Title: CS1 Public Charter Schools Federal Grant Program 2005-2008 Planning, Program Design, & Initial Impl

Recommendation:
I recommend that the School Board approve the Public Charter Schools Federal Grant Program 2005-2008 Planning, Program Design, and Initial Implementation Project applications for four (4) charter schools opening 2005-2006 in the amount of $300,000 each, effective upon award and ending September 30, 2006; and authorize the Superintendent or designee to sign all documents and contracts related to the grant which are required for implementation of the grant activities.

Description:

The Public Charter Schools Federal Grant Program 2005-2008 Planning, Program Design, and Initial Implementation Project  is a discretionary non-competitive grant authorized by Title V, Part B, Subpart 1 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

This Implementation Grant provides funds to approved charter applicants in the first year of operation during the 2005-2006 school year. 

The purpose of the funding is to increase the number of high quality charter schools and improve student achievement by providing financial assistance for the planning, program design, and initial implementation costs for charter schools.

The grant provides support for the reading initiative as charter schools will be strongly encouraged to institute a reading component that aligns with Just Read, Florida! as part of the Florida Sunshine State Standards Curriculum.

The Implementation Grant applications submitted for the following four (4) charter schools have been reviewed by the appropriate District staff:

1.  Gulfstream Goodwill L.I.F.E. Academy
2.  Gulfstream Goodwill TRANSITION Academy
3.  Leadership West Academy
4.  Life Skills Center of Palm Beach County

Due to the large number of pages, copies of the Grants are on file in the Board Minutes Office for review.

Financial Impact:
The financial impact to the Special Revenue - Other Funds budget is a total increase of $300,000 in the 2005-2008 Public Charter Schools Federal Grant Program Implementation Grant fund for each charter school.  Implementation grants are subject to 2.91% indirect cost, payable to the District.  All grant related expenditures and contracts are authorized for payment up to the amount of the revenue.

For Additional Information, contact:
Ann Killets, (akillets@palmbeach.k12.fl.us)
Janice S. Cover
Chuck Shaw

Attachments (list):
FY 05 All Charter School Data Panels.doc