Chief of Schools Action Item

DATE:	Tuesday, August 29, 2017
TO:	School Board Members
FROM:	Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Application for Florida Connections Academy (Chief of Schools)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
F.S. 1002.33(6)(b) states, "...In order to facilitate greater collaboration in the application process, an applicant may submit a draft charter school application on or before May 1 with an application fee of $500. If a draft application is timely submitted, the sponsor shall review and provide feedback as to material deficiencies in the application by July 1....The sponsor may approve the draft application." On May 1, 2017, the district received two draft applications for prospective charter schools including the draft application fee of $500 as permitted by F.S. 1002.33(6)(b). A draft charter application review team made up of staff from a variety of district departments reviewed the applications for material deficiencies in order to provide feedback to the applicants. Following review, the district provided feedback on material deficiencies to one of the applicants by July 1 as prescribed in F.S. 1002.33(6)(b). The second application was without material deficiencies and an applicant interview was conducted. According to the requirements of F.S. 1002.33(6), charter applications must: Demonstrate how the school will use the guiding principles and meet the statutorily defined purpose of a charter school Provide a detailed curriculum plan that illustrates how students will be provided services to attain the Sunshine State Standards and Florida Standards Contain goals and objectives for improving student learning and measuring that improvement Describe the reading curriculum and differentiated strategies that will be used for students reading at grade level or higher and a separate curriculum and strategies for students who are reading below grade level Contain an annual financial plan for each year requested by the charter for operation of the school for up to five years A summary of the application for Florida Connections Academy is attached.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
All Strategic Objectives
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
The estimated cost of the review of the charter school application is approximately $5,000.  The review of charter applications is not covered by the two percent to five percent administrative fee collected to support the district charter schools.
EVALUATION
Staff will annually review the application process to ensure that all statutory requirements are met.
SUBMITTED BY:  Jenna Hodgens, General Director, Charter Office

Gretchen Saunders		Dr. Alberto Vázquez
Chief Business Officer (813) 272-4270		Chief of Staff (813) 272-4986
		C 6.03
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20170829_818 (Board Meeting) * Section C Item# 6.03