§ 70-3-137. Duration of contract – Renewal - Termination.  


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  • A.  An approved contract for a charter school shall be effective for not longer than five (5) years from the first day of operation.  Prior to the beginning of the fifth year of operation, the charter school may apply for renewal of the contract with the sponsor.  The sponsor may deny the request for renewal if it determines the charter school has failed to complete the obligations of the contract or comply with the provisions of the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act.  A sponsor shall give written notice of its intent to deny the request for renewal at least eight (8) months prior to expiration of the contract.

    B.  If a sponsor denies a request for renewal, the governing board may proceed to mediation or binding arbitration or both as provided for in subsection G of Section 3-134 of this title.

    C.  A sponsor may terminate a contract during the term of the contract for failure to meet the requirements for student performance contained in the contract, failure to meet the standards of fiscal management, violations of the law, or other good cause.  The sponsor shall give at least ninety (90) days’ written notice to the governing board prior to terminating the contract.  The governing board may request, in writing, an informal hearing before the sponsor within fourteen (14) days of receiving notice.  The sponsor shall conduct an informal hearing before taking action.  If a sponsor decides to terminate a contract, the governing board may proceed to mediation or binding arbitration or both as provided for in subsection G of Section 3-134 of this title.

    D.  If a contract is not renewed, the governing board of the charter school may submit an application to a proposed new sponsor as provided for in Section 3-134 of this title.

    E.  If a contract is not renewed or is terminated according to this section, a student who attended the charter school may enroll in the resident school district of the student or may apply for a transfer in accordance with Section 8-103 of this title.

Added by Laws 1999, c. 320, § 12, eff. July 1, 1999.  Amended by Laws 2003, c. 434, § 6; Laws 2004, c. 472, § 1, emerg. eff. June 7, 2004; Laws 2007, c. 257, § 3.