Skip to content

Tag: Charter Schools

Published on
  • Effective: 8/30/2016
  • Revision:
  1. Board Directive
    The Board may authorize an application to establish and operate a charter school within the geographical boundaries (Utah Code § 53G-5-305). To assist with the Board’s decision whether to approve an application to authorize a charter school and consistent with the guidance provided by the Board, the Board delegates to the District Administration the responsibility for developing procedures to administer the policy for submitting an application to the Board seeking authorization by the Board for establishing and operating a charter school within the geographical boundaries of the District. All charter schools authorized by the Board are required to comply with federal and state laws, rules and regulations, the terms and conditions for the operation of the charter school as set forth in a written charter agreement, and any other agreement entered into with the District.Consistent with the guidance provided by the Board, the Board further delegates to the District Administration the responsibility for developing procedures to administer the policy for reviewing charter applications of charter schools within the geographical boundaries of the District which do not seek authorization by the Board of Education, but which seek authorization of a charter school from the State Charter School Board (Utah Code § 53G-5-304).
  2. Board Authorization of Charter School Policy
    1. The Board will consider various factors in considering whether to authorize a charter school application including but not limited to the following potential concerns and benefits.
      1. Potential Concerns:
        1. Direct and indirect cost to the District
        2. Impact on District resources
        3. Burden and workload on District employees
        4. Dilution of Board focus
        5. Consequences of charter failure
        6. Long-term sustainability
        7. Financial responsibility
        8. Perceptions of employees and community
        9. Indicators of high quality education
        10. Oversight
      2. Potential Benefits:
        1. Increased high quality opportunities
        2. Specialized programs/opportunities
        3. Smaller school and classroom size
        4. Magnet schools
        5. Understanding and interacting with charter community
        6. Potential economic benefit to taxpayers
        7. Flexibility
        8. Engaging community
        9. Perceptions of employees and community
        10. Breaking boundaries
    2. Application for Authorization by the Board of Education
      1. Submission of Application for Board Consideration
        1. An application shall conform to requirements specified by the Utah Charter School Act (Utah Code
          §53G-5-302).
        2. According to the guidance provided by the Board, the District Administration will develop District charter school application procedures which may specify when applications may be submitted for Board consideration and which will specify any information required to be included in a charter application for an application submitted to the Board for its authorization of a charter school within the geographical boundaries of the District, which may include the following:
          1. the charter school's proposed curriculum, instructional program or delivery methods;
          2. a method for assessing whether students are reaching academic goals, including, at a minimum, participation in the Utah Performance Assessment System for Students under Chapter 1, Part 6, Achievement Tests;
          3. a proposed calendar;
          4. sample policies;
          5. a description of opportunities for parental involvement;
          6. a description of the school's administrative, supervisory, or other proposed services that may be obtained through service providers; or
          7. other information that demonstrates an applicant's ability to establish and operate a charter school.
        3. According to the guidance provided by the Board, the District Administration will develop District charter school application procedures which will include minimum academic, financial, and enrollment standards and timelines setting forth the when and how an application may be submitted to the Board for its authorization.
        4. The Board will review and provide written notice of its acceptance or rejection of an application within forty-five (45) days after the application is received by the Board.
      2. Rejection of Application
        1. If the Board rejects the application, it shall notify the applicant in writing of the reason for the rejection.
        2. Upon rejection:
          1. the applicant may submit a revised application for reconsideration by the Board, or
          2. the applicant may seek a charter from the State Charter School Board under Utah Code § 53G-5-304.
      3. Approval of Application
        1. If the Board approves the application, the applicant and the Board shall set forth the terms and conditions for the operation of the charter school in a written agreement.
          1. The charter agreement shall be in compliance with Utah Code § 53G-5-303.
          2. The charter agreement will include the authorization period established by the Board.
          3. The charter agreement may be modified by mutual agreement of the Board and the governing body of the charter school.
        2. Approval for authorization is conditioned upon the express understanding that the governing body of a charter school, the nonprofit corporation under which the charter school is organized and managed, and the charter school are solely liable for any damages resulting from any legal challenge involving the operation of the charter school.  All charter agreements will include an indemnification provision that provides that the governing body, the charter school, and any managing nonprofit corporation will fully indemnify, hold harmless, and defend the Board and District from any claims asserted against them that arise as a result of the operation of the charter school.
        3. The Board may authorize a charter school for an authorization period up to fifteen (15) years but not less than (3) years before reauthorization must be sought.
    3. Requests for Authorization by the State Charter School Board
      1. Application to State Charter School Board
        An applicant seeking authorization of a charter school from the State Charter School Board for a charter school located in the District shall provide a copy of the application to the District either before or at the same time it files its application with the State Charter School Board.
      2. District Feedback
        The Board authorizes the District Administration to review the application with the State Charter School Board and offer suggestions or recommendations to the Board.  The Board may instruct the Administration on whether to take a position on the application and on what, if any, suggestions or recommendations to then offer the applicant or the State Charter School Board prior to the State Charter School Board acting on the application.
  3. Policy Expiration
    Unless extended or expressly modified by the Board, this policy will expire on July 31, 2017.

