Arizona State Board for Charter Schools
Newsletter
4105 N. 20th Street, Suite 280 December 2002
Phoenix, Arizona 85016
Phone: (602) 468-6369
Fax: (602) 468-1682
www.asbcs.state.az.us
Happy Holidays from the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools!
As you gear up for the second half of the school year we wanted to provide you with some important updates and reminders.
Fingerprint Clearance Cards and Background Checks
All schools should now have on file copies of principal’s, teachers’ and other required fingerprint clearance cards or copies of applications in progress. Be sure to follow up and document the progress of applications still in process. You can check certification status using the Certification Search through the Common Logon at www.ade.az.gov.
Documentation should also be on file for all employees not required to have a Fingerprint Clearance Card but needing a Background Check pursuant to A.R.S. 15-512. A review of the processes can be found on our website at http://www.asbcs.state.az.us/asbcs/fingerprinting.asp.
The 2002-2003 edition of WEST’S ARIZONA EDUCATION CODE is now available. The fingerprinting procedure changes made in S.B. 1008 are incorporated in the new edition. Copies of the new edition can be purchased at www.westgroup.com.
Also, all Arizona Revised Statutes can be viewed and printed on-line at www.azleg.state.az.us. This web site will also allow you to track legislation as it moves through the process during the session.
Mandatory State Testing
Recently, each charter received an e-mail from this office alerting them to the quickly approaching deadlines for submission of information to Harcourt, the dates and locations of Pre-Testing Workshops, and Critical Test Dates. Pertinent information can be obtained by reading the AIMS Update at http://www.ade.az.gov/standards/AIMSUpdates/12-02.pdf. School Improvement Plan Deadline
A reminder for those schools the were labeled “Underperforming” – A copy of your School Improvement Plan must be submitted to both the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools by January 29, 2003. The Board will be presented with your school improvement plan at a public meeting to be held on February 10, 2003.
Annual Financial Audits
The due date for submission of each charter’s Annual Financial Audit and Compliance Questionnaire is March 31, 2003. While there is absolutely no penalty for submitting early, late submission will result in the Board’s consideration of withholding 10% of the school’s monthly equalization payments until the audit is submitted. Audits should be sent to our office.
Five Year Reviews
Collection documents and letters specifying the dates of staff visits for those schools in their fifth year of operation are on their way. This year the staff will be completing 35 Five Year Reviews. We’re looking forward to seeing how these schools have developed over time.
Don’t be surprised if we visit your school too. We’ll be stopping by surrounding schools when we’re in the neighborhood.
Arizona State Retirement System
Make a note for budgeting purposes, the rates will increase for FY 03-04 to 5.70% for each the employer and employee. This is up from the current rate of 2.49% for each. For detailed information visit their website at http://www.asrs.az.gov/, click your version preference, and go to “New Stuff”.
We’d like to remind everyone who participates in the ASRS of the importance of submitting your payments to the system in a timely manner. This office is notified of delinquent accounts and will consider ASRS account status when reporting contract compliance status to the Board.
Articulation of the State Standards
A DRAFT version of the articulated Reading and Math Standards are available at http://www.ade.az.gov/standards/Articulated/. A Public Response Survey is also available on the same link. You are encouraged to review the Standards and submit a survey prior to January 31, 2003. Public comments will also be taken at scheduled public hearings. A list of the hearing times and places can be found within the December 2002 AIMS Update at http://www.ade.az.gov/standards/AIMSUpdates/12-02.pdf. Are You Current with Current Events?
This office frequently sends out information via our listserv of charter holders. If you are not receiving regular updates and reminders from us, please contact Tom Windeknecht
at Windeknecht_Tom@pop.state.az.us to verify your e-mail address. The Charter Board’s website is updated regularly with links to useful information. Be sure to check in regularly to www.asbcs.state.az.us.
All schools should also have someone who regularly checks the Department of Education web pages for updates. New information could be embedded in
• Financial Reporting
• Arizona LEARNS
• Grants System
• Student Accountability Information System (SAIS)
• State Tests & Academic Standards
• Press Releases
• Calendars/Conferences/Events
• Other News
New Staff Member
Michele Diamond has joined the Charter Board staff. Michele most recently worked for the Auditor General’s office in the Performance Auditing Division. She brings 8 years of finance and performance auditing experience and will be a great asset to the team. We’re Moving
The office of the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools will be relocating to the first floor of the Governor’s Tower on January 31, 2003. While we’re hoping for a smooth transition, please check our web page for our new contact information.
