Section 28A.710.030. Charter school boards—Powers.

(1) To fulfill its duty to manage and operate the charter school, and to execute the terms of its charter contract, a charter school board may:

(a) Hire, manage, and discharge charter school employees in accordance with the terms of this chapter and the school's charter contract;

(b) Receive and disburse funds for the purposes of the charter school;

(c) Enter into contracts with any school district, educational service district, or other public or private entity for the provision of real property, equipment, goods, supplies, and services, including educational instructional services, pupil transportation services, and for the management and operation of the charter school, provided the charter school board maintains oversight authority over the charter school. Contracts for management operation of the charter school may only be with nonprofit organizations;

(d) Rent, lease, purchase, or own real property. All charter contracts and contracts with other entities must include provisions regarding the disposition of the property if the charter school fails to open as planned or closes, or if the charter contract is revoked or not renewed;

(e) Issue secured and unsecured debt, including pledging, assigning, or encumbering its assets to be used as collateral for loans or extensions of credit to manage cash flow, improve operations, or finance the acquisition of real property or equipment. However, the charter public school may not pledge, assign, or encumber any public funds received or to be received pursuant to RCW 28A.710.220. Debt issued under this subsection (1)(e) is not a general, special, or moral obligation of the state, the charter school authorizer, the school district in which the charter school is located, or any other political subdivision or agency of the state. Neither the full faith and credit nor the taxing power of the state, or any political subdivision or agency of the state, may be pledged for the payment of the debt;

(f) Solicit, accept, and administer for the benefit of the charter school and its students, gifts, grants, and donations from individuals, or public or private entities, excluding sectarian or religious organizations. A charter school board may not accept any gifts or donations that violate this chapter or other state laws; and

(g) Issue diplomas to students who meet state high school graduation requirements established under RCW 28A.230.090. A charter school board may establish additional graduation requirements.

(2) A charter school board must contract for an independent performance audit of the school to be conducted: (a) The second year immediately following the school's first full school year of operation; and (b) every three years thereafter. The performance audit must be conducted in accordance with United States general accounting office government auditing standards. A performance audit in compliance with this section does not inhibit the state auditor's office from conducting a performance audit of the school.

(3) A charter school board may not levy taxes or issue tax-backed bonds.

(4) A charter school board may not acquire property by eminent domain.

(5) A charter school board, through web site postings and written notice with receipt acknowledged by signature of the recipient, must advise families of new, ongoing, and prospective students of any ongoing litigation challenging the constitutionality of charter schools or that may require charter schools to cease operations.

[ 2016 c 241 § 103. Prior: 2013 c 2 § 203 (Initiative Measure No. 1240, approved November 6, 2012).]

2016 c 241 § 103. Prior: 2013 c 2 § 203 (Initiative Measure No. 1240, approved November 6, 2012).