Presentation for Arts & Minds PTSA 03

8/4/2019 Presentation for Arts & Minds PTSA 03

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Overview of Charter School Operations,Governance and Accountability

March 10, 2011

CHARTER SCHOOLSINFORMATIONAL MEETING

Academy of Arts & Minds PTSA


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Overview of Charter Schools Operations

Charter schools are public schools that are usuallyoperated by a private entity under a performance

contract, or a charter.

They are typically free from many regulations createdfor traditional public schools while holding them

accountable for academic and financial results.


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Overview of Charter Schools Operations

EXEMPTION FROM STATUTES:

Be aware that many statutes from which a

charter school may be exempt could still berequired pursuant to the charter contract.


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Overview of Charter Schools Operations(Cont.)

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 nonprofit organization

a municipality (preference given to children of residents)

a business (charter school-in-the workplace, preference given to children ofemployees)

a developmental research school

an existing district school (conversion)


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Overview of Charter Schools Operations(Cont.)

Who may not operate a charter school?

Private Schools

Parochial Schools

Home Education Programs


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Accountability(District-Sponsor Charter Schools)

State Board of Education (SBE)

Florida Department of Education (FLDOE)

School District

Governing Boardof Charter School

Charter School

STUDENTSSTUDENTS


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Accountability(District-Sponsor Charter Schools)

School District

Monitor & review the charter school in its progresstowards goals established in charter

Monitor revenues and expenditures

Ensure the charter participates in the stateseducation accountability system

Provide fair and equitable access to charter school

students Monitor compliance with law and charter

requirements


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Governing Board Accountability(Statutory Requirements of Charter School Governing Boards)

Florida Statute Section 1002.33 provides for certainrequirements 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 whichmust include government in the sunshine, conflicts of interest,ethics, and financial responsibility

Undergo fingerprinting, background screening (disclosureforms) within 30 days of nomination


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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, exceptthose fees normally charged by other public schools.

Adopt policies establishing standards of ethical conduct forinstructional personnel and school administrators.

Make annual progress reports to the sponsor on: student achievement

data, financial status, status of facilities/plans & school personnel

information


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A sampling of some of these requirements are (Cont.):

Not appointing, employing, promoting, or advancing oradvocating advancement in or to a position in the charter

school of someone who is a relative (F.S. Section1022.33(24)(b));

Florida Statutes Section 1002.33(7)(a)(18) requires fulldisclosure of the identity of all relatives employed by thecharter 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 thecharter school who has equivalent decision-makingauthority


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Governing Board Accountability(Contractual and Other Requirements of Charter School Governing Boards)

Sampling of some of the requirements of governing boards are:

complying with and following the provisions of theschools corporate by-laws

submitting to the sponsor for approval a schoolimprovement plan to raise student achievement and toimplement the plan

complying with Florida Code of Ethics for Public

Officers and Employees and Sponsors ethics rules not receiving compensation, directly or indirectly, fromthe schools operations, including but not limited togrant funds


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Sampling of some of the requirements of governingboards are:

being accountable to the schools students,

parents/guardians, and the community at large, through acontinuous cycle of planning, evaluating, and reporting

acting as the schools fiscal agent and being involved fromthe inception in administrative functions, pursuant to

such rules and policies as are developed by the governingboard


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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 iseasily accessible to the schools parents, studentsand employees, are publicized in advance to theschool community and are open to the publicpursuant to Fla. Stat. 286.011 (the SunshineLaw)


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ensuring that notices of all governing board

meetings are posted at the School, at the location ofthe meeting, and at the M-DCPS CitizenInformation Center at least five (5) days prior to themeeting


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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


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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 andresponsibilities for administering the day-to-day activities ofthe school. What does the Board do vs. school administration?

The plan to be used for the recruitment, selection andevaluation 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 charterschool is legally responsible for the charter schoolin all areas:

Academic Achievement of Students Fiscal management

Personnel

Facilities

Legal and Contractual Compliance

Governance vs. Management


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EESAC

The Educational Excellence School Advisory Council (EESAC) is the solebody responsible for final decision making at the school relating to theimplementation of the components of the School Improvement Plans. TheEESAC's function is to bring together all stakeholders and involve them in anauthentic role in decisions which affect instruction and the delivery ofprograms.

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.


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EESAC

Selection of EESAC Members Teachers elect teachers.

Parents elect parents.

Students elect students.

Education support employees elect education supportemployee.

Principal appointsbusiness/community representative -- toensure council diversity.

Principal and UTD designated steward are automaticmembers this is only difference in a charter school: there isno UTD.

http://osi.dadeschools.net


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EESAC

The allocation of Accountability Funds is $5 per FTE

should be set aside forthe EESAC to determine how funds are to be used. All EESAC funds are to be usingduring the same year allocated. All expenditures should be in line with School Improvement Plan, suchas:

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 previousyear; or improving more than one letter grade and sustaining the improvement thefollowing school year.

Funds are awarded in the amount of $75 per Full Time Equivalent student for each qualifyingschool.

The staff and school advisory council jointly decide how to use the funds. Schools must usetheir 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.


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EESAC / PTSA

More info re: EESAC AND PTSA:

http://parents.dadeschools.net

http://osi.dadeschools.net

Presentation for Arts & Minds PTSA 03

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