Chrysalis Charter School request for county sponsorship, January 11,2006
Most recent revision –June 11, 2008
I. FOUNDING GROUP
Describe the foundinggroup for the proposed charter school, providing evidence that the applicantpossesses the necessary background in the following areas critical to thecharter school’s success and/or that the founders have a plan to secure theservices of individuals who have the necessary background in these areas:
The Chrysalis Schools non-profit organization submits thischarter renewal request to the Shasta County Office of Education. Ournon-profit is the governing board for Chrysalis Charter School, the longestestablished charter school in Shasta County. Now in its tenth year ofoperation, the school has consistently been in the very high 700’s on the STARtest, made API and AYP last year, and has created a reserve of over $70,000(more than 12% of our annual budget), and we expect its charter to be renewedsoon by Enterprise School District for the second time. School attendance isconsistently above 95% and parental satisfaction, as measured by a semi-annualsurvey, is high. In addition, the school has successfully completed manycomplex tasks such as creating a non-profit, transitioning from anonclassroom-based to a classroom-based program, and applying and receivingwaivers from the State Board of Education.
Explain thecircumstances that brought the founding group together to form this charterschool. Include resumes of the individuals and names of any organizations oragencies that are partners in planning and establishing the school, along witha description of the role they have played and any resources contributed bythem. Note whether any member of the founding group is a proposed board member,school leader, or other “key” staff of the charter school. If the petitioner isan organization that manages a network of charter schools, provide a statementof the background and capacities of the organization in the above-mentionedareas.
Our first charter school was inspired by the enthusiasticresponse of students to curricula developed with a Howard Hughes MedicalInstitute grant by two of the founders while working at Carter House NaturalScience Museum in Redding, California. “If students responded this well to tenhours of nature investigations, what would be the result of nine years of suchexposure?” This question led to a museum enrichment program for home schooledstudents. That grew intoChrysalis. The school was chartered in 1996 by the Enterprise School Districtand co-sponsored by the museum. The founding individuals were Paul and AlysiaKrafel from the education team of the museum and Steven Essig of EnterpriseSchool District. The charter was renewed in 2001 and the museum co-sponsorshipwas renewed by Turtle Bay Exploration Park, Carter House’s successor. In 2004,Chrysalis created a non-profit 501c3 corporation.
In those ten years, our museum roots have inspired a schooldeeply committed to (and talented in) hands-on learning. This unique offeringhas drawn proportionately from all the nearby districts in the county. (SeeAttachment 1) Unfortunately, the temporary use permits for our museumclassrooms have expired. We will lose access to them at the end of this schoolyear. Therefore we need to find a new site. The Education Code has addedprovisions that make this very difficult for a district-sponsored charterschool in Shasta County’s multiple one schoolhouse districts. A countysponsored charter school has much more latitude in site selection. We are,therefore, seeking county sponsorship. This feels very appropriate because ofour unique offering that serves families equally throughout the county.
Key players in this transition are:
The staff of Chrysalis
Paul Krafel - co-founder, teacher and administrator - 10years
Alysia Krafel - co-founder and teacher - 10 years
Virginia Siemens- teacher and manager - 8 years
Sara Hoxie - naturalist and teacher
Patty Brent - teacher - 2 years
Laura Bowie - naturalist and teacher - 2 years
Members of our board
Clifford Knapp- Advisor and Board Member, Professor Emeritusin Education - new
Glenn Zane - parent, local businessman and board member -new
Beverly Self - parent and board member - new
See Attachment 2 for resumes.
II. EducationalPhilosophy and Program
MISSION
Chrysalis Charter School is a community of kindness,respect, and love of learning which encourages the light within each student toshine brighter.
Chrysalis is a museum school, not just in the historic senseof our being housed at a museum but in the fundamental sense of springing fromthe same educational philosophy that inspired museums. The world is afascinating place and learning about the world is both a joy and of fundamentalimportance to a good life. We are born to learn and this learning happens bestwhen we can interact richly with the world in the collaborative company ofothers on a similar path.
EducationalPhilosophy – Describe the educational program of the proposed charter school:
Several institutional characteristics contribute to ourmission.
(1) Teaching for understanding – Understanding is whathappens when the mind lights up. To be an educated person, a person must knowwhat understanding feels like and how to move to that state. We want ourstudents to achieve understanding of what they are learning. Therefore,students are placed in the classes appropriate for their understanding anddevelopment, independent of age. Curriculum becomes differentiated to meetindividual needs, interests, and abilities as determined by ongoing assessmentand feedback. Learning will often take the form of hands-on interactions withthe material to be understood. Science is the core subject because itepitomizes the process by which humans achieve greater understanding of ourworld.
(2) Kind environment – If children feel threatenedeither by coercive instruction or a teasing peer group, then they will stayguarded and won’t respond with their full potential to learning opportunities.Chrysalis is intentionally small so that close adult supervision keeps thestudent peer group interactions positive and supportive. Teachers teachco-operation, politeness, and negotiation. The school is structured so teachersand students work together over several years so that bonds of trust, openness,and friendship develop. The school does not use grades for motivation orcoercion; close collaboration between teachers and parents removes the need forgrades.
(3) Responsive teaching – If students are to becomecompetent, self-motivated, life-long learners, they must be given theopportunity to practice self-motivated learning. Their enthusiasms andinterests must be empowered to alter the course of learning that happens in theclassroom. This is a characteristic of Chrysalis. Students are supported inself-directing their learning.
(4) Immersion in nature – Chrysalis believes the humanmind responds deeply to the rich, interconnected, patterned complexity of thenatural world. Frequent and sustained immersions in nature nourish the learningmind in profound ways. These immersions will form a significant percentage ofthe school’s offering.
(5) Strong parental involvement within the school –Parents (along with younger siblings) are welcome. They enrich the schoolprogram in several ways. They provide valuable assistance to our teachers, givestudents a rich source of adult encouragement, and help build a warm,supporting community through their friendships.
(6) Community service – Community service inspires thebest within us. Students are given opportunities to provide age-appropriatecommunity service throughout the nine years at Chrysalis.
(7) Focus on developing the “executive functions” of thebrain – To become competent, self-motivated, life-long learners, studentsmust learn how to make good decisions. The maturing development of theindividual overarches our specific curriculum. The “light within each student”is our constant measure and leads us to work with each student to develophis/her individual abilities.
(8) Actively research both our natural environment andeducational practices - Chrysalis is a science school. We do what scientistsdo, not just teach some of the things that scientists have discovered.Scientists research, develop, and deepen understanding. Our students will doresearch in their classes. Teachers will do research on developing educationalpractices that can improve public education. The school is intentionally set upto adapt to research in pursuit of its mission.
Several of these characteristics interconnect to form thecore focus of our school: to understand the natural systems of our region andbecome good stewards of those resources. One branch of this stewardship issharing our understanding with the larger community of Shasta County, includingits teachers and schools.
