Title: CS1-Approval of Contract Charter for Believers Academy

Recommendation:
I recommend that the School Board approve the Charter Agreement for Believers Academy
effective April 20, 2006.

Description:

~ Florida Statute 1002.33, authorizes Charter Schools as part of the State's program of public education. Pursuant to FL. Stat. 1003.62(2), School Board Policy 2.56, Number of Charter Schools, the District implements Waiver #1 under charter district status, approved by the State Board of Education ("SBE") on January 21, 2003, exempting the School Board from the statutory cap on the number of Charter Schools in the District as set forth in Florida. Per Florida Statute, no cap now exists on the number of Charter Schools in the District.

~ The School District of Palm Beach County currently has thirty-nine operating Charter Schools.

~ As stated in School Board Policy 2.56 (3) (c), ...to demonstrate that the addition of the Charter School would serve the needs of the student population of the School District, the applicant should show that the proposed Charter School would (i) provide relief to overcrowding of one or more existing regular public schools in the District; and/or (ii) provide unique programs to meet the needs of an identified student population in the District.

~ In response to the requirement of Palm Beach County School Board Policy 2.56 (3) (c) (i), the Planning Department has identified six zones for the location of future Charter Schools, and has informed the Charter School applicants about these locations. These zones are areas where Charter Schools can help with overcrowding in public schools and/or serve low performing students, as stated in Board Policy 2.56. .

~ The attached Executive Summary includes a description of Believers Academy submitted for review by the appropriate District departments.

 The charter for Believers  Academy shall be the binding agreement, which shall detail all rights and responsibilities of the School Board and the Charter School.

A copy of the charter is on file in the Board Minutes Office for your review.

An Executive Summary is attached for your review.

Financial Impact:
The Charter School will receive 95% of the funded FTE generated by up to 500 students.  The District will retain 5% of the FTE, for up to 500 students per school, as per Florida Statute, and any amount above the 500 will be determined in accordance with statute.

For Additional Information, contact:
Ann Killets/(akillets@palmbeach.k12.fl.us)
Janice S. Cover
Juanita W. Edwards

Attachments (list):
Data Panel.pdf
legal Believers.pdf
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY2.pdf
Q&ACS1.doc