
Page 19
Guidelines for Narrative Section of Petition
If a question is not applicable, write “Not Applicable” as a response. Please note that the
italicized bullet points after each question are included to clarify the question being asked and
to provide guidance regarding what we will be looking for in your answers.
The Case
State in the petition:
(Charter School) does not discriminate in the educational and employment policies under which it
operates and will honor all appropriate laws relating to discrimination.
1. Why do you want a charter?



What is your motivation for applying to be a charter school?
What will you be able to do with a charter that you cannot do without a charter?
Describe how parents, community members, and other interested parties were involved in
developing the petition and will be involved with the school.
Academic Objectives, Plans, and Waivers
2. Complete the Academic Goals form (located on the Georgia Department of Education
Charter Office website). Important notes:
Student performance objectives should:







Indicate the expected rate of student performance growth in each year of the proposed
charter term.
Exceed the rate of growth mandated by the State.
Demonstrate compliance with Georgia’s ESEA waiver and State Performance Targets (SPTs)
and their successors.
You should include all or some of the components of the Georgia Department of Education’s
College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI).
You are urged to include cohort measures that show the progress over time of a single cohort
of students.
You are also urged to include national norm-referenced test results among your performance
measures.
Be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based (SMART).
3. How will the charter school governing board, management, instructional leadership, faculty
and staff know that students are on track to meet these academic goals?
a.
b.
c.
d.
What assessments will the school administer to obtain performance data for each student?
Describe how the school will obtain baseline achievement data.
Describe how the school will benchmark student growth.
Explain how the charter school will work with the local school system to participate in all
state-mandated assessments.
4. What specific actions will the school’s management, instructional leadership, faculty and
staff take to ensure student performance objectives are met during the proposed charter term?
a. Describe the focus of the curriculum.
State in the petition:
CCPS Guidelines for Petitioners Proposing a Start-Up Charter School to Open 2016-2017
Page 20
The charter school agrees to unannounced visits and announced instructional audits
conducted by the Clayton County School District’s Instructional Audit Team as needed and
are determined by the Charter School Office.

b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
A complete description of the curriculum is required as an Appendix item. Include a
list of materials, resources, textbooks, workbooks, and technology that will be used.
 As part of the response, provide the following as an Appendix item: a weeklong
sample lesson plan for one teacher and a yearlong scope and sequence for one
subject, for one grade.
 A complete and comprehensive curriculum that includes yearlong scopes and
sequences for each course and grade level is due 45 calendar days before the opening
of the charter school.
Describe the educational innovations that will be implemented.
Provide a clear explanation of how the innovations will increase student achievement.
Describe why the innovations are appropriate for this unique school.
Describe the anticipated teacher-to-student ratios and the rationale for maintaining these
ratios.
If this is a charter high school, describe how the charter high school will determine that a
student has satisfied the requirements for high school graduation, including the credits or
units to be earned and the completion credentials to be awarded.
Address instructional technology issues including ensuring that all students are prepared to
use technology as a tool for learning and as a critical component of today’s society.
Include an instructional technology plan or provisions for developing one that includes how
teachers, students, and administrators will meet the National Educational Technology
Standards (ISTE-NETS).
Include an outline describing the acquisition and distribution of technology needed to
support the instructional program in a 21st Century Learning environment as defined by the
state of Georgia’s Instructional Technology Guidelines (http://public.doe.k12.ga.us/it.aspx).
Identify how technology literacy for students will be addressed by grade level. Identify the
point of contact and support for the technology infrastructure.
Describe which accreditation(s), if any, your school will seek, and provide timelines. CCPS
expects charter school to be certified by the end of the second year of operation and to
maintain its certification as a pre-requisite for renewal.
5. What are the school’s plans for educating special populations?
State in your petition:
(Charter School) will indemnify CCPS in the event the District is held liable for the charter
school’s failure to provide eligible disabled students with the special education, related services,
program accommodations, and due process to which they are entitled under state and federal law.
The (Charter School) will also pay for the District’s attorney’s fees and cost associated with
defending any allegations that the charter school has failed to provide eligible disabled students
with the special educations, related services, programs accommodations and due process to which
they are entitled under state and federal law.
a. Describe how the charter school will meet the needs of students identified as gifted and
talented.
b. Describe how the charter school will provide state and federally mandated services for
students with disabilities.
c. Describe how the charter school will provide state and federally mandated services for
English Language Learners (ESOL).