Students to be Served
This school currently serves students from kindergartenthrough eighth grade. Because we believe learning happens strongest in apersonalized setting, the school will be intentionally small. When demand forthe school grows greater than our capacity, our non-profit organization willbegin planning the opening of another small school. Our target studentpopulation is those who are gifted in what Howard Gardner would term“naturalist intelligence” – the bug and snake and star kids, the systemsthinkers, the big picture thinkers. However, we realize that many are attractedto our school for other reasons such as our emphasis on understanding orbecause of the kindness of our community.
Curriculum andInstructional Design – Include a framework for instructional design that is alignedwith the needs of the pupils that the charter school has identified as itstarget student population. Describe the basic learning environment (e.g.,site-based matriculation, independent study, technology-based education).Discuss how the chosen instructional approach will enable the school’s studentsto achieve the objectives specified in the charter and master the academiccontent standards in core curriculum areas as adopted by the State Board ofEducation pursuant to Education Code §60605. The discussion of instructionaldesign should include, but not be limited to, curriculum, teaching methods,materials, and technology. [Ref. Criteria for Review; CCR-5, §11967.5.1(f)(1)(C-E)]
The school will be classroom-based but much time will bespent in the larger classroom of the world. The school will offer at least theminimum instructional minutes (EC 47612.5) over the course of the requirednumber of school days (EC 47602). Because the school emphasizes understanding,students will attend those multi-age classes in math and language that areappropriate to their abilities. The curriculum will emphasize depth overbreadth and focus on creating hands-on opportunities to interact with thecontent. (Prototyping and developing such opportunities is part of the researchmission of our school.) Therefore, our curriculum is open-ended andunpredictably varied from year to year. In order to develop competent,self-motivated life-long learners, the students’ learning will be a blend ofteacher-directed and student-directed learning. Students will be encouraged tocreate opportunities in which they can deepen their understanding. Therefore,the school gives students direct access to many materials such as sweep nets,microscopes, measuring equipment, and math manipulatives.
Chrysalis CurriculumFramework
The Chrysalis curriculum is interdisciplinary andexperiential. It is our intention to ready students to be active,knowledgeable and responsible members of a greater society. We believe thateach student is unique and is best served if guided to understanding at a levelappropriate to that individual. Assessment strategies are designed to guideteaching practice so curricula may be adjusted to meet the needs of individualstudents.
Science Goals
1. Scienceeducation will include but not be limited to state standards.
2. Allstudents will be given science instruction appropriate to their level ofunderstanding.
3. Allstudents will be given applied science instruction in an outdoor environment.
4. Teachersshall use a variety of curricula that encourage hands-on investigations such as GEMS, AIMS, CarolinaBiological Supply, Deltaand teacher-generated material.
5. Studentswill engage in hands-on learning and discovery.
6. Themesof geology and earth science, physics and chemistry and human and plant biology willbe offered on a rotating basis.
7. School-widecamping trips will be made available to families to enrich the science
8. Appropriateuse of computers and other electronic equipment will be used in the teaching of science.
Assessment
Appropriate best practice assessments including objectivetests, rubrics, and performance assessments will be developed and administeredby teachers. The use of authentic assessment will be ongoing. Fifth and eighthgrade students will take the state mandated assessments in science.
Expected outcomes
Students will achieve content knowledge and reasoning inscience and show growth at an appropriate level.
Mathematics Goals
1. Mathematicseducation will include but not be limited to state standards.
2. Allstudents will be given mathematics instruction appropriate to their level
3. Mathematicswill be based on the constructivist model of educational understanding.
4. Mathematicsin primary and elementary will be delivered through use of mathematical
5. Curriculummay be delivered from standardized text books or may be teacher-generated.
6. Mathematicsmay be applied and implemented in science, social studies, art and otherdisciplines.
Assessment
Appropriate best practice assessments including objectivetests, rubrics, and performance assessments will be developed and administeredby teachers. The use of authentic assessment will be ongoing. All students willtake district or state mandated standardized examinations.
Expected outcomes
Students will achieve content knowledge and reasoning inmathematics and show growth at an appropriate level.
Physical EducationGoals
1. Physicaleducation will be implemented at an appropriate level for each student.
2. Studentswill be active and will participate in hikes and outdoor activities with normalto highlevels of stamina.
3. Studentswill be fit according to physical ability.
4. Studentsin primary program will participate in gross motor skill-based physicalactivities includingbalance, coordination and the crossing of the midline.
5. Studentswill be encouraged to enroll in outside sports activities.
6. Allstudents without physical disabilities will demonstrate ability to ambulateacross uneven ground.
7. Studentswill learn sportsmanship and team building.
Assessment
Appropriate best practice assessments including objectivetests, rubrics, and performance assessments will be developed and administeredby teachers. The use of authentic assessment will be ongoing. Fifth and seventhgrade students will take the state mandated assessments in physical education.
Expected outcomes
All students will show growth at an appropriate or abovelevel in physical education over the course of one year.
Language Arts Goals
1. Languagearts will include but not be limited to state standards.
2. LanguageArts will be delivered at an appropriate learning level to each student.
3. Studentswill learn to read at or above grade level.
4. Studentsshould develop appropriate decoding skills.
5. Studentsshould develop appropriate comprehension skills.
6. Readingcurriculum will be standards-based and may contain but not be limited to Zoo-
7. Studentsshould read for enjoyment and content.
8. Studentsshould develop appropriate writing skills.
9. Studentat all levels will learn vocabulary.
10. Studentwill progress in spelling and word attack skills.
11. Studentsmay be exposed to poetry and music.
12. Studentsshould learn the use of keeping journals.
13. Studentswill learn speaking skills. In lower grades oral communication will be toteacher andpeers; in upper grades, communication will include conveyance of information tolarger groups.
Assessment
Appropriate best practice assessments including objectivetests, rubrics, and performance assessments will be developed and administeredby teachers. The use of authentic assessment will be ongoing. All students willtake district or state mandated standardized examinations.
Expected outcomes
Students will achieve in the areas of literacy and showgrowth at an appropriate level.
Social Studies Goals
1. SocialStudies curriculum will include but not be limited to state standards
2. SocialStudies will encompass the structure of society, its history and itsgovernments based onthe appropriate levels of student learning.
3. Kindergartenand primary students will explore the local human environment learning the
4. Elementarygrades will learn about the history and functions of our state and country.
5. Middleschool students will understand the greater world, world history and various
6. Studentsmay contribute to society through community service projects.
7. Eighthgraders will take a Constitution Class
Assessment
Appropriate best practice assessments including objectivetests, rubrics, and performance assessments will be developed and administeredby teachers. The use of authentic assessment will be ongoing. All students willtake district or state mandated standardized examinations.
Student in eighth grade will pass a Constitution examinationbefore graduating.
Expected outcomes
Students will achieve knowledge and understanding in theareas of Social Studies and will show growth at an appropriate level.
Fine Arts Goals
Chrysalis is committed to offering fine arts instruction asan academic subject in our curriculum. All students should have access to finearts courses offered through Chrysalis.
1. Creativeexpression will be perused by students at all levels.
2. Studentsmay be instructed in methods of ceramics, drawing, painting or sculpture andfilm throughseveral offerings of the school.
