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 TCSA Welcomes new TEA Director of Charter School Administration
Heather Mauzé
Heather Mauzé was born in Orleans, France and grew up in a military family. She is the proud mother of two recent Baylor University graduates and lives in Elgin, Texas, east of Austin. Much of her public schooling took place here in Texas while her father was stationed at Ft. Bliss, El Paso and Ft. Sam Houston, San Antonio. She landed in Kerrville to complete her Bachelor's degree in English, with a minor in Education, at Schreiner University. Heather has taught English and reading at both the middle and high school levels, and went on to earn a Master's of Education also at Schreiner University in 1998. In the years following, she continued to teach English and reading at the middle school level, but also taught art and student leadership. Heather served five years in middle school administration before joining the Texas Education Agency in 2009 as a specialist and then a program coordinator for the Division of NCLB Program Coordination. In 2011, she was recruited by the Oregon Department of Education to coordinate their Title II Federal Programs, but couldn't stay away from Texas long, as she returned last week to assume the role of Director of Charter School Administration for the state. TEA Charter Division Contacts
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 The 83rd Legislature Session Started This Week
*see articles in the Charter News section* |
 2013 TCSA Membership Drive Starts the New Year Strong
Charter Leaders and CFOs for renewing Association members have begun receiving emails regarding 2013 TCSA Membership. If you were not previously a member of the Association, you should have received a new member packet in the mail during the second week in October. Deadline for payment without penalty is January 31, 2013. Become a member today!
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Many thanks to our MEETING SPONSOR
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TCSA MEMBER COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
8:30AM to 4:00PM
NYOS Charter School
1605 Kramer Lane
Austin, Texas 78758 Every TCSA Member charter or organization is invited to join us for the first Member Council Meeting of the year. We will provide litigation, legislative and regulatory updates. We will also conduct committee meetings on Advocacy, Quality Framework, Member Services and Accounting. Every TCSA Member charter or organization is entitled to 1-one free registration for the meeting. Each additional attendee may register for $125.00. Registration includes a continental breakfast and lunch. Breakfast will be served at 8:30AM. If you are unable to attend the meeting, we encourage you to send a charter representative. This meeting is only open to paid 2013 charter school members. We will send out the specific meeting agenda to charter school leaders next week via email. Click here to REGISTER.Please note, we will no longer be distributing a binder of materials at council meetings. Instead, we will email meeting materials ahead of time for attendees to print or save to their desktops. We will also be providing USBs containing meeting material at and on the morning of the meeting. Please be sure to print and bring your meeting materials with you or bring your laptop or tablet to follow along. You will receive meeting materials the week prior to the council meeting.You may reserve a room at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Austin North/Palmer Lane at 12536 N IH 35, Austin, Texas 78753 for $119.95 a night for two double beds. Please call the reservation line at 1.800.371.0530 and reference the Texas Charter Schools Association room block or you may click here to make the reservation online. Reservations must be made by January 25th at midnight. If you need to make arrangements to register by purchase order or have further questions, please contact Maria-Theresa Sigua via email.
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 February 1, 2013 Deadline for Expansion Amendment Requests for the 2013-2014 School Year
For the 2013-2014 school year, requests to expand grade levels, increase maximum enrollment, add a site, and/or expand a charter's geographic boundary must be received by the Charter School Unit on or before Friday, February 1, 2013. Expansion amendment requests must be received by the agency no later than the first day of February preceding the school year in which the proposed expansion will be effective. Forms that are specific to each type of request are required when submitting an amendment request. A checklist is included at the bottom of each form that clearly states which documents must be included and the proper order for including them. Carefully and completely following these directions will help expedite the amendment process.
The following documents can be found on the Division of Charter School Administration website.
* Charter Amendment Request Form - ADDITIONAL SITE EXPANSION;
* Charter Amendment Request Form - GEOGRAPHIC BOUNDARY EXPANSION;
* Charter Amendment Request Form - MAXIMUM ENROLLMENT INCREASE; and
* Charter Amendment Request Form - ADDITIONAL GRADE LEVELS EXPANSION.
