Meeting of the Board of Regents | January 2008

SUMMARY

Issue for Decision

Should the Regents approve the staff’s recommendations concerning the issuance of the initial charter for the La Cima Charter School (New York City)? 

Reason(s) for Consideration

              Required by State statute, Education Law §2852.

Proposed Handling

This question will come before the Regents EMSC Committee for action and then before the full Board for final action in January 2008.

Procedural History

The New York Charter Schools Act of 1998 requires the Board of Regents (“Board”) to review applications for both new charter schools and the renewal of existing charter schools that are submitted to it in accordance with the standards set forth in subdivision two of New York State Education Law §2852.  After review, the Board may either (a) approve an application and issue a charter or a renewal charter for a term of up to five years, or (b) deny the application. 

In addition, New York Education Law §2852(7) provides that revisions of charter school charters shall be made only upon approval of the charter entity and the Board of Regents in accordance with the provisions of the law applicable to the issuance of charters themselves.  With respect to charter schools directly chartered by the Board, it may either approve a proposed revision or deny it. 

Background Information

The application for the La Cima Charter School (“the School”) was approved by the Board of Regents at its December 14, 2007 meeting.  Staff recommend that the initial charter and provisional charter now be issued.

Recommendation

VOTED: That the Board of Regents issue a charter and provisional charter to the La Cima Charter School for a term of five years, ending on January 14, 2013.

Reasons for Recommendations

The proposed charter school: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations; (2) will operate in an educationally and fiscally sound manner;  (3) is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of section twenty-eight hundred fifty of Article 56 of the Education Law; and (4) will have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the proposed charter school.

Timetable for Implementation

The Regents action for the La Cima Charter School is effective immediately.