Approve Technical Services Agreement for Marilyn Wittner Consulting Firm (Student Services & Federal Programs Division)

This contract is for technical services that will be provided to new teachers at 20 Title I sites during the 2005-2006 school year with large numbers of new teachers (25% or higher turn over rate). The schools are Burney, Cahoon, Edison, Franklin, James K-8, Just, Marshall, Middleton, Mort, Palm River, Potter, Robles, Ruskin, Shaw, Sligh, Sulphur Springs, Van Buren, B.T. Washington, Webb, and Witter. Through mentoring, modeling of lessons, and other methods of instructional support, the six (6) consultants will provide a minimum of 12 hours of support weekly to the aforementioned schools.

District goal #6, all schools in the district will be assigned a state grade of A, B, or C. Critical success factor 6c will be the focus of this service, that all goals and critical success factors 1-5 will be accomplished.

The amount of $43,500.00 is budgeted from Title I funds in the Division of Student Services and Federal Programs and will include over 1500 hours of mentoring and support for the teachers.

The goal is to increase retention rates of the new teachers by 50% at the selected Title I schools. The research data will be completed by 10/31/06 at the said schools.