February 2026 ACCS - Item 3 Public Comment 3

Advisory Commission on Charter Schools January 29, 2026

RE: Item 3—Support the Staff Recommendation to Renew Olive Grove Charter School—Santa Barbara

Dear Commissioners:

The Charter School Development Center (CSDC) is widely recognized for expertise in charter renewal data. CSDC supports staff’s recommendation to renew the charter of Olive Grove Charter School—Santa Barbara. We note that the CDE memo indicates that the school meet the “requirements to renew under EC Section 47607.2.” In fact, there are no requirements to renew for schools in the “Middle” category. Rather, the requirements are of authorizers, who may only deny the charter renewal upon making factual findings that:

• the charter school has failed to meet or make sufficient progress toward meeting standards that provide a
  benefit to the pupils of the school;
• closure of the charter school is in the best interest of pupils; and
• its decision provided greater weight to academic performance.

Olive Grove Charter School—Santa Barbara presented “verified data” from the Renaissance Star assessment for the past two years that met the Student Growth Percentile (SGP) thresholds for “one year’s progress for each year in school.” This is particularly notable considering the school attracts many students who experience barriers to learning.

The school serves “students with different learning styles, educational needs, mental or physical health needs, and family situations.” The school qualified as a Dashboard Alternative Status School until 2022 and continues to serve many credit-deficient students.

As a “DASS-like” school that primarily supports students to get back on track for graduation, we note the school’s Dashboard “Local Climate Survey” Local Indicator indicated (1) mostly positive responses on the California Healthy Kids Survey from students (66% to 85% positive) and overwhelmingly positive responses from parents (96% to 100%) and (2) overwhelmingly positive responses on the school’s local survey in all three areas from students (93% to 98%)and
parents (94% to 98%) and positive responses from staff (77% to 100%). Alternative options can be life-changing for students facing barriers. Renewal appears to be in the best interest of students.

Additionally, CSDC recommends assigning oversight to the county. CSDC is available to support county staff in assuming authorizer duties.

Respectfully,

Susanne Coie

cc: Commissioners, Advisory Commission on Charter Schools
Ric Reyes, Director, Charter Schools Office