CCPS Guidelines for Petitioners Proposing a Start-Up Charter School to Open 2016-2017
Page 21
d. High School Graduation Requirements
1) For charter schools containing high school grades, describe the method for determining
that a student has satisfied the requirements for graduation required by the State Board
of Education Rule 160-4-2-.47.
2) Describe all course offerings and credits/units that will satisfy high school graduation
requirements as defined by state and local policies and rules.
3) Describe how transcripts will be maintained and transcribed. The completion credentials
to be awarded must also be described.
4) If the charter school is a high school, describe how students are ranked and how the
valedictorian and salutatorian are identified.
5) If the charter school will not offer a high school diploma, describe how or where the
students will matriculate next toward graduation with a high school diploma.
6. Which of the specific actions in the academic plan require a waiver of state law, rule, or
guidelines?

Although you will be granted a broad flexibility waiver if you are granted a charter, please
provide examples of a significant component of your academic plan for which you need a
waiver – and the waivers that are required to allow the implementation of that component.
Organizational Objectives, Plans, and Waivers
7. State the school’s Organizational Goals and Measures.
a. School organizational performance objectives should reflect where the school envisions itself
organizationally at the end of the charter term.
b. Objectives should include areas such as governing board training, student and teacher
retention, and student, parent and teacher satisfaction.
8. What specific actions will the school take to achieve its organizational performance
objectives?
a. Describe the organizational innovations that will be implemented during the proposed
charter term.
b. Provide a clear explanation of how the innovations will increase organizational effectiveness.
c. Describe why the innovations are appropriate for this unique school.
9. Which of the specific actions in the organizational plan require a waiver of state law, rule, or
guidelines?

Although you will be granted a broad flexibility waiver if you are granted a charter, please
provide examples of a significant component of your organizational plan for which you need
a waiver – and the waivers that are required to allow the implementation of that component.
Governance
A key characteristic of charter schools is that an autonomous governing board makes decisions
on behalf of the school. It is imperative that all governing boards demonstrate substantial
autonomy, decision-making authority and capacity.
10. Describe how an autonomous governing board will make decisions for the school.
a. Describe the composition of the governing board. How and when will board members be
selected? What are the terms of members?
CCPS Guidelines for Petitioners Proposing a Start-Up Charter School to Open 2016-2017
Page 22
b. Describe your plan for ensuring that you maintain a diverse board with broad skillsets.
c. Describe how and why governing board members may be removed.
d. Describe the governing board’s function, duties and role in the areas of budget, resource
allocation, personnel decisions (primarily school leader selection, evaluation, and
termination), establishing and monitoring the achievement of school improvement goals,
curriculum and school operations.
a. Presenting this responsibility description in the form of a chart or a grid would be
helpful to ensure you have captured everything.
b. If an EMO, authorizer or other charter partner shares responsibilities with the
governing board, those responsibilities should be identified in the charter and in a
signed, operationalized agreement submitted as an exhibit.
e. Provide a plan and timeline for ongoing governance training to be provided in order to build
the capacity needed to make decisions in the above-mentioned areas.
f. Disclose any potential conflicts of interest and describe how the governing board will ensure
that current and future board members avoid conflicts of interest.(Each board member must
sign the conflict of interest form.)
Contracts with Educational Service Providers
11. Does the charter school intend to contract, or has the school contracted, with an education
service provider (ESP) to provide management services? If so, please complete this section.
a. Describe how the contract will be in the best educational and financial interests of the
charter school.
b. Describe other education service providers that were considered and the reasons this ESP
was selected above all others.
c. Describe the history of the ESP selected, including academic results, closures, non-renewals
and separations.
d. Describe how the management contract was negotiated.
e. Briefly describe the range of services the education service provider will provide for the
school.
f. Describe how the governing board will monitor and assess the performance of the
management organization.
Financial Objectives, Plans, and Waivers
12. State the school’s Financial Goals and Measures.
a. School financial performance objectives should reflect where the school envisions itself
financially at the end of the charter term.
b. Objectives should emphasize fiscal health and sustainability.
