§ 6-23-401 - Authority under a charter for open-enrollment public charter schools. - Arkansas Statutes

6-23-401. Authority under a charter for open-enrollment public charter schools.

(a) An open-enrollment public charter school:

(1) Shall be governed by an eligible entity that is fiscally accountable and under the governing structure as described by the charter;

(2) Shall provide instruction to students at one (1) or more elementary or secondary grade levels as provided by the charter;

(3) Shall retain authority to operate under the charter contingent on satisfactory student performance as provided by the charter and in accordance with this chapter;

(4) Shall have no authority to impose taxes;

(5) Shall not incur any debts without the prior review and approval of the Commissioner of Education;

(6) Shall not charge students tuition or fees that would not be allowable charges in the public school districts; and

(7) Shall not be religious in its operations or programmatic offerings.

(b) An open-enrollment public charter school is subject to any prohibition, restriction, or requirement imposed by this title and any rule and regulation promulgated by the State Board of Education under this title relating to:

(1) Monitoring compliance with this chapter, as determined by the commissioner;

(2) Public school accountability under this title;

(3) High school graduation requirements as established by the state board;

(4) Special education programs as provided by this title;

(5) Conducting criminal background checks for employees as provided in this title; and

(6) Health and safety codes as established by the state board and local governmental entities.