New Maps to Help Developers as they Explore Potential Sites for their School
The maps illustrate under-enrollment, free or reduced-price lunch rates, and school performance as captured by the Academic Performance Index.
Charter School Facilities Incentive Grant Program Application Now Available
The California School Finance Authority is now accepting applications for the Charter School Facilities Incentive Grant Program (CSFIG).
CharterSAFE Offers Two Critical Webinars
CharterSAFE is proud to offer the two important webinars. Learn about Construction Insurance and Insurance for Developing Schools.
Make the Connection Between Business and Education
Property and Business Improvement District are great allies to support education.
Update: San Diego Unified Proposition Z - ICOC Board Action
SDUSD Board acted on February 12 to merge the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee for Proposition S and Proposition Z.
Webinars for School Developers: Charter School Facilities 101, Building the Team to Fulfill Your Mission (Part 2 of 3), PCSGP: Governance 101 and PCSGP: Finance 101
There are a number of online charter school development information sessions coming up in the next few months on topics ranging from incorporation to designing a realistic school budget.
Sycamore Valley Academy Making a Difference in the Facility Resources Struggle in the Central Valley
For that reason, schools participating in Prop 39 facilities applications and SB 740 facilities private lease reimbursements should be applauded in their efforts to formally communicate the need for facility resources for charter schools.
Participate in the Facilities Survey: Deadline is January 31
The Facilities Initiative Survey aims to collect data to develop an analysis of the issues and challenges facing California's charter schools and their access to affordable, adequate facilities.
Facilities Continues to be the Number One Challenge Cited by Charter Operators in Santa Clara County
Did you know that there are a handful of charter networks in Santa Clara County that are leasing private buildings AND using district facilities for multiple schools?
Don't Forget To Add "Complete Facilities Survey" To Your Holiday List
Our effort to shape a policy environment where every charter school in California has access to an adequate, affordable facility begins with our developing an accurate picture of where our state's charter schools are today.
Voters Approve $250 Million Schools Facilities Funding for San Bernardino Unified
More than 71% of San Bernardino voters approve Bond Measure N, allocating $250 million to renovate San Bernardino Unified school facilities.
Two More Weeks Left - Don't Miss Your Chance to Participate in the Facilities Survey!
The survey aims to collect data to complete a comprehensive analysis of the issues and challenges facing California's charter schools and their access to affordable, adequate facilities.
Don't Forget to Add the Facilities Survey to Your School's Holiday To Do List
Complete the survey today! The participation of charter schools in the survey is vital to its success and to obtain accurate data.
It's as easy as 1-2-3! Fill Out the Facilities Survey Online Today
We need your data! CCSA recognizes that facilities are an essential component to the success of a charter school, and the data collected will help us to better advocate for charters to secure and retain long term, high-quality, affordable school space.
Low Interest Loans Available for Energy Efficiency
Over $22 million in loan funds are available from the California Energy Commission at an economically low interest rate for energy cost saving projects.
Fill Out the Facilities Survey Today - Last Chance to Win Prizes!
Fourteen winners will selected for either admission to CCSA's 20th Anniversary conference or gift cards from Office Depot or Starbucks.
New Facilities Initiative Survey is Live: Complete Yours Today to Win Prizes!
One of the greatest challenges charter schools face is access to adequate facilities. We are gathering some data from schools to help us with this facilities work on your behalf.
CCSA Answers: Eligibility for SB 740 Funding
Question: Are charter schools, leasing a district facility at market rate, eligible for SB 740 funding? Specifically, are charter schools leasing from an "unlike" district (i.e. a charter high school leasing district facilities from an elementary school district), eligible?
Have you Requested your Mandate Block Grant?
The 2012-13 budget contains a new mandate block grant of $14 per ADA for charter schools. The deadline to apply for the mandate block grant is October 1.
Countdown to Start of New Facilities Initiative
Starting October 1 - 31, CCSA's Charter School Facilities Initiative, a detailed analysis of the issues and challenges facing California's charter schools and their access to affordable, adequate facilities will officially begin.
CCSA Answers: Deadline by Which to Submit Surplus Property Requests
Question: What is the deadline by which surplus property request letters must be submitted by charter schools looking for a facility for the fall of 2013, to school districts?
New Facilities Survey Initiative
CCSA recently launched the Charter School Facilities Initiative, a comprehensive analysis of the issues and challenges facing California's charter schools and their access to affordable, adequate facilities.
New Resource: Construction Related Services Qualified Vendor List
CCSA has compiled a list of qualified vendors to assist charters with the development of new and modification of existing schools sites.
SB 740 Facility Grant Applications Now Available: Due Sept. 18, 2012
Follow this link for: a cover letter with specific program criteria the application other important materials to apply for the program The completed application must be submitted to the CDE by September 18, 2012. While CDE recognizes that the application...
