(A) The department of education shall be responsible for the oversight of any and all sponsors of the community schools established under this chapter and shall provide technical assistance to schools and sponsors in their compliance with applicable laws and the terms of the contracts entered into under section 3314.03 of the Revised Code and in the development and start-up activities of those schools. In carrying out its duties under this section, the department shall do all of the following:
(1) In providing technical assistance to proposing parties, governing authorities, and sponsors, conduct training sessions and distribute informational materials;
(2) Approve entities to be sponsors of community schools ;
(3) Monitor the effectiveness of any and all sponsors in their oversight of the schools with which they have contracted;
(4) By December thirty-first of each year, issue a report to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, and the chairpersons of the house and senate committees principally responsible for education matters regarding the effectiveness of academic programs, operations, and legal compliance and of the financial condition of all community schools established under this chapter and on the performance of community school sponsors;
(5) From time to time, make legislative recommendations to the general assembly designed to enhance the operation and performance of community schools.
(B)(1) Except as provided in sections 3314.021 and 3314.027 of the Revised Code, no entity listed in division (C)(1) of section 3314.02 of the Revised Code shall enter into a preliminary agreement under division (C)(2) of section 3314.02 of the Revised Code until it has received approval from the department of education to sponsor community schools under this chapter and has entered into a written agreement with the department regarding the manner in which the entity will conduct such sponsorship. The department shall adopt in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code rules containing criteria, procedures, and deadlines for processing applications for such approval, for oversight of sponsors, for revocation of the approval of sponsors, and for entering into written agreements with sponsors. The rules shall require an entity to submit evidence of the entity’s ability and willingness to comply with the provisions of division (D) of section 3314.03 of the Revised Code. The rules also shall require entities approved as sponsors on and after June 30, 2005, to demonstrate a record of financial responsibility and successful implementation of educational programs. If an entity seeking approval on or after June 30, 2005, to sponsor community schools in this state sponsors or operates schools in another state, at least one of the schools sponsored or operated by the entity must be comparable to or better than the performance of Ohio schools in need of continuous improvement under section 3302.03 of the Revised Code, as determined by the department.
An entity that sponsors community schools may enter into preliminary agreements and sponsor schools as follows, provided each school and the contract for sponsorship meets the requirements of this chapter:
(a) An entity that sponsored fifty or fewer schools that were open for operation as of May 1, 2005, may sponsor not more than fifty schools.
(b) An entity that sponsored more than fifty but not more than seventy-five schools that were open for operation as of May 1, 2005, may sponsor not more than the number of schools the entity sponsored that were open for operation as of May 1, 2005.
(c) Until June 30, 2006, an entity that sponsored more than seventy-five schools that were open for operation as of May 1, 2005, may sponsor not more than the number of schools the entity sponsored that were open for operation as of May 1, 2005. After June 30, 2006, such an entity may sponsor not more than seventy-five schools.
Upon approval of an entity to be a sponsor under this division, the department shall notify the entity of the number of schools the entity may sponsor.
The limit imposed on an entity to which division (B)(1) of this section applies shall be decreased by one for each school sponsored by the entity that permanently closes.
If at any time an entity exceeds the number of schools it may sponsor under this division, the department shall assist the schools in excess of the entity’s limit in securing new sponsors. If a school is unable to secure a new sponsor, the department shall assume sponsorship of the school in accordance with division (C) of this section. Those schools for which another sponsor or the department assumes sponsorship shall be the schools that most recently entered into contracts with the entity under section 3314.03 of the Revised Code.
(2) The department of education shall determine, pursuant to criteria adopted by rule of the department, whether the mission proposed to be specified in the contract of a community school to be sponsored by a state university board of trustees or the board’s designee under division (C)(1)(e) of section 3314.02 of the Revised Code complies with the requirements of that division. Such determination of the department is final.
(3) The department of education shall determine, pursuant to criteria adopted by rule of the department, if any tax-exempt entity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that is proposed to be a sponsor of a community school is an education-oriented entity for purpose of satisfying the condition prescribed in division (C)(1)(f)(iii) of section 3314.02 of the Revised Code. Such determination of the department is final.
