ASSOCIATION OF CHARTER EDUCATORS (ACE)

American YouthWorks Charter has generously provided office space for ACE. The new telephone number for ACE is 512-472-3970 and fax number is 512-472-2715.

Charter school membership in the Association of Charter Educators (ACE) is growing rapidly. Remember that a school must join soon in order to have a vote in the election of the new board at the April Charter School Resource Center conference in Austin. (Membership application is attached.)

The interim board of ACE is working hard to give charter schools a voice in the current legislative session. Members of the interim board had a very productive meeting with Representative Dunnam last week and are meeting with other key legislators this week.

The interim board of ACE is continuing to work with key legislators that are interested in the charter school movement. Specific information will be made available to association members via e-mail.

For additional information call Christi at 512-472-3970 or email her at christirmartin@aol.com.

First Name_____________________________Last Name_________________________________

Title____________________School/Organization_____________________________________

Address__________________________________________________________________________

City___________________________________State_________________Zip_________________

Phone____________________Fax__________________E-mail_____________________________

Conference expenses exceed $200 per person. The Resource Center has secured contributions to reduce your conference fees as listed below.
Registration fees will increase by $100 in each category if received after March 16.

Fees: [Registration fee includes five meals: breakfast and lunch on both days, and evening gala dinner on Monday, April 9th.]

_____ $100 Texas Charter School Leaders, Teachers, & Board Members
_____ $150 All other attendees
_____ $300 Vendors [Fee includes one registration, including the five meals, and one vendor table for your group.
Fee for additional vendors at your table will be $150 per person.]

I have enclosed a check for $___________________ payable to the:
Resource Center for Charter Schools.

Registrations are non-refundable.

Help make our voice heard! The Texas Legislature is in session and charter schools are on its agenda. If we are not actively involved in the process, legislators may well impose burdensome restrictions that could severely limit our opportunities for success.

The Association of Charter Educators (ACE) is a statewide organization of charter schools formed to ensure that our voice is heard when important decisions are made. We need your help! By joining ACE, your school will be doing its part to promote equitable laws and resources for Texas charter students, teachers, and schools. ACE members will be updated regularly during the legislative session and are invited to share concerns and comments at any time. Further, the increasing media attention being focused on charter schools has highlighted the need for a centralized voice for the charter school community. ACE will work with member schools to improve the accuracy and fairness of media coverage. ACE may also be able to help lower your health, liability, and property insurance costs, in addition to other service costs, by facilitating group rates. In short, it's time to get organized. The needs are clear.

Who can join? The Association is open to all, but only charter holders will have the opportunity to join as voting members.

What is the organizational structure? An interim board has been established to govern the organization until July 1st. The first elected board will be chosen by Association members at the Charter School Resource Center Conference in April. The current board is comprised of 17 members from across the state. Frances Teran of La Escuela de las Americas in San Antonio has been chosen by the board to serve as the Interim President. Annette Cluff of the Varnett Charter School in Houston as Interim Vice President, and Rosemary Perlmeter of the North Hills School in Irving as Interim Treasurer. Christi Martin will be serving as the Interim Executive Director.

How do we join? Send a completed ACE Membership Application along with payment of dues to the following address:

Frances Teran, President Annette Cluff, Vice President Rosemary Perlmeter, Treasurer		210-978-0500 713-723-4699 972-501-0645
Rebecca Benz Richard Boardman Linda Britton Teresa Elliott Richard Farias Mike Feinberg Sharon Kinney	512-472-8220 903-479-3933 210-431-9881 512-835-6601 713-644-2340 713-541-2561 361-949-1222	Virginia Lannen Leroy McClure Diane Merchant Gilbert Moreno Jim Neal Ron Porter Margaret Rohde	214-841-0532 972-283-1414 409-948-3224 713-926-4756 210-829-8007 512-752-3142 713-475-4766

Name of School: Name of Sponsoring Entity: Contact Person: Address: Phone: Fax: E-Mail:

______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________

NOTE: The Sponsoring Entity of each Member School is responsible for designating one representative authorized to vote on that Member School's behalf. If the person authorized to vote on behalf of your school is someone other than the Contact Person listed above, please provide the name of that person in the space below. An authorized representative must be a board member, officer, or employee of the school or its sponsoring entity.

Authorized Representative:_________________________________________________

Please mail a completed application form and payment for your school's dues to:

Christi Martin
ACE
P. O. Box 684547
Austin, Texas 78768-4547
Phone: 512-472-3970 • Fax: 512-472-2715

School Membership Dues: $300.00 per charter plus $1.00 per student enrolled.*

Upon receipt of a completed application and dues, the authorized representative of your school will be eligible to vote in the April election of board members and on resolutions presented to the ACE membership. Members of ACE will be updated regularly during the legislative session and are invited to share concerns and comments at anytime.

*The student count is to be based on the school's enrollment on October 27th (TEA snapshot date). A sponsoring entity may apply for multiple memberships based on the number of charters it holds. Dues will be assessed separately for each charter.

ASSOCIATION OF CHARTER EDUCATORS

INVOICE

Name of School: Name of Sponsoring Entity: Purpose:

______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ Payment of School Membership Dues.

Calculation of Dues: Dues are calculated as $300 per charter plus $1.00 per student enrolled. The student count is to be based on the school's enrollment on October 27th (TEA snapshot date). A sponsoring entity may apply for multiple memberships based on the number of charters it holds. Dues will be assessed separately and should be remitted separately for each charter.

Number of Students: _____________________________________________

Amount Owed: _____________________________________________

Please mail Membership Application and amount owed to the following address:

Christi Martin
ACE
P. O. Box 684547
Austin, Texas 78768-4547
Phone: 512-472-3970 • Fax: 512-472-2715