3. Studentsmay learn music and have instruction in an instrument or in choral singingthrough theschool or district or during class time if offered by core teacher.
4. Studentsmay engage in drama or theatrics or dance classes.
5. Fieldtrips to fine arts exhibits and events will be considered one method ofdelivery of curricula.
Assessment
Appropriate best practice assessments including objectivetests, rubrics, and performance assessments will be developed and administeredby teachers. The use of authentic assessment will be ongoing.
Curriculum
At a minimum,applicants should provide a full curriculum for one course or grade level as anattachment. A full curriculum should be submitted to the charter authorizerprior to the opening of school.
A year’s course of our self-created math curriculum isattached. Because the school emphasizes explorations and investigations of theworld around us and because we encourage student-directed activities andbecause the school has a bias towards ongoing curricular research anddevelopment, it is impossible for us to submit a “full curriculum”. Everystudent, however, participates in science, language arts, mathematics, andsocial studies along with many other offerings.
PLAN FOR STUDENTS WHOARE ACADEMICALLY LOW ACHIEVING
Each entering student is screened by the teacher and, inconsultation with the parents/guardians, is initially placed in the multi-agedmath and language arts classes that seem appropriate. Competition isde-emphasized and best efforts and movement toward goals is encouraged.
The school’s emphasis on hands-on interaction (and thede-emphasis on grades) and a strong supportive community often allowslow-achieving students an opportunity to develop confidence in themselves. However,the special focus of our curricula, hiking on uneven ground, and our structureof many offerings going on simultaneously with many informal transitions doesnot fit the style of every student and so for some students, Chrysalis is notan appropriate placement. This is often apparent after visiting for a day.
PLAN FOR STUDENTS WHOARE ACADEMICALLY HIGH ACHIEVING
Just as with the low-achieving students, high-achievingstudents are identified in the initial screening process. They are placed inthe academic level classes appropriate to them while still maintaining a normalpeer group. (In its history, Chrysalis has had three students graduate fromeighth grade having completed high school geometry.) The emphasis on intellectand understanding, the curricular focus on science and investigation, theopportunity to explore paths of interest at one’s own speed, and a non-teasingacceptance of one another, makes Chrysalis a school in which high-achievingstudents tend to bloom because they are freed from mind-numbing drill which isnot only unnecessary for them but counter productive.
PLAN FOR ENGLISHLEARNERS – Indicate how the charter school will identify and respond tothe needs of English learners. [Ref. Criteria for Review; CCR-5, §11967.5.1(f)(1)(G)]
Chrysalis will administer a home language survey upon astudent’s initial enrollment. All students who indicate that their homelanguage is other than English will be Aprenda tested within thirty days ofinitial enrollment and at least annually thereafter between July 1 and October31st until re-designated as fluent English proficient. Chrysalis will notifyparents of Aprenda results within thirty days of receiving results. The Aprendashall be used to fulfill the requirements under the No Child Left Behind Actfor annual English proficiency testing. CLAD certified teachers will work withthe student’s family to individualize that student’s education.
PLAN FOR SPECIALEDUCATION – Indicate how the charter school will identify and respond tothe needs of students with disabilities. Fully describe the charter school’sspecial education plan, including, but not limited to, the following:provisions of Education Code §47641; The process to be used to identifystudents who qualify for special education programs and services; How theschool will provide or access special education programs and services; Theschool’s understanding of its legal responsibilities for special educationstudents; and How the school intends to meet those obligations.
Chrysalis will provide Special Education services throughmembership in the Shasta County Public Charter Schools Special EducationConsortium. As a member of this Consortium, the Charter School is willing tolearn all applicable special education laws and to comply willingly with theirimplementation. As a member of this Consortium, the Charter School agrees toabide by all Consortium Membership Rules and conditions including a separatespecial contingency reserve of 2% for special education, accept all ShastaCounty Special Education Local Planning Area (SELPA) membership assurances, andallow itself to be represented at this SELPA by Redding School of the Arts(RSA) as the Consortium’s lead Local Education Plan (LEA). As a member of thisConsortium, the Charter School has become a separate LEA within the ShastaCounty SELPA and has already agreed to the SELPA’s membership assurances.
The Charter School as a Consortium member agrees to transferall its special education fund allocations under the SELPA enrollment formulato Shasta County Public Charter Schools Special Education Consortium in thefollowing manner: either it will be set up through the County Office ofEducation as an automatic cash transfer of each received monthly SELPAallocation to the 09 Special Education budget of Shasta Union High SchoolDistrict, or the Charter School will direct its sponsoring authority to make apayment each month by check to the Consortium for that monthly SELPAallocation.
The Charter School will provide documentation to thisConsortium that it has created within its budget a special and separatecontingency reserve of 2% of projected attendance revenues for specialeducation contingencies beyond and separate from the forwarding of SELPA fundsas outlined above and separate from its own operating budget contingencyreserves. This 2% reserve may be used by the Charter School for encroachment tocover special education costs, if encroachment is necessary.
Shasta County Office of Education, the Charter School’ssponsoring authority, understands its authority and responsibility, i.e., thatthis agreement supplements any terms of an existing MOU or charter languagebetween the Charter School and its sponsor and also acts to supersede existingterms of any MOU relating to special education services or any prior agreementfor special education services between the applying charter and its sponsoragency. The Charter School has become a separate LEA, and the control of theCharter School’s SELPA allocations for special education services rests solelywith the Consortium.
The Charter School agrees to indemnify, defend, release, andhold harmless the sponsoring authority, its governing board, officers,employees, and representatives from any liability for any and all claimsrelated to the provision or lack of provision of special education services bythe Charter School – including non-public schools, non-public agencies,or any other service provider with whom the Charter School may contact –to any student currently or previously enrolled in the Charter School, asrelated to the time in which the student was enrolled in the Charter School.Such indemnification agreement shall include claims made pursuant to the IDEA,whether filed with a state administrative agency, a state or federal court, or thesponsoring authority.
III. MEASURABLESTUDENT OUTCOMES AND OTHER USES OF DATA
Measurable studentoutcomes – Describe the clearly measurable student outcomes that will beused by the charter school. “Student outcomes,” for the purposes of this part,means the extent to which all students enrolled in the school demonstrate thatthey have attained the skills, knowledge, and attitudes specified as goals inthe school’s educational program. [Ref. California Education Code § 47605(b)(5)(B)]
Chrysalis is focused primarily on individual student growth.We measure the difference between where individual students begin and wherethey end up as a measure of student outcome. Goals are formulated individually. Each student is assessedacademically at the beginning of each school year or upon initial entry.
Since the academic classes are very small, the dominantassessment tool is embedded and continuous. The formal assessment tools are amixture of teacher-made tools and standardized, commercial tools.
