IV.Facility
Atlanta Public Schools and the Atlanta Board of Education require that the petition include the location of a facility to be used for the school. As a rule, applications cannot be recommended to the Atlanta Board that do not include evidence that an existing building is under negotiation for lease, purchase, or evidence that a building site has been obtained. In rare cases, exceptions may be made to this rule depending on the strength of the petition, the depth and breadth of neighborhood support and a detailed start-up plan factoring in sufficient time for site location, acquisition and development. If your building is an unused district facility, no MOU or LOI is required and you may skip question 5, below,
1.Identify the geographic region in which the school plans to locate by the neighborhood, the designated Atlanta City Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU), the street address, and description of neighboring areas. If the facility is an unused district facility, please provide its name and address. 2.Describe the facility to be used and how it meets the required space needed for the proposed school, including number and type of classrooms, administrative offices, any program specific space (science labs, art workshops, etc.), media center, meeting space, and kitchen facility. Is it an existing building or will it be newly built? 3.Will the identified site accommodate the school through the initial charter term? At full capacity? If the school will not start at full capacity, describe how the school will accommodate growth over an initial five-year term of the school. 4.Describe whether the school will be leased or owned. Describe financing plans for obtaining the school site, if applicable. Evidence the site has been secured (Letter of Intent (LOI) or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) (include as Appendix H); Preferred: Provide a LOI, signed by the building owner, to lease or sell the proposed facility to your organization. The LOI must contain specific terms, including rent or purchase amount and any agreement(s) on building renovation costs; or, if an LOI is not possible, Alternative: Provide a MOU, signed by the owner, that does each of the following: a)Describes the status of negotiations with your organization regarding the possible lease or purchase of the building should your charter petition be approved; b)Describes any foreseeable conditions, circumstances, or considerations that may affect the decision to lease or sell the building to your organization; c)Specifies any decision-making process that may be required before an agreement can be finalized (e.g. a board vote, zoning approval); and d)Specifies a date by which a decision to lease or sell is likely to be reached; and e)A description of any rehabilitation work necessary for this site to meet building codes applicable to public schools or to support the proposed school program, including a plan that details how such work will be completed before the start of the school year including: f)Details the scope of the work to be completed and proposed funding mechanism to cover these costs. 6.If the site is not an existing educational building provide documentation as to how the site would be a suitable facility for the proposed school. If the site is an existing school building, provide documentation of any renovations required. Include: a)Narrative of plans to remodel or renovate the facility in order to comply with all applicable local zoning and building codes and timetable to achieve compliance. Include how these modifications will be financed and the anticipated completion date for each major phase of renovation. b)Written verification from the appropriate municipality that the zoning and land use regulations for the site will permit the operation of a public school on the premises. c)Your plans for the site to comply with all applicable building codes and other state requirements. d)For any proposed facility owned, operated, or to be leased from a religious affiliated entity, include evidence how there would be clear separation of church and state for the operation of a public school.
7.The Certificate of Occupancy (CO) must be obtained prior to student occupancy of the proposed facility. The latest possible date by which the CO shall be obtained must be included in the petition. Failure to obtain the CO by the date stated in the petition shall result in automatic suspension of the petition unless an extension requested by the petitioner is granted by the local board. Include a projected date for submission of the CO to APS. 8.Describe how all local and state policies related to health and safety will be met. Acknowledge that as an independent charter school it will be required to develop and submit a plan in compliance with Georgia §20-2-1185, School Safety Plans to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) for approval. Evidence of a GEMA approved plan will need to be received by APS prior to school opening. 9.Describe the plan for maintaining the facility on a day-to-day basis (custodial) and extended basis (facility maintenance). Explain if the school will hire a custodial staff or opt for contracted services. If the facility will be leased, identify what responsibilities the landlord will have for the maintenance and what the school’s responsibilities will be for maintenance, custodial services, and annual health and safety inspections.
V.Finance
A. Financial Management
1.Explain who will manage the school’s finances, including fiscal controls, internal accounting and reporting procedures. Describe the financial systems that will be established for daily business operations to manage cash flow, purchasing, payroll, and audits. What financial documents and statements will the school regularly produce? Who will prepare them? How often? Who will review them and for what purpose? Describe your plan to ensure sufficient financial controls through segregation of duties. 2.Identify the representatives of the school who will be responsible for the financial management of the charter, and describe plans to procure and maintain during the entire length of the charter a Crime/Fidelity Bond covering all persons receiving or disbursing funds. The APS required bond amount is $1 million. 3.Please identify the individual who will serve in the capacity of
Chief Financial Officer. Per state guidance, at a minimum the individual must
possess the following qualifications: (a) A baccalaureate or higher degree in
business, accounting, or finance from an accredited college or university and
minimum of four years experience in a field related to business or finance; or (b)
Documented experience of ten or more years in the field of business and financial
management. Please include the CFO’s resume with Appendix E).
4.The Atlanta Board requires an annual audit be conducted by an independent Georgia licensed Certified Public Accountant, and received within 90 days of the fiscal year end. Explain how the charter school will comply and adhere to the state and local October 1 financial audit deadline at the charter school’s expense each year. Explain how the school’s annual audit will meet GASB guidelines and will contain a complete asset inventory.
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