AS 14.03.253: Charter school application appeal.

(a) In an appeal to the commissioner under AS 14.03.250, the commissioner shall review the record before the local school board. The commissioner may request written supplementation of the record from the applicant or the local school board. The commissioner may

(1) remand the appeal to the local school board for further review;

(2) approve the charter school application and forward the application to the state Board of Education and Early Development with or without added conditions; or

(3) uphold the decision denying the charter school application; if the commissioner upholds a local school board's decision to deny a charter school application and the applicant appeals to the State Board of Education and Early Development, the commissioner shall immediately forward the application and record to the state Board of Education and Early Development.

(b) In an appeal to the state Board of Education and Early Development of a denial of a charter school application under (a)(3) of this section, the state board shall determine, based on the record, whether the commissioner's findings are supported by substantial evidence and whether the decision is contrary to law. The state board shall issue a written decision within 45 days after the state board receives an appeal.