Method(s) ofAssessment – Describe the proposed method(s) by which student progress inmeeting the desired student outcomes will be measured. [Ref. CaliforniaEducation Code §47605(b)(5)(C)] The school’s plan should describe a variety ofassessment tools that are appropriate to the grade level, subject matter,skills, knowledge, and/or attitudes being assessed, including, at a minimum,tools that employ objective means of assessment that are frequent andsufficiently detailed enough to determine whether students are makingsatisfactory progress. Assessments should include annual results from theStatewide Testing and Reporting (STAR) program and any other statewidestandards or student assessments applicable to students in non-charter publicschools, including, but not limited to, the California High School ExitExamination, the California English Language Development Test, and the physicalperformance test. [Ref. Criteria for Review; CCR-5, §11967.5.1(f)(2)(A),§11967.5.1(f)(3)(A-B) and California Education Code §47605(c)(1)].
The teachers will cooperatively peer coach, edit and reviewthe teacher-made assessments being used, the methods being used, and theresults obtained (including state-mandated tests) one to three times a monthduring the school year to insure continuous improvement in both teachingmethods and student success.
Twice a year, students and parents fill out an anonymoussurvey to determine if students are thriving at Chrysalis, what areas of theschool can be improved, and what areas of the school are working well.
Students take all mandated standardized tests.Traditionally, Chrysalis students have achieved AYP and API goals. We don’t putmuch emphasis on our school’s overall score because, being a small school, thatscore can fluctuate from year to year. Instead, we compare individual studentsSTAR test results from year to year to informally check whether our studentsare moving up in proficiency levels. Historically, the net change ofproficiency levels for our students from year to year is positive.
USE AND REPORTING OFDATA –Outline the plan for collecting, analyzing, and reporting data on studentachievement to school staff, parents, and guardians. Also describe the plan forutilizing the data continuously to monitor and improve the charter school’seducational program. [Ref. Criteria for Review; CCR-5, §11967.5.1(f)(3)(C) andCalifornia Education Code §47605(c)(2)]
The results of the parent and student surveys are compiledinto a public document that is shared with staff, families, and our sponsoringagency. Results from state-mandated tests are sent to the students’ homes.
Teachers meet one to three times a month to review andcontinuously improve the school’s educational program.
The school calendar includes minimum days for parent-teacherconferences twice a year.
The School will compile and provide to the sponsoring ShastaCounty Board of Education an annual performance report. This report will, at aminimum, include the following data:
• Summary data and analysis of state mandated testsincluding AYP, API, and individual progress from year to year.
• Summary data from an annual parent and studentsatisfaction survey.
• Summary data on school demographics including student bodycomposition in terms of race, ethnicity, and gender. Also included will be thedemographics of student turnover and district of residence.
• Other information regarding the educational program andthe administrative, legal and governance operations of the School relative tocompliance with the terms of the charter generally and in terms of keeping thesponsoring agency informed about issues lying ahead for the school..
Pursuant to Education Code Section 47604.3 the CharterSchool shall promptly respond to all reasonable inquiries, including, but notlimited to inquiries regarding its financial records from the sponsoringagency. The School shall automatically submit all financial reports requiredunder Education Code Section 47604.33 and 47605(m).
IV. Governancestructure
Describe the plannedgovernance structure of the school, including the process to be followed by theschool to ensure the involvement of parents and guardians in supporting theschool’s effort on behalf of the school’s students. [Ref. California EducationCode §47605(b)(5)(D)] and Ref. Criteria for Review; CCR-5, §11967.5.1(f)(4)]Specifically illustrate how the school will be organized – and how thatstructure is designed to support student success.
Describe respectiveroles of the governing body and administration, the domains for which each willbe responsible, and how their relationship will be managed. In addition,provide details of how the charter school’s board will be developed, in termsof supplementing necessary skills and providing training in effective boardpractices.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of the Chrysalis Schools nonprofitorganization has fiduciary and legal responsibility for the school and thenon-profit. The board ratifies all contracts, guards against conflict ofinterest, does an annual review of the school’s administrator, and hasresponsibility for the funds, property, and operation of the non-profit.
Currently, the board consists of two parent representatives,one community member, a non-school educator, the school administrator and twoof the school’s staff teachers. Directors serve for two years. The sponsoringagency may appoint a non-voting member to the board. The Board is responsiblefor filling vacancies. The Board meets at least three times a year (more ifneeded) in compliance with the Brown Act. The Board will receive regulartraining in the Brown Act and any other training mandated by applicable law.The Board of Directors operates in accordance with its Bylaws. The Boardfollows Section 1091 and its members annually fill out a conflict of interestdisclosure form.
Responsibilities of the Chrysalis Schools Board of Directors
- To ratify the hiring, rehiring, and termination ofemployees.
- To ratify the school budget.
- To prevent conflict of interest in the school’soperations.
- To expel students.
- To ensure that the charter is followed.
- To respect Chrysalis's special bottom-up organization andits teachers' exchange of security for academic and administrative freedom.
- To respect that the educational program and day-to-dayoperations are governed by the charter as administered by the Chrysalis Council.
- To carry out the duties and mission of the nonprofitcorporation.
Chrysalis Council
The Chrysalis Council is the administrative unit for theschool, its educational program and policy. They make recommendations to theBoard of Directors in terms of offering and renewing contracts. The Council hasthe power to suspend students, recommend expulsion, or terminate a family’scontract. The Council or its designee approves all grant applications. TheCouncil consists of all the staff teachers (staff teachers are those teacherswho have a board-ratified salaried position), three parent representativesrepresenting different grade levels of students, and a non-votingrepresentative appointed by the sponsoring agency. Members may serve for aslong as they fulfill the qualifications for their position. A quorum is definedas a majority of voting members present which must include a majority ofteachers present. Though consensus is the goal, decisions can be made bymajority vote.
Robert's Rules of Order may be used for ground rules andprocedures at council meetings unless other rules and procedures are adopted bythe Chrysalis Council. Members will then construct their process in a way thatworks for them.
The Chrysalis Council will meet in the afternoon afterschool no less than nine times per school year and more often as deemed neededby a consensus of its members. It will publish an agenda prior to each meetingand post it at Chrysalis and send one to the Shasta County Office of Educationfor posting. Meetings are open sessions except as permitted by the Brown Act.Attendance by, and input from, Chrysalis families is encouraged. Meetings willbe held in accordance with Brown Act requirements. In case of an emergencyrequiring immediate action, the administrator may call an emergency meeting incompliance with the Brown Act.
Any issue that would put any member of the Chrysalis Councilin violation of Government Code 1090 will be passed on with a recommendation tothe Board of Directors.
Responsibilities ofthe Chrysalis Council
- To maintain the integrity of this charter as the Councilmakes decisions about the daily operations and procedures of Chrysalis.
- To submit a budget to the Board of Directors forratification.
- To create and maintain an open, honest, and regularcommunication with Shasta County Office of Education Board. This includesreporting the minutes of each meeting
- To comply fully with Northern California ReLief JPA's CharterSchool Coverage Policy and Charter School Risk Management Standards and willabide by the Charter School Hold Harmless/Indemnification Agreement.
- To interview job candidates and pass on a hiringrecommendation to the Board of Directors for ratification.
- To recommend to the Board of Directors the renewal ornon-renewal of employee contracts in May of each year.
