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Frequently Asked Questions

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Enrollment

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How do I apply?

We have a very simple application process. You may go to our web site at www.charterschoolsusa.com, under the select a school link you may select a charter school located in the district, county, or parish where you reside. From there you will click the "enroll now" button and follow the prompted steps. You will receive a confirmation when your application is accepted.

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I didn't get my offer until just now. Is it too late?

Please call 866-KIDS-USA to verify the status of the application. Once a phone number is posted for the school, please contact the school directly.

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I didn't receive my login and password for SIS. Can I get that from you?

You can get the email containing your login and password re-sent to you, but first please check your spam folder. Every once in a while, your spam filter will pull our emails out of your inbox. If you do not see it there, please contact 866-KIDS-USA.

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Where is my child on the waiting list?

Unfortunately, we are not able to release specific information regarding the waiting list. We can only verify that your student's application was received and your child has been placed on the waiting list. If a seat becomes available and your child is at the top of the list, we will contact you with an offer. Until you receive that offer, it is safe to assume that your child is still on the waiting list.

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My child didn't get chosen in the Lottery. Now what?

If an applicant is not selected in the lottery process, they will automatically be placed on the waiting list. As seats become available, applicants on the waiting list will receive offers. Therefore, an applicant that is not selected in the lottery will not receive any formal communication from the school until they are extended an offer via letter, email, or phone call. For additional information about the lottery, please refer to the Lottery Rules and Procedures document that is posted on the school's website.

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One of my children got chosen in the Lottery, but the other(s) did not. Now What?

Based on the sibling preference that is built into the system, your other child will progress up the waiting list more quickly. We do make an effort to keep siblings together, but at the end of the day we have to work through the waiting list in order. We cannot make exceptions.

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What preferences are encompassed in the Lottery/Waiting List?

The preferences extended change on a school-by-school basis. In order to gain a better understanding of what preferences are extended for your school, please refer to the Lottery Rules and Procedures document posted on the school website. This document can be found on the Enrollment and Registration page.

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Does my child get preference if they have a sibling attending another Charter Schools USA school?

No, unfortunately at this time, preferences only extend to siblings attending the same school.

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Does my child get preference if they have any relative (nephew, cousin, etc.) attending another Charter Schools USA school?

No. Unfortunately, the preferences are only extended to siblings.

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I entered an application for my child, but I haven't heard anything. Where is my child in the enrollment process?

After the lottery is run, the first piece of formal communication that you would receive from the school would be in the form of an offer. If you have not yet received an offer, it is safe to assume that your applicant has been placed on the waiting list. Should a seat become available for your applicant, you will receive an offer via mail, phone, or email, depending on the communication preferences that you selected on the application. If you do not hear anything from us, it is safe to assume that your applicant remains on the waiting list. The school keeps its waiting lists throughout the year, so it is possible to receive an offer at any point during the school year.

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What is a Lottery?

If the total number of applications received during the enrollment period exceeds the number of seats available for any grade, a random lottery will be conducted and a waitlist will be formed. If you apply, you will be notified of the lottery and its process.

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Is your school still accepting applications?

The school continues to accept application throughout the year. Based on seat availability, applicants will either be offered a seat or will be placed on the waiting list. When seats become available throughout the year, the school Registrar will work through the waiting list, offering seats to applicants in the order that they are listed on the waiting list.

At the end of the year, if your applicant is still interested in attending the school but has not received an offer, you must submit a new application for your child, during or after Open Enrollment.

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When is the Open Enrollment period/window?

For existing schools, the Open Enrollment window begins January 1st and closes February 28th. The Open Enrollment window for new schools will vary, and this information is provided on each school's website.

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I missed the deadline to respond to my child's offer! Has she/he lost their seat? OR I missed the paperwork deadline! Has my child lost their seat?

In order to verify the status of your application, please contact us at 866-KIDS-USA.

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How can I access the Registration/Enrollment packet?