San Diego Unified School District Unanimously Approves Creation of Charter Community Committee for Proposition Z and other Facilities Issues.
This action was an additional step forward to demonstrate SDUSD's commitment to supporting the many needs of charter schools and their students for new facilities space and repairing current facilities.
CCSA Answers: Surplus Property under SB 1016
Question: May any charter school, even a charter school authorized by another district, submit a request for surplus property, under SB 1016?
CCSA submits letter to Superintendent Torlakson regarding SB 740 concerns
We have heard from many members about problems with receiving SB 740 (Charter School Facility Grant Program) funding in a timely manner and have been working with Superintendent Torlakson and his staff at the California Department of Education (CDE) non-stop on this important issue.
Charter School Facility Funding Programs Direct from the Experts
Identifying and securing adequate facilities for charter students is a challenging task for many of our state's charter schools. A new video recorded at the 19th Annual California Charter Schools Conference offers an additional resource to schools as they confront this challenge.
CCSA's California Charter Building Fund Helps Equitas Get a New Home
CCSA's California Charter Building Fund (CCBF) has helped member charter schools of all sizes obtain financing to purchase, construct or renovate facilities.
CCSA Answers: Charter Schools and the Field Act
Question: Must a district-sponsored charter school facility be in compliance with the Field Act?
California Supreme Court Denies District's Bid to Overturn Prop. 39 Decision
The California Supreme Court denied Los Altos School District's requests that the Court accept review and depublish the appellate decision which sided with Bullis Charter School, finding that the District had violated Proposition 39, a law that requires school districts to provide "reasonably equivalent facilities" to charter schools.
CCSA Answers: Compliance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act
Question: Does the federal Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) apply to charter schools?
New Facilities Handbook for Charter Developers
CCSA's facilities experts have put together the most important and valuable tools to help charter leaders understand their options and navigate the facility development process.
CCSA Answers: Parental Notification for Pest Control
Question: We have a pest control company scheduled to fumigate our charter school and are wondering about requirements for parent notification.
Charter School Construction Projects Given $46.2 million
The State Allocation Board apportioned proceeds from the recent bond sale to school facility program construction projects.
LAUSD Board Raids Charter Facilities Funds to Pay for IT Improvements
The LAUSD School Board approved a funding strategy for district IT upgrades on Tuesday, Dec. 13th that would use around 22 million dollars of charter bond money that had been previously set aside for long-term facilities solutions. The board voted 6-1 with only Boardmember Vladovic opposing the funding strategy.
Sacramento City Trustees Drop Plans to Move Sac High and PS7
The grassroots action of St. HOPE, West Campus, and local charter school supporters changed the outcome.
LAUSD Augmentation Grant Applications Due Jan. 13
LAUSD has sent out the RFP for its Charter Augmentation Grant Program, a key source of funding for charter facilities.
CASH/CCSA Charter School Facilities Workshops are Coming Up!
Have a question or want to learn more about facilities options and solutions in California? These workshops from the Coalition for Adequate School Housing (CASH) and CCSA are for you!
Register for the 2011 CASH/CCSA Charter School Facilities Workshops
Facilities workshop co-sponsored by the Coalition for Adequate School Housing (C.A.S.H.) and the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) will assist charter schools in addressing critical facilities issues.
Oakland, Los Angeles Facilities Workshops are Right Around the Corner
Workshops being held in Oakland and Los Angeles will give an update on state funds available for charters, provide a road map for successfully accessing state funding, and look ahead to future funding and programs for charter facilities.
Capitol Update - 9/13/11 Special Edition
This time-sensitive communication was shared with schools that received funding from the Charter School Facility Grant Program (SB 740 Program) in the past, and may be eligible for this funding stream this year.
Charter School Facility Grant Program Applications Available, Due 9/15/11
The CDE has updated the forms and the process for eligible charter schools to apply to the 2011-12 Charter School Facility Grant Program. Applications are due by September 15, which may be a very short time line for some schools to compile all of the required documentation.
LAUSD Superintendent Affirms Commitment to Develop Long Term Facilities Program
We are pleased to announce that Superintendent John Deasy has affirmed his commitment to continue to develop long-term facilities solutions for charter schools as a way to relieve Prop. 39 demands. As a result of our recent efforts and communications with LAUSD, the Superintendent is requiring staff to articulate a process for distribution of bond funds through the use of augmentation grants, in order to support continued development of long term facilities solutions.
Charter School Facility Grant Program
The California Department of Education continues to process applications for the Charter School Facility Grant Program in their effort to complete disbursements for the 2010-11 grants. Find out what your school needs to do.
Help Accessing School Bond Funding
CCSA wants to help charter schools access this funding and provide much needed cash to charter school projects.
