Charter School

In California and across the country, the charter school sector continues its remarkable expansion, with enrollment growth driving the demand for enhanced and additional facilities. This surge unfolds within an ever-shifting regulatory framework, where state funding formulas, heightened accountability standards, and complex authorizer relationships create layered considerations for capital acquisition. Stradling focuses on providing customized legal counsel for charter schools pursuing facilities financing through tax-exempt bonds, tax credit initiatives, and conventional lending arrangements. We collaborate effectively with school operators, bond issuers, underwriters, and financial institutions to craft financing solutions that address both pressing capital requirements and sustainable operational viability.

From initial structuring conversations through post-closing compliance obligations, Stradling stands alongside charter school clients throughout the financing journey. Our attorneys advise on charter agreements, analyze enrollment trends, and assess financial projections to spot potential hurdles and craft appropriate risk management approaches. We foster collaboration among finance professionals, school administrators, and governing boards to develop financing results precisely calibrated to each institution's distinct circumstances and educational mission. Our team advises on the full array of issues related to charter school financings, including:

• Bond transactions utilizing conduit issuers and governmental authorities
• New Markets Tax Credit structures for eligible facilities
• Credit enhancement mechanisms and rating agency strategies
• Real property acquisitions through leasehold and fee simple ownership
• Construction-phase and permanent financing arrangements
• Strategic refinancing of existing debt obligations

We maintain active involvement with charter school advocacy organizations, municipal issuers, and lending institutions dedicated to educational facility financing. This continuous engagement provides our clients with timely insights pertaining to changing markets, evolving investor expectations, and novel financing configurations. We apply this knowledge to develop creative approaches balancing regulatory compliance with operational adaptability—producing financing solutions supporting both immediate facility needs and long-term educational programming. Each transaction draws upon our integrated approach to advisory services—which weaves together tax considerations, securities requirements, real estate principles, and education law parameters.