You will not be given access to the Registration/Enrollment packet until you have accepted an offered seat. If you have been offered a seat and accepted that seat, you should have received an email containing a username/password. You can go to the school's website, plug in the username/password, and access all of the necessary Registration and Enrollment documents. Please note that you can electronically sign several of the documents. In order to confirm your plans for attendance and secure your child's seat, you will need to complete and submit the following forms within two weeks (14 days) of your acceptance:

  • Dress Code Agreement
  • Internet Use & Promotion Form
  • Parent Contract
  • Photograph & Video Release Permission Form
  • Volunteer Form

If these forms are not submitted, your child's seat will be rescinded and offered to another applicant.

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I have recently changed my contact information. Can you update my address/phone number/email address?

Please contact us at 866-KIDS-USA, and we will work with you to update your application. Please do not submit a second application.

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I sent my child's registration documents in on x date. Did you receive them? The system is showing that I have not turned them in. Why?

We are certain that we have received your student's documents, however, there is a bit of lag time between our receipt of the documents and their verification in the system. We ask you to keep copies of your submitted documentation, and if we are missing anything, we will let you know. Your child will not lose their seat if you have already electronically signed the:

  • Dress Code Agreement
  • Internet Use & Promotion Form
  • Parent Contract
  • Photograph & Video Release Permission Form
  • Volunteer Form
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I attended an Information Session, but I lost the confirmation code. Can you give me the code?

Please contact us at 866-KIDS-USA, and we will be happy to work with you on this.

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I am unable to attend any of the Information Sessions that you have scheduled. How do I get the confirmation code needed to apply?

Please contact us at 866-KIDS-USA, we will work with you in order to ensure that you receive all the information that you need.

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I missed the Information Session for x school. When is the next one?

The dates and times for the Information Sessions are posted on the Enrollment/Registration page of the school's website. If you do not know the school's web address, go to www.charterschoolsusa.com and navigate to the Our Schools page.

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Are the Registration Nights mandatory?

No. Registration nights are not mandatory, but they are a great opportunity to turn in any outstanding registration documents that you might have. If you are interested in attending, please make sure that you bring:

  • Transcript Request Form
  • Proof of Residence (Parent Driver's License, Utilities Bill, Lease Agreement, etc.)
  • Copy of Student's Social Security Card
  • Copy of Student's Birth Certificate
  • Report Card and/ or Transcript
  • All Current and Relevant Immunization and Medical History Records
  • Copy of IEP (if necessary)
  • ESE, ESOL/ELL, Literacy Folder, and any Conduct/Discipline Actions (if necessary)
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If I don't go to the Registration Night, will my child lose their seat?

No. Your student will not lose their seat if you have already electronically signed the documents below within the two-week timeframe given:

  • Dress Code Agreement
  • Internet Use & Promotion Form
  • Parent Contract
  • Photograph & Video Release Permission Form
  • Volunteer Form

Hiring

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What kind of qualifications does Charter Schools USA require for their teachers?

All teachers have to be certified in the content area/grade level in which they teach. The school will monitor the teacher certifications with regards to expiration dates and renewal processes via the district/state requirements.

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How can I apply?

All recruiting and hiring is done through our online Career Center. All job vacancies are posted on www.charterschoolsusa.com/careers. This is a two-step process where applicants can create a profile and then go back and apply for multiple job vacancies.

Curriculum

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What Curriculum does Charter Schools USA use?

We teach the State Standards through our Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum. Each school uses approved text books and literary resources to ensure students master the standards. The CSUSA Educational Model is based on the research of Robert J. Marzano's What Works in Schools. Our Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum ensures academic excellence in every classroom, and encourages steady academic progress toward mastery of State Standards as students build their knowledge and skills from one year to the next. The GVC is aligned to specific state standards and grade-level expectations.

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What is SACS? Or Are CSUSA schools accredited?