13. What specific actions will the school take to achieve the financial performance objectives?
a. Describe the financial innovations that will be implemented during the proposed charter
term.
b. Provide a clear explanation of how the innovations will increase financial effectiveness.
c. Describe why the innovations are appropriate for this unique school
14. Which of the specific actions in the financial plan require a waiver of state law, rule, or
guidelines?

Although you will be granted a broad flexibility waiver if you are granted a charter, please
provide examples of a significant component of your financial plan for which you need a
waiver – and the waivers that are required to allow the implementation of that component.
CCPS Guidelines for Petitioners Proposing a Start-Up Charter School to Open 2016-2017
Page 23
Student Admissions
15. How will students be admitted to the charter school?
a. What is the school’s attendance zone?
b. Please check any of the following enrollment priorities pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 20-22066(a)(1) that apply. If the school will not utilize any enrollment priorities, please leave this
section blank.
A sibling of a student enrolled in the start-up charter school
A sibling of a student enrolled in another local school designated in the charter
A student whose parent or guardian is a member of the governing board of the charter
school or is a full-time teacher, professional, or other employee at the charter school
Students matriculating from a local school designated in the charter
c. Describe the rules and procedures that will govern admission and registration. Please note
that “enrollment priorities”, “admission” and “registration” are different concepts. To
avoid confusion the Department recommends the following:
a. “enrollment priorities” describe those students granted priority pursuant to O.C.G.A.
§ 20-2-2066(a)(1);
b. "admission" describes pre-lottery processes and forms; and
c. "registration" describes post-lottery processes and forms after the student has been
offered a seat at the school through enrollment priorities or the lottery process.
d. How will the charter school reach students representative of the racial and socioeconomic
diversity in the school system?
e. How does the school plan to recruit students and maintain/increase enrollment?
Facilities
A charter school’s facility is a very important part of implementation. Without a proper facility,
the charter school will not be feasible. Best practice is that a school’s facility costs should not
exceed 15% of its total expenditures. Additionally, please be aware that all facilities must be
approved by the Department’s Facilities Services Unit (more information regarding this step can
be found on the Department’s website). For this reason, it is imperative that the charter school
not commit to a facility before it has been approved. We encourage new schools that are
planning construction or major renovations prior to the admission of students consider a planning
year to complete safely the construction process. We also strongly encourage Memorandums of
Understanding (MOU) pending approval. Also for this reason, it is encouraged that a school
have at least two facility options.
16. Describe the school facility that the charter school proposes to use.
a. What is the location of the facility?
b. Is the facility new or existing?
c. Will the facility require renovations? If so, describe the extent of the renovations and source
of funding to pay for the renovations.
17. Does the charter school have an MOU for the facility pending charter and facility approval?


Yes, we have an MOU and it is provided as Exhibit
.
No, we do not have an MOU.
The MOU should include the total proposed facility cost.
The MOU should set forth any material terms that will be reflected in a lease, such as the
lease term.
CCPS Guidelines for Petitioners Proposing a Start-Up Charter School to Open 2016-2017
Page 24
18. Does the charter school have a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) for the proposed facility?

Yes, we have a CO and it is provided as Exhibit
.
No, we do not have a CO but plan to have one by
(date).
Please note that schools must obtain a CO no later than 45 days before the start of the
charter term on July 1.
19. Does the charter school have an emergency safety plan pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 20-2-1185 for
the proposed facility?
Yes, we have an emergency safety plan and it is provided as Exhibit .
No, we do not have an emergency safety plan but plan to submit one to the Georgia
Emergency Management Agency by
(date).
 Please note that schools must submit an emergency safety plan no later than 45 days before
the start of the charter term on July 1.
Operations
20. What are the strategies the school will employ to develop a positive culture that is supportive
of students, faculty, and families?
a. Discuss procedures for establishing a student code of conduct, disciplinary actions, if
necessary, and an appeals process.
b. Summarize the school’s discipline policy or code of conduct for the general student
population and special needs students.
c. Describe how the charter school shall comply with the constitutional rights of students
including, but not limited to, due process, prohibition against unreasonable searches and
seizures, and First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and religion.
d.
Student/Parent Handbooks must be included as an Appendix item.
