RESPONSE TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF YORK’S REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR EXTERNAL PROVIDERS OF 

EDUCATIONAL SERVICES 

Appendix 3:  

Letters of support from community organizations

&G. HOLLAND ASSOCIATES, LLC

4928 East 62nd Street | Suite D | Indianapolis, IN 46220 | 317.250.9862garryholland@thehistoricjourney.com | www.thehistoricjourney.org

To Whom It May Concern:

GHolland & Associates is a community-based organization that is committed to educational parity. We are comprised of a group of university professors, school administrators, teachers, researchers, evaluators, community leaders, and media specialists who work closely with school corporations and organizations to improve the learning and life outcomes for students. We firmly believe in the value of improving public education.

Over the course of the past two years, we have partnered with Charter Schools USA in the city of Indianapolis. In this capacity, we have provided professional development sessions, consultations and evaluative services that have provided them with research-based strategies about the most effective ways to use culturally responsive curriculum materials in an urban setting. In addition, we have met with school level administrators and teachers to engage in on-going dialogue about culturally-responsive teaching practices that involve educating the whole child.

Throughout the tenure of our partnership with Charter Schools USA, they have shown a genuine interest in improving the instructional practices that govern educating students from urban, and often socially-economically deprived, backgrounds. Their willingness to commit their financial resources as well as professional development time for us to work directly with their teachers in a sustainable manner illustrates their seriousness and commitment to educational excellent.

As community stakeholders, we support Charter Schools USA without reservation. In an ever changing educational landscape, it is important that charter and turnaround school operators demonstrate a commitment to the communities that they serve. It has been our experience that Charter Schools USA will provide your community not only with educational excellence, but a serious commitment to innovative and transformative work in the schools that they serve.

Sincerely,

Garry D. HollandPresident/CEOGHolland&Associates, LLC

3821 Greenlee Rd McKean PA 16426 July 28, 2014 David G. Meckley Chief Recovery Officer School District of the City of York 31 North Pershing Avenue York, PA 17401 Dear Mr. Meckley, I had the pleasure of working with the National Network of Digital Schools team a few years ago when I served as the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Digital Learning Network, an effort to bring traditional schools together, foster collaboration, and integrate technology and online curriculum into traditional public schools. The many public schools with which we worked were richer for the partnership, and their students benefitted from our efforts through online, personalized tutoring, tweaks to their learning management and student information systems, and a broader choice of courses from which to choose. I was richer for the experience, as well. The group of individuals who served with me at NNDS on the PADLN undertaking is intelligent, talented and creative. The team’s versatility and strong work ethic helped us to achieve so much in so little time with limited funds. I found them to be deeply dedicated to helping all students, no matter their socio-economic background or academic accomplishments. Prior to have joined the NNDS team, you may know that I served as the Superintendent of Schools for the Erie School District for 17 years. We were the only urban district to have made AYP four years in a row, a feat achieved only by clearing many complex barriers, including building individual and system capacity, along with coaching, mentoring and collaboration. So, I’m not without experience in the challenges you face in York. I commend you for your strong leadership, and bold attempts to do what is right for the city’s children. As you move forward with the district-wide charter solution, I am confident you are putting management in trustworthy hands by employing the NNDS team. In addition to the invaluable assets they bring to the table, they are a Pennsylvania-based, non-profit whose mission is to serve our commonwealth’s students. This, I believe, will help you build goodwill throughout your community.

From what I’ve read, the community should be extraordinarily grateful for the yeoman’s effort you’ve put forth to find a solution for York’s children. I have wholehearted confidence in the comprehensive approach of marrying a proven charter school operator and NNDS, and am hopeful the union will help the district recover in due time. Kudos, and best of luck. Warm regards,

Dr. Jim Barker Educational Consultant