- To suspend students and recommend expulsion of students tothe Board of Directors.
- To monitor each family's attendance and fulfillment oftheir contract as needed during the school year.
- To create and administer a non-discriminatory admissionsprocedure.
- To review and implement student safety and disciplinepolicies.
- To apply for and implement grants.
- To propose amendments to the charter and create policiesas deemed prudent and necessary. This includes the creation and maintenance ofa manual of policies and procedures.
The Chrysalis Council will make available to the public andthe Shasta County Office of Education the minutes of Council meetings, theschool's budget, the results of the semi-annual parent and student survey (in aform that preserves confidentiality), and school averages on the state-requiredstandardized tests.
Describe how thedesign of the governance structure reflects a seriousness of purpose necessaryto ensure that: (1) the charter school will become and remain a viableenterprise; (2) there will be active and effective representation of interestedparties, including, but not limited to parents and/or guardians; and (3) theeducational program will be successful. If incorporated, evidence of theorganization’s incorporation should be provided as an Attachment, as necessary.[Ref. Criteria for Review; CCR-5, §11967.5.1(f)(4)]
The school’s governance has developed over ten years. Thegoverning body has encountered many challenges over that time and hassurmounted them all, sometimes with a refinement of governance so that theorganization increasingly operates more smoothly and with increasing focus onthe educational program. Parents have significant representation on both thecouncil and the board and many opportunities to provide feedback to the school.The proof of our seriousness of purpose is the ten years of our operations and theacademic success of our students as measured by state tests and parentalsatisfaction.
Qualifications ofSchool Employees – Describe the standards that will be used in hiring teachers,administrators, and other school staff, including, but not limited to thegeneral qualifications for the various categories of employees the schoolanticipates hiring and the desired professional backgrounds, depth ofexperience, and other qualities to be sought in their selection. [Ref.California Education Code §47605(b)(5)(E)] Show how those qualities will helpthe school implement its vision, and how they will satisfy the requirements for“highly qualified teachers” under the No Child Left Behind Act. Thequalifications should be sufficient to ensure the health and safety of theschool’s faculty, staff, and students. Identify positions that will be regardedas “key” in each category and specify the additional qualifications expected ofindividuals assigned to those positions. Include an assurance that allrequirements for employment set forth in applicable provisions of law will bemet, including, but not limited to credentials, as necessary.
All staff teachers will be California credentialed teachers.The most important qualification is alignment with Chrysalis’s mission andpedagogical philosophy. This will be determined through an in-depth interviewduring the hiring process. The teachers will be an essential part of the hiringprocess and will make their professional recommendation to the ChrysalisCouncil and Board of Directors. Each unique teacher will meet the “highlyqualified teacher” requirement in a way appropriate to their professional pathand to the school’s core being science, nature, curiosity, and kindness.
The administrator for Chrysalis will be in service to theteachers and handle the administrative needs of the school. The most importantqualification is alignment with Chrysalis’s mission and pedagogical philosophy.This and other qualifications will be determined through an in-depth interviewduring the hiring process. The administrator will also meet currentrequirements set by applicable charter school law. The teachers will be anessential part of the hiring process and will make their professionalrecommendation to the Chrysalis Council and Board of Directors. The Board ofDirectors will survey the staff as part of an annual performance review of theadministrator. Hiring, terminating, and nonrenewal of contract for theadministrator is done through vote of both the Chrysalis Council and the Boardof Directors.
The staff teachers will determine what other positions areneeded for the school’s program. These positions will be filled with bothCouncil and Board approval.
Compensation andBenefits – Provide a brief explanation of how the school will structureemployee compensation to attract candidates with the necessary skills andexperience.
Though salaries have, historically, been modest and thoughteachers are offered contracts for only one year at a time, teachers have beenattracted by the academic freedom and the student-centered and thestudent-centered culture of the school. One of the incentives the school offersto prospective teachers is the professional responsibility of governing andmolding the school as both an organization and a culture. This responsibilityincludes helping create the school’s budget. Our ten years of experience hasled to refinement of policies for this budgeting process. Staff willparticipate in the medical and other benefits package provided by thesponsoring agency.
Describe the manner bywhich staff members of the charter school will be covered by the StateTeachers’ Retirement System, the Public Employees’ Retirement System, and/orfederal social security; or how the school will create a system of its own toaccommodate employees’ retirement funding. Include the specific positions to becovered under each system and the staff designated to ensure that appropriatearrangements for that coverage are made. [Ref. California Education Code§47605(b)(5)(K) and Criteria for Review; CCR-5, §11967.5.1(f)(11)]
Teachers at the school shall participate in STRS.
EMPLOYEEREPRESENTATION – Provide information regarding the employee’s status in regardto the Educational Employee Relations Act (EERA), and a description of the charterschool’s understanding of its responsibilities in the event employees arerepresented under the EERA. [Ref. Education Code §47605(b)(5)(O).]
The school shall be deemed the exclusive public schoolemployer of the employees of the school for the purposes of the EducationalEmployment Relations Act.
Rights of ShastaCounty Office of Education Employees
Employees of the Shasta County Office of Education whochoose to leave the employment of the Shasta County Office of Education to workin the Charter School shall have no automatic rights of return to the ShastaCounty Office of Education after employment at the Charter School unlessspecifically granted by the Shasta County Office of Education through a leaveof absence or other agreement of the Shasta County Office of Education asaligned with the collective bargaining agreements of the Shasta County Officeof Education.
Health and Safety
The Charter School will comply with the provisions ofEducation Code Section 44237 and 45125.1 regarding the fingerprinting andbackground clearance of employees and contractors prior to employment.
Role of Staff asMandated Child Abuse Reporters
All classified and certificated staff will be mandated childabuse reporters and will follow all applicable reporting laws, and the samepolicies and procedures used by the Shasta County Office of Education.
TB Testing
The Charter School will follow the requirement of EducationCode Section 49406 in requiring tuberculosis testing of all employees.
Immunizations
The Charter School will adhere to all laws related tolegally required immunizations for entering students pursuant to Health andSafety Code Section 120325-120375, and Title 17, California Code of RegulationsSection 6000-6075.
Medication in School
The Charter School will adhere to Education Code Section49423 regarding administration of
medication in school.
Vision/Hearing/Scoliosis
The Charter School shall adhere to Education Code Section49450 et. seq. as applicable to the
grade levels served by the School.
EmergencyPreparedness
The Charter School shall adhere to an Safe Schools Handbookdrafted specifically to the needs of the school site. This handbook shallinclude an evacuation plan, and general school safety, injury and illnessprevention.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Disputes between theShasta County Office of Education and the School
The School and the Shasta County Office of Education willalways attempt to resolve any disputes between them amicably and reasonablywithout resorting to formal procedures. Both shall refrain from publiccommentary regarding any disputes until the matter has progressed through thedispute resolution process unless legally required to do otherwise.
