CHARTER SCHOOLS INFORMATIONAL MEETING Academy of Arts & Minds PTSA

Overview of Charter School Operations, Governance and Accountability

March 10, 2011

Overview of Charter Schools Operations

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Charter schools are public schools that are usually operated by a private entity under a performance contract, or a charter.
They are typically free from many regulations created for traditional public schools while holding them accountable for academic and financial results.

Overview of Charter Schools Operations

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EXEMPTION FROM STATUTES: Charter schools shall operate in accordance with its charter and be exempt from all statutes in Chapters 1000-1013. However, charter schools shall be in compliance with the following statutes in Chapters 1000-1013: 1. Those specifically applying to charter schools. 2. Statutes pertaining to student assessment programs and school grading system. 3. Statutes re: the provision of services to students with disabilities. 4. Statutes pertaining to civil rights, including Section 1000.05, relating to discrimination. 5. Statutes pertaining to student health, safety and welfare. 6. Section 286.011, relating to public meetings and records. 7. Chapter 119, relating to public records. 8. Section 1003.03, relating to maximum class size, except that the calculation for compliance shall be the average at the school level.

Overview of Charter Schools Operations

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EXEMPTION FROM STATUTES: Be aware that many statutes from which a charter school may be exempt could still be required pursuant to the charter contract.

Overview of Charter Schools Operations (Cont.)

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Who may operate a charter school?

Individual
Teachers Parents Group of individuals

Legal entity organized under the laws of the state of Florida

Includes, but is not limited to:

a a

nonprofit organization municipality (preference given to children of residents)

a business (charter school-in-the workplace, preference given to children of employees) developmental research school existing district school (conversion)

an

Overview of Charter Schools Operations (Cont.)

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Who may not operate a charter school?

Private Schools Parochial Schools Home Education Programs

Accountability (District-Sponsor Charter Schools)

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STUDENTS STUDENTS State Board of Education (SBE) Florida Department of Education (FLDOE)

School District

Governing Board of Charter School

Charter School

Accountability (District-Sponsor Charter Schools)

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School District Monitor & review the charter school in its progress towards goals established in charter Monitor revenues and expenditures Ensure the charter participates in the states education accountability system Provide fair and equitable access to charter school students Monitor compliance with law and charter requirements

Governing Board Accountability

(Statutory Requirements of Charter School Governing Boards)
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Florida Statute Section 1002.33 provides for certain requirements of governing boards. A sampling of some of these requirements are:
Adopt and maintain an operating budget, annually

Exercise continuing oversight of charter school operations

Review and approve audit report, including findings &

recommendations

Participate in governance training approved by the FDOE which

must include government in the sunshine, conflicts of interest, ethics, and financial responsibility
Undergo fingerprinting, background screening (disclosure

forms) within 30 days of nomination

Governing Board Accountability

(Statutory Requirements of Charter School Governing Boards)
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A sampling of some of these requirements are (Cont.):

Disclosing (avoiding) any conflicts of interest Ensure retention of a CPA or auditor for the annual financial audit

Monitor corrective action & financial recovery plan, if applicable

A charter school shall not charge tuition or any other fee, except

those fees normally charged by other public schools. Adopt policies establishing standards of ethical conduct for instructional personnel and school administrators. Make annual progress reports to the sponsor on:
student achievement data, financial status, status of facilities/plans & school personnel information

Governing Board Accountability

(Statutory Requirements of Charter School Governing Boards)
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A sampling of some of these requirements are (Cont.):

Not appointing, employing, promoting, or advancing or advocating advancement in or to a position in the charter school of someone who is a relative (F.S. Section 1022.33(24)(b)); Florida Statutes Section 1002.33(7)(a)(18) requires full disclosure of the identity of all relatives employed by the charter school who are related to the charter school owner, president, chairperson of the governing board of directors, superintendent, governing board member, principal, assistant principal, or any other person employed by the charter school who has equivalent decision-making authority

Governing Board Accountability

(Contractual and Other Requirements of Charter School Governing Boards)
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Sampling of some of the requirements of governing boards are:

complying with and following the provisions of the schools corporate by-laws submitting to the sponsor for approval a school improvement plan to raise student achievement and to implement the plan complying with Florida Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees and Sponsors ethics rules not receiving compensation, directly or indirectly, from the schools operations, including but not limited to grant funds

Governing Board Accountability

(Contractual and Other Requirements of Charter School Governing Boards)
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Sampling of some of the requirements of governing boards are: being accountable to the schools students, parents/guardians, and the community at large, through a continuous cycle of planning, evaluating, and reporting acting as the schools fiscal agent and being involved from the inception in administrative functions, pursuant to such rules and policies as are developed by the governing board

Governing Board Accountability

(Contractual and Other Requirements of Charter School Governing Boards)
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Sampling of some of the requirements of governing boards are:

not being an employee of the school while a member of the governing body ensuring that governing board meetings take place locally and in a physical location and facility that is easily accessible to the schools parents, students and employees, are publicized in advance to the school community and are open to the public pursuant to Fla. Stat. 286.011 (the Sunshine Law)

Governing Board Accountability

(Contractual and Other Requirements of Charter School Governing Boards)
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Sampling of some of the requirements of governing boards are:

ensuring that notices of all governing board meetings are posted at the School, at the location of the meeting, and at the M-DCPS Citizen Information Center at least five (5) days prior to the meeting

Governing Board Accountability

(Contractual and Other Requirements of Charter School Governing Boards)
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Sampling of some of the requirements of employees:

Must be certified Undergo background screening, fingerprinting and drug screening

Complying with Florida Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees and Sponsors ethics rules Receive ethics training

Governance vs. Management

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The Charter Application describes:

The management structure to be adopted by the charter

school. It includes a clear delineation of roles and responsibilities for administering the day-to-day activities of the school.

What does the Board do vs. school administration?

The plan to be used for the recruitment, selection and

evaluation of the school leader.

A staffing plan.
Plan for recruiting and retaining qualified and capable staff.

Governance vs. Management

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Ultimately, the Governing Board of the charter school is legally responsible for the charter school in all areas: Academic Achievement of Students Fiscal management Personnel Facilities Legal and Contractual Compliance

EESAC
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The Educational Excellence School Advisory Council (EESAC) is the sole body responsible for final decision making at the school relating to the implementation of the components of the School Improvement Plans. The EESAC's function is to bring together all stakeholders and involve them in an authentic role in decisions which affect instruction and the delivery of programs. Membership Requirements Must be composed of the principal, teachers, education support employees, students, parents, and business/community representatives. Must be representative of the ethnic, racial, linguistic, disabled, and economic community served by the school. Must have a majority of members who do not work in the District. SWD must be represented. ELL parents should be included when possible. Adult/vocational programs must be represented. EESAC meetings must comply with Sunshine Law.

EESAC
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Selection of EESAC Members Teachers elect teachers. Parents elect parents. Students elect students. Education support employees elect education support

employee. Principal appoints business/community representative -- to ensure council diversity. Principal and UTD designated steward are automatic members this is only difference in a charter school: there is no UTD. http://osi.dadeschools.net

EESAC
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The allocation of Accountability Funds is $5 per FTE should be set aside for the EESAC to determine how funds are to be used. All EESAC funds are to be using

during the same year allocated. All expenditures should be in line with School Improvement Plan, such as: Assist with the purchase of instructional supplies, Library books and textbooks. Hourly personnel for tutoring or as school monitors.

The School Recognition program provides financial awards to schools that demonstrate sustained or significantly improved student performance: Receiving a school grade of A; or improving at least one letter grade over the previous year; or improving more than one letter grade and sustaining the improvement the following school year.

Funds are awarded in the amount of $75 per Full Time Equivalent student for each qualifying school. The staff and school advisory council jointly decide how to use the funds. Schools must use their funds for one or any combination of the following: nonrecurring faculty and staff bonuses; nonrecurring expenditures for educational equipment and materials; or temporary personnel to assist in maintaining or improving student performance. If school staff and the school advisory council cannot reach an agreement, then the funds must be equally distributed to all classroom teachers currently teaching in the school.

EESAC / PTSA
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More info re: EESAC AND PTSA:

http://parents.dadeschools.net

http://osi.dadeschools.net