21. What are the charter school’s grievance and complaint policy?
a. How will grievance be received, reviewed, and resolved?
b. What is the role of governing board in resolving teacher, parent, and student grievances and
other conflicts?
22. What is the charter school’s human resource policies and plan for hiring, dismissal,
evaluation, and compensation?
a. Describe the qualifications and attributes of ideal instructional and other personnel for how
they will support the mission and effective student learning.
b. Give a summary of a day in the life of a typical teacher at the proposed school (include the
number of instructional hours, number of classes, number of planning hours, and other
responsibilities at the school).
c. Describe the targeted staff size; list anticipated types and numbers of staff positions
(professional and non-professional); provide a rationale for the planned staffing
arrangements.
d. Describe the school’s plan for staffing special education, and staffing for English Language
Learners including necessary qualifications.
e. Describe how recruits will be informed that if hired, charter school employees are not
eligible employees for any benefits provided by the Clayton County Board of Education,
excluding LEA charters.
f. Include in the appendices an attachment an organizational chart and job descriptions that
reflect all levels of staffing and management of the proposed charter school (including the
governing board).
CCPS Guidelines for Petitioners Proposing a Start-Up Charter School to Open 2016-2017
Page 25
23. What are the human resource policies governing processes for screening, hiring, dismissal,
and compensation.
a. Include in the appendices a copy of the job application that includes the following questions.
 Has the applicant ever received an unsatisfactory annual evaluation?
 Has the applicant ever failed to have a teaching contract renewed, been terminated from
employment, or been asked to resign?
 Has the applicant ever been sanctioned by the Georgia Professional Standards
Commission?
 Is the applicant currently under investigation for any unethical conduct?
b. Describe the staff’s compensation package including salary and benefits for all staff
members, including whether the charter school will utilize the state salary schedule should be
included. A salary schedule for all certified and classified employees is a required Appendix
item.
24. What is the composition and role of the school’s leadership team?
a. Describe how the leadership team has the capacity to implement initiatives and meet goals.
b. How often and what and training will be provided to the leadership team?
25. What is the staff evaluation process?
a. Describe the evaluation system for teachers and administrators.
b. Describe how the governing board will appraise the principal’s performance.
c. State any plans for students to be taught by individuals other than those certified by the
Georgia Professional Standards Commission.
26. What are the procedures to ensure that staff member are subject to fingerprinting and
background checks?
a. Who will be required to undergo background checks?
b. Describe the comprehensiveness of the background checks.
c. If business demands warrant assignment before a background check is completed, describe
safety measures that will be taken to protect staff and students.
27. What insurance coverage, including the terms, conditions, and coverage amounts that has
been obtained?
a. Does the insurance include coverage for: General Liability, Errors or Omissions,
Property/Lease Insurance, Auto Liability, Worker’s Compensation, and Theft?
b. Does the insurance include Clayton County Board of Education as an additional insured?
c. Include the coverage amounts and copy of the insurance agreement as an appendix item.
28. What are the charter school’s transportation plans?
a. Describe plans, if any, for the school to transport students to and from school. Clayton
County Public Schools is not contracting with charter schools to provide daily
transportation service for non-LEA charters except where required by law.
b. If transportation will be provided, describe how the petitions will comply with SBOE rules
160-5-3-.03, 160-5-3-.04, 160-5-3-.13, GaDOE Assessment Contractor Supplement, and
other district or state guidelines related to transportation.
c. Describe how the minimum state requirements for transportation will be provide.
d. Discuss how the petitioners will ensure the safety of students transported to and from school.
e. If transportation will not be provided, describe how this will not discourage eligible students
to attend school.
CCPS Guidelines for Petitioners Proposing a Start-Up Charter School to Open 2016-2017
Page 26
f.
For LEA charters, describe plans, if any, for arranging with CCPS Transportation
Department if the charter’s school calendar is not aligned with the district’s calendar.
29. How will the school provide food services and meet the nutritional needs of students.
a. Provide a brief description of any proposed food service program. Clayton County Public
Schools is not contracting with charter schools to provide food service to non-LEA charters.
b. Describe the proposed food service program, including the meals to be provided, whether the
food will be prepared on-site or off-site, the anticipated cost to students, whether the school
expects to participate in the federal free and reduced price lunch program, and other significant
elements of the food service program. All costs of the service must be paid by the charter school.
c. Indicate if the school plans to participate in the National School Lunch Program through the
Georgia Department of Education. If not, indicate your plans for providing for student meals.