Commissioner of education rules for all amendments, including expansion amendments, can be found in 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §100.1033(c). See amendment here. Please be advised that, before an expansion amendment decision is made by the commissioner, the charter and charter holder must receive clearance from the following areas: Performance Reporting, Charter School Administration, Child Nutrition, Financial Audits, Grants Administration, Legal Services, PEIMS Data Reporting, Program Monitoring and Interventions, NCLB and IDEA Programs, Student Assessment, Governance and Waivers, General Inquiries, and Complaints. The charter must also have a status of Accredited as defined in 19 TAC §97.1055.
For additional information, contact Nina Gonzalez in the Charter School Unit by phone at (512) 463-9575 or via email.
Network Webinar: Preparing Your Expansion Amendment (January 15, 2013)
TEA will be holding two TETNs for LEAs regarding the substitute system of time-and-effort reporting:
January 14, 2013, 10:00-11:00 a.m.
January 15, 2013, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
LEAs interested in implementing the less-burdensome system of time-and-effort reporting should contact their ESC for TETN registration and location information. For more information, please contact Arturo Serna by phone 512.584.8272 or via email.
Generation 18 Required Applicant Information Session
The required Applicant Information Sessions are scheduled for Tuesday, January 8, 2013, and Wednesday, January 16, 2013. Attendance is only required at one of the sessions. At least one member of the governing board of the sponsoring entity requesting the charter must attend one of the required applicant conferences. Although not required, it is recommended that the application preparer also attend an applicant conference.
Applicant Information Session Details required by Request for Application (RFA) 701-13-101, Eighteenth Generation Open-Enrollment Charter Guidelines and Application.
January 16, 2013
9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
William B. Travis Building
Room 1-111
1701 N. Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas 78701
As seen in the Application and Guidelines, on page 5 of the RFA:
Applicant Information Session
At least one member of the governing board of the sponsoring entity requesting the charter must attend an applicant information session. Although not required, it is recommended that the application preparer also attend an applicant information session. The next applicant information session will occur on January 16, 2013. Potential applicants need only attend one of the two sessions. More information on the applicant information sessions are available here.
Preregistration is not required for this event. Attendance will be documented the day you attend.
TODAY: Deadline for New School Designation Application
Today, January 11, 2013, is the deadline to apply for New School Designation. This is a special type of expansion amendment that must be accompanied by a Charter Amendment Request Form - Additional Site Expansion. 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §100.1033(c)(6) outlines a process by which high-performing charters can be identified and have the opportunity to not only apply for expansion amendments, but also apply for new school designation.
See amendment.
Being approved for an additional site expansion in 2013-2014 is a prerequisite for a new school designation amendment. Charters with campuses designated by the commissioner as new schools will be able to submit competitive applications for the 2013-2014 Public Charter School Start-Up Grant. New school designation is required for an existing charter holder to be eligible to apply for and receive federal Charter School Program grant funding for a new charter school.
The following documents are posted in the Announcements section of the Charter Schools Homepage
* Application for New School Designation; and
* Charter Amendment Request Form - Additional Site Expansion.
For additional information, contact the Nina Gonzalez in the Charter School Unit by phone at (512) 463-9575 or via email.
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Houston Rally for School Choice - Putting Families First!
Join parents, teachers, & community leaders in support of school choice. Families Empowered, KIPP, YES Prep, TX Charter Schools Association, American Federation for Children, parent groups, and community leaders will be there!
Logistics
When: Saturday, February 2, 2013, 2pm Where: YES PREP: West
10535 Harwin
Houston , TX 77036 Questions? Contact Jennifer Limas, TCSA Director of Grassroots Advocacy, at 512-584-8272 or via email.
