CASI March 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 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

• Comprehensive School Safety Plans (CSSP)
  California Education Code (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 California Department of Education (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 county office of education by no later than March 15 for the reporting period ending January 31.
• Auditor Selection Form
  In accordance with EC Section 41020, the governing board of a local educational agency (LEA) shall provide for an audit of the books and accounts. In the event the governing board of an LEA has not provided for an audit of the books and accounts of the LEA by April 1, 2026, pursuant to EC Section 41020(b)(3), the County Superintendent of Schools shall contract on behalf of the LEA, and the cost of the audit shall be chargeable to the LEA.
• June 2026 Deferral Exemption Documents
  EC Section 14041.8 provides the opportunity for school districts and charter schools to apply for a dollar-limited exemption from the deferral of the 2025–26 Second Principal Apportionment (P-2) payment from June 2026 to July 2026. The authorizing agency must submit the application on behalf of their authorized charter school to DeferralExemption@cde.ca.gov no later than April 1. The CDE Deferral Exemption Application and other requirements can be found at CDE Apportionment Deferral Requests for Exemption.
  

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California Department of Education and State Board of Education Updates

• The State Board of Education (SBE) meeting was held on March 11–12, 2026. The agenda included: nonclassroom-based funding determinations and appeals of two SBE-approved charter renewal denials. The next SBE meeting will be held on May 12–13, 2026.
• The next Advisory Commission on Charter Schools meeting is scheduled for April 7, 2026.

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