The
School Charter Plan:
8. IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION
8.1. Student Recruitment Plan
8.2. Admissions Policy
8.3. Human Resource Information
8.4. Child Accounting
8.5. Transportation
8.6. Food Service
8.7. Timetable
8.8. Safety
8.9. Documentation
References: SVRCS Financial Management Plan (Attachment E)
SVRCS Physical Needs Plan (Attachment F)
References: SVRCS Policy Manual (Partial) (Attachment C) SVRCS
Contracts, Agreements and Operational Documents (Attachment G)
8.1. Student Recruitment Plan
The Community Relations Committee, in conjunction with Penn State University,
conducted a household survey in February, 1997 to gather information from
the community. The survey was developed by Penn State and mailed to all 955
households in the Sugar Valley area. The intent of the survey was to provide
a statistical analysis of factors critical to the implementation of a charter
school. Information requested by the survey included:
· Number of adults and students in household;
· Grade levels of students;
· Length of residency in Sugar Valley;
· Distance of residence from the existing school;
· Level of understanding about charter schools;
· Priorities for school-related programs;
· Primary motivations for supporting a charter school; and
· Primary concerns about a charter school.
Utilizing information obtained by the survey, along with other feedback provided
to the Core Team by community members, a second survey was developed and conducted.
The second survey was initially mailed to 218 households in Sugar Valley which
were known to have school-age children (grades K-12). It was found that two
households had duplicate entries on the mailing list, leaving 216 potential
respondents. The survey contained an invitation for parents to attend meetings
about the charter school; a fact sheet about charter schools; and a postage-paid
postcard for response whether or not their children would attend the SVRCS.
Surveys were mailed on April 22, 1997 and follow-up telephone calls were
made between April 26 and May 5. Household responses (as of 5/20/97) were
as follows:
Response Returned Card Verbal Total
Will send children to SVRCS 145 11 156 72.2 %
Will not send children to SVRCS 13 11 24 11.1 %
Undecided 2 7 9 4.2 %
Total Responses 160 29 189 87.5 %
No Response N/A N/A 27 12.5 %
Survey Total 216 100.0 %
Their are a total of 278 school age children in the 156 households that responded
they would be sending their children to the SVRCS. Parents were asked to provide
information about the grade levels of those children for the 1997-1998 school
year, resulting in the following initial projections:
Grade
K
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Students
17
24
28
21
23
21
28
26
18
12
15
21
24
It is anticipated that conversion of the existing elementary school to charter
status will add approximately 30 students whose parents did not respond to
the survey but would opt to keep their children in school in Sugar Valley.
Additionally, members of the planning group have been contacted by parents
of children who reside within the school district but not in Sugar Valley
about the potential for enrollment at the SVRCS.
8.2. Admissions Policy
The Sugar Valley Rural Charter School will be a taxpayer funded school serving
students residing in Keystone Central School District. The school will operate
in a K-12 configuration. It will be open to all eligible students on a space
available basis and will not discriminate in its admissions policies or practices
on the basis of intellectual or athletic ability; measures of achievement
or aptitude; or status as a handicapped person.
Criteria for prospective students include acceptance of the home/school contract
and a willingness to abide by the School's Code of Conduct. Beyond that, by
submitting an application form, parents/guardians indicate their philosophical
support of the academic and community oriented goals of the Sugar Valley Rural
Charter School.
8.3. Human Resource Information
Teaching and support staff positions will be established by the Board of
Trustees in order to provide programs of education and other supporting services
consistent with the needs and resources of the community. Recommendations
for continuing, new, or additional staff will include a job description clearly
descriptive of the duties for which the positions were created and performance
standards to be used in the evaluation of the employee. Titles of professional
positions must conform with an appropriate certificate when Pennsylvania certification
is required. All staff shall have on record a report of criminal history pursuant
to Section III of the Public School Code and an official clearance statement
regarding child injury or abuse from the Department of Public Welfare as required
by 23 PA C.S. Chapter 63, subchapter C.2. Appropriate clearances will be obtained
for all Board members, volunteers and members of the School Community commensurate
with their level of involvement with students.
An intensive professional development workshop will be conducted for all
teaching staff prior to the opening of the SVRCS. Session topics will include
school philosophy and culture; curriculum; student assessments and portfolios;
lesson planning; classroom management; Code of Conduct; discipline practices;
parent/community outreach; and the school's technology system. Recreational
and social activities will provide opportunities for the staff to become better
acquainted and to promote the establishment of a tightly-knit team devoted
to the success of the SVRCS.
It is proposed that the teacher/student ratio for elementary classes will
be 20 and 15 for secondary classes. Adding special area teachers such as Vo-tech
and special education, it is expected that for the first year of operations
with an enrollment of 350 K-12 students, the total number of teachers will
be 21. Six support services personnel (cafeteria, maintenance, teacher assistants,
secretary, etc.) will be added for a full complement of staff at the SVRCS
of approximately 27.
Professional growth guidelines for the teachers and other staff at the SVRCS
are described in the school's Policy Manual. These guidelines follow the requirements
of the School Code and the policies of the Keystone Central School District.