This should include information on the facilities available to service students for meals.
CCPS Guidelines for Petitioners Proposing a Start-Up Charter School to Open 2016-2017
Page 27
Assurances Form and Signature Sheet
The law requires your school provide assurances that it will do certain things and comply with certain
laws. This Assurance Form enumerates all of these requirements and, when you submit this signed
Signature Sheet with this Assurance Form as part of your Start-up Charter School Application Package,
you are providing the legal assurance that your charter school understands and will do these things. This
form must be signed by a duly authorized representative of the school.
As the authorized representative of the applicant, I hereby certify that the information submitted in this
application for a charter for
(name of school) located in
County is true to the best of my
knowledge and belief; I also certify that if awarded a charter the school:
1. Shall be nonsectarian in its programs, admissions policies, employment practices, and all other
operations;
2. Shall be subject to the control and management of the local board of the local school system in
which the charter school is located, as provided in the charter and in a manner consistent with the
Constitution;
3. Shall not discriminate against any student or employee on the basis of race, color, ethnic
background, national origin, gender, disability or age;
4. Shall be subject to all federal, state, and local rules, regulations, court orders, and statutes relating
to civil rights; insurance; the protection of the physical health and safety of school students,
employees, and visitors; conflicting interest transactions; and the prevention of unlawful conduct;
5. Shall be subject to the provisions of O.C.G.A § 20-2-1050 requiring a brief period of quiet
reflection;
6. Shall ensure that the charter school and its governing board are subject to the provisions of
O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1 et seq. and O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.;
7. Shall ensure that the charter school’s governance board members may only receive compensation
for their reasonable and actual expenses incurred in connection with performance of their duties;
8. Shall ensure that the charter school’s governing board adopts and abides by a conflicts of interest
policy;
9. Shall ensure that all teachers will be certified or highly qualified in compliance with No Child
Left Behind;
10. Shall comply with the accountability provisions of O.C.G.A. § 20-14-30 through § 20-14-41 and
federal accountability requirements, and participate in statewide assessments;
11. Shall adhere to all provisions of federal law relating to students with disabilities, including the
IDEA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1974, and Title II of the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990, as applicable;
12. Shall provide state and federally mandated services for English Language Learners, as applicable;
13. Shall provide for supplemental educational services as required by federal law and pursuant to
SBOE Rule 160-4-5-.03, and for remediation in required cases pursuant to SBOE Rule 160-4-5.01;
14. Shall notify the state of any intent to contract with a for-profit entity for education management
services;
15. Shall be subject to the requirement that it shall not charge tuition or fees to its students except as
may be authorized by local boards by O.C.G.A. § 20-2-133;
16. Shall comply with federal due process procedures regarding student discipline and dismissal;
17. Shall be subject to all laws relating to unlawful conduct in or near a public school;
18. Shall have a written grievance procedure to resolve student, parent, and teacher complaints;
19. Shall have a written procedure for resolving conflicts between the charter school and the local
board of education;
CCPS Guidelines for Petitioners Proposing a Start-Up Charter School to Open 2016-2017
Page 28
20. Shall comply with the provisions of O.C.G.A. § 20 -2-211.1 relating to fingerprinting and
criminal background checks;
21. Shall remit payments to TRS on behalf of employees and shall employ teachers in accordance
with TRS;
22. Shall ensure that if transportation is provided for its students, the school shall comply with all
applicable state and federal laws;
23. Shall ensure that if the charter school participates in federal school meals programs, then it shall
comply with all applicable state and federal laws;
24. Shall prepare a safety plan in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 20-2-1185 and submit and obtain
approval from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency;
25. Shall comply with the state facility requirements regarding site codes, facility codes, the
submission of architectural plans for any new facility that the school may build or occupy during
the charter term and all other facility requirements as established by the Department;
26. Shall be subject to all reporting requirements of O.C.G.A. § 20-2-160, subsection (e) of
O.C.G.A. § 20-2-161, O.C.G.A. § 20-2-320, and O.C.G.A. § 20-2-740;
27. Shall be subject to an annual financial audit conducted by the state auditor or, if specified in the
charter, by an independent certified public accountant licensed in this state;
28. Shall designate a Chief Financial Officer that meets all requirements as established by the Charter
Schools Rule and Guidelines;
29. Shall secure adequate insurance coverage prior to opening and shall maintain such coverage
throughout the charter term in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia;
30. Shall acknowledge that all criteria used to calculate QBE funding may not be waived; and
31. Shall follow any and all other federal, state, and local laws and regulations that pertain to the
applicant or the operation of the charter school.