CSUSA has district-wide accreditation through SACS, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools that works in conjunction with AdvancedED to provide accreditation. Accreditation is a voluntary method of quality assurance developed by American universities and secondary schools, and designed primarily to distinguish schools and organizations adhering to a rigorous set of educational standards.

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What are the discipline rules for the school(s)?

To ensure the safety and security of students and staff each student will receive a copy of the Student Handbook, which clearly outlines the behavior expectations of the School. The school adopts the positive and proactive behavior system outlined by Safe and Civil Schools known as CHAMPS. All teachers put a successful behavior management system in place to ensure that students are engaged and set up for success.

During staff development sessions, teachers will learn how to:

  • Establish a vision for their classrooms
  • Organize classrooms for student success
  • Prepare for the first month of school
  • Specify classroom behavioral expectations
  • Motivate students
  • Monitor and revise classroom behavioral plans
  • Correct specific misbehaviors

If the school is within Florida: The school adheres to the same Code of Conduct as the district.

If the school is LEA in another state: The school has developed a code of conduct that reflects progressive responses to behavior. Infractions are categorized from minor to major Minor infractions would include items such as dress code violations, horseplay, tardiness, misuse of equipment, failure to do homework, etc. Major infractions would include items such as disrespect, cheating, having a weapon on campus, smoking, having drugs on campus, fighting, skipping school, etc.

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What are the qualifications to attend school?

Our charter schools are open for all students that fall within the grade levels and meet required age and residency limits that we will be offering at our schools to apply. We are tuition free schools of choice.

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Do the students take the State Test or any other assessment?

Yes. All CSUSA students take standardized tests in their respective state. The students will additionally take benchmark exams throughout the course of the year. The use of student assessment and performance data is vital to the CSUSA Educational Model, a continuous improvement process, which is not only used to improve student learning and achievement, but also used to evaluate and inform instruction.

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To what degree is technology incorporated in the classroom?

CSUSA provides 21st century classrooms that focus on student engagement. Technology resources such as interactive white boards, document cameras, student computers, and student response systems are utilized at the school to increase student engagement and prepare students for 21st century skills. The data and communication available through the Student Information System also supports parent involvement.

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Will there be sports teams?

The school will offer enrichment opportunities such as sports as determined by student interest.

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Will the school offer clubs, have safety patrol, or a news crew?

Yes, the school will have safety patrols and student government. The school will also offer enrichment opportunities such as media clubs and science clubs as determined by student interest.

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What are the school's requirements surrounding parental involvement?

Parent participation is integral to the success of the School and will be solicited for the development of school goals and objectives. In addition to the role parents play in governance, all parents sign a parent obligation committing to volunteer a minimum of twenty hours per school year. When two or more children from the same family are enrolled, parents are asked to commit to volunteering a total of thirty hours per school year. Parent volunteering opportunities are individualized to meet the needs, demands, and capabilities of the individual student/family as they pertain to required volunteer hours.

Parental involvement is also fostered through access to information and communication provided by the School's Student Information System. Parents receive real-time updates on their child's status and are able to engage in two-way communication with school administrators and teachers.

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Are arts and foreign language subjects included in the school's curriculum?

Yes. The arts and world languages are included in the school's curriculum at every level. Students will participate in electives for visual and musical arts as well as world languages such as Spanish.

The Arts encompass music, visual arts, theatre, and dance. The Arts are serious and rigorous academic subjects with the potential to help students achieve creativity, self-awareness, self-expression, and interactive and cooperative learning skills.

Based on the demographics of the community and the student population, school administration and faculty will determine which world language(s) will be offered prior to the start of the school year. Choices may include, but are not limited to, Spanish, French, and American Sign Language. World language is a required subject at the School.

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How do you evaluate my child's skill level?

