Hillsborough County Public Schools Administration
Action Item

DATE: Tuesday, October 10, 2006
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approve the Resolution to Retain Exclusive Authority to Authorize Charter Schools Within the Geographical Boundaries of Hillsborough County

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

On June 28, 2006, Chapter 206-302, Laws of Florida (formerly House Bill 135) was signed into law by Governor Bush. This law created Section 1002.335, Florida Statutes, which formed the Florida Schools of Excellence Commission (FSE), an independent, state-level commission approved by the Governor, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House. The FSE is established as a charter school sponsoring entity working in collaboration with the Department of Education and under the supervision of the State Board of Education (SBE).

F.S. 1002.335 requires a district school board to either (a) adopt a resolution requesting exclusive authority to grant charter applications and file the resolution with the State Board of Education or (b) share the power to grant, deny and terminate charter schools with the FSE. The legislation permits multiple charter school sponsors but fails to identify what agency is the Local Educational Agency (LEA) and fully specify district responsibilities, if any, for schools sponsored by the FSE.

The SBE will grant a district school board exclusive authority to sponsor charter schools within its boundaries if it is determined after adequate notice, in a public hearing, and receiving input from any charter school sponsored by the district, that the district has provided fair and equitable treatment to its charter schools during the four years prior to the submission of the Resolution. The state board’s review of the resolution will include the consideration of ten factors that indicate the level of support that a district has provided to its charter schools.

The Superintendent recommends that the School Board adopt a Resolution for Exclusive Authority to Authorize Charter Schools in Hillsborough County. The adoption of this Resolution will enable the School Board to maintain its standing as the sole provider of charter schools in Hillsborough County, except as provided in the Resolution. If approved by the School Board, the Resolution and its accompanying documentation (Attached) must be submitted to the SBE by October 16, 2006.

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

All District goals and critical success factors.

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: No)

n/a

EVALUATION

n/a

SUBMITTED BY: Anne Chatfield, Ph.D., Director of Non-Traditional Programs

William H. Person, General Director
Pupil Placement & Support Programs
813-272-4876
Lewis A. Brinson
Assistant Superintendent for Administration
813-272-4071
8.01A
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20061010_185 * Section E Item# 8.01A