2017 OPSB Charter School RFA Update:Part 2 Submissions & Superintendent’s Recommendation

OPSB Accountability Committee Presentation

Tuesday, March 14th, 2017

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3.3: OPSB Charter School RFA Process Update

2017 OPSB Charter RFA:OPSB Authorizes Three Types of Charter Schools

Type 1New Start-up

May only establish program-specific or geographic

enrollment preferences, in accordance with state law and

OPSB Policy HA

Not entitled to a district public school building

Type 3Conversion of an existing district operated public

school

Must provide first priority in enrollment to students currently

enrolled at the school

May only establish program-specific or geographic

enrollment preferences, per state law and OPSB Policy HA

Entitled to retain current district facility upon conversion

Type 3BReturn of a former RSD

Type 5 charter school (not included in RFA)

May not establish any admissions preferences, in

accordance with BESE Bulletin 129 and Policy HA

Must have earned an SPS of 54.0 or above for two consecutive

years, with additional requirements for HS

Entitled to retain current (or SFMP-assigned) district facility

upon conversion, or receive comparable assignment

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2017 OPSB Charter RFA: OPSB Will Consider 3 Application Types During This Cycle

New Start Schools (Type 1): May Recommendations

• OPSB has received complete applications from 8 organizations, for Type 1 charter schools to open not earlier than Fall 2018

• OPSB will present recommendations for these applications during the School Board’s May 2017 meeting cycle

Transformation of McDonogh #42 (Type 1 – Transformation): March Recommendations (today)

• RSD has included OPSB in the process to replace the operator of McDonogh #42.

• While RSD will select the new operator of the school site, two applicants applied with OPSB for a Type 1 charter – one applicant subsequently withdrew from this process

• In an effort to provide Mc42 families with as much clarity as possible, OPSB has accelerated the review process for the remaining transformation applicant, and is presenting Superintendent’s Recommendations during today’s meeting.

Network School Conversions (Type 3): April Decisions, including replication requests

• In December 2017, OPSB received interest from district-operated school principals in converting each of the 5 network schools into charter schools for the 2017-18 school year.

• Two applicants applied with OPSB for charters to convert these schools, and an additional operator eligible for automatic replication has requested permission to replicate as a Type 3 – one applicant subsequently withdrew from the process

• In order to provide clarity to families and to allow sufficient time for orderly transition of any schools approved for conversion, OPSB will accelerate the review process for conversion applicants, and anticipates presenting recommendations during the School Board’s April 2017 meeting cycle.

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2017 OPSB Charter RFA:Type 1 and Type 3 Applications Proceeding to Evaluation Stage

Nonprofit Organization Name Charter Type Number of Schools &

Grades Served

ASHA Type 1 1 school, grades 9-12

Center for Resilience Type 1 1 school, grades PK-8

Collegiate Academies Type 1 3 schools, each serving grades 9-12

ExCEED Network Schools Charter Management

Organization

Type 3 3 schools, grades PK-8

2 schools, grades 9-12

French and Montessori Education Type 1 1 school, grades PK-8

IDEA Public Schools Type 1 1 school, grades K-12

Lyceum Schools Type 1 1 school, grades K-12

New Harmony High Type 1 1 school, grades 9-12

United Scholars Type 1 2 schools, grades 9-12

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NOTE – InspireNOLA Charter Schools also has two requests for new schools pending OPSB consideration:• Type 1 (Transformation) application for McDonogh #42 ES – Superintendent’s Recommendation presented today

• Request for permission to automatically replicate as a Type 3, for either McMain or McDonogh #35 HS –no charter application is required per state law; recommendations to be presented in April

2017 OPSB Charter RFA:What Happens During the Evaluation Stage?

Superintendent’s Recommendations Presented to School Board

OPSB Conducts Public Hearing

Independent Evaluation Team Presents Recommendation to OPSB and Applicant

Capacity Interview Conducted by Independent Evaluation Team

Request for Clarification Presented by Independent Evaluation Team to Applicants

Primary Application Reading, for both Independent Evaluation Team & OPSB District Staff

