3301-102-03. Approval of sponsors

(A) The department shall establish the annual application and approval process, including cycles and deadlines during the fiscal year, for eligible entities that may become sponsors of new start-up community schools in challenged school districts and post that information on the department's website (education.ohio.gov) by July first each year.

(B) An eligible entity shall obtain a written application from the department to become a sponsor and shall complete it and submit it to the department no later than the deadlines posted on the department's website.

(C) Confirmation of applications received shall be posted on the department's website.

(D) The department shall provide written notice to each applicant of the department's approval or reasons for disapproval of each application after completion of the department's review process.

(E) An applicant shall provide as part of its initial written application, as well as during the application review process, evidence requested and deemed necessary by the department, including, but not limited to, evidence of its capacity as a sponsor and willingness to do all of the following:

(1) Demonstrate that the applicant is an eligible entity capable of sponsoring a new start-up school(s) to be located in a challenged school district(s);

(2) Demonstrate that if the applicant sponsors or operates schools in another state, at least one of the schools sponsored or operated by the applicant must be rated comparable to or better than the performance of Ohio schools rated in continuous improvement or its successor equivalent rating under section 3302.03 of the Revised Code;

(3) Demonstrate, it its application that the applicant or its representative(s) possess the requisite skills, professional knowledge and expertise to, provide technical assistance and monitor, oversee, and hold accountable for compliance with all applicable laws, rules, and terms of the community school contract for each community school that it proposes to sponsor ;

(4) Demonstrate the applicant's specific willingness to comply with all other sections of the Revised Code and all rules of the Administrative Code which are applicable to sponsors and community schools.

(F) Any applicant that has been approved to act as a sponsor of a community school shall enter into a sponsorship agreement with the department regarding the manner in which the applicant shall conduct such sponsorship before it enters into any preliminary agreement or community school contract.

(G) The decision of the department to disapprove an applicant for sponsorship of a community school may be appealed by the applicant in accordance with section 119.12 of the Revised Code.

Effective: 06/27/2013
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 04/08/2013 and 06/27/2018
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 3314.015, 3314.016, 3314.08, Section 7 of Am. Sub HB 364 of the 124th General Assembly
Rule Amplifies: Chapter 3314. of the Revised Code, Section 7 of Am. Sub HB 364 of the 124th General Assembly
Prior Effective Dates: 7/7/2003, 5/19/2006, 4/19/2008, 10/31/2000