In the event of a dispute between the School and the ShastaCounty Office of Education, the staff and Board members of the Charter schooland Shasta County Office of Education agree to first frame the issue in writtenformat and refer the issue to the Superintendent and administrator of theSchool. In the event that the Shasta County Office of Education Board believesthat the dispute relates to an issue that could lead to revocation of thecharter in accordance with Education Code Section 47607, this shall be noted inthe written dispute statement. However, participation in the dispute resolutionprocedures outlined in this section shall not be interpreted to impede theShasta County Office of Education’s ability to proceed with revocation inaccordance with Education Code Section 47607.
The administrator and Superintendent shall informally meetand confer in a timely fashion to attempt to resolve the dispute, not laterthan 5 business days from receipt of the statement. In the event that thisinformal meeting fails to resolve the dispute, both parties shall identify twogoverning board members from their respective boards who shall jointly meetwith the Superintendent and administrator of the Charter School and attempt toresolve the dispute within 15 business days from the dispute statement. If thisjoint meeting fails to resolve the dispute, the Superintendent andadministrator shall meet to jointly identify a neutral third party mediator toengage the Parties in a mediation session designed to facilitate resolution ofthe dispute. The format of the mediation session shall be developed jointly bythe Superintendent and administrator. Mediation shall be held within thirtybusiness days of receipt of the dispute statement. The costs of mediation shallbe split between the Shasta County Office of Education and the Charter School.All timelines in this section may be revised if mutually agreed upon by theShasta County Office of Education and the Charter School.
Internal Disputes
All disputes involving the School shall be resolved by theSchool according to the School’s own internal policies. The Shasta CountyOffice of Education shall not be involved with internal disputes of the Schoolunless the School requests Shasta County Office of Education involvement, it islegally required, or unless the internal dispute relates to one of the reasonsunder Education Code Section 47607 for which a charter may be revoked.
VI. STUDENTADMISSIONS, ATTENDANCE, AND SUSPENSION/ EXPULSION POLICIES
Student AdmissionPolicies and Procedures – Describe the policies and procedures the school will developand implement for the admission and enrollment of students, including anyproposed timetable or calendar and the school’s implementation of the randomlottery process as required by law. Include assurance that the charter schoolwill be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices,and all other operations, and will not charge tuition nor discriminate againstany student based on ethnicity, national origin, gender, or disability. [Ref.California Education Code §47605(b)(5)(H), §47605(d) and Criteria for Review;CCR-5, §11967.5.1(f)(8)]
VI. STUDENTADMISSIONS, ATTENDANCE, AND SUSPENSION/ EXPULSION POLICIES
Admission Policy forChrysalis
1. Students will be considered for admission without regardto race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, economic status, religion,disability or achievement level. The Council will annually review the school’sadmission policies in light of its current demographics.
2. Preference will be given to children of foundingfamilies, siblings of currently enrolled students and to children of staff.
3. Students and Parents/Guardians must sign a contract tofollow attendance and behavioral standards and problem solving protocolsoutlined in the school policy/documents. Copies of these are provided tofamilies.
4. Parents/Guardians of students who are currently enrolledin another school must provide current attendance records from their schools.
5. Kindergarten children who turn 5 between October 1 andDecember 1 of the enrollment year should demonstrate academic and socialreadiness to handle our unusual program as defined by school policy.
6. Students who have been expelled from other schools or whoare on suspended expulsion are not eligible for enrollment in Chrysalis CharterSchool.
7. The following categories of students will only beadmitted after an interview between family and staff to determine if Chrysaliswould be an appropriate placement for the student:
a.Eighth graders
b.Students who have had less than 90% attendance at their previous schools in theprevious year
c.Students who have had more than ten incidences of tardiness in the last schoolyear.
8. Parents/Guardians of students must guarantee that theinformation represented on the application for enrollment and signed contractis accurate. If information ismisrepresented, the family may be subject to dismissal.
Lottery Procedure
1. There will be a lottery in early March for enrollment thefollowing year.
2. A random public drawing will be held for any grade levelwhere applications exceed openings. Students will then be admitted in the orderdrawn until the grade is filled. The rest of the applicants will be put on awaiting list in the order drawn.
3. Grades in which applications do not exceed openings bythe time of the lottery will be filled by applicants in the order theirapplications are received. When all openings are filled, a waiting list will bestarted that is organized by date that applications are received.
4. Students whose applications are received after thelottery will be added to the bottom of the waiting list in the order that theapplications are received.
5. Parents ofcurrently enrolled students must re-enroll their students by May 1stor earlier for the following year. Available spaces will be identified for each class and spaces will befilled from the waiting lists.
6. In January of each year, all families with children onthe waiting list will be sent an application update form. The form must befilled out and returned to Chrysalis by March 1st to maintain theirposition on the waiting list. If the family does not return the update form,the student will be removed from the waiting list.
7. If an opening becomes available and the family at the topof the waiting list declines, their name will be removed from the waiting listand they will need to apply again if they wish to be considered at some latertime.
Non-Discrimination
Chrysalis does not discriminate against students based onrace, ethnicity, national origin, gender, economic status, religion, disabilityor achievement level. Chrysalis will widely publicize its open enrollmentperiods in public media.
Historically, our school has achieved a populationrepresentative of the county by assuring there is no discrimination in ouradmissions procedures and by doing a good job of educating our students. TheCouncil will annually review the school’s admission policies in light of itscurrent demographics.
Public SchoolAttendance Alternatives
Students who reside within the county who choose not toattend Chrysalis may attend their school of residence, or another school withintheir district, or in another district through their district’s intra andinter-district policies. Parents and guardians of each student enrolled in thecharter school will be informed on admissions forms that the student has noright to admission in a particular school of any local education agency as aconsequence of enrollment in the charter school.
Suspension/expulsionprocedures – Describe the procedures by which students can be suspended orexpelled. [Ref. California Education Code §47605(b)(5)(J)] Include apreliminary list of the offenses for which students in the charter school must(where non-discretionary) and may (where discretionary) be suspended orexpelled, respectively. Identify the procedure by which students can besuspended or expelled and the process by which parents/guardians and studentswill be informed about the reasons for any such actions and their due processrights. Explain how thecharter school will take into account the rights of students with disabilitiesin regard to suspension and expulsion. Outline how policies and proceduresregarding suspension and expulsion will be periodically §11967.5.1(f)(10)]
Chrysalis teachers intervene early with behavior strategiestailored to the individual student. Students are taught to interact withoutputdowns or bullying. Conflict resolution strategies are taught and modeled.This active intervention, coupled with the small, intimate atmosphere of theschool minimizes most discipline issues. However, a student may be suspended ifit is determined that the student committed any act listed under E.C. Sections48900, 48915, 48900.2, 48900.3, 48900.4, or 488900.7 or that the student'spresence causes a danger to persons or property or threatens to disrupt theinstructional process. Any suspension or expulsion of a student with an I.E.P.will be done in compliance with I.D.E.A. regulations in accordance with thesponsoring agency's policy.
When student misconduct requires disciplinary action, aparent conference should always be considered as one of the remedial measuresprior to suspension. A preliminary parent conference may well result inresolution of problems without the need for suspension and the resulting lossof student learning time.
