CASI July 2025 Charter Chat Resource Page
Information and resources from the July 2025 Charter Chat, presented by the Charter Authorizer Support Initiative (CASI).Charter Chat Topics
- Legislative Updates by Santa Clara County Office of Education
- Program Hot Topics
- Fiscal Hot Topics
- California Department of Education and State Board of Education Updates
- Upcoming CASI Events
- Q&A from Previous Charter Chats
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
- AB 84 (Muratsuchi)
—School accountability: audits: charter schools: data systems - AB 640 (Muratsuchi)
—Local educational agencies: governance training
- AB 715 (Zbur, Addis)
—Educational equity: discrimination: antisemitism prevention
- AB 1264 (Gabriel)
—Pupil nutrition: particularly harmful ultraprocessed food: prohibition
- SB 48 (Gonzalez)
—Immigration enforcement: school sites: prohibition on access, sharing information, and law enforcement collaboration
- SB 414 (Ashby)
—School accountability: school financial and performance audits
- 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.
Program Hot Topics
- Planning for Next Year
Charter authorizing staff should prioritize the following tasks in preparation for next year:- Prepare the annual document requests: Update your list of documents and your files for the coming year (including fiscal). Create a tickler system for yourself or find a project management software that will manage the document submission process for you (e.g., Epicenter, Canvas, Document Tracking Service [DTS], or Monday.com).
- Create a calendar of events: Include your annual visit schedule, and consider the process and procedures for conducting site visits for the coming year. A sample calendar can be found on the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) website at 2025–26 SCCOE Charter Schools Department Calendar
(PDF).
- Review your Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): Make sure what was promised was delivered, and see if there is anything that might need to be updated or addressed due to any new laws taking effect on July 1.
- Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) Review
Authorizers do not approve a charter school’s LCAP; that responsibility falls to the charter school’s board. Authorizers do review the LCAP, as it is one of the required documents to be submitted to authorizers per California Education Code (EC) Section 47604.32. The California County Superintendents provide a review document for LCAPs, the LCAP Approval Manual (2024–25 Edition).
Fiscal Hot Topics
- Pupil Estimates for New or Significantly Expanding Charters (PENSEC)
The PENSEC is due by July 31, 2025, for the 2025–26 fiscal year. The PENSEC allows for new or expanding charters to receive advance apportionment funding based on the PENSEC and Charter 20-Day Attendance Report. Additional information and instructions for completing the PENSEC are available at CDE PENSEC Instructions, FY 2025–26. - 45-Day Budget Revise
Per EC Section 42127(h), all local educational agencies (LEA) have the option/ability to file a revised budget 45 days after the Governor has signed the California Budget into law. This revision allows LEAs to start the fiscal year with accurate budget information based on significant changes to revenues and expenditures. Governor Newsom signed the 2025–26 Budget Act, Assembly Bill 121, on June 27, 2025. All 45-day revisions are due by August 11, 2025.
California Department of Education and State Board of Education Updates
- The State Board of Education (SBE) was held on July 9, 2025. The agenda included review of nonclassroom-based funding determinations and the growth model. The next SBE meeting will be September 10–11, 2025.
- The next Advisory Commission on Charter Schools meeting will be held on August 12, 2025.
Upcoming CASI Events
- CASI Monthly Charter Chat
- August 27, 2025, 10–11 a.m.
- CASI Quarterly Training
- Thursday, October 17, 2025, 9–11 a.m.
- Topic TBD
- Authorizing 101 and/or Fiscal 101
Reach out to CASI at CASI@cde.ca.gov to arrange additional training on Zoom or in-person. - One-on-One Technical Support
Reach out to CASI Contract Lead, Michelle Johnson at mjohnson@sccoe.org to arrange training. - Mentoring Support
Reach out to CASI Contract Lead, Deidre Walsh, at dwalsh1@sandi.net to arrange support. - Onsite Training
Reach out to CASI Contract Lead, Indra Ciccarelli, at Ciccarelli_Indra@lacoe.edu to arrange training.
Charter Chat Q&A
Where can I find the Highlands audit?
The Highlands Community Charter School extraordinary audit is available on the California State Auditor
website.
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Questions: Charter Authorizer Support Initiative | CASI@cde.ca.gov | 916-322-6029
Last Reviewed: Thursday, August 14, 2025
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