(C) If at any time the state board of education finds that a sponsor is not in compliance or is no longer willing to comply with its contract with any community school or with the department’s rules for sponsorship, the state board or designee shall conduct a hearing in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code on that matter. If after the hearing, the state board or designee has confirmed the original finding, the department of education may revoke the sponsor’s approval to sponsor community schools and may assume the sponsorship of any schools with which the sponsor has contracted until the earlier of the expiration of two school years or until a new sponsor as described in division (C)(1) of section 3314.02 of the Revised Code is secured by the school’s governing authority. The department may extend the term of the contract in the case of a school for which it has assumed sponsorship under this division as necessary to accommodate the term of the department’s authorization to sponsor the school specified in this division.
(D) The decision of the department to disapprove an entity for sponsorship of a community school or to revoke approval for such sponsorship under division (C) of this section, may be appealed by the entity in accordance with section 119.12 of the Revised Code.
(E) The department shall adopt procedures for use by a community school governing authority and sponsor when the school permanently closes and ceases operation, which shall include at least procedures for data reporting to the department, handling of student records, distribution of assets in accordance with section 3314.074 of the Revised Code, and other matters related to ceasing operation of the school.
(F) In carrying out its duties under this chapter, the department shall not impose requirements on community schools or their sponsors that are not permitted by law or duly adopted rules.
Amended by 128th General Assembly File No. 9, HB 1, § 101.01, eff. 10/16/2009.
(A) The department of education shall be responsible for the oversight of any and all sponsors of the community schools established under this chapter and shall provide technical assistance to schools and sponsors in their compliance with applicable laws and the terms of the contracts entered into under section 3314.03 of the Revised Code and in the development and start-up activities of those schools. In carrying out its duties under this section, the department shall do all of the following:
(1) In providing technical assistance to proposing parties, governing authorities, and sponsors, conduct training sessions and distribute informational materials;
(2) Approve entities to be sponsors of community schools ;
(3) Monitor the effectiveness of any and all sponsors in their oversight of the schools with which they have contracted;
(4) By December thirty-first of each year, issue a report to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, and the chairpersons of the house and senate committees principally responsible for education matters regarding the effectiveness of academic programs, operations, and legal compliance and of the financial condition of all community schools established under this chapter and on the performance of community school sponsors;
(5) From time to time, make legislative recommendations to the general assembly designed to enhance the operation and performance of community schools.
(B)(1) Except as provided in sections 3314.021 and 3314.027 of the Revised Code, no entity listed in division (C)(1) of section 3314.02 of the Revised Code shall enter into a preliminary agreement under division (C)(2) of section 3314.02 of the Revised Code until it has received approval from the department of education to sponsor community schools under this chapter and has entered into a written agreement with the department regarding the manner in which the entity will conduct such sponsorship. The department shall adopt in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code rules containing criteria, procedures, and deadlines for processing applications for such approval, for oversight of sponsors, for revocation of the approval of sponsors, and for entering into written agreements with sponsors. The rules shall require an entity to submit evidence of the entity’s ability and willingness to comply with the provisions of division (D) of section 3314.03 of the Revised Code. The rules also shall require entities approved as sponsors on and after June 30, 2005, to demonstrate a record of financial responsibility and successful implementation of educational programs. If an entity seeking approval on or after June 30, 2005, to sponsor community schools in this state sponsors or operates schools in another state, at least one of the schools sponsored or operated by the entity must be comparable to or better than the performance of Ohio schools in need of continuous improvement under section 3302.03 of the Revised Code, as determined by the department.
An entity that sponsors community schools may enter into preliminary agreements and sponsor schools as follows, provided each school and the contract for sponsorship meets the requirements of this chapter:
(a) An entity that sponsored fifty or fewer schools that were open for operation as of May 1, 2005, may sponsor not more than fifty schools.
(b) An entity that sponsored more than fifty but not more than seventy-five schools that were open for operation as of May 1, 2005, may sponsor not more than the number of schools the entity sponsored that were open for operation as of May 1, 2005.
(c) Until June 30, 2006, an entity that sponsored more than seventy-five schools that were open for operation as of May 1, 2005, may sponsor not more than the number of schools the entity sponsored that were open for operation as of May 1, 2005. After June 30, 2006, such an entity may sponsor not more than seventy-five schools.