The School will measure student academic achievement through a combination of teacher created formative assessments as well as formal assessments such as the state accountability assessment. Formative assessments will involve the traditional assessment of students through teacher-created and assessed classroom methods. Examples of teacher-created formative assessments include but are not limited to:

  • Teacher created content tests
  • Student portfolios
  • Journals
  • Teacher observations
  • Writing samples

Formal testing will assess student academic improvement. Student academic improvement will be measured on an on-going basis by using Charter Schools USA Benchmark Tests. Student reading level and basic math skills will be determined through diagnostic assessments at the beginning of the year.

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I just found out that my child is being retained. What grade will he/she go into at your school?

The school will place the student in the grade that the last school mandated through retention or promotion. As a public school, the school follows the same legal guidelines as traditional public schools pertaining to pupil progression.

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How big is your class size for "x" grade?

The school follows the state requirements for class size as they relate to charter schools. CSUSA is committed to academic excellence and puts students first when making decisions about school processes such as class size.

If the school is in Florida: The school will maintain a school average of 18 students in K-2, 22 students in 3 -5, and 25 students in 6 – 12.

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How many "x" grade classes does the school have?

The school will typically open with anywhere from 4-5 classes of each grade.

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Does your school accommodate children with special needs?

The School welcomes and encourages the enrollment of students of all learning profiles.

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My child is gifted. What types of programs does you school offer for advanced learners.

The School's Gifted Curriculum objectives are focused on developing cognitive, learning, research and reference, and metacognitive skills at each grade level, using principles of differentiation, in one or more of the following content areas: mathematics, science, language arts, social studies, foreign language, and fine arts.

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My child has special needs. What types of services does your school offer?

During the registration process, you will identify your child's need. You will also provide us with a copy of the child's IEP, 504 plan, etc. The school staff will review it to make sure that the child can be serviced at the school

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How do teachers/the school communicate with parents?

The primary methods of communication include the child's agenda book and the school's SIS (Student Information System). All school staff members have an open door policy, and they are happy to meet with parents throughout the year.

Operations and Logistics

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What are the tuition costs?

There are no tuition fees since we are a public school of choice.

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Is before/after care provided?

Typically our schools will provide before care one hour prior to school starting and after care until 6 PM.

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What is pricing for before/after care?

This differs on a school-by-school basis. However, we try to keep the pricing competitive with rates charged by service providers in the surrounding community. When pricing is finalized for your particular school, it will be posted on the “school information” page of the school website.

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Is transportation provided?

The school and their Governing Board are committed to delivering the highest quality academic program for our students. In order to make good on our commitment we are allocating all appropriate resources into our educational program. The input from parents and discussion at our registration and information sessions were consistent with our academic focus.

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Is there a dress code or uniform policy?

Yes, all CSUSA schools have a uniform policy and require our students to wear uniforms. The typical uniforms are polos and khakis. Each school will have a dedicated uniform vendor with a store location in the area. Research demonstrates a positive correlation between appropriate attire, good work habits and good character. Uniforms address issues related to the health, safety and welfare of the students and the maintenance of a positive and cooperative learning environment. A uniform policy helps erase cultural and economic differences among students, sets a tone for serious study, facilitates school pride and improves attendance.

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What are the costs of uniforms?

The selected vendor determines uniform costs, however CSUSA chooses its vendors via a Request for Proposal (RFP) process and price is one of the determining factors. Based on the vendor selected, prices may vary.

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How do I order uniforms?

A link to the uniform company's website will be made available on the school's website, when the uniform vendor is finalized. Feel free to contact them, and they will be glad to assist you with the uniform order.

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Will the school offer a breakfast and lunch program?

Yes, breakfast and lunch will be served. The school will participate in the National School Lunch Program and will provide free or reduced priced meals to those students who qualify.

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What kind of security measures are in place to ensure my child's safety?

Your child's safety is one of our highest priorities, and it is our goal to know where every student is at every moment of the school day. Proper fencing and surveillance systems are implemented at our schools. The exact layout and design of these systems will differ according to the school. However, we are very intentional in the measures we take with regards to who enters, leaves, and works at the school.