Published on
  • Effective: 5/17/1983
  • Revision: 2/22/2022
  1. Board Directive
    The Board recognizes that non-resident students and charter school students residing in Jordan School District may at times request to be enrolled in the schools of the Jordan District.  The District Administration is therefore authorized to enroll non-resident students, foreign students and charter school students according to the provisions of the following administrative policy, and in accordance with Utah Code §53G-6-302 through 53G-6-404, 53G-6-503, 53G-6-702 through 53G-6-707 and Utah Administrative Code R277-438, R277-494 and R277-612.
  2. Administrative Policy
    The following administrative policy provisions shall be followed in providing for Jordan District enrollment of non-resident students and charter school students who reside in Jordan District.  Students who have previously graduated from high school or equivalent, have exceeded age appropriate placement, or whose class has graduated will not be eligible for enrollment.

    1. In-State District Reciprocity
      1. A student's legal residence is the domicile of the student's custodial legal guardian.
      2. Students from another district may attend District schools following the procedures and expectations outlined in Policy AS93 – Open Enrollment/School Choice.
      3. Students must be prepared to abide by the rules and policies of the school and the District.
      4. The student shall be placed as appropriate based on the documented enrollment history provided by the previous school or district.
      5. Charges, if any, for enrolling students from another district are to be arranged with the school districts involved.
    2. Foreign Immigrant Students
      1. Students whose most recent school enrollment was in a foreign country shall be enrolled in their age-appropriate grade in the Jordan School District.
      2. After enrollment, parents or guardians may request retention or acceleration following the process in Policy AS 64 – Student Retention and Acceleration.
      3. Students who have graduated from or otherwise completed a high school program or its equivalent in a foreign country are not eligible for enrollment in the District.
    3. Foreign Non-Immigrant Students
      1. The Board and District administration shall not authorize enrollment for any foreign non-immigrant students if any part of the enrollment would violate the laws, regulations, or guidelines of the United States or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
      2. Foreign non-immigrant students are eligible for graduation from District high schools provided they meet current Utah graduation requirements.
        1. Students must provide official transcripts to receive credit for courses taken in their home country. As credits may not exactly transfer, make-up credits may be required. Students are responsible for the time and expense of make-up credits.
        2. Foreign non-immigrant students who choose not to graduate but complete their 12th grade year in a District school may be recognized by school administration during graduation ceremonies.
      3. Foreign non-immigrant students entering the United States on an F-1 or J-1 visa may be enrolled in the District following the guidelines below:
        1. For students entering the United States on an F-1 visa:
          1) Enrollment will only be allowed in years when the District is authorized by the DHS to issue Form I-20 documents.
          2) Application for original or transferred enrollment must be made prior to July 1 of each year.
          a) Applications must meet all requirements of and provide all
          documentation required by both the DHS and the District.
          b) Applications must include full payment of the per capita cost of tuition |
          and a non-refundable processing fee (as described on the Planning &
          Enrollment website) plus any required school fees. Per DHS
          requirements, payment of tuition and fees may not be waived or paid in
          installments.
          3) The requested enrollment must be for in-person instruction in grades 10-12 for no more or less than one academic year.
        2. For students entering the United States on a J-1 visa:
          1) Enrollment will be allowed each year that allocations of J-1 student funds are made by the Utah State Board of Education (USBE). The number of allocations given to the District by USBE represent the cap on J-1 foreign non-immigrant student enrollment.
          2) Application for original or transferred enrollment must be made prior to July 1 of each year under the following guidelines:
          a) Applications must meet all requirements of and provide all documentation required by both the United States Department of State and the District.
          b) The requested enrollment must be for in-person instruction in grades 10-12 for no more or less than one academic year in one of the following circumstances:

          1. The student is sponsored by an agency approved by the Board of Education, or
          2. The student is sponsored by an agency approved by the Board of Education and enrolls under a one-for-one exchange with a current resident student in a District high school.
            c) Allocations from USBE for J-1 foreign non-immigrant students provide reimbursement to the District for the tuition costs associated with enrollment. When USBE allocations or monies are reduced or not available, the District may, at its discretion:

            1. Withdraw any previously approved enrollment authorizations, Require payment of tuition by J-1 foreign non-immigrant students, or
            2. Grant tuition waivers upon application from the J-1 foreign non-immigrant student or host family.
              1. Tuition waivers are only available to students who otherwise qualify for enrollment in the District.
              2. The number of available waivers will be reviewed regularly by District administration.
              3. Exceptions or denied waiver applications may be appealed to the Board of Education by the host family.
                d) The District may enroll a J-1 foreign non-immigrant student who does not qualify for state monies and pay the tuition costs of the student with other District funds or charge the student the current per capita cost of tuition.
        3. All foreign exchange students work through Planning & Enrollment in Student Services and should not be enrolled at the local school without authorization.
        4. Registration and participation/class fees outlined in AA408 – Fees still apply.
      4. All foreign exchange and foreign students must be approved for enrollment by the Board in an open meeting of the Board.
    4. Non-Utah Residents
      1. Non-Utah residents will be charged a per capita cost unless
        1. Such tuition is waived by the Board in an open meeting of the Board, or
        2. The student qualifies for resident enrollment under item 3 below
      2. The following criteria shall be used to determine fees for non-Utah residents:
        1. The base figure will be the same cost determined to educate a student in Jordan District that was computed two school years previous.
        2. The increase in the Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU) during the past two (2) years will be added to the cost derived in D.2.a.
        3. If the student is to receive or chooses to participate in programs of the District that are heavily subsidized by state or local funding (i.e., Special Education, CTE, Dual Immersion, International Baccalaureate, etc.), the amount charged will be increased by the average cost per student of that program.
      3. The following criteria will be applied to determine if the student will not be charged a tuition fee (§53G-6-302):
        1. The student’s presence in the District is not for the primary purpose of attending school.
        2. The student’s physical, mental, moral, or emotional health would best be served by considering the student to be a resident for school purposes.
        3. The student is prepared to abide by the rules and policies of the school and the District in which attendance is sought.
        4. The student resides with a responsible adult who is a resident of the District, and:
          1) Has been appointed guardian by a court of jurisdiction; or
          2) Is the student’s noncustodial parent, grandparent, brother, sister, uncle, or aunt; and
          3) Is designated as the student’s custodian in a durable power of attorney issued by the party who has legal custody of the student that grants the custodian full authority for educational or medical services in the interest of the student.
          4) Is married or an emancipated minor.
        5. Enrollment granted under D.3.d.(2) shall require a durable power of attorney.
      4. Non-resident and foreign students require authorization from Planning & Enrollment in Student Services prior to enrolling at the local school.
    5. Resident Charter School Students
      1. A student’s legal residence is the domicile of the student’s custodial parent or legal guardian.
      2. Resident students attending a charter school may attend Jordan School District schools as follows (§53G-6-503):
        1. Resident students attending a charter school may attend their school of residence the following school year if written notification of intent to enroll in the school of residence is submitted to the school no later than June 30 of the current year.
        2. After June 30 or during the school year, resident students enrolled in a charter school may attend their school of residence if there is space available, or a school other than their school of residence by following the procedures outlined in this policy and in Policy AS93—Open Enrollment School Choice.
        3. Charter school students may participate in extra-curricular or co-curricular activities at their school of residence by following the procedures outlined in this policy and the Student Services Manual.