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2017 OPSB Charter RFA Process:Key Dates for Type 3 Conversions

• Complete Application Materials Posted to OPSB website

• School Community Introductory Meetings (Meet & Greets) with applicantsWeek of March 6th

• March School Board meetings - Type 3 Process Update

• No action will be taken regarding Type 3 conversion applicantsMarch 14 – 16

• Independent Evaluation report for Type 3 conversion applicant issued

• Reports & responses will be posted to OPSB website once completedBy Friday, April 7

• School Board Public Hearing on Type 3 Conversion Applications

• Opportunity for public comments on Type 3 conversion requests

Tues, April 11(6pm at McDonogh 35)

• April School Board meetings – Superintendent’s Recommendations presentedApril 18 – 207

Type 3 Conversions:Legal & Ethical Safeguards for 2017 Charter RFA Process State law and BESE policies regarding Type 3 charter schools permit the participation of school-site staff and

leadership in the charter application process.

Upon initial notification from district-operated school leaders of their interest in Type 3 charter conversions, and prior to receiving submissions from any organization, OPSB engaged internal and external legal counsel in conducting an analysis of all issues and restrictions related to the application process.

After careful review of the related law, policy and ethics rules, OPSB completely excluded certain employees (including all current or former OPSB employees named in any application) from all aspects of the charter RFA evaluation process. In addition, OPSB employees were advised that, aside from providing otherwise publicly available information that

would be shared with any other applicant group, they could not have any role in the development of the applications being submitted.

These restrictions remain in place through the evaluation phase in order to protect the integrity of the process and to insure impartial decision-making.

OPSB’s Charter RFA Code of Conduct further prohibits all individuals participating in any charter application from lobbying either the Superintendent or School Board members during the evaluation phase, outside of the public processes established for this purpose – applicants who fail to comply with this requirement may be disqualified from consideration

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Type 3 Conversions:School Community Engagement

Over the past week, OPSB administration hosted introductory sessions, in which representatives from each applicant group met with faculty, families, and alumni from network school communities

Through the remainder of the Type 3 charter evaluation period, OPSB will continue to engage families and school communities regarding the potential conversion

Central Office Points of Contact for School Community Questions:

Faculty & Staff: Dr. Armand Devezin, armand_devezin@opsb.us, 504-304-4110

Families & Community: Jason Hughes, jason_hughes@opsb.us, 504-304-3917

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Type 3 Conversions:FAQs from Community Meet & Greets

Admissions/Enrollment By state law and district policy, Type 3 conversions must provide first preference in

admissions to currently-enrolled students, above all other applicants seeking entry to the school

State law and district policy also prohibits the (re-)establishment of academic admissions requirements for Type 3 charter schools

No further determinations regarding admissions/enrollment policies or preferences have been made at this time, pending review of submitted application materials

Facilities State law and district policy provides that Type 3 conversions must retain the

facility in which they operate at the time of conversion

OPSB administration intends to request that any chartering organization honor existing partnerships relative to district-operated school facilities (e.g., Willie Hall)

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Type 3 Conversions:FAQs from Community Meet & Greets

Status of Current Employees

As a part of the RFA process, applicants have provided information regarding proposed HR policies & processes

OPSB administration has also begun the process of seeking guidance from appropriate parties relative to considerations (e.g., transfer of sick leave and retirement credit) in the event one or more schools is converted

Additional information will be communicated directly to school staff, as it is available through the evaluation process

Individuals with specific concerns may contact applicant organizations directly through their designated POCs; for OPSB-related questions, staff may contact Dr. Armand Devezin

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3.1: Superintendent’s Recommendation:Type 1 Transformation – McDonogh #42

Type 1 Transformation:McDonogh #42 Elementary School

In December 2016, BESE declined to renew the charter of the current operator of McDonogh #42 ES

RSD issued a turnaround RFA, to seek a new operator for this site - we anticipate a final announcement from the RSD this week

