MADISON COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEMCHARTER SYSTEM PETITION

P U B L I C H E A R I N G S

M O N D A Y, N O V E M B E R 7 , 2 0 1 1 @ 5 : 0 0 P M

T U E S D A Y, N O V E M B E R 8 , 2 0 1 1 @ 6 : 0 0 P M

P R O F E S S I O N A L L E A R N I N G C E N T E R

Good People Make Great Schools (Waiting for Superman)

Charter System: The Case

Reasons for Madison County to Become a Charter System:

Greater flexibility in serving studentsGreater community and parent involvement with

decision makingGreater flexibility in using state and local resourcesInnovative solutions for students who may fall behind

and for those who excel Ability to create a schooling process that supports

the needs of the communityGreater accountability by the school system to the

community

Charter System: The Case

Planning Spring 2010 – Fall 20110ver 84 community and school staff participated in

the planning process including 50 high school students

Studied existing charter systems and areas of need in Madison County Schools

Committees developed the petition concept to determine waivers needed, the governance structure, and the desired areas of focus for Madison County graduates

The community, staff, and parents indicated that Madison County Schools needed to graduate students with strengths in the following areas:

1. Basic academic knowledge and skills

2. Critical thinking and problem solving

3. Social Skills and work ethic

4. Preparation for skilled employment

Madison County Schools Area of Focus

2. ACADEMIC OBJECTIVES, PLANS, AND WAIVERS

ACADEMIC SMART GOAL 1: The percentage of 3rd – 8th grade students meeting or exceeding state standards on each component of the CRCT (Reading, ELA, Math, Science, SS) will increase to 95% or better by the 2015-2016 school year. ACADEMIC SMART GOAL 2: The percentage of high school students meeting or exceeding state standards on each EOCT (9th Lit, American Lit, Math I, Math II, Physical Science, Biology, US History, Econ) will increase to 85% or better by the 2015- 2016 school year. ACADEMIC SMART GOAL 3: The percentage of students meeting or exceeding standards on the 5th grade, 8th grade and 11th grade Writing Tests will increase to 95% or better by the 2015-2016 school year.

ACDEMIC SMART GOAL 4: The Madison County graduation rate will increase from 77.3% in 2011 to 95% or better in 2016.

Academic Objectives, Plans, and Waivers

3. What specific actions will the system take to achieve the student performance objectives during the proposed charter?

[Note: actions will not be taken until they are fully developed and approved by the school-level governance team] Data teams in all schools – teachers talking about student work Redefinition of graduation Credit by exemption in high school (seat time) Course work for admission requirements preparation More aggressive support for struggling and advanced students Bring your own technology for students and staff STEM application at all levels (course work on the farms of Madison

County) Pre-9th grade summer course for elective credit Increased opportunities for students to demonstrate mastery in real-life,

community-based settings (community service)

Academic Objectives, Plans, and Waivers

4. Which of the specific actions in the academic plan require a waiver of state law, rule, or guidelines?

[note: waivers will not be requested or used until a plan is in place that meets the BOE and superintendent’s approval]

Redefine the graduation rule Expand the options of delivering gifted program services Redefine remedial program qualifications Require performance-based measures Allow personal technology in the classroom Allow credit by exam in the high school Redefine seat time Credit for academic application of skills and knowledge Create high school course work that prepares students for work or

post-secondary school Small class sizes

5. Organizational Objectives, Plans, and Waivers

ORGANIZATIOANL SMART GOAL 1: The number of Madison County graduates who meet employer satisfaction of the skill level will increase. A baseline will be established and SMART goals developed.

ORGANIZATIONAL SMART GOAL 2: The number of Madison County graduates who need remediation course work at the college level will decrease as measured on the CCRSI. A baseline will be established and SMART goals developed.

ORGNAIZATIONAL SMART GOAL 3: The number of Madison County graduates who complete college will increase. A baseline will be established and SMART goals developed.

Organizational Objectives, Plans, and Waivers

6. What specific actions will the system take to achieve the organizational performance objectives?

Community, parent, student, and staff satisfaction survey will be developed and monitored

Increase parent/community input in meaningful ways

Provide more effective training opportunities for teachers to integrate technology into the classroom and school operations

Training for the school governance team on school operations including budget, maintenance, and safety

Organizational Objectives, Plans, and Waivers

7. Which of the specific actions in the organizational

plan require a waiver of state law, rule, or guidelines?State required staffing and certification rulesPublic input into the hiring processUse of a standard’s base repot card

Organizational Objectives, Plans, and Waivers

GOVERNANCE8. What is the charter’s plan to maximize school level governance?Local board of education will still be in place with their

current rights and responsibilitiesSuperintendent will still be in place with the same

responsibilitiesPrincipals will still be in place with the same

responsibilitiesTeachers and other staff will still be in place with the

same responsibilitiesSchool Councils will have new authority

Organizational Objectives, Plans, and Waivers

School Councils will become School-Based Governance Teams

[Note: The 2012-2013 school councils will be invited to serve the first term.]

7-11 members voted to serve on staggered 4-5 year terms Principal will be the chairperson for the first two years Teachers (2-4) will be elected by teachers (principal may

appoint 1 teacher) Parents (2-4) will be elected by parents Students (1-2) will be selected by the school-based leadership

team (middle and high only) Community/business (2-3) people selected by the school-based

governance team Train as a substitute for the school

Organizational Objectives, Plans, and Waivers

School-Level Governance Team Authority

In budget: Member of the school-level budgeting process Approve budgeting allocation of the state charter system allocations

based on school improvement plan Approve the Title I school-level budget Approve fund raiser budgetIn resource allocation: Recommendation of budget allocation at the school level based on

guidelines Approve filed tripsIn personnel decisions: Serve on interview team for new principal Recommend to superintendent new principal from preselected candidate

slate

Organizational Objectives, Plans, and Waivers

School-Level Governance Team Authority (continued)In monitoring school improvement plans:Member of school improvement planning teamIn curriculum:Review the curriculum program in place and other programs that my be considered for adoptionIn school operations:Serve on school operations procedures review committees such as safety, schedules, budgeting, maintenance, and staffing.

School-Level Governance Team Training Topics:

Year 1: School Improvement Planning

Budgeting

Decision Making

Effective Meetings

Board Etiquette, Sunshine Laws

Creating By-Laws

Best Hiring Practices

Year 2: Effective Schools

Instructional Technology

Assessment

Special Education Law

Year 3: Based on needs survey of School-Level

Governance Teams

Organizational Objectives, Plans, and Waivers

9. Financial Objectives, Plans, and Waivers

FINANCIAL SMART GOAL 1: To maintain a minimum of 75% of budget expenditures for instructional activities. FINANCIAL SMART GOAL 2: To maintain yearly favorable audit statues with no material findings.

Financial Objectives, Plans, and Waivers

10.What specific actions will the system take to achieve the financial performance objectives?

Develop an evaluation system to identify the value of expenditures against outcomes

Review of current expenditures and identify alternative spending using the charter system waiver

Develop a process for school-level governance teams to provide input into the budget process

Develop a system to tie expenditures back to specific school and district smart goals

Create a financial report card for the public for school and system expenditures

Financial Objectives, Plans, and Waivers

11.Which of the specific actions in the financial plan require a waiver of state law, rule, or guidelines? Need to align all resources to needs of

studentsNeed support for students outside the

funding formula guidelinesAdditional flexibility with spending will be

neededFacility space requirements