This Charter School Application, Assurance Form, and attached Exhibits were approved by the
Board of Education on the
day of
,
_____________________________________
Authorized Representative, Charter School
________________________
Date
_____________________________________
Chair, Local Board of Education
________________________
Date
If a Charter is granted, Petitioners assure that the proposed charter school’s programs, services, and
activities will operate in accordance with the terms of the Charter and all applicable federal, state, and
local laws, rules, and regulations.
_____________________________________
Authorized Representative, Charter School
________________________
Date
_____________________________________
Chair, Local Board of Education
________________________
Date
CCPS Guidelines for Petitioners Proposing a Start-Up Charter School to Open 2016-2017
Page 29
Exhibits
The following Exhibits are required to complete your Charter School Application Package.
Please tab the Exhibits to match the item numbers below. Exhibits should be as limited in size as
possible.
1. Attach an official copy of the certificate of incorporation for the required Georgia
nonprofit corporation from the Georgia Secretary of State. Note – State and local public
entities are not subject to this requirement pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2065(b)(4).
2. Attach a copy of the by-laws for the nonprofit corporation. Note – State and local public
entities are not subject to this requirement pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2065(b)(4).
3. Attach a copy of any admissions (pre-lottery) application the charter school proposes to
use.
4. Attach the charter school’s proposed annual calendar and a draft of the charter school’s
daily school schedule.
5. Attach a copy of any intended contracts for the provision of education management
services. Such contracts shall describe the specific services for which the contracting
organization is responsible. Such contracts should clearly delineate the respective roles
and responsibilities of the management organization and the governing board in the
management and operation of the charter school.
6. Attach a copy of any agreements with your local authorizer.
7. Attach a copy of any MOU for a proposed facility.
8. Complete and attach the start-up budget template located online at:
http://www.gadoe.org/External-Affairs-and-Policy/Charter-Schools/Pages/CharterPetition-Application.aspx . Please note that the budget template includes:
 A monthly cash flow projection detailing revenues and expenditures for the
charter school’s first two (2) years of operation;
 An alternative monthly cash flow projection detailing revenues and expenditures
for the first two (2) years of operation with the assumption of one-half (1/2) of the
projected student enrollment; and
 A spreadsheet projecting cash flow, revenue estimates, budgets, and expenditures
on an annual basis for the first five (5) years of the charter term.
 Note – Any sources of revenue appearing in the template that are anticipated to
come from outside of state and local funding must be supported by
documentation. Failure to provide supporting documentation will result in the
revenue source being removed from the budget.
CCPS Guidelines for Petitioners Proposing a Start-Up Charter School to Open 2016-2017
Page 30
Additional information that may support the information presented in the narrative and help to
assess better the proposed charter school should be included in the appendices. Pages in the
Appendices must be numbered, labeled, and included in the Table of Contents. Labeled tabs or
dividers must separate the Appendices. There is a 75-page limit on the following required
documents.
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Resumes of Founding Board Members
Community Meetings’ Agendas, Minutes,
Sign-In Sheets
Letters of Community Support for the
Petition
Board Conflict of Interest Forms
Research that supports the instructional model
Sample Curriculum with Alignment to
Georgia Performance Standards
Draft of the School’s Daily Schedule
Technology Plan
List of Partnerships for Extracurricular
activities
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List of Partners and Details of Partnership
Insurance/Indemnification Information/Policy
Resume of Chief Financial Officer
Job Descriptions
Job Application
Student Application
Faculty Handbook
Parent/Student Handbook
Code of Student Conduct
Organizational Charts
Letters of Support from Funders
Documentation of Application for
Accreditation (if applicable)
CCPS Guidelines for Petitioners Proposing a Start-Up Charter School to Open 2016-2017
Page 31