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Hillsborough County Public Schools, Florida
Tuesday, 04/28/2020
School Board Meeting
Title

C11.02 - Approve the Contract for NorthStar Academy of Hillsborough County West (Charter Office)

Description

Charter School legislation, 1002.33 F.S., permits individuals, organizations, and community members the opportunity to submit an application to the School Board for the creation of a charter school. On August 20, 2019, the School Board approved the application for NorthStar Academy of Hillsborough County West.

NorthStar Academy, Inc. is the contract holder. The non-profit board has selected Edison Learning, Inc., a for-profit management company, as their Education Service Provider. Edison Learning currently provides services to 6 schools across the state of Florida.

The mission of NorthStar Academy of Hillsborough County West is “to inspire students to reach their academic potential, strengthen their resiliency and resolve to succeed, and develop the strong work ethic and strength of character that will enable them to graduate from high school with the knowledge, skills, preparation, and confidence required to succeed in today’s global economy.” The vision of the school is “to provide students an excellent education in a safe learning environment where every student has an opportunity to achieve their individual educational goals by participating in an innovative, non-traditional, blended learning program which will allow students to succeed in school and after graduation.”

The school will be located at 7555 West Waters Avenue in the Town ‘N’ Country area of Tampa. The school will serve sixth through 12th grade students who are at risk of dropping out, are not on track to graduate with their cohort or have dropped out of the traditional school setting. Grades 7-12 will be offered in year 1 with a projected enrollment of 500 students. The enrollment projections will grow to serve 650 students in grades 6-12 by year 5.

Student learning needs will be met through individualized, self-paced, standards-based online curriculum from Edison Learning eCourses, combined with face-to-face, teacher directed instruction. Wrap-around services that include individualized student mentoring, support services to address the social, emotional and mental well-being of each student, and college and career guidance and preparation will be provided.

A copy of the proposed five-year contract is attached. The original charter application approved by the School Board will become Appendix I of this contract, and is available for review in the Charter Schools Office.

Gap Analysis

F.S. 1002.33(7) requires the terms and conditions for the operation of a charter school to be set forth by the sponsor and the applicant in a written contractual agreement, called a charter.

  • The sponsor and the governing board of the charter school shall use the standard charter contract pursuant to subsection (21), which shall incorporate the approved application and any addenda approved with the application.
  • Any term or condition of a proposed charter contract that differs from the standard charter contract adopted by rule of the State Board of Education shall be presumed a limitation on charter school flexibility.
  • The sponsor may not impose unreasonable rules or regulations that violate the intent of giving charter schools greater flexibility to meet educational goals.
  • The charter shall be signed by the governing board of the charter school and the sponsor, following a public hearing to ensure community input.

F.S. 1002.33(7)(a) defines what the charter shall address and what the criteria for approval the charter shall be based on. All requirements are met through the use of the State’s standard charter contract pursuant to F.S.1002.33(21)

Previous Outcomes

There are no previous outcomes available for NorthStar Academy of Hillsborough County West.

Expected Outcomes

The following is the projected enrollment:

Grade Level Number of Students
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
6     10 25 25
7 25 25 40 50 50
8 25 25 50 75 75
9 100 100 100 100 100
10 100 100 100 100 100
11 125 125 125 125 150
12 125 125 125 125 150
TOTAL 500 500 550 600 650

 

The chart below provides the 2018-2019 state calculated school grade and graduation rate, as well as, the operational capacity of district-operated middle and high schools in the Town and Country area.

School *2018-2019 *2018-2019 ^Operational Capacity
Pierce Middle School C NA 79%
Webb Middle School B NA 80%
Alonso High School B 96.4% 94%
Leto High School C 87.6% 96%

https://edudata.fldoe.org/

^School Analyst and Business Intelligence SABI powered by Advanced Andean Solutions LLC. Report generated on 10/14/2019. Based on the 2019/2020 SIS 40th Day Count (10/07/2019)

In the event of a discrepancy between the contract and the charter application, the terms of the contract will prevail. NorthStar Academy of Hillsborough County West has agreed to all terms of the contract, which has been revised to include the most recent revisions to 1002.33, F.S.

A contract renewal review will be completed prior to the contract end of June 20, 2025.

Strategic Plan Goal

Goal 1: Increase Graduation Rates
Goal 2: Communicate with Stakeholders
Goal 3: Build Strong Culture and Relationships

Recommendation

Approve the contract for NorthStar Academy of Hillsborough County West.

Contact

Jenna Hodgens, General Director of Charter Schools, jenna.hodgens@sdhc.k12.fl.us, (813) 272-4733
Dr. Cinzia DeLange, Supervisor of Charter Schools, cinzia.delange@sdhc.k12.fl.us, (813) 272-4049

Financial Impact

The charter school’s first year enrollment projection of 500 students will generate approximately $3,239,281 in Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) (Part I) funds. The school district retains a 5 percent administrative fee for up to and including 250 students ($80,982) of FEFP funds to offset services provided by the district. The school will also qualify for categorical, capital outlay, and grant funds as appropriate and allowed by Florida statutes.

Review Comments

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Van Ayres, Deputy Superintendent, Instructional (813) 272-4895