Upon approval of an entity to be a sponsor under this division, the department shall notify the entity of the number of schools the entity may sponsor.
The limit imposed on an entity to which division (B)(1) of this section applies shall be decreased by one for each school sponsored by the entity that permanently closes.
If at any time an entity exceeds the number of schools it may sponsor under this division, the department shall assist the schools in excess of the entity’s limit in securing new sponsors. If a school is unable to secure a new sponsor, the department shall assume sponsorship of the school in accordance with division (C) of this section. Those schools for which another sponsor or the department assumes sponsorship shall be the schools that most recently entered into contracts with the entity under section 3314.03 of the Revised Code.
(2) The department of education shall determine, pursuant to criteria adopted by rule of the department, whether the mission proposed to be specified in the contract of a community school to be sponsored by a state university board of trustees or the board’s designee under division (C)(1)(e) of section 3314.02 of the Revised Code complies with the requirements of that division. Such determination of the department is final.
(3) The department of education shall determine, pursuant to criteria adopted by rule of the department, if any tax-exempt entity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that is proposed to be a sponsor of a community school is an education-oriented entity for purpose of satisfying the condition prescribed in division (C)(1)(f)(iii) of section 3314.02 of the Revised Code. Such determination of the department is final.
(C) If at any time the state board of education finds that a sponsor is not in compliance or is no longer willing to comply with its contract with any community school or with the department’s rules for sponsorship, the state board or designee shall conduct a hearing in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code on that matter. If after the hearing, the state board or designee has confirmed the original finding, the department of education may revoke the sponsor’s approval to sponsor community schools and may assume the sponsorship of any schools with which the sponsor has contracted until the earlier of the expiration of two school years or until a new sponsor as described in division (C)(1) of section 3314.02 of the Revised Code is secured by the school’s governing authority. The department may extend the term of the contract in the case of a school for which it has assumed sponsorship under this division as necessary to accommodate the term of the department’s authorization to sponsor the school specified in this division.
(D) The decision of the department to disapprove an entity for sponsorship of a community school or to revoke approval for such sponsorship under division (C) of this section, may be appealed by the entity in accordance with section 119.12 of the Revised Code.
(E) The department shall adopt procedures for use by a community school governing authority and sponsor when the school permanently closes and ceases operation, which shall include at least procedures for data reporting to the department, handling of student records, distribution of assets in accordance with section 3314.074 of the Revised Code, and other matters related to ceasing operation of the school.
(F) In carrying out its duties under this chapter, the department shall not impose requirements on community schools or their sponsors that are not permitted by law or duly adopted rules.
Amended by 128th General Assembly File No. 9, HB 1, § 101.01, eff. 10/16/2009.
(A) The department of education shall be responsible for the oversight of any and all sponsors of the community schools established under this chapter and shall provide technical assistance to schools and sponsors in their compliance with applicable laws and the terms of the contracts entered into under section 3314.03 of the Revised Code and in the development and start-up activities of those schools. In carrying out its duties under this section, the department shall do all of the following:
(1) In providing technical assistance to proposing parties, governing authorities, and sponsors, conduct training sessions and distribute informational materials;
(2) Approve entities to be sponsors of community schools ;
(3) Monitor the effectiveness of any and all sponsors in their oversight of the schools with which they have contracted;
(4) By December thirty-first of each year, issue a report to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, and the chairpersons of the house and senate committees principally responsible for education matters regarding the effectiveness of academic programs, operations, and legal compliance and of the financial condition of all community schools established under this chapter and on the performance of community school sponsors;
(5) From time to time, make legislative recommendations to the general assembly designed to enhance the operation and performance of community schools.
