22-8B-12.1: Charter school closure; chartering authority protocols; chartering authority duties; distribution of assets.

A. Prior to any charter school closure decision, the chartering authority shall develop a charter school closure protocol to ensure timely notification to parents, orderly transition of students and student records to new schools and proper disposition of school funds, property and assets in accordance with the provisions of Subsection C of this section. The protocol shall specify tasks, time lines and responsible parties, including delineating the respective duties of the charter school, the governing body and the chartering authority.

B. If a charter school is ordered closed for any reason, prior to closure, the chartering authority shall oversee and work with the closing school to ensure a smooth and orderly closure and transition for students and parents according to the closure protocol.

C. When a charter school is closed, the assets of the school shall be distributed first to satisfy outstanding payroll obligations for employees of the school, then to creditors of the school and then to the state treasury to the credit of the current school fund. If the assets of the school are insufficient to pay all parties to whom the schools owes compensation, the prioritization of the distribution of assets may be determined by decree of a court of law.