Section 1703-A. Definitions.--The following words and phrases when used in this article shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: (Intro. par. amended July 11, 2024, P.L.618, No.55)
"Administrator" shall include the chief administrator of a charter school entity and all other employes of a charter school entity who by virtue of their positions exercise management or operational oversight responsibilities. (Def. added July 11, 2024, P.L.618, No.55)
"Aid ratio" and "market value/income aid ratio" shall be:
(1) the aid ratio and market value/income aid ratio for the school district that granted a charter to the charter school;
(2) for a regional charter school, the aid ratio and market value/income aid ratio shall be a composite, as determined by the department, based on the school districts that granted the charter; or
(3) for a cyber charter school, the aid ratio and market value/income aid ratio shall be that of the school district in which the administrative offices of the cyber charter school are located.
(Def. added July 13, 2016, P.L.716, No.86)
"Appeal board" shall mean the State Charter School Appeal Board established under section 1721-A. (Def. amended July 11, 2024, P.L.618, No.55)
"At-risk student" shall mean a student at risk of educational failure because of limited English proficiency, poverty, community factors, truancy, academic difficulties or economic disadvantage.
"Charter school" shall mean an independent public school established and operated under a charter from the local board of school directors and in which students are enrolled or attend. A charter school must be organized as a public, nonprofit corporation. Charters may not be granted to any for-profit entity.
"Charter school entity" shall mean a charter school, regional charter school, cyber charter school or multiple charter school organization. (Def. added July 11, 2024, P.L.618, No.55)
"Charter school foundation" shall mean a nonprofit organization qualified as federally tax exempt under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3) (relating to exemption from tax on corporations, certain trusts, etc.), that provides funding or resources or otherwise serves to support a charter school entity. (Def. added July 11, 2024, P.L.618, No.55)
"Chief administrator" shall mean an individual appointed by the board of trustees to oversee and manage the operation of a charter school entity, but who shall not be deemed a professional staff member under this article. (Def. added July 11, 2024, P.L.618, No.55)
"Chief executive officer" (Def. deleted by amendment July 11, 2024, P.L.618, No.55)
"Compensation" shall include money or other remuneration received from a charter school entity. (Def. added July 11, 2024, P.L.618, No.55)
"Cyber charter school" shall mean an independent public school established and operated under a charter from the Department of Education and in which the school uses technology in order to provide a significant portion of its curriculum and to deliver a significant portion of instruction to its students through the Internet or other electronic means. A cyber charter school must be organized as a public, nonprofit corporation. A charter may not be granted to a for-profit entity.
"Department" shall mean the Department of Education of the Commonwealth.
"Educational management service provider" shall mean a nonprofit or for-profit charter management organization, education management organization, school design provider, business manager or any other entity or individual that enters into a contract or agreement with a charter school entity to provide instructional, curricular or educational design, administrative or business services, comprehensive management or personnel functions or to implement the charter. The term shall not include a charter school foundation. (Def. added July 11, 2024, P.L.618, No.55)
"Family member" shall mean a parent, stepparent, child, stepchild, spouse, domestic partner, brother, sister, stepbrother or stepsister. (Def. added July 11, 2024, P.L.618, No.55)
"Local board of school directors" shall mean the board of directors of a school district in which a proposed or an approved charter school is located.
"Multiple charter school organization" shall mean a public, nonprofit corporation under the oversight of a single board of trustees and a chief administrator that operates two (2) or more charter schools under section 1729.1-A. (Def. added July 11, 2024, P.L.618, No.55)
"Nonrelated" shall mean an individual who is not a family member. (Def. added July 11, 2024, P.L.618, No.55)
"Regional charter school" shall mean an independent public school established and operated under a charter from more than one local board of school directors and in which students are enrolled or attend. A regional charter school must be organized as a public, nonprofit corporation. Charters may not be granted to any for-profit entity.
"School district of residence" shall mean the school district in this Commonwealth in which the parents or guardians of a child reside.
"School entity" shall mean a school district, intermediate unit, joint school or area career and technical school. (Def. amended Oct. 30, 2019, P.L.460, No.76)
"Secretary" shall mean the Secretary of Education of the Commonwealth.
"State board" shall mean the State Board of Education of the Commonwealth.
(1703-A amended June 29, 2002, P.L.524, No.88)