When suspension from school is to be imposed, it shall bepreceded by an informal conference with the student, conducted by the administrator.At this time, the student shall be informed of the reason(s) for thedisciplinary action, shall be given an opportunity to present facts andevidence in his or her defense, and should be encouraged to make a writtenstatement concerning the charge(s). The statement should be signed and dated bythe student. At the time of the suspension the parent must be notified and aparent conference scheduled.
A teacher may suspend any student from his or her classroomfor any of the acts considered grounds for suspension for the day of thesuspension, and the day following. The teacher immediately reports thesuspension to the administrator. A teacher may suspend any student from his orher classroom for any of the acts considered grounds for suspension for the dayof the suspension, and the day following. The teacher immediately reports thesuspension to the administrator. Parents must be notified of the suspension.The student shall not be returned to the class from which he or she wassuspended during the period of suspension without the concurrence of theadministrator and the teacher who imposed the suspension.
The administrator may also suspend a student afterconducting an informal meeting or conference between the student and theteacher or school employee who referred the student. The informal conferencemay be held either at the school site or over the telephone. The student mustbe given an opportunity to present his or her own evidence in defense. Theadministrator may suspend a student from school for a maximum of fiveconsecutive days for any of the acts considered grounds for suspension.
A student may be formally suspended without the informalconference only if it is determined that an emergency situation exists. Thismeans a situation determined by the administrator to create a clear and presentdanger to the lives, safety or health of students or staff. If a student issuspended without the informal conference, both the student and the parent orguardian will be notified of the student's right to a conference, and of thestudent's right to return to school for the purpose of a conference.
Parents or guardians will be informed of any suspension andof their right to appeal that suspension.
The Chrysalis Council has the power to suspend a student,recommend terminating a student’s contract at the end of the year because thestudent is not upholding the contract, or recommend expulsion in accordancewith the expulsion procedures that are part of the discipline policiesdescribed in the parent/student handbook. The discussion and deliberation as tothe proper course of action will happen in closed session to which the studentand parents or guardians will be invited. Historically, the council has notbeen involved in suspensions stemming from a specific incident. That is handledby the teacher or administrator. The council is usually involved inlong-standing situations after several approaches have been triedunsuccessfully.
Expulsions
Education Code section 48900 provides that a pupil may berecommended for expulsion for certain enumerated acts and shall be recommendedfor expulsion for other enumerated acts ( Education Code section 48915). Thisshall happen in accordance with the expulsion procedures that are part of thediscipline policies described in the parent/student handbook. In such a case,either the administrator or the Chrysalis Council (in closed session) willrecommend expulsion to the Board of Directors. The Board shall meet and make adecision. The student and their parents or guardians will be invited to thismeeting.
VII. FINANCIALPLANNING, REPORTING, AND ACCOUNTABILITY BUDGETS
Provide a proposedfirst-year operational budget, including startup costs, that includes:
Reasonable estimatesof all anticipated revenues and expenditures necessary to operate the school– including special education; and Budget notes that clearly describeassumptions or revenue estimates, including, but not limited to the basis foraverage daily attendance estimates and staffing levels.
Also provide cash flowand financial projections for the first three years of operation; and plans forestablishment of a reserve. It is recommended that charter schools maintain areserve equivalent to that required by law for a school district of comparablesize. [Ref. California Education Code §47605(g) and Criteria for Review; CCR-5,§11967.5.1(c)(3)(B)]
See Attachment 4
FINANCIAL REPORTING
The Charter School shall arrange business services through aMemorandum of Understanding.
Though Chrysalis Charter School is direct funded, theaccounting must be always directly accessible to the sponsoring agency. TheCharter School shall provide reports to the county as follows, and may provideadditional fiscal reports as requested by the county:
1. By July 1, a preliminary budget for the current fiscalyear. For a charter school in its first year of operation, financial statementssubmitted with the charter petition pursuant to Education Code 47605(g) willsatisfy this requirement.
2. By December 15, an interim financial report for thecurrent fiscal year reflecting changes through October 31. Additionally, onDecember 15, a copy of the Charter School’s annual, independent financial auditreport for the preceding fiscal year shall be delivered to the State
Controller, State Department of Education and CountySuperintendent of Schools.
3. By March 15, a second interim financial report for thecurrent fiscal year reflecting changes through January 31.
4. By September 15, a final unaudited report for the fullprior year. The report submitted to the county shall include an annualstatement of all the Charter School’s receipts and expenditures for thepreceding fiscal year.
INSURANCE – Agree that the school will acquire and finance generalliability, workers compensation, and other necessary insurance of the types andin the amounts required for an enterprise of similar purpose and circumstance,and provide evidence that the cost and availability of such insurance has beenresearched by the petitioners. [Ref. Criteria for Review; CCR-5,§11967.5.1(c)(3)(C)]
The Charter School shall acquire and finance generalliability, workers compensation, and other necessary insurance of the types andin the amounts required for an enterprise of similar purpose and circumstance.
ADMINISTRATIVESERVICES – Describe the structure for providing business/administrativeservices (including, at a minimum, personnel transactions, accounting, andpayroll) that reflects an understanding of school business practices andexpertise needed to carry out administrative services or a reasonable plan andtimeline to develop and assemble such practices and expertise. For any contractservices planned to serve the school, describe the criteria and procedures forthe selection of contractors. [Ref. Criteria for the Review; CCR-5,§11967.5.1(c)(3)(A)]
The Administrator will assume the lead responsibility foradministering the School under the policies adopted by the School’s Board ofDirectors and Chrysalis Council. The petitioners anticipate that the CharterSchool will provide or procure through memorandums of understanding most of itsadministrative services, including but not limited to financial management,personnel, and instructional program development.
FACILITIES –Describe the types and potential location of any facility/ies needed to operatethe size and scope of educational program proposed in the charter. If (a)specific facility/ies has/have not been identified, provide evidence of thetype and projected cost of the facility/ies that may be available in thelocation of the proposed charter school(s). Facilities plans must reflectreasonable costs for the acquisition or leasing of facilities to house thecharter school. [Ref. California Education Code §47605(g) and Criteria forReview; CCR-5, §11967.5.1(c)(3)(D)]
The Charter School will enter into a 5 year lease (with anoption to renew for an additional five years) with the Sacramento Diocese forapproximately 10,000 sq. ft of space plus play fields at Bishop Quinn HighSchool in Palo Cedro. The lease would begin at approximately $6000/month andgradually increase over the 5 years to approximately $7500 per month. Inaddition, the school is slowly developing a 10 acre site on Parkville Road offof Dersch as a field station with the intent that it eventually become a schoolsite for Chrysalis.
TRANSPORTATION –Provide a description of the arrangements, if any, to be made fortransportation of students, including expected level of need, proposedcontracts, and adequate types and levels of insurance.
Currently, Chrysalis does not provide transportationbetween home and school. However, as need develops, Chrysalis might purchase abus, hire a certified driver, and contract with SCOE for bus maintenance.Insurance would be through our current insurance provider.
