Approve Continuing Contract Agreement for USF/Patel Charter School

Charter legislation includes a provision for the renewal of a charter contract for those schools that have successfully completed their contract terms. The school district’s process for contract renewal includes the submission of a letter of intent to renew the contract, a comprehensive program review, and the development of a new contract.

USF/Patel Charter School’s contract term ends June 30, 2006, and the school has requested a contract renewal. The school is scheduled for a comprehensive program review, which will include an examination of student achievement and other school data as well as a site visit. Since USF/Patel Charter School was designated as a School in Need of Improvement (SINI) by the DOE, it is important that the most current and complete information is utilized to make a recommendation for renewal or non-renewal of the contract. School grades will be available by the middle of June, 2006. District staff expects to utilize this information, as well as all of the other data gathered in the review, to either recommend non-renewal of the contract or resolve contract terms with this school no later than the second Board meeting in July (July 25, 2006).

In order to avoid a lapse in the current contract, staff is requesting that the Board approve a continuance of the contract term for 30 calendar days. The approval of this extension will not negatively impact the School Board’s decision regarding the renewal of this contract.

Goal 6 - All schools in the district will be assigned a state grade of A, B, or C.

No financial impact to the district.

The school will be evaluated after school grades are received.