Navigating the Closure Process. Xxxxxxx Xxxx. Authorizing Matters Issue Brief, May 2011. National Association of Charter School Authorizers (2011). Table of Contents Introduction. 4 A Conceptual Timeline for Closure 5 Notification and Initial Steps. 6 Develop / Monitor Implementation of the Closure Plan 8 Finalize School Affairs: Governance and Operations 9 Finalize School Affairs: Finance 11 Finalize School Affairs: Reporting 12 Dissolution 13 Introduction Charter school closures happen when a school’s charter is revoked, non‐renewed, or relinquished. A number of factors can lead to closure of the school, including poor academic performance, finances, governance, or safety issues. Regardless of the reasons for closure, the board of directors of the public charter school is responsible for managing the closure and dissolution process.2 Cooperation between the public charter school board and administrator, authorizer, and other state entities can allow for the facilitation of a smooth process that “minimize[s] disruption for students while ensuring that public funds are used appropriately.”3 The closure process should begin as soon as the authorizer or the charter school board takes initial action to close the school, regardless of whether an appeals process has been completed or the decision has been finalized. This allows the school and authorizer to discuss the potential closure, identify a tentative timeline for the final decision, and work together to establish a closure team and clear paths of communication with each other, stakeholders, and the community. Whenever possible, the authorizer and public charter school should work together to ensure that the school is able to operate through the completion of the regularly‐scheduled school year. Under most circumstances, this should allow adequate time to complete all closure tasks. More importantly, it minimizes instructional gaps for students. However, there are occasions when it is necessary for a school to close mid‐year. In these cases, students’ educational transitions should be the highest priority. The school, authorizer, and other state entities must also identify the appropriate closure team and work closely together to prioritize closure tasks and manage their completion in as organized and efficient manner as possible. Though individual schools should develop closure plans that are tailored to their situation, resources, and needs, all schools should keep the following primary goals in mind:
Navigating the Closure Process. Xxxxxxx Xxxx. Authorizing Matters Issue Brief, May 2011. National Association of Charter School Authorizers (2011). Table of Contents Introduction. 4 A Conceptual Timeline for Closure 5 Notification and Initial Steps. 6 Develop / Monitor Implementation of the Closure Plan 8 Finalize School Affairs: Governance and Operations 9 Finalize School Affairs: Finance 11
