7.01 The authorizer may designate a public charter school as a School for Agricultural Studies.

7.02 To be designated as a School for Agricultural Studies, the applicant must include in its original application or charter amendment request the following:

7.02.1 A request to be designated as a School for Agricultural Studies;

7.02.2 The school's agricultural plan, which shall include without limitation:

7.02.2.1 The type of agricultural industry in the school's local region;

7.02.2.2 How the school will address the needs of that industry and the state's agricultural-based economy;

7.02.2.3 Anticipated support from the agricultural industry; and

7.02.3 A written review of the agricultural studies plan from the Division of Career Education.

7.03 A School for Agricultural Studies may petition the State Board of Education for creation of a new school district by detachment under Ark. Code Ann. § 6-13-1501 et seq., subject to the limitations in Section 7.04 below, if the School for Agricultural Studies meets the following conditions:

7.03.1 The school shall complete three (3) academic years serving students as a School for Agricultural Studies;

7.03.2 The school must not currently be classified as in need of Level 5--Intensive Support, fiscal distress, or facilities distress;

7.03.3 The school must not be in probationary status for violation of the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts; and

7.03.4 The school must show evidence that the school is meeting its stated goals.

7.04 A School for Agricultural Studies shall not be approved to create a new school district by detachment with fewer than three hundred and fifty (350) students as determined by a feasibility study included with the petition.

7.05 A School for Agricultural Studies is exempt from the minimum student enrollment and square mileage requirements under Ark. Code Ann. § 6-13-1501(a)(2) and § 6-13-1502.

7.06 Nothing prohibits a public charter school from offering agricultural programming without the designation as a School for Agricultural Studies.

7.07 A public charter school shall not refer to itself as a School for Agricultural Studies unless it is designated as a School for Agricultural Studies under Ark. Code Ann. § 6-23-108 and Section 7.00 of these Rules.