Title: (L) - Application for Two Charter Schools

Description:

The School District of Palm Beach County currently has thirty-five (35) operating Charter Schools and two (2) approved Charter Schools scheduled to open in August 2005.  Seven (7) additional applications were approved at the December 8, 2004, School Board Meeting to negotiate a charter. Upon successful completion of charter contract negotiations and Board Approval of the seven (7) applicants, the District will have a total of forty-four (44) Charter Schools.

Following the initial review, the applications for New Vision Academy and Survivors Charter School of Western Palm Beach County were rated as acceptable, met minimum requirements, and are recommended for approval.

The School Board's approval of the applications merely indicates an agreement to enter into charter negotiations, and if successfully negotiated and approved by the School Board, will result in entering into a charter contract for each school.  The charter shall be the binding agreement that shall detail all rights and responsibilities of the School Board and the Charter School. 

The Charter School applicants and the School Board shall have six (6) months to negotiate a charter.

Due to the large number of pages, copies of the two (2) charter applications are on file in the Board Minutes Office for your review.

Recommendation:
I recommend that the School Board approve the applications for two (2) Charter Schools, effective January 20, 2005.

Financial Impact:
Each of the Charter Schools 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.  Any amount above the 500 will be determined in accordance with statute.

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

Attachments (list):
Data Panel for Charter Elementary Schools - 3 years grades-a.pdf
Data Panel for Charter High Schools - 3 years grades-a.pdf