These policies govern salaries, contracts, hiring, dismissal and benefits.
Present employees of KCSD who work at the SVRCS will be "grandfathered",
in that they will retain tenure and all other salary-related benefits and
compensation accrued while employed by the district, as articulated in charter
school legislation. All staff at the SVRCS will be contracted for their services
through professional and support services agreements. Similar professional
services agreements will be used for legal and financial management (e.g.,
audit) services and special partnerships with educational institutions such
as Penn State University. Support services agreements will be with individuals
and businesses providing services such as custodial, cafeteria, secretarial,
maintenance and teaching assistant.
In recruiting instructional staff (certified and non-certified), the SVRCS
will seek individuals who have:
· Conviction to support the SVRCS mission;
· A strong undergraduate education or experience commensurate with
position;
· A passion to teach;
· Consistently exceptional professional evaluations;
· Outstanding references from peers, previous employers, educational
institutes, etc.; and
· An entrepreneurial approach and desire to innovate in close collaboration
with the entire SVRCS community.
A typical professional educational services agreement for an individual may
include job description, duties, performance standards and evaluation criteria,
time of performance and compensation. The agreement can be "tailored"
to each position, as appropriate. A professional educational services agreement
for a firm or university may include a detailed scope of activity with specifications,
reporting requirements, timetables, compensation and completion requirements.
Agreements for support services such as custodial, cafeteria, maintenance,
etc. would be similar.
The terms of employment for teaching and support staff of the Sugar Valley
Rural Charter School will be determined by negotiations within the parameters
relevant to Pennsylvania statutes. SVRCS faculty and staff will be required
to enter into individual term employment agreements which explicitly state
that all requirements of the PA Charter Law are made part of the agreement.
Teaching staff may be obligated to provide services during the SVRCS academic
year, community in-service events, or during the entire year depending upon
their role in the school. The agreement will affirm that any materials created
by staff members for use by SVRCS, or produced using the staff or resources
of the school, are works-for-hire and all intellectual property rights are
vested in the school.
A majority vote of the SVRCS Board of Trustees shall be required to terminate
the employment of any SVRCS faculty or staff member. Any dismissal will also
be subject to applicable Charter Law provisions.
At least 75% of the teachers and professional support staff at SVRCS will
hold appropriate Pennsylvania certification. The school may request the Commissioner
of Education to expedite the certification of persons qualified to teach by
education and experience through alternative routes. Beyond the guarantee
of professional preparation offered by certification, Sugar Valley Rural Charter
School will seek professional staff who are in agreement with and committed
to the mission, goals and educational approach of the school.
It will be the responsibility of the faculty of Sugar Valley Rural Charter
School to appropriately present the school curriculum and support the goals
and objectives of the school. The teachers will be expected to meet the curriculum
goals; to provide a challenging yet supportive learning environment in the
classroom; and to be sensitive to the individual learning needs and styles
of the children. It will be the teachers' responsibility to communicate with
parents about any relevant classroom matter.
The classroom teacher will be responsible for maintaining in the classroom
a pleasant and disciplined climate that is conducive to learning and stimulates
students' curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. The teacher will be expected
to exhibit the highest level of professional and social behavior.
Specific staff responsibilities include, but are not limited to, those listed
below.
The responsibilities of the SVRCS teachers are to:
1. Support and enhance the mission and goals of Sugar Valley Rural Charter
School;
2. Appropriately present the SVRCS curriculum;
3. Ensure mastery of relevant knowledge, content and skills for all students
through consistent teaching practices and individual tutoring when appropriate;
4. Provide appropriate enrichment materials and individual tutoring when needed;
5. Create a challenging yet supportive school atmosphere that encourages continuous
success and growth for all students;
6. Maintain an atmosphere conducive to learning;
7. Communicate in a timely fashion with parents and administration any relevant
classroom matters regarding students' performance;
8. Provide collegial support to other SVRCS staff members;
9. Participate in staff development programs; and
10. Serve on ad hoc advisory committees to the SVRCS Board of Trustees.
The responsibilities of the SVRCS teacher assistants, student teachers and
interns are to:
1. Support and enhance the mission and goals of Sugar Valley Rural Charter
School;
2. Assist classroom teachers and the administration;
3. Support an atmosphere conducive to learning; and
4. Monitor students during their time in school.
The responsibilities of the SVRCS administration are to:
1. Support and enhance the mission and goals of Sugar Valley Rural Charter
School;
2. Create a challenging yet supportive school atmosphere that encourages continuous
success and growth for all students;
3. Participate in evaluating students' progress and in assessing needs for
special programs;
4. Promote and support continuous professional development;
5. Serve as both a model and a mentor to the teachers and other staff;
6. Provide recommendations to the Board of Trustees on hiring or promoting
teachers and other staff;
7. Provide administrative services;
8. Supervise the school budgets;
9. Evaluate the adherence of the SVRCS program to its charter;
10. Serve as an ex officio member of the Board of Trustees; and
11. Communicate in a timely fashion with parents and teachers about any relevant
matters regarding students' performance.