RSVP and find out more information. |
UPDATE: TEA Special Education Policy Deadline Extended
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has extended the deadline for updating special education policies in the IDEA 2004 Legal Framework system maintained by the Region 18 ESC (Midland). Previously, TEA required that each LEA update its special education policies on that site by November 30, 2012. The new deadline is March 15, 2013. In collaboration with a Special Education Working Group at the Region 13 ESC (Austin), TCSA has prepared a set of compliant special education policies that is now available to all charter schools free of charge, regardless of the school's status as a TCSA member. As a reminder, charter governing boards must approve these policies before they are uploaded onto ESC Region 18's Legal Framework for the Child-Centered Special Education Process.
Note that Region 18 deleted all current policies from the system on Monday, November 19th. Every school should ensure that it has a copy of its current policies for its records. For more information contact TCSA Director of Legal & Policy Services, Lindsey Jones by ph. 512.584.8272 or via email.
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  Network Webinar: Best Practices for Expansion Amendments (January 15, 2013) Join us in this webinar to receive reliable insights to developing and submitting a strong expansion amendment to TEA.
Come join us for this sought after session for charter executives, administrators, and board members all focused on giving you the most up to date information from TEA and TCSA staff regarding charter school expansion amendments.
Target Audience:
Charter school -
Board Members
Executives
Central Administrative Officers
Administrators
Business Managers
Payment Information:
This is a complimentary webinar offered through the Texas Charter School Technical Assistance Network (the Network).
Webinar Log-In:
A link and # to join the webinar will be e-mailed to all registrants within 2 hours prior to the event start date. Make sure to provide a unique e-mail address for each user you register.
Questions?
Contact Art Serna, TCSA Director of Training Services, at 512-584-8272 or via email.
Find out more information.
 Network Event: 3rd Annual Business Week - Intensive 3 Day Project Based Charter Finance Workshop
Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013 - Friday, Feb. 8, 2013
TCSA Training Room in Austin, TX
FREE Registration REGISTER
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
TCSA is excited to present the return of Business Week, now revamped as a special offering under the new Texas Charter School Technical Assistance Network (the Network). This intensive three day charter finance workshop is developed and delivered by seasoned charter finance leaders. This year's version of Business Week is designed to accelerate the learning of novice charter business officers and employees with a mix of foundational charter finance knowledge and interactive real world guided examples.
If you are relatively new to your position as a charter business officer or employee and you want to exponentially increase your on the job confidence and competence - this is for you. If you are new to charter schools or just need a thorough refresher you cannot afford to miss this!
Topics Include:
Charter Finance Ethics
Needs Assessments, Campus Improvement Plans, and Budget Development
Understanding TEA Resources and PEIMS
Projecting State Revenue
Grant Applications
Cash Flow
Purchasing
Authorization and Reconciliation
Human Resources
Source Documentation
Financial Policies and Procedures
Grant Management
Desk Audits
Audit Readiness
Limited to first 25 registrants! REGISTER
TCSA Webinar: Grant Writing Skills for the Charter School Start-Up Grant (January 18, 2013)
Thinking of Applying for the Public Charter School Start-Up Grant?
Join us in this webinar to receive reliable and practical insights from past winning proposals and important considerations prior to the March 5, 2013 application deadline. Come join us for this timely session for charter executives and administrators focused on submitting a strong Charter School Start-Up Grant application.
We will cover the following items plus more: - How you can use grant funds to support operations
- What you can and cannot buy
- Key points for the grant
- Helpful tips from winning proposals
Target Audience:
All charter school leaders and staff involved in preparing a charter school start up application. Payment Information:
This is a complimentary webinar offered by TCSA.
Presenter Information:
Jan Mitchell Johnson - President/CEO of Grantsformation
Contact Art Serna if you have any questions @ 512-222-3957 or via email.
Find out more information.
San Antonio: TCSA Facilities Training (January 24-25, 2013) Does your charter school have an adequate facility to meet your vision? Join us in San Antonio, TX for two days of game changing insights to move your facility development and maintenance plans into the 21st century.