(B)(1) Except as provided in sections 3314.021 and 3314.027 of the Revised Code, no entity listed in division (C)(1) of section 3314.02 of the Revised Code shall enter into a preliminary agreement under division (C)(2) of section 3314.02 of the Revised Code until it has received approval from the department of education to sponsor community schools under this chapter and has entered into a written agreement with the department regarding the manner in which the entity will conduct such sponsorship. The department shall adopt in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code rules containing criteria, procedures, and deadlines for processing applications for such approval, for oversight of sponsors, for revocation of the approval of sponsors, and for entering into written agreements with sponsors. The rules shall require an entity to submit evidence of the entity’s ability and willingness to comply with the provisions of division (D) of section 3314.03 of the Revised Code. The rules also shall require entities approved as sponsors on and after June 30, 2005, to demonstrate a record of financial responsibility and successful implementation of educational programs. If an entity seeking approval on or after June 30, 2005, to sponsor community schools in this state sponsors or operates schools in another state, at least one of the schools sponsored or operated by the entity must be comparable to or better than the performance of Ohio schools in need of continuous improvement under section 3302.03 of the Revised Code, as determined by the department.
An entity that sponsors community schools may enter into preliminary agreements and sponsor schools as follows, provided each school and the contract for sponsorship meets the requirements of this chapter:
(a) An entity that sponsored fifty or fewer schools that were open for operation as of May 1, 2005, may sponsor not more than fifty schools.
(b) An entity that sponsored more than fifty but not more than seventy-five schools that were open for operation as of May 1, 2005, may sponsor not more than the number of schools the entity sponsored that were open for operation as of May 1, 2005.
(c) Until June 30, 2006, an entity that sponsored more than seventy-five schools that were open for operation as of May 1, 2005, may sponsor not more than the number of schools the entity sponsored that were open for operation as of May 1, 2005. After June 30, 2006, such an entity may sponsor not more than seventy-five schools.
Upon approval of an entity to be a sponsor under this division, the department shall notify the entity of the number of schools the entity may sponsor.
The limit imposed on an entity to which division (B)(1) of this section applies shall be decreased by one for each school sponsored by the entity that permanently closes.
If at any time an entity exceeds the number of schools it may sponsor under this division, the department shall assist the schools in excess of the entity’s limit in securing new sponsors. If a school is unable to secure a new sponsor, the department shall assume sponsorship of the school in accordance with division (C) of this section. Those schools for which another sponsor or the department assumes sponsorship shall be the schools that most recently entered into contracts with the entity under section 3314.03 of the Revised Code.
(2) The department of education shall determine, pursuant to criteria adopted by rule of the department, whether the mission proposed to be specified in the contract of a community school to be sponsored by a state university board of trustees or the board’s designee under division (C)(1)(e) of section 3314.02 of the Revised Code complies with the requirements of that division. Such determination of the department is final.
(3) The department of education shall determine, pursuant to criteria adopted by rule of the department, if any tax-exempt entity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that is proposed to be a sponsor of a community school is an education-oriented entity for purpose of satisfying the condition prescribed in division (C)(1)(f)(iii) of section 3314.02 of the Revised Code. Such determination of the department is final.
(C) If at any time the state board of education finds that a sponsor is not in compliance or is no longer willing to comply with its contract with any community school or with the department’s rules for sponsorship, the state board or designee shall conduct a hearing in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code on that matter. If after the hearing, the state board or designee has confirmed the original finding, the department of education may revoke the sponsor’s approval to sponsor community schools and may assume the sponsorship of any schools with which the sponsor has contracted until the earlier of the expiration of two school years or until a new sponsor as described in division (C)(1) of section 3314.02 of the Revised Code is secured by the school’s governing authority. The department may extend the term of the contract in the case of a school for which it has assumed sponsorship under this division as necessary to accommodate the term of the department’s authorization to sponsor the school specified in this division.
(D) The decision of the department to disapprove an entity for sponsorship of a community school or to revoke approval for such sponsorship under division (C) of this section, may be appealed by the entity in accordance with section 119.12 of the Revised Code.
(E) The department shall adopt procedures for use by a community school governing authority and sponsor when the school permanently closes and ceases operation, which shall include at least procedures for data reporting to the department, handling of student records, distribution of assets in accordance with section 3314.074 of the Revised Code, and other matters related to ceasing operation of the school.
(F) In carrying out its duties under this chapter, the department shall not impose requirements on community schools or their sponsors that are not permitted by law or duly adopted rules.
Amended by 128th General Assembly File No. 9, HB 1, § 101.01, eff. 10/16/2009.