The responsibilities of the SVRCS support staff are to:
1. Support and enhance the mission and goals of Sugar Valley Rural Charter
School; and
2. Provide services to the SVRCS as outlined in their respective support services
agreements.
An integrative staffing plan which effectively utilizes administrative professionals,
teaching professionals and related service providers and community members
has been developed as follows:
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Teachers (2)Parents (2)Community Members (2)Alumnus (1)
|
(ADMINISTRATION)
Elementary Head Teacher Administrator/Teacher Secondary Head Teacher
| | |
Elementary Teachers Community Volunteers Secondary Teachers
| PSU Intern Coordinator |
PSU Interns Special Education PSU Interns
Support ServicesAssistantsCafeteriaCustodiansMaintenanceSecretarial
Vo Tech/Adult Ed.
8.4. Code of Conduct
Sugar Valley Rural Charter School intends to provide an orderly environment
conducive to learning and based on principles of student and parent involvement
and participation, personal responsibility, respect for others and good citizenship.
Ongoing disruptive behavior on the part of one student is an infringement
on the rights of other students. Therefore, the Sugar Valley Rural Charter
School will adopt the following Code of Conduct:
1. We will respect individuals, families and cultures by acknowledging the
rights and opinions of others.
2. We will celebrate one's own heritage and roots.
3. We will develop personal, social and civic responsibilities.
4. We will strive for the highest character, integrity and honesty.
5. We will do our best to help each other achieve our goals and dreams.
6. We will instill the merits of collaboration, cooperation and teamwork.
7. We will uphold the highest expectations and standards.
8. We will provide the models for truth, justice and freedom.
9. We will maintain a high level of excellence in what we do.
10. We will encourage the qualities of civility, kindness and support in community
oriented activities.
The SVRCS Code of Conduct provides the foundation for governing student behavior.
The school's Policy Manual and, more importantly, the SVRCS Home/School contract
also provide policy concerning expectations for student behavior; specific
processes for disciplinary actions; attendance requirements; the banning of
weapons and other destructive materials; penalties for drug and alcohol abuse;
and student expulsion and suspension procedures. The Home/School contract
delineates the individual responsibilities of the team members that are most
directly involved in the student's education:
The student will:
1. Come to school prepared to learn;
2. Arrive on time with all books, materials and supplies;
3. Show respect for him or herself by respecting others;
4. Participate in community service activities;
5. Complete all assigned homework;
6. Ask for additional help when it is needed;
7. Participate in class activities; and
8. Read a selection of their choice for at least 30 minutes each day
The Parent(s)/Guardian(s) will:
1. Encourage their child to stay in school;
2. Volunteer at least twenty (20) hours of service each year to the school
(e.g. school programs, field trips, school dinners, classroom instruction,
maintenance and cleaning of the school);
3. Be an enthusiastic participant in their child's learning;
4. Spend at least 20 minutes daily with the student reviewing homework and
discussing readings and current events;
5. Attend periodic parent/student/teacher conferences;
6. Work with teachers to ensure consistency with home/school rules and policies
and to enhance students' continuous success and growth;
7. Participate in Sugar Valley Rural Charter School social functions;
8. Support teachers in their efforts to educate students;
9. Ensure their child arrives on time, fed, properly clothed and prepared
to learn;
10. Discuss with teachers any problems a student may be having at home that
might affect school performance;
11. Notify the school if their child will be absent and provide required documentation;
12. Discuss relevant issues of concern with the school faculty or the Board
of Trustees;
13. Return all necessary forms and documents to the school completed and on
time;
14. Assist in correcting any behavior/discipline problems identified by the
school;
15. Visit the school/classroom as frequently as possible, especially if the
teacher communicates the need for a meeting;
16. Ensure their child respects school materials and property;
17. Make restitution for any damages to school materials and property caused
by the child;
18. Ensure their child does not bring destructive materials to school;
19. Ensure their child does not bring weapons or any object that could be
used as a weapon to school; and
20. Ensure their child remains drug and alcohol free.
The Teachers/School Community will:
1. Recognize that parents are the primary educators of their children;
2. Provide a curriculum that is relevant, emphasizes critical thinking skills,
utilizes technology and prepares students for the social interactions they
will meet in future employment;
3. Support parents in their efforts to raise their child to be responsible,
productive and competent;
4. Recognize that each student has individual needs;
5. Inform parents of available school and community resources;
6. Make every reasonable effort to accommodate parents for conferences and
meetings;
7. Publicly recognize student and parent accomplishments; and
8. Constructively document problem behaviors in order to report accurately
to parents.
Sugar Valley Rural Charter School will stress respect for others and for
the rights of others, among them the right to a school and classroom environment
which facilitates learning. Students who, by their disruptive behavior, consistently
deprive others of this right will be subject to disciplinary action, including
suspension or expulsion from the school.
The SVRCS Board of Trustees will have the right to suspend or expel a student
pursuant to the following criteria and upon the recommendation of the administration
in consultation with the student's teachers: 1) physical assault upon another
student, member of the staff, or board member; 2) carrying a weapon; 3) possession
or consumption of alcohol; a controlled dangerous substance; or drug paraphernalia
on school premises, or being under the influence of such substances on school
premