As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
 1. “Attendance center” means a school building that contains classrooms used for instructional purposes for elementary, middle, or secondary school students.
 2. “Charter school” means a school established in accordance with this chapter.
 3. “Department” means the department of education.
 4. “Education service provider” means an education management organization, charter school management organization, or other person with whom a charter school contracts for educational program implementation or comprehensive management.
 5. “Founding group” means a person, group of persons, or education service provider that develops and submits an application for a charter school to the state board under this chapter.
 6. “Governing board” means the independent board of a charter school whose members are elected or selected pursuant to the charter school contract, subject to the requirements of section 256E.7, subsection 11.
 7. “School board” means a board of directors regularly elected by the registered voters of an accredited public school district.
 8. “State board” means the state board of education.