School Charter
ORGANIZATION
NEVADA COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS AND THE NCSA CHARTER Charter Schools in the state of California must currently be sponsored by a district or a county office of education. The Nevada County Superintendent of Schools (NCSOS) sponsors NCSA. By state definition, however, a charter school is a district unto itself. Therefore, NCSA is technically a separate district within NCSOS. This is a critical distinction: it means that the Charter Governance Council of NCSA carries governance responsibilities like those of a Board of Trustees in a traditional school district.
In 2007, NCSA and five other in-county charter schools came together with the NCSOS to form a charter collaborative. The directors of those charters meet monthly to ensure best practices for their school and to collaborate with the county. The Superintendent and her staff act as resources to NCSA, providing support services according to an agreed upon contract. The NCSOS Board, recognizing the spirit and intent of the Charter law, does not impose its own vision on our school. Currently, the five in-county charters have established a working relationship with one another in which they have aimed to share resources and provide collaborative support.
CHARTER GOVERNANCE COUNCIL
Our Charter Governance Council is responsible for the school's operations. This body makes all fiscal, personnel, and policy decisions for the school (contingent on the Twin Ridges School Board approval). As the recipient of state monies, the Charter Governance Council is subject to the Brown Act and must post all agendas publicly. The Charter Governance Council is composed of eleven individuals:
- The School Director (Non-voting member)
- Two main lesson teacher representatives
- One art program representative
- Three - five parent representatives
- One community member
The Parent Representatives to the Council are elected in the spring by the parent body of currently enrolled students. One vote is cast for each family enrolled. Two-year terms (one-year terms for teacher representatives) are staggered to maintain continuity. The Council appoints the community member.
The Parent Representatives to the Council are elected in the spring by the parent body of currently enrolled students. One vote is cast for each family enrolled. Two-year terms (one-year terms for teacher representatives) are staggered to maintain continuity. The Council appoints the community member.