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Meeting Date:
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12/19/2019 - 6:30 PM
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Category:
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Report of the Committee on Student Achievement and School Innovation
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Type:
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Action
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Subject:
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6. Action on a Recommendation for Renewal of the Non-Instrumentality Charter School Contract with Highland Community School, Inc. for Highland Community School
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Strategic Plan Compatibility Statement:
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Goal 1 Academic Achievement Goal 2 Student, Family and Community Engagement Goal 3 Effective and Efficient Operations
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Attachments
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1. Highland Renewal Application
2. Highland Performance Summary
3. Highland Review Team Recommendation
4. Highland Contract
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File Attachment:
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Background:
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Highland Community School (Highland) was established as a non-instrumentality charter school beginning with the 1996-1997 school year. During each renewal cycle since, the Board has approved a five-year renewed contract. The current contract is for up to a maximum of 435 full-time-equivalent (FTE) pupils in grades K3 through 8. Highland is located at 1706 West Highland Boulevard.
Highland’s mission is to create a community of diverse families and educators working together to offer quality Montessori education in a nurturing environment that enriches, empowers, and inspires children to reach their potential and encourages parents to become responsible for and involved with their children’s education.
In August 2019, the Charter School Contract Review Process was initiated by the Department of Contracted School Services. On August 12, 2019, representatives from Highland submitted the Charter Renewal Intent Cover Sheet and Charter Renewal Application to seek renewal of the charter school contract.
On November 4, 2019, the Charter School Contract Review Team (Team) conducted a full day site visit at Highland. The Team examined the school’s performance and met with school representatives to discuss the data relative to contract compliance and renewal. The Team also reviewed any additional responses and information provided by the school as well as student and parent focus groups. In addition, the Team conducted classroom observations.
Based on a thorough review of the school application and data, school presentation, and site visit, the Charter School Contract Review Team has recommended a five-year renewal of the non-instrumentality charter school contract with Highland. The recommendation was based on strong academic performance, school culture and valued partnership with Highland. The Superintendent has reviewed the performance summary and concurs with the recommendation for contract renewal.
The charter school renewal application, performance summary data, and Team’s recommendation reviewed by the Team and Superintendent are attached to this item.
The Administration recommended that the Board:
1. Approve the recommendation to renew a five-year non-instrumentality charter school contract with Highland Community School, Inc. for Highland; and
2. Authorize negotiations with the Superintendent’s designee and representatives of Highland in consultation with the Board’s designee and the Office of the City Attorney to draft a renewed non-instrumentality charter school contract to begin with the 2020-2021 school year and end with the last regularly scheduled day of the 2024-2025 school year.
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Fiscal Impact Statement:
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Adoption of this item alone does not authorize expenditures. School allocations are approved annually by the Milwaukee Board of School Directors as part of the Superintendent's proposed budget. Pending contract approval, the funds for the 2020-21 charter school contract will be authorized as a part of the FY21 budget process.
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Implementation and Assessment Plan
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Upon the Board’s approval, negotiations will begin between the Superintendent’s designee and representatives of Highland in consultation with the Board’s designee and the Office of the City Attorney in anticipation of developing a renewed charter contract to be presented to the Board.
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Recommendation:
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Your Committee recommends that the Board:
1. Approve the recommendation to renew a five-year non-instrumentality charter school contract with Highland Community School, Inc. for Highland Community School; and
2. Authorize negotiations with the Superintendent’s designee and representatives of Highland in consultation with the Board’s designee and the Office of the City Attorney to draft a renewed non-instrumentality charter school contract to begin with the 2020-2021 school year and end with the last regularly scheduled day of the 2024-2025 school year.
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Approvals:
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Recommended By:
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Signed By:
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Jacqueline M. Mann, Ph.D. - Board Clerk/Chief Officer
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