OPSB participated in this process, which included significant community input in the RSD Superintendent’s siting recommendation

OPSB also worked in partnership with RSD and both applicants for the school, in order to accelerate its charter application review process

In late February, Better Choice Foundation withdrew its application

One application remains under consideration, from InspireNOLA Charter Schools13

Independent Evaluation Team Composition

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Teams are composed of three members, which collectively have substantive areas of experience/expertise aligned to the elements of the application: Educational program Organizational plan Financial/business plan

The Evaluation Team utilizes the following process in reviewing all applications Individual review Team debrief Request for clarification Capacity Interviews Recommendation Review applicant response Rebuttal

Independent Evaluation:Characteristics of a High-Quality School Plan

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Mission alignment

Cohesion of elements & alignment between sections

Sufficiently detailed

Presentation of compelling evidence that the plan demonstrates potential to produce high-quality outcomes for students

Demonstration of track record and capacity to execute the plan and deliver outcomes for students

Education Plan:Evaluation Team Expectations & Critical Qs

Expectations Critical Questions

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Comprehensive

Internally aligned

Supported by budget expenditures and organizational model

Likely to succeed with the anticipated population

Viable plans for stakeholder engagement

Evidence based

1. Does the school structure support the execution of the curriculum and instructional strategies?

2. Are goals and expectations ambitious but realistic?

3. Does the applicant have sound plans for serving students with special needs?

4. Does the school leader demonstrate the experience, skills, and capabilities needed to manage the school?

Organizational PlanEvaluation Team Expectations & Critical Qs

Expectations Critical Questions

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Supports implementation of the educational program and achievement of vision

Supports effective oversight, decision-making

Reasonable assessment of operational needs

Thoughtful plan for start-up, launch, ongoing operations

1. Does the governing board demonstrate the depth and breadth of experience required for effective school oversight?

2. Is the organization well-structured for effective decision making?

3. Is the staffing plan reasonable and supportive of programming and operations?

4. Does the staffing plan clearly reflects the school’s proposed growth model?

5. Does applicant have experience with non-academic operations?

Financial Plan: Evaluation Team Expectations & Critical Qs

Expectations Critical Questions

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Realistic revenue/expense projections with clear assumptions – start up through year five

Spending priorities align with the school’s mission, educational program, management structure, PD needs, and growth plan

Realistic cash flow projections aligned with marketing and recruitment plan

Sound financial controls to ensure proper use of public funds and long-term viability

Demonstrates financial planning and management capacity

1. Does the budget accurately reflect the available funding sources?

2. Are projections for private funds realistic?

3. What contingencies are in place in the event that revenues are below expectations?

4. Does the budget include all the major cost centers associated with the operation of a charter school?

5. Does the budget reflect going market rates (e.g. salaries, contracted or inter-organizational services and fees, facilities)?

6. Are any potential financial conflicts of interest disclosed and explained?

Independent Evaluation Team Process:Results

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Recommendation report presented to OPSB Superintendent, district staff, and School Board members

Analysis of strengths/concerns regarding the proposal

Final report is aligned to application plan elements

The evaluation is not:

A rank ordering/preference for one quality application over another

A final decision: Neither the Superintendent nor the School Board are bound by the results of the independent evaluation process

Independent Evaluation Team Results:InspireNOLA Charter Schools – McDonogh #42

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Independent Evaluation Recommendation: APPROVE

Academic Plan: MEETS STANDARD

Organizational Plan: MEETS STANDARD

Financial Plan: MEETS STANDARD

Evidence of Capacity: MEETS STANDARD

Type 1 Transformation (McDonogh #42):Superintendent’s Recommendation - InspireNOLA

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Superintendent’s Recommendation: APPROVE the Type 1 application submitted by InspireNOLA, for the transformation of McDonogh #42 Elementary School

The School Board is additionally requested to WAIVE its right to reject the Superintendent’s recommendation pursuant to R.S. 17:10.7.1(F)(1)(b), in order to finalize this decision and provide clarity to families and sufficient time for the new school operator to begin preparations