CASI February 2026 Charter Chat Resource Page

Charter Chat Topics

1. Legislative Updates by Santa Clara County Office of Education
2. Program Hot Topics
3. Fiscal Hot Topics
4. California Department of Education and State Board of Education Updates
5. Upcoming CASI Events

Disclaimer

The information contained on this page is provided as a reference only. Charter schools and chartering authorities are encouraged to review the laws and regulations and consult with their own legal counsel regarding the application to their specific situations.

Legislative Updates by Santa Clara County Office of Education

• Senate Bill 121 —Education finance: education omnibus budget trailer bill
• To follow current legislation at the California Legislative Information website:
  • Under "Quick Bill Search," select either "Bill Number" or "Keyword(s)"
  • Enter the bill number or keyword, respectively
  • Once the desired bill is located, click "Add to My Favorites." This will prompt the user to create a profile and receive email updates on the status of the desired bill.

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Program Hot Topics

• Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) Midyear Update
  The following guidance has been added to California Department of Education (CDE) Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) FAQs as of October 2023:
  • What are the requirements for the mid-year update to the LCAP?
    All charter schools, school districts, and county offices of education (COE) are required to present a report on the annual update to the LCAP and the LCFF Budget Overview for Parents on or before February 28 of each year at a regularly scheduled meeting of the governing board or body of the local educational agency (LEA). The mid-year report must include the following:
    • All available mid-year outcome data related to metrics identified in the current year’s LCAP, and
    • All available mid-year expenditure and implementation data on all actions identified in the current year’s LCAP (California Education Code [EC] sections 47606.5, 52062, and 52068).
  • Is there a required template for the mid-year update?
    No, there is no requirement for LEAs to use any particular template. It is up to the LEA to determine how to present and report the required information to their local governing board or body.
  • Will the mid-year update report be included in the LCAP?
    No, the mid-year update will not be included in the LCAP; however, the information presented may inform the development of the following year’s LCAP.
• Comprehensive School Safety Plans (CSSP)
  EC Section 47605(c)(5)(F) requires each charter school to develop a CSSP, and for that charter school to review and update its plan by March 1 each year. It is considered a best practice for authorizers to require their charter schools to share their CSSP after March 1 of each year and review that the CSSP includes all topics. The notice requirements under EC Section 32288 are not extended to charter schools.
• Form 700
  Form 700 must be completed annually by April 1. Additional information is available at California Fair Political Practices Commission - Form 700 .
• Charter Renewal
  Under EC Section 47604.32(a)(5)(A), a chartering authority (e.g., school district or county office) is required to provide timely notification (i.e., within 10 days) after approving the renewal of a charter school to the CDE. The renewal of a charter school must be documented by an official action (e.g., board minutes, board resolution, signed letter from superintendent, etc.) of the chartering authority. The chartering authority (i.e., not the charter school) is to submit the notice of the renewal approval to the CDE via email at Charters@cde.ca.gov prior to the expiration of the charter term. In order for the CDE to process the renewed charter term, the following documents are required to be provided by the chartering authority:
  1. Charter School Renewal Cover Sheet(PDF) signed by the Superintendent of the chartering authority.
  2. Written notice (e.g., board minutes of the public hearing approving the renewal of the charter) by the governing board of the chartering authority. The minutes need to include a statement that the charter school has been renewed for an X-year term effective from July 1, XXXX, through June 30, XXXX.
  3. Updated and complete petition (including new legislation enacted after the charter school was originally granted or last renewed) as approved by the chartering authority.
  4. If the status of the charter school is low performing, a copy of the written plan adopted by the governing body of the charter school as stated under EC Section 47607.2(a)(4)(A), and the charter board minutes demonstrating the date the written plan was adopted by the charter school governing board.

  Additional information regarding the charter school renewal process is provided at CDE Charter School Renewals. Please contact Charters@cde.ca.gov with questions.

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Fiscal Hot Topics

• Second Interim
  Pursuant to EC Section 47604.33(a)(3), the Second Interim Report is due to the chartering authority and the COE by no later than March 15 for the reporting period ending January 31.
• The 45-day extension for fiscal year 2024–25 Annual Audit submission expired on Jan 29, 2026 (extended from the December 15 statutory deadline). Authorizers should ensure all reports have been submitted, complete a timely review of each audit, and follow up with schools regarding any findings, material weaknesses, or areas requiring clarification.
  

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California Department of Education and State Board of Education Updates

• The Advisory Commission on Charter Schools (ACCS) meeting was held on February 3, 2025. The agenda included: nonclassroom-based funding determinations and appeals of two State Board of Education (SBE)-approved charter renewal denials. The next ACCS meeting is scheduled for April 7, 2026.
• The next SBE meeting is scheduled for March 11–12, 2026.

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