Hillsborough County Public Schools Administration
Action Item

DATE: Tuesday, June 9, 2009
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approve Renewal of Cooperative Agreements for Use of Facilities for the Alternative To Out-of-School Suspension (ATOSS) Program, 2009/2010 - Various Agencies (Non-Traditional Programs, Division of Administration)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

On July 27, 1999, the School Board approved the establishment of an Alternative to Out-of-School Suspension (ATOSS) Program. Since then, the program has provided safe, off-campus learning environments for students who have earned an out-of-school suspension as a consequence for inappropriate behavior. Middle and high school students who would otherwise have served a one to ten day suspension are referred to the ATOSS program at the discretion of school administrators. Transportation to one of the twelve ATOSS sites is provided by parents. During the 2008/2009 school year, 8,844 (unduplicated count) students participated in the ATOSS Program.

While attending ATOSS, students receive instruction in the strategies necessary for success on the Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT). The school day is also designed to include character education and career exploration components that provide students with the tools needed to more consistently make positive, appropriate choices. Space for the program is provided at no cost to the district through collaboration with a variety of community agencies.

Agreements have been developed with the Apollo Beach Recreation Center; Boys and Girls Clubs of Tampa, Inc. at Interbay; Jackson Springs Recreation Center; Martin Luther King, Jr. Plant City Recreation Center; Martin Luther King, Jr. Tampa Recreation Center; Mort Recreation Center; North Tampa Recreation Center; Nuccio Park Recreation Center; Providence Park Recreation Center; Support, Inc., Tampa; and Winston Park Recreation Center.

ANNUAL DISTRICT GOAL(S) AND CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S)

All Strategic Objectives

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes)

Facilities are provided by these community agencies at no cost to the district. The cost of the middle and high school ATOSS Programs for deputies, instructional, and non-instructional staff salaries supported through the unit allocation process is approximately $1,206,317. This item is included in the Part 1 Budget for 2009/2010.

EVALUATION

A comprehensive evaluation of all aspects of the ATOSS Program will be conducted by June 30, 2010. District staff will review data, including but not limited to, notes and walk-through checklists from site visits; results of student exit; school administrator and parent surveys; and student participation rates.

SUBMITTED BY:
Walt Shaffner, Director, Non-Traditional Programs
 Alva Simmons, District Administrator, ATOSS

William H. Person
General Director
Student Planning, Placement & Support Programs
(813) 272-4876
Lewis A. Brinson
Assistant Superintendent for Administration
(813) 272-4071
A 7.14
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20090609_352 * Section A Item# 7.14