For field trips, the school utilizes parent volunteers whomeet the criteria of the school’s approved driver policy. If a bus system isput in place, the bus might supplement this system.
AUDITS
The School will facilitate an annual independent audit ofthe school’s financial affairs. The Board will select and oversee an auditorwith education audit experience.
The audit will verify the accuracy of the School’s financialstatements, attendance and enrollment accounting practices and review theschool’s internal controls. The audit will be conducted in accordance withgenerally accepted accounting principles applicable to the school. It isanticipated that the annual audit will be completed four months after the closeof the fiscal year and that a copy of the auditor’s findings will be forwardedto the County Superintendent of Schools, the State Controller and to the CDE byDecember 15th each year. The Chrysalis Council and Board of Directors willreview any audit exceptions or deficiencies and the Board of Directors willsubmit a report to the Shasta County Office of Education describing how theexceptions and deficiencies have been or will be resolved to the satisfactionof the Shasta County Office of Education.
CLOSURE PROTOCOL
The following procedures shall apply in the event the Schoolcloses, regardless of the reason for closure.
1. Closure of the School will be documented by officialaction of the Chrysalis Council and Board of Directors. The action willidentify the reason for closure.
2. The Council will promptly notify the Shasta County Officeof Education of the closure and of the effective date of the closure.
3. The Council will ensure notification to the parents andstudents of the School about the closure and will provide information to assistparents and students in locating suitable alternative programs. This noticewill be provided promptly following the Council’s and Board’s decision to closethe School.
4. As applicable, the School will provide parents, studentsand the Shasta County Office of Education with copies of all appropriatestudent records and will otherwise assist students in transferring to theirnext school. All transfers of student records will be made in compliance withthe Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”) 20 U.S.C. 1232g. Allrecords of the School shall be transferred to the Shasta County Office of Educationupon School closure.
5. As soon as reasonably practical, the School will preparefinal financial records. The School will also have an independent auditcompleted as soon as reasonably practical, which period is generally no morethan six months after closure. The School will pay for the final audit. Theaudit will be prepared by a qualified Certified Public Accountant selected bythe School and will be provided to the Shasta County Office of Educationpromptly upon its completion.
6. Chrysalis Charter School will be operated by theChrysalis Charter School nonprofit. As such, its assets and liabilities will be integrated into those of thecorporation. In the event that the Chrysalis Charter School closes,
VIII. IMPACT ON THECHARTER AUTHORIZER
Provide informationregarding the potential effects of the charter school on the charter authorizerand/or the school district in which it will be located, including, but notlimited to, the facilities to be utilized by the school, the manner in whichadministrative services of the school are to be provided, and potential civilliability effects. [Ref. California Education Code §47605(g)]
Civil Liability
The Charter School shall be operated as a Californianonprofit public benefit corporation. This corporation is organized andoperated exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of Section501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code and California Revenue and Taxation CodeSection 23701d. The specific purposes for which the corporation is organizedare for the operation of a California public charter school for educationalservices in accordance with the Education Code Section 47600, et seq.
Pursuant to Education Code Section 47604(c), an entity thatgrants a charter to a charter school operated by or as a non-profit publicbenefit corporation shall not be liable for the debts or obligations of thecharter school or for claims arising from the performance of acts, errors oromissions by the Charter School if the authority has complied with alloversight responsibilities required by law. The Charter School Articles ofIncorporation and bylaws are attached as Attachment 5. The Charter School shallwork diligently to assist the Shasta County Office of Education in meeting anyand all oversight obligations under the law to ensure the Shasta County Officeof Education shall not be liable for the operation of the Charter School.
Further, the Charter School and the Shasta County Office ofEducation shall enter into a memorandum of understanding which shall providefor indemnification of the Shasta County Office of Education.
The corporate bylaws of the Charter School shall provide forindemnification of the school’s Board of Directors, officers, agents, andemployees, and the School will purchase general liability insurance, Directorsand Officers insurance, and fidelity bonding to secure against financial risks.Insurance amounts will be determined by recommendation of the insurance companyfor schools of similar size, location, and type of program. The Shasta CountyOffice of Education shall be named an additional insured on the generalliability insurance of the Charter School.
The Board of Directors and the Chrysalis Council willinstitute appropriate risk management practices, including screening ofemployees, establishing codes of conduct for students, staff, and participatingfamilies, and procedures governing financial transactions and disputeresolution.
Assurances
This form is intended to be signed by a duly authorizedrepresentative of the applicant and submitted with the Full Application.
As the authorized representative of the applicant, I herebycertify that the information submitted in this application for a charter forChrysalis Charter School to be located at _________________________________ istrue to the best of my knowledge and belief; I also certify that thisapplication does not constitute the conversion of a private school to thestatus of a public charter school; and further I understand that if awarded acharter, the school:
Will meet all statewide standards and conduct the studentassessments required, pursuant to Education Code §60605, and any otherstatewide standards authorized in statute, or student assessments applicable tostudents in noncharter public schools. [Ref. California Education Code§47605(c)(1)]
Will be deemed the exclusive public school employer of theemployees of the charter school for the purposes of the Educational EmploymentAct (Chapter 10.7 (commencing with§3540) of Division 4 of Title 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code.3 [Ref.California Education Code §47605(b)(5)(O)]
Will be nonsectarian in its programs, admissions policies,employment practices, and all other operations. [Ref. California Education Code§47605(d)(1)]
Will not charge tuition. [Ref. California Education Code§47605(d)(1)]
Will admit all students who wish to attend the school, andwho submit a timely application, unless the school receives a greater number ofapplications than there are spaces for students, in which case each applicantwill be given equal chance of admission through a random lottery process. [Ref.California Education Code §47605(d)(2)(B)]
Will not discriminate against any student on the basis ofethnic background, national origin, gender, or disability.
Will adhere to all provisions of federal law relating tostudents with disabilities, including the IDEA, Section 504 of theRehabilitation Act of 1974, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Actof 1990, that are applicable to it. .
Will meet all requirements for employment set forth inapplicable provisions of law, including, but not limited to credentials, asnecessary. [Ref. Criteria for Review, §11967.5.1(f)(5)]
Will ensure that teachers in the school hold a Commission onTeacher Credentialing certificate, permit, or other document equivalent to thatwhich a teacher in other public schools are required to hold. As allowed bystatute, flexibility will be given to non-core, non-college preparatoryteachers. [Ref. CaliforniaEducation Code §47605(l)]
Will at all times maintain all necessary and appropriateinsurance coverage and regulations that pertain to the applicant or theoperation of the charter school.
________________________________________________________________
Authorized Representative’s Signature Date
Attachments:
Necessary Signatures, i.e., signatures that comply with theprovisions of Education Code §47605(a) or §47605.6(a), as applicable.
Completed Assurances page
Attachment 1 (page 1) – county wide attendance
Attachment 2 (page 1) – resumes
Attachment 3 (page 7) – math curriculum
Attachment 4 (page 20) – budget projections
Attachment 5 (page 22) – Articles of Incorporation andbylaws