Charter Schools

The Fresno County Board of Education (County Board) and the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools (County Superintendent) recognize that charter schools may offer diverse learning opportunities for students. When considering charter petitions, the County Board shall give thoughtful consideration to the potential of the charter school to provide students with a high-quality education that enables them to achieve to their fullest potential.

Petitioners are expected to present a detailed and comprehensive petition that includes specific and accurate information that represents a realistic view of how the school will implement and operate its educational program. It is an expectation of the County Board that petitioners submitting a petition for review shall be knowledgeable of state and federal laws and regulations regarding charter schools.

Interdepartmental Charter School Petition Review Committee

It is the role of the Charter School Petition Review Committee to ensure that charter petitions are reasonably comprehensive.  Our process allows specialized staff to evaluate petitions in a systematic, unbiased approach through a comprehensive checklist that provides uniformity in the evaluation of charter petitions.

Petitioners should contact Dr. Jeffrey Hunt at jhunt@fcoe.org with any questions about the FCSS charter petition review process or supporting documents.

View the FCSS Charter Petition Review Matrix

Countywide Benefit Charter Schools

A charter petition may be submitted directly to the County Board if the proposed school will serve students for whom the County Superintendent would otherwise be responsible for providing direct education and related services. A charter petition may also be directly submitted to the County Board if it proposes to operate as a countywide benefit charter at one or more sites within the geographic boundaries of Fresno County, under the jurisdiction of the County Board to provide instructional services not generally provided by the County Board and the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools.

Charter Schools on Appeal

If the governing board of a school district has previously denied a charter school petition, the petitioner(s) may elect to submit the petition for the establishment of a charter to the County Board.     A complete charter appeal packet must be submitted to the County Board not later than 30 calendar days of the school district governing board’s denial action. The County Board shall take no action on any appeal submitted to the County Board more than 30 calendar days after the date of the school district governing board’s denial action (Education Code 47605(k)).

In considering charter renewals, including appeals, the County Board shall follow the renewal standards set forth in Education Code 47607 and 47607.2.

View the FCSS Charter Appeal Packet

Renewal Process

The County Board believes that the ongoing operation of a charter school should be dependent on the charter school’s effectiveness in achieving its mission and goals for student learning and other student outcomes. 

In considering charter renewals, the County Board shall follow the renewal standards set forth in Education Code 47607 and 47607.2.

Renewal petitions for County Board authorized charter schools shall be governed by the same standards and criteria that apply to new charter petitions as set forth in Education Code 47605, except for renewal petitions for a countywide benefit charter which are governed by the standards and criteria set for in Education Code 47605.6.  A charter school that, concurrently with its renewal, proposes to expand operations to one or more additional sites or grade levels shall request a material revision to its charter, which may be made only with the approval of the County Board in accordance with the applicable standards and criteria.

A charter renewal shall not be denied based on the fiscal impact of the charter school or a finding that the charter school is unlikely to serve the interests of the entire community in which the school is located, as described in Education Code 47605(c)(7) and (c)(8).  However, the County Board may use either of these bases to deny a proposed expansion constituting a material revision. (Education Code 47607.)

View the FCSS Charter Renewal Packet

Approval & Denial Progress

The County Board shall either grant or deny the charter petition at a public hearing held no later than 90 calendar days after receiving a charter petition. With mutual consent between the petitioner(s) and County Board, a 30-day extension may be granted. Any request by the petitioner(s) for an extension must be made in writing to the County Board prior to the County Board taking a vote to approve or deny the charter petition.

At least 15 days before the public hearing at which the County Board will grant or deny the charter, the County Board shall publish all staff recommendations, including the recommended findings, regarding the charter petition. During the public hearing, petitioners shall have equal time and opportunity to present evidence and testimony to respond to the staff recommendations and findings (Education Code 47605. 47605.6).

Memorandum of Understanding

Charter schools that are authorized by the County Board will be required to enter into an agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) with the County Board.