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Will the school have a playground/play area/sports fields?

This differs by school. The importance of exercise and PE is fully understood, and our schools are always designed with a recreation area.

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Is the school going to open on time?

We are working towards an on-time opening. The Development/Construction department has a very detailed timeline, and they know exactly what needs to be accomplished in order for the school to open on time. Should they decide that the school cannot be ready in time, we will inform parents as soon as possible.

General

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What is a Charter School?

Charter schools are part of a sweeping educational reform that offers a public school choice option for parents and students that focuses the highest priority on providing a better education. Charter schools are tuition free public schools that are state funded, but each charter school is independently operated by a Governing Board. Unlike traditional public schools, every charter school must demonstrate success and perform well, or it will lose its charter. Charter schools can be started by municipalities, corporations, nonprofit organizations or individuals.

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Who is Charter Schools USA?

Charter Schools USA is one of the largest providers of charter school management services in the nation. We are the first and only SACS accredited education management organization. We successfully manage and govern charters for grades pre-K through 12. Charter Schools USA assists corporations, government entities, developers and nonprofit agencies with all phases of charter school design, planning, development, financing, construction, operations and curricula.

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How are Charter Schools Different from Public Schools?

Charter schools are public schools of choice that provide families with an alternative option to their traditional neighborhood schools.

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What are some of the advantages of Charter Schools USA managed schools?

Personalized Learning Plans – Assessments are performed periodically to determine how your child will learn best. Learning styles are established to tailor lesson plans to meet the needs of each student.

Student Information System (SIS) – Parents are given access to their children's personal information through a password-protected computer-based system that allows them to monitor their progress. Parents can monitor test scores, homework and attendance on a daily basis.

Active and Meaningful Parental Involvement – We know that children enjoy greater success in school when the adults they admire most take an interest in their education. Our students' parents are required to commit to volunteer 20 hours each year for the school. These hours foster closer relationships and ensure a more secure learning environment.

Uniforms – A uniform policy is enforced within all CSUSA schools. The uniform policy instills a sense of pride in the school as well as in each child's individual appearance. Uniforms allow students to focus on their education instead of designer labels and fashion trends. A uniform policy helps erase cultural and economic differences among students, sets a tone for serious study, facilitates school pride and improves attendance.

Comprehensive Character Education Program (STRIVE) - The Community of Character program provides teachers and students the opportunity to apply character values in a real community environment.

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What are some of Charter Schools USA's star schools?

We are passionate about improving all of our schools. There is no such thing as “good enough” in our book. We believe that there is always room for growth and improvement.

Governance

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If this School is not run by a District, who oversees the School?

Each Charter School is governed by a Board of Directors. They are founded by a diverse group of individuals concerned with the option of quality school choice for families and students and to provide a first rate academic education. Each member is a business and/or community supporter with hopes and visions for a continued and evolving, academically successful Charter School. The Board is responsible for the legal and financial obligations, establishes policy consistent with the School's mission, and ensures that the programs and operations of the School are faithful to the terms of the charter.

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How can I be a part of the Governing Board?

Your Governing Board is already established. In most instances, parents are not a member of the governing body. This maintains an arm's length between personal issues which might come up at the school.

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How is the Governing Board different from Charter Schools USA?

The Governing Board hires CSUSA as the management company to run the operations of the School. They are not affiliated with CSUSA in any way.

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What are some of the Responsibilities of the Governing Board?

  • Direct Link to Parents/Community
  • Leads in Setting School Specific Performance Goals
  • Approving & Monitoring the School Budget and Monthly Financials
  • Reviews School Performance
  • Monitors the Overall health & viability of the School
  • Communicates with the community, the State Board of Education, & County School District when appropriate
  • Reviews Regulations for Compliance with District & State Policy
  • Monitors Progress toward Goals
  • Operational oversight of the management company, CSUSA