New School Sponsorship

Instructions and Timeline New School Sponsorship

Contract Starts July 1, 2027

Sponsoring Priorities

Sponsorship encompasses a great deal of legal responsibility, and the College of Education & Human Development at Bowling Green State University takes our responsibilities seriously. At the core, it upholds its mission of providing the resources necessary to promote and sponsor an exceptional charter school environment throughout the state of Ohio.

Adhering to the Principles and Standards for Quality Charter School Authorizing as established by the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA), BGSU utilizes the principles and standards as the foundation of its strategic plan for quality school sponsoring.

In accordance with the sponsoring priorities, principles, and standards, this application includes prescriptive requirements and evaluation criteria.  In order to preserve the highest standard of quality sponsorship, the school must provide sound evidence of meeting each selection criteria.  Only schools that earn at least 75% of possible points will be considered for a preliminary agreement.

There are significant consequences for poor performance in academics, finance, operations, and governance.  If a school does not perform well, it may be closed automatically by law or by the sponsor and could be subject to civil liability.  It is imperative the school demonstrates its strong, evidence-based understanding of community school operations before BGSU would agree to sponsor the community school.

Step One: Application for Sponsorship/Application Submission Requirements

If interested in starting a community school, it is recommended to first research the viability of a community school in the proposed location and the educational and financial plans needed for the school.  To begin the process of applying for new community school sponsorship, follow the timeline and application instructions. Resources are also available on the BGSU website and from state and local organizations dedicated to community (charter) school development.  Contact April Samberg, Assistant Director of Community School Sponsorship, at 419-372-5318 to indicate interest and discuss any initial questions.

The full application packet, timeline, evaluation rubric, and sponsoring priorities are publicly available year-round on the BGSU Office of Community School Sponsorship website. Applicants should submit the electronic application using the link provided on the New School Sponsorship webpage. All required questions are built into the electronic form and must be answered directly within the online application. The form also includes an option to upload supplemental supporting documents.

Applicants who prefer to complete a Word version of the application may request the official application template by emailing April Samberg at asamberg@bgsu.edu. Completed Word document applications must be submitted via email to asamberg@bgsu.edu with the subject line: “Completed New School Sponsorship Application – (School Name).”

All essay responses must be completed using the official application template (electronic form or Word version). Supplemental materials must be clearly labeled and submitted as separate attachments. If the criterion does not apply, include a brief explanation. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Applications must be received by BGSU no later than June 15, 2026.

Note: If submitting the application via email with password protection, the password must be sent in a separate email to asamberg@bgsu.edu to ensure document access. The subject line for this email should be “Application Protection,” and the email body must include the proposed school name, and the password required to open the document.

Step Two: Review Period and Decision-Making

The BGSU Application Review Team includes a core group of individuals from BGSU College of Education & Human Development as well as external reviewers with expertise and sponsoring experience to make informed application decisions. Annually, and prior to reviewing applications, the Application Review Team is trained in the application process and materials; reviewer protocols; and the vision, mission, and strategic goals of community school sponsorship at BGSU. During this training, reviewers engage in rubric calibration activities to promote scoring consistency and shared expectations. Sample application components are reviewed and discussed to ensure alignment in interpretation of scoring criteria. This process is designed to reduce bias and promote fairness across all applications.  All reviewers sign a Conflict of Interest Disclosure form.  Any reviewer found to have a real or perceived conflict of interest will be excused to ensure impartiality in the review.

The rubric contains the application framework and evaluation criteria that are used as the primary factors for decision-making.  Therefore, the school must present a comprehensive and evidence-based case for approval.  The Application Review Team will conduct research into the applicant’s history with community schools, interview the applicant, and discuss the viability and appropriateness of the school with the Dean of Education and Human Development and Provost.

After evaluating and discussing all the data, each reviewer will individually complete a rubric.  The combined scores and comments will be provided to the school in the final evaluation rubric.  Should the Application Review Team need additional information to make a determination, the school will be contacted during the review period.

Step Three: Preliminary Agreement and Contract Term Length

To guarantee the most comprehensive and appropriate decisions are rendered, the BGSU only provides evidence-based recommendations to its Dean and Provost regarding applications for sponsorship.  Only schools that earn at least 75% of possible points will be considered for a preliminary agreement.

If the application is approved, an in-person interview will be scheduled.  After the interview, the Application Review Team, Dean of Education and Human Development, and Provost will make a decision whether to authorize a preliminary agreement.  The school will be notified of the decision no later than September 30, 2026.

Should BGSU choose not to approve the application for sponsorship, the school will receive a notice that includes detailed reasons for the action and the effective date of denial.

Should BGSU choose to approve the application for sponsorship, the school and BGSU will execute a preliminary agreement describing the intent of the sponsor and the school to work in good faith towards the execution of a contract.  The preliminary agreement will also be submitted to the Ohio Department of Education.

BGSU currently offers sponsorship contracts for a maximum of five (5) years.  The following table outlines the final evaluation rubric score and corresponding contract term length recommendations.

Step Four: Contract Negotiations and Attachments

BGSU will send the school a contract packet no later than December 1, 2026.  This packet includes the contract template, attachment cover pages, and a list of any other necessary documents.  The school must submit clean FBI/BCI criminal background checks for all applicants and governing authority members. In addition, the school’s governing authority members must complete five (5) hours of training on board governance and open meetings law.

The school’s governing authority, leader, management company (if applicable), and attorney should review the contract to ensure accuracy of all terms.  Should the school find any errors or wish to negotiate any contract term, it should discuss the proposed changes with BGSU as soon as possible.

All contract attachments must be received by BGSU no later than April 30, 2027.  The attachments will be reviewed for accuracy, completeness, and appropriateness.  Should any adjustments be required, the BGSU will notify the school in a timely manner and convey specific instructions for the adjustments.

Step Five:  Contract Approval and Execution

After all contract terms are finalized, the contract must be approved by the school’s governing authority.  The school should prepare a resolution for the governing authority president to sign once the contract is approved.  This signed resolution must be included in the contract, so it is best to have a separate resolution signed that day rather than having approval reflected in the unapproved, draft minutes.

Once the school’s governing authority has approved the contract resolution, the governing authority president must sign and date the contract.  Then, the original, signed contract must be sent via postal mail and received by BGSU no later than May 31, 2027.

All negotiations must be complete, and the contract must be signed by both parties prior to June 30, 2027.   The BGSU Provost will only sign the contract once all requirements have been met.  BGSU will send a copy of the fully executed contract to the school and the Ohio Department of Education.  The contract will also be available for reference in Epicenter.  The contract will go into effect on July 1, 2027.

Step Six:  Sponsor Assurances and School Opening

Bowling Green State University must inspect the school and provide assurances it has met all requirements and fulfilled all legal obligations at least ten (10) business days before the school year begins.  The school must open by September 30, 2027.  with exceptions for Dropout Prevention and Recovery Programs.  If the school does not open by that deadline, the new contract will become void.