Come join us for this sought after session for charter executives, administrators, and board members all focused on giving you the most up to date information regarding charter school facilities.
Target Audience:
Charter School - Board Members Executives Central Administrative Officers Administrators Business Managers Topics Include: Overview of Financing Options
Maintenance Plans for Safety & Security Best Practices for Negotiating Leases Preparing for the Bond Market Facilities Funding in Texas Payment Information:
You may pay via credit card, Paypal, check, or PO. Early bird discount: $50 off member ticket; $45 off non-member ticket available until Today! Group discounts available until registration ends (register 3 people: $105 discount/member ticket; $100 discount/non-member ticket). Greatest discount will be applied.
Standard ticket Prices: $250 TCSA Member; $350 Non-Member. Questions?
Contact Art Serna, TCSA Director of Training Services, at 512-584-8272 or via email. Find out more information.
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 Educational rivals work together in Spring Branch By Ericka Mellon; January 4, 2013
 Over breakfast once a month, some unlikely guests gather around the same table: the superintendent of the Spring Branch school district and the leaders of the KIPP and YES charter schools. Officials with traditional districts and charter schools typically compete - for students, state funds and status. But Spring Branch is one of a few school systems nationwide that has embraced its high-performing rivals, allowing KIPP and YES this year to start their own campuses within two of the district's middle schools. Students from the different schools interact in elective classes, teachers visit their counterparts' classrooms to get ideas, and the top officials brainstorm and hash out issues over waffles and eggs. As Mike Feinberg, the cofounder of the Knowledge is Power Program, puts it, the time has come for districts and charters "to quit being cats and dogs and work together."
Read the article.
 Teaching Ambassador Fellowship The applications for the 2013-2014 Teaching Ambassador Fellowship are now available and will close in late January. Please visit our Applicant Information page or go here to apply for the Washington Fellowship and/or the Classroom Fellowship
If you are interested in receiving updates regarding the 2013-2014 Fellowship, sign up for email notifications. If you have questions regarding the Teaching Ambassador Fellowship program, please email.
"We have a set of amazing teachers each year who spend a year with the Department and help drive our policy discussion...I have come to rely on the Teaching Ambassador Fellows for their invaluable feedback and their ability to facilitate dialogue with teachers across the country." - Secretary Arne Duncan
Find out more information.
Texas Comptroller Susan Combs Releases Biennial Revenue Estimate
By R.J. DeSilva or Lauren Willis: January 7, 2013
(AUSTIN) - Texas Comptroller Susan Combs released the state's Biennial Revenue Estimate, showing the state is projected to have $101.4 billion available for general-purpose spending during the 2014-15 biennium. "Texas experienced a very strong rebound from a severe recession," Combs said. "The state's robust economic recovery led to better-than-expected revenue collections in major taxes such as the sales tax, oil and natural gas production taxes and motor vehicle sales taxes. The outlook for both the economy and state revenue is for continuing expansion as the fast-growth of the economic recovery gives way to moderate, sustained growth." Read the press release.
 Revenue estimate soars on eve of 83rd Texas Legislature
By Peggy Fikac; January 8, 2013
AUSTIN - Lawmakers return to the Texas Capitol today to a brighter budget picture and calls to use billions of dollars in increased revenue for everything from reversing education cutbacks to tax relief. But a Medicaid IOU and other demands left hanging by lawmakers who grappled with a budget shortfall two years ago will quickly eat up much of a multibillion-dollar balance, and the pitch of the battle over spending quickly became apparent.
Comptroller Susan Combs laid out the parameters Monday, when she said the rebounding Texas economy gives lawmakers $8.8 billion unallocated in state coffers for the current two-year budget period, plus growth in the next two years. Read the article.
