Charter School New Start Appeals

Process

Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.) § 49-13-108, public charter school sponsors may appeal the denial of an application by a local board of education to the State Board of Education. The State Board of Education’s decision on appeal shall be final and not subject to further appeal. An appeal of a charter school application to the State Board is governed in accordance with T.C.A. § 49-13-108(a)(4) and the State Board Policies listed below. 

Additional information about the State Board of Education's appeal process can be found in this guidance document. 

To submit corrections on appeal in accordance with T.C.A § 49-13-108(a)(4)(c) use this template.

Appeals involving LEA’s without a priority school on the current or last preceding priority school list:

Pursuant to T.C.A. § 49-13-108(a)(4)(D), if the State Board of Education finds that the local board’s decision to deny the application of a charter school was contrary to the best interests of the pupils, school district, or community, the State Board will remand the application back to the local board of education with instructions for approval of the charter application. In this case, the local board of education will be the chartering authority.

Appeals involving LEA’s with at least one priority school on the current or last preceding priority school list:

Pursuant to T.C.A. § 49-13-108(a)(4)(E), if the State Board of Education finds that the local board’s decision to deny the application of a charter school was contrary to the best interests of the pupils, school district or community, the State Board may approve the application for a charter school. The State Board would be the chartering authority of these schools, and these schools will be evaluated and held accountable to the State Board of Education’s Charter School Performance Framework unless the LEA and the charter school agree that the charter school will be overseen and monitored by the LEA pursuant to T.C.A. § 49-13-142(b)(3).

State Board of Education Charter School Appeals Policies:

• 2.500 – Charter School Appeals
• 6.300 – Application Review

Charter School New Start Appeals for 2018

• Journey Academy of Success 
  • Public Hearing Agenda on September 10
    • Sign-Up for Public Comment by noon September 7 here
    • Submit Written Public Comment by 4:30 p.m. September 17 here
  • Findings and Recommendation
  • October 18 Board Workshop and October 19 Board Meeting
• Aspire Coleman Middle School
  •     Public Hearing Agenda on September 24
    
    • Sign-Up for Public Comment by noon September 21 here
    • Submit Written Public Comment by 4:30 p.m. October 1 here
      
  • Findings and Recommendation
  • October 18 Board Workshop and October 19 Board Meeting
• Cornerstone Prep Middle School 
  • Public Hearing Agenda on September 25
    • Sign-Up for Public Comment by noon September 21 here
    • Submit Written Public Comment by 4:30 p.m. October 2 here
  • Findings and Recommendation
  • October 18 Board Workshop and October 19 Board Meeting
• Blueprint Avodah
  • Public Hearing Agenda on September 25
    • Sign-Up for Public Comment by noon September 21 here
    • Submit Written Public Comment by 4:30 p.m. October 2 here
  • Findings and Recommendation
  • October 18 Board Workshop and October 19 Board Meeting

History

A full list of all appeal decisions can be found here.

For more information regarding charter school appeals, contact:
CharterSchool.Appeals@tn.gov  or
Tess Stovall, Director of Charter Schools
(615) 770-1190