19 Tex. Admin. Code § 100.1113 - Delegation of Powers and Duties

(a) Primary responsibility. The governing body of a charter holder has the primary responsibility for implementing the public school program authorized by the open-enrollment charter and ensuring the performance of the students enrolled in its charter schools in accordance with the Texas Education Code (TEC).

(1) Governing board non-delegable duties. The following powers and duties must generally be exercised by the governing body of the charter holder itself, acting as a body corporate in meetings posted in compliance with Texas Government Code, Chapter 551. Absent a specific written exception of this paragraph, setting forth good cause why a specific function listed in subparagraphs (A)-(F) of this paragraph cannot reasonably be carried out by the charter holder governing body, the commissioner of education may not grant an amendment delegating such functions to any person or entity through a contract for management services or otherwise. An amendment that is not authorized by such a specific written exception is not effective for any purpose. Absent such exception, the governing body of the charter holder shall not delegate:

(A) final authority to hear or decide employee grievances, citizen complaints, or parental concerns;

(B) final authority to adopt or amend the budget of the charter holder or the charter school or to authorize the expenditure or obligation of state funds or the use of public property;

(C) final authority to direct the disposition or safekeeping of public records, except that the governing body may delegate this function to any person, subject to the governing body's superior right of immediate access to, control over, and possession of such records;

(D) final authority to adopt policies governing charter school operations;

(E) final authority to approve audit reports under TEC, § 44.008(d); or

(F) final authority to select, employ, direct, evaluate, renew, non-renew, terminate, or set compensation for the superintendent or, as applicable, the administrator serving as the educational leader and chief executive officer.

(2) Superintendent non-delegable duties. The following powers and duties must be exercised by the superintendent or, as applicable, the administrator serving as the educational leader and chief executive officer of the charter school. Absent a specific written exception of this paragraph, setting forth good cause why a specific function listed in subparagraphs (A)-(C) of this paragraph cannot reasonably be carried out by the superintendent or, as applicable, the administrator serving as the educational leader and chief executive officer of the charter school, the commissioner may not grant an amendment permitting the superintendent/chief executive officer to delegate such function through a contract for management services or otherwise. An amendment that is not authorized by such a specific written exception is not effective for any purpose. Absent such exception, the superintendent/chief executive officer of the charter school shall not delegate final authority:

(A) to organize the charter school's central administration;

(B) to approve reports or data submissions required by law; or

(C) to select and terminate charter school employees or officers.

(b) Alienation of open-enrollment charter. An open-enrollment charter grants to the governing body of a charter holder the authority to operate a charter school.

(1) The governing body of the charter holder shall, acting as a body corporate in meetings posted in compliance with Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, oversee the management of the charter school.

(2) Except as provided by this section, the governing body's powers and duties to operate the charter school shall not be delegated, transferred, assigned, encumbered, pledged, subcontracted, or in any way alienated by the governing body of the charter holder. Any attempt to do so shall be null and void and of no force or effect and shall constitute abandonment of the contract for charter.

(3) A charter holder shall notify the Texas Education Agency (TEA) in writing prior to initiating any type of bankruptcy proceeding respecting the charter holder. Filing for any form of bankruptcy relief prior to such notice shall constitute abandonment of the contract for charter.

(c) Exclusive method for delegating charter powers and duties. An open-enrollment charter must specify the powers or duties of the governing body of the charter holder that the governing body may delegate to an officer, employee, contractor, management company, creditor, or any other person. The exclusive method for making such a delegation shall be to file a request for a delegation amendment with the TEA division responsible for charter schools under § 100.1035 of this title (relating to Charter Amendment), specifying the power or duty delegated and the particular person or entity to which it is delegated. The commissioner may approve a delegation amendment only if the conditions in the following paragraphs are met. The commissioner may grant the amendment without condition or may require compliance with such conditions and/or requirements as may be in the best interest of students:

(1) the charter holder meets all requirements applicable to delegation amendments and amendments generally;

(2) the amendment complies with all requirements of this division; and

(3) the commissioner determines that the amendment is in the best interest of students.

(d) Accountability for delegated powers and duties retained. The governing body of a charter holder remains responsible for the management, operation, and accountability of the charter school operated by the charter holder, regardless of whether the governing body delegates any of its powers or duties.

(e) Standards for delegated persons or entities. The person or entity to which any power or duty is delegated shall be held to the same standards as the governing body with respect to use of property, funds or resources, and including as fiduciaries to the students enrolled in the charter school and must act in the best interest of the students, and may be held liable under TEC, § 12.122, for breach of fiduciary duty, including misapplication of public funds. Upon review, the commissioner may rescind any delegation amendment for any reason in the commissioner's sole discretion.

Notes

19 Tex. Admin. Code § 100.1113

The provisions of this §100.1113 adopted to be effective April 18, 2002, 27 TexReg 3110; Adopted by Texas Register, Volume 49, Number 39, September 27, 2024, TexReg 7891, eff. 10/2/2024