 Legislature Begins 83rd Session; Leadership Calls For Fiscal Discipline (Austin) - As the Texas Senate began its 83rd Legislative session Tuesday, Governor Rick Perry and Lt. Governor David Dewhurst both told lawmakers to keep spending down as they work on the state budget. Monday's revenue estimate from the Comptroller predicts the state will bring in $101 billion in revenue over the next two years, giving legislators about $24 billion more to work with compared to last biennium. Dewhurst reminded Senators why he believes Texas is in such a good fiscal position relative to the rest of the country. "This state is fiscally number one, economically number one and by passing a conservative budget we can stay that way," he said. Read the article.
 | Joe Straus
Republican State Representative |
83rd Texas Legislature Opening Day Address Speaker Joe Straus
Opening Day Address
January 8, 2013
Members, I am humbled by your support .... grateful for the confidence you have placed in me ... and honored to serve again as your Speaker. We gather today to chart a path forward for the state we love. We have a lot to be proud of in Texas, from leading the nation in job creation to leading an American energy revolution. For eight straight years Texas has led the nation in exports, and our unemployment rate is well below the national average, despite a massive influx of new workers. Our economy is so vast and diverse that if Texas were its own country - and no, don't worry, that isn't something we're going to do this session - but if we were, we'd be the 14th largest economy in the world. Other states envy our strength. But we should not allow our state's many successes to hide some very real ... and very urgent...challenges. Read the entire address.
Gov. Perry Addresses 83rd Legislature: Fiscally Conservative Policies Lead to a Strong Texas
January 08, 2013
Yesterday, we heard from the comptroller, and the news was good. It confirmed much of what we've known over the past two years: that the Texas economy is healthy and growing, and thanks to the hard work and dedication of people working all across this state, the revenue forecast is up, and up significantly. Again, all good news, and a complete change from the forecast we faced just two years ago. At that time, we were still dealing with the effects of an ugly national recession, and much of the talk, both in the newspapers and around town, surrounded not whether we'd have to raise taxes, but how much we'd have to raise them to keep our state afloat. As you all know, that's not the path we chose. We chose the responsible path, the fiscally-conservative path, and that path has led us here today.
Read the entire speech.
Gov. Perry, Lt. Gov. Dewhurst, Speaker Straus Focus on Guiding Principles for 83rd Legislative Session
January 09, 2013
Good morning, and thank you all for being here with us. I just had a productive meeting with Lt. Gov. Dewhurst and Speaker Straus, the first of the weekly breakfast meetings we'll hold throughout the session. Just like everyone, our minds are on the revenue estimate that came out Monday, which was great news, and leaves absolutely no doubt that the Texas economy is thriving. It's also validation of our approach last session, as we refused to raise taxes, and instead made the sort of budgetary decisions families and small businesses have to make whenever money is tight. By sticking to the conservative fiscal policies that have made Texas a beacon for job creation and business growth, we enabled business owners of all sizes do what they do best, which is to make money, grow, and hire new employees. Read the entire speech.
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HIGH SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER
George I. Sanchez Charter School
Houston, Texas
Job ID: 156422 Application Deadline: Posted until Filled Posted: January 7, 2013 Starting Date: Immediately
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Annual Financial and Compliance Report
ESCs with a fiscal year ending June 30, 2012 must submit their 2012 annual financial and compliance report to TEA by November 27, 2012. ESCs with a fiscal year ending August 31, 2012 must submit their 2012 annual financial and compliance report to TEA by January 28, 2013.
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Change to Automobile Mileage Reimbursement Rate
December 19, 2012
Applicable to State and Federal Grants from the Texas Education Agency
The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts has changed the automobile mileage reimbursement rate. On January 1, 2013, the rate increased from 55.5 to 56.5 cents per mile. Travel and lodging reimbursement rates have not changed. The standard rates, effective until August 31, 2013, are up to $77 per night for lodging and up to $46 per day for meals, unless a higher rate for the travel destination is specified. Read more.
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