COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 152

July 30, 2004

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Process and Criteria for the Board of Education to Review Charter School Applications

The session of the 2004 Virginia General Assembly resulted in amendments to previous statutes governing public charter schools. One of the amendments provided for the review of charter school applications by the Virginia Board of Education. Section 22.1-212.9 of the Code of Virginia states:

The public charter school applicant may submit its proposed charter application to the Board of Education for review and comment. The Board's review shall examine such applications for feasibility, curriculum, financial soundness, and other objective criteria as the Board may establish, consistent with existing state law. The Board's review and comment shall be for the purpose of ensuring that the application conforms with such criteria, but shall not include consideration as to whether the application shall be approved by the local school board.

To address this new provision of the statute, the Board of Education, at its July 21, 2004, meeting, adopted the attached process and criteria for examining charter school applications, which go into effect immediately.

Questions should be directed to Ms. Diane Jay at (804) 225-2905, or by e-mail to djay@mail.vak12ed.edu.

JLD/DLJ/saw

Attachment

http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/suptsmemos/2004/inf152a.pdf