Our Services

As a community school sponsor, we are responsible for monitoring our schools’ compliance with all applicable laws and the terms of the charter contract.

Compliance

All monitoring is conducted through a dedicated Compliance Department via document and contract analysis, and information and resource sharing. OCCS uses web-based technology to manage all compliance requirements. Each year, documents received are used to complete Annual Opening Assurances for each school. By law, verification from OCCS is required prior to a school opening its doors each year.

We also provide technical support to any of our sponsored schools that may need assistance understanding the terms of the charter contracts and/or obligations under state and federal law. We interface regularly with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce to ensure compliance with each sponsored school. Annually, OCCS prepares a report on the performance of its sponsored schools. The report, sent to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, evaluates a school’s academic, fiscal, and legal compliance, along with its organization and operations.

Staff members review several thousand documents and items on an annual basis.

Building and School Safety

OCCS thoroughly monitors school compliance with building and student safety standards. We work with local agencies to verify compliant fire inspections, health and safety inspections, and food service inspections. The Compliance Team monitors school Emergency Plan Compliance and monthly reporting of school safety drills through the Ohio School Safety Center.

Governance

Regional Representatives work with our partner school boards on a monthly basis, providing information and technical assistance in the following ways:

  • OCCS provides qualified staff attendance at all school board meetings.
  • OCCS disseminates monthly briefs to board members containing compliance and legislative updates as well as academic and event information.
  • OCCS Fiscal Services Team provides a monthly Financial Report to the school boards.
  • All boards are provided with an OCCS Annual Progress Report, reviewing their compliance with contract goals and legal requirements.
  • As an added service, OCCS offers regional governing board trainings throughout the year.

Staff and Reporting

  • OCCS disseminates a monthly principal brief outlining compliance and legislative updates, as well as academic and event information.
  • OCCS ensures schools stay organized by disseminating annual compliance calendars.
  • School staff members may submit compliance requirements electronically through the OCCS web-based compliance platform.
  • As an added service, OCCS is able to take fingerprints to be submitted to the State for the requisite background checks for volunteering, employment, licensure, and governing board service.

As A Matter of Fact:

Charter schools introduce an unprecedented level of accountability into public education. If a charter school is not improving student achievement as laid out in its charter contract, it can be closed down.