1. To establish a public charter school, the organizer of a public charter school shall submit an application to the superintendent of public instruction and notify the board of the school district where the public charter school will be located of the intent to establish a public charter school.
2. For a school seeking to convert to a public charter school, the application must demonstrate support for the proposed public charter school conversion with a petition signed by a majority of teachers and parents or guardians of students at the existing school. Students who attended the school before conversion to a public charter school may be given enrollment preference.
3. The superintendent of public instruction shall create an application to establish a public charter school or convert to a public charter school, which must include the following essential elements:
a. School mission and vision.
b. Academic program.
c. Grade levels to be offered and growth plan.
d. Student evaluation plans.
e. Governance plan.
f. Organization chart.
g. Plan to serve at-risk students.
h. Community input and involvement.
i. Finances and audits.
j. Student policies, including discipline plans.
k. Staff policies.