On April 23, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor announced an updated, final rule for overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Changes to minimum salary threshold are scheduled to go into effect in a series of stages, with the first change effective July 1, 2024, then January 1, 2025, then every 3 … Read More
EDGAR Part 1: Administrative Procedures
No doubt, Federal grant funds can provide great benefits for your students. From additional interventions to added technology, the possibilities are many, but programs funded by the USDE-issued grants such as Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and IDEA-B are regulated by many rules that can be difficult to understand. As a savvy administrator, you want … Read More
What is Required for Submission of the Charter School Certification of Fingerprinting Compliance?
It’s time for your charter school to complete the Annual Fingerprinting Certification and Statement of Compliance, due to TEA by December 8, 2023. Background Information The 2007 Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 9 requiring fingerprint-based criminal background reviews for certain school employees in Texas Public schools. Senate Bill 9 is codified in Texas Education Code (TEC), Chapter … Read More
The Annual Governance Reporting Requirement for Charter Schools
TEA collects information about charter school board members and school officers each year, as required by Texas law and outlined in TEC 12.119(b). This year’s deadline is December 1, 2023! The 2023-2024 Annual Governance Reporting Form for Open-Enrollment Charter Schools is due no later than Friday, December 1, Charters must submit this information through the … Read More
Dyslexia Law Updates
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the recent changes to the dyslexia laws? If so, you are not alone! On June 10, 2023, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 3928 which prompted many changes to the way we approach dyslexia evaluation, identification, and instruction. At this time, the Student Board of Education (SBOE) is in the … Read More
Defining Your PTO and Leave Policies
Charters have a lot of options and opportunity to exercise creativity when it comes to defining PTO and local leave policies for their organization. A thoughtful and robust leave policy can be a critical part of the charter’s enticing total rewards and benefits package, which can impact recruitment, retention, and morale as it speaks to … Read More
New Pregnancy Protection Regulations
The U.S. Senate passed two acts that help working moms who are pregnant or breastfeeding, which went into effect on June 27, 2023. PREGNANT WORKERS FAIRNESS ACT The first new regulation, known as The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for medical conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth. The law states that … Read More
Comprehensive Needs Assessment
It’s that time of year again! Time to begin planning for the upcoming school year. Local Education Agencies (LEAs) across the state are currently working with their campuses on planning for the 2023-2024 school year. To begin this process, campuses must first look at where they are now and use that as a guide to … Read More
EDGAR Allowable Costs and Procurement
In order to run a school system, you have to make purchases. There is a great deal of responsibility involved to make sure funding intended for the students is regulated with care. An added layer of review is necessary when these purchases involve federal grant funds. Some charter districts are a one-man or two-man operation, … Read More
Collaborative Comprehensive Needs Assessment for 2023-24 (CCNA)
While you were relaxing during Spring Break, you might have had thoughts about next year pop in your head, and hopefully you set them aside until this week! Now is the time to start writing down your ideas because it is almost time to start the needs assessment process that is required before you can … Read More