Manatee School Board Approves Revision to Charter School Policy

BRADENTON – On Tuesday, the Manatee School Board approved a complete revision of its Charter School Policy 3.11. The revision was done with the purpose of aligning the policy with Florida Statutes 1002.33 and 1002.331.

Policy 1002.33 gives school boards oversight for all charter schools within their respective county. The revision was written by Director of District Support Linda Guilfoyle and her team in conjunction with District Attorney Mitchell Teitelbaum.

The revised policy also states that when the board enters into a charter with a charter operator, "the board, as the Sponsor, shall perform the duties provided in F.S. 1002.33." Those duties include: monitoring and reviewing the charter school in its progress toward the charter's stated goals; monitoring revenues and expenditures; ensuring that the charter school participates in the state's education accountability system; reporting failure to meet any performance measures to the Department of Education.

"The District's revised Charter School Policy will ensure that the Manatee County School District is in compliance with State Statute and clearly delineates the policy and procedures for Charter Schools," Teitelbaum advised TBT on Monday.