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Title: 7. CHARTER SCHOOL RENEWAL CONTRACT APPROVAL FOR SOS ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Requested Action:
1. THAT THE DUVAL COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD RESCIND THE JUNE 5, 2007 BOARD ACTION APPROVING A FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT RENEWAL WITH SOS ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL CONTINGENT UPON RECEIPT OF A STATE GRADE DESIGNATION OF “D” OR BETTER FOR THE 2006-2007 SCHOOL YEAR.
2. THAT THE DUVAL COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD APPROVE A FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT RENEWAL WITH SOS ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL WITH THE REMOVAL OF THE STATE GRADE DESIGNATION OF “D” OR BETTER CONTINGENCY.
3. THAT THE DUVAL COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD AUTHORIZE THE BOARD CHAIRMAN AND THE SUPERINTENDENT TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND APPROVAL AS TO FORM BY THE OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL.
Summary Explanation and Background:
SOS Academy Middle School has been in operation as a charter school since the 1997-1998 school year. On June 6, 2006, the Board approved a one-year contract with SOS Academy Middle School which expired on June 30, 2007. On April 3, 2007, the Board voted to approve the agenda item allowing the District to enter into contract negotiations with SOS Academy Middle School for a five-year contract contingent upon the School receiving a state grade designation of “D” or better on the 2007 state grading scale. On June 5, 2007, the Board approved a five-year contract with the School contingent upon the School receiving a state grade designation of a “D” or higher.
On June xx June 29, 2007, the state grade designations were released and SOS Middle School received an “F”. Therefore, the prior contract approved by the Board on June 5, 2007 is null and void because the School did not achieve the requisite grade of “D”. Since the state requires two consecutive state grade designations of “F” to support closure of a charter school, the revised recommendation is to remove the contingency and to approve a five-year contract with the School.
SOS Academy Middle School is being offered a five-year contract because: (1) The School received a state designation of “D” for the prior school year (2005-2006); (2) The District has the contractual and the statutory right to close any non-compliant charter school regardless of the term of the contract; and (3) The five-year contract is the length of term issued to new charter applicants. The contract will extend from July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2012. The enrollment cap for the new contract term is 500 students.
The five-year renewal contract includes the following standard provisions:
- The School must continue to show significant gains in student achievement;
- The School must target a state grade designation of “C” or better for 2008 and beyond;
- The District may use the Sunshine State Standards Benchmark Monitoring Instrument results to predict the 2008 grade designation and beyond, and take appropriate actions based on the results.
If the School were to receive a state grade designation of an “F” for 2008, such would be the second consecutive “F” and would require that the District take action to close or to reconstitute the School (per August 25, 2006 Florida Department of Education Technical Assistance Paper, Reconstitution of Double F Charter Schools).
The School received state grade designations of “F” in 2004 and again in 2007. Therefore, the students who were enrolled in the School during 2006-2007 and/or who are projected to the School for 2007-2008 are eligible for the Opportunity Scholarship Program. Students have the option to transfer to another school with a state grade designation of “C” or higher. Letters and transfer applications were mailed to parents on June xx June 29 , 2007
The first round of Attachment A deliverables will be due to the District on August 1, 2007. The remaining deliverables are due by October 1, 2007.
In addition, the contract reflects the 2006 legislative changes now included in F.S. 1002.33. These changes require the following: (1) The return of unencumbered public funds and property of the School to the District upon termination; (2) That a school representative appear before the sponsor at least once per year when there are identified deficiencies in student achievement and that the District communicate services available to improve deficiencies; (3) That the School submit a School Improvement Plan to the District upon receipt of two consecutive grade designations of “D” or a grade designation of “F”; (4) That the Governing Board retain a certified public accountant or auditor, and review and approve the audit report; (5) That the School prepare a Financial Recovery Plan if the School is deemed to be in a state of financial emergency.
New Century Commission Recommendation/OPPAGA Recommendation/Council of Great City Schools Recommendation:
N/A
Financial Impact (Including HR/headcount/Source of Funds):
$1,391,699 of the State’s funds have been passed through the District and paid to SOS Academy Middle School for the past school year. Section 1002.33(17)(b), F.S., sets forth the funding formula whereby school districts pass through state funding for the school districts’ administrative fees for providing certain central services. The District’s annual pass-through of funds depends on student enrollment each year. The 2006-2007 enrollment for SOS Academy Middle School was 238 students. In addition, $182,386 in Capital Outlay funds are expected to pass through the District to SOS Academy Middle School for the 2006-2007 school year.
Based on this enrollment, the funds generated are approximately $1,574,085 or $6,613 per student. At an average cost of $6,613 per student, the funds generated by the school with an enrollment of 500 students would be approximately $3,306,901. This budget includes FTE and capital outlay, which pass through the District and are paid to SOS Academy Middle School.
For Additional Information, contact:
Maureen Martin, Coordinator, Charter Schools 390-2039
Sally Hague, Director, School Choice/Pupil Assignment Operations 390-2082
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