Public charter schools and private independent schools
Full range of legal services, plus specialized systemic advocacy and individualized support, from a former educator turned lawyer and a former U.S. Department of Education attorney.
Where education law meets nonprofit corporate law.
Charter and independent schools operate within a complex legal and regulatory framework that intersects federal education law, state charter statutes, nonprofit corporation requirements, and an array of compliance and reporting obligations. Our work supports founders and governing boards with thoughtful, mission-aligned counsel, and, when necessary, targeted administrative and litigation advocacy.
Our full range of services, plus school-specific counsel.
Federal CSP grant application approved
Secured federal funding for a new community-centered charter school in New Haven.
Due process rights affirmed for students with disabilities
Demonstrated lack in services attributable to sending school district's failure to send staff and providers to charter school client under service agreement.
Secured favorable rulings declaring charter schools' right to receive reimbursement of actual special education costs
Connecticut SDE and Superior Court agreed with our interpretation of General Statutes Section 10-66ee(d)(7), requiring sending school districts to provide reimbursement for actual costs, rather than offering an arbitrary amount.
Outcome-forward representation.
Active systemic advocacy.
Since 2022, we have been working tirelessly to secure the state statutorily-mandated reimbursement of the costs of special education and related services incurred by our Connecticut charter school clients from students’ resident school districts. We have made tremendous progress but the fight continues.
Administrative appeal defense
After a favorable judgment from the CT Superior Court that dismissed Waterbury and New Haven Boards of Education's administrative appeal of Declaratory Ruling 23-01, we are defending against their appeal of that judgment in the Appellate Court with SDE as co-defendant.
Enforcement of Declaratory Ruling 23-01
Section 10-66ee(d)(7) is clear: charter schools have a right to reimbursement from school districts, just like other choice programs, including the interdistrict magnet schools. We are actively pursuing over $2 million in reimbursement claims for our clients across the state.
Pursuing court intervention to open long-awaited Danbury Charter School
Since 2018, our families in Danbury have waited for a SDE-approved charter school to open. Despite incredible community support and high ratings from the State, the General Assembly has refused to provide the school with funding. We are now in Superior Court, advocating for SDE to fulfill its statutory responsibility to open this school and end the wait for our kids.
Webinars and resources.
Navigate special education reimbursement with confidence after Declaratory Ruling 23-01 (issued May 1, 2024).
Charter school reimbursement templates for school district invoices.
Drop your email and we’ll send you Model 1A, Model 1B, and Model 2 — the same templates we use with our charter school clients to seek reimbursement under General Statutes § 10-66ee.
A national-network ally for school-equity advocacy.
Our work for charter and independent schools is amplified by an ongoing partnership with The Center for Learner Equity, the leading national voice for students with disabilities in charter schools.
“Best Defense” finalist for the 2025 PIE Network’s Eddies Award based on our systemic advocacy on charter school reimbursement for special education costs.
Testimony and public comment.
We don’t just work behind the scenes. We also go to the podium and the State House for our clients.
Promoting reimbursement of actual costs for CT charter schools.
"Charter schools’ lack of adequate reimbursement processes, despite mandates in law, has serious consequences for students—from threatening charter schools’ access to qualified personnel to ensure consistent delivery of students’ special education minutes to limiting charter schools’ ability to purchase essential supplies for classrooms. . . . These profound, systemic inequities have the effect of denying students with disabilities equal access to Connecticut public school choice."
Read more of Lauren Koster's testimony in support of S.B. 1561 (2025, filed under the firm's former name, Nonprofits Counsel).
Arguing in favor of the opening of Danbury Charter School and State Department of Education's power to open.
Lauren Koster testified before the State Board:
"Two viable charter schools with community support and exceptionally strong ratings from CSDE are stuck in a perpetual purgatory, where they have initial approval but, nonsensically, no path towards ever receiving their charter – unless the State Board asserts its proper role and authority in this process."
Ready to talk with Lauren?
Schedule a complimentary 30-minute call to discuss
charter or independent school needs.