The school year doesn’t start for a couple of more weeks, but lots of hearings are planned for the remainder of August with an eye toward taking care of business in the fall of 2012 and beyond.

The Department of Education has scheduled several public hearings this month on proposals to open charter schools in the fall of 2013. These hearings are required by state law. Links to all State Education Department charter applications can be found at this link. The documents are very long and detailed, but a close look reveals what type of curriculum each charter is proposing, potential community partners, how they plan to use technology and how they will serve students with special needs.

Monday, August 20 – Community School District 7, Bronx

Hearing for proposed WHEDco Bard Academy Charter School, to serve students in grades 6-11 starting in the fall of 2013. The school would grow to a total of 440 students. Public hearing will begin at 6 p.m. at the District 7 office, 501 Courtlandt Avenue, Bronx. Speaker sign up starts at 5:30 p.m.

Also tonight, the Contracts Committee of the Panel for Educational Policy is holding a regular hearing at 5:30 p.m. at the Department of Education’s headquarters at 52 Chambers Street, 2nd floor conference room.

Tuesday, August 21 – Community School District 13, Brooklyn

Public hearing on two proposed charters, the Community First Academy Charter School and Unity Preparatory Charter School of Brooklyn. Communities First Academy would serve 726 students by it’s fifth year, in grades K-10.

Through educational and community partnerships including Medgar Evers College, Long Island University and Pratt University, CFACS says it will provide learning opportunities through explorations of real-world problems and challenges. Unity Preparatory would serve 590 students in grades 6-10 by its fifth year. Unity Prep will use lottery preferences to enroll a student demographic that reflects the diversity of the district in which it is located. Specifically, 72% of 6th grade and available 9th grade seats will be reserved for families eligible for free or reduced price lunch.

Hearings will take place at Prospect Heights Campus at 883 Classon Avenue, Brooklyn at 6 p.m. Public sign up starts at 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, August 22 – Public Meeting of the Panel for Educational Policy

Monthly meeting at 6 p.m. at Department of Education Headquarters, 52 Chambers Street, Manhattan. The panel will hold a non-public executive session before the 6 p.m. meeting to discuss a matter pertaining to employee discipline. The calendar for the public meeting includes:

-The Chancellor’s update
-An amendment to rules and regulations of the Board of Education Retirement System with Respect to Duration of Investment Conversion
-Approval of Revised Chancellor’s Regulation A-715 for administration of epinephrine auto-injector devices (“epi-pens”) to reflect new guidelines from the National School Boards Association
-Approval of contracts

Wednesday, August 22 – Community School District 28, Queens

Hearing on proposal to open 21st Century Preparatory Charter School, to serve 550 students eventually in grades K-10. Special emphasis on students with an interrupted formal education and English Language Learners. The Chasdrew Fund will enhance students’ learning through virtual lessons and teleconferences from their North Carolina Educational Farm – Echoview Farm. Public hearing will begin at 6 p.m. at the District 28 office at 90-27 Sutphin Blvd, Jamaica. Speaker sign up starts at 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, August 23 – Community School District 5, Manhattan

Hearing on proposal to open Onyx Academy for the Performing Arts Charter Schools and the Dr. Muriel Petioni Charter School. Onyx Academy would serve grades 6-12 with an eventual total of 525 students. Dr. Muriel Petioni school would serve grades 5-8 with an eventual total of 375 students. Hearings will be held at District 5 office, 425 W. 123rd Street, at 6 p.m. Speaker sign up starts at 5:30 p.m.

Friday, August 24th – Community School District 27 in Queens

Proposed charter school application for Community Charter School for Success, a middle school to open with fifth graders. Will eventually serve 300 students in grades 5-8. Application is being considered by the New York State Education Department. Hearing will be held at 5:30 p.m. at Beach Channel High School, 100-00 Beach Channel Drive, speaker sign up starts at 5 p.m.

Tuesday, August 28th – Community School District 32, Brooklyn

Proposed application for the Math, Engineering and Science Academy Charter High School, to serve students in grades 9-12 with a total of 500 students. Hearing will be held at 6 p.m. at 194 Harman Street, Brooklyn. Speaker sign up starts at 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, August 29th – Community School District 19 in Brooklyn

Proposed charter school application for the New American Academy Charter School, to open in the fall of 2013. The school would eventually serve grades K-5 with an enrollment of 370 students. Hearing will be held at 6 p.m. at the District 19 office at 557 Pennsylvania Avenue, speaker sign up starts at 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, August 30th – Community School District 2, Manhattan

Hearing on proposal to open Great Oaks Charter School on Governor’s Island, to serve 433 students in grades 6-10 by its fifth year. Public hearing is at District 2 office, 333 Seventh Avenue, 7th floor at 6 p.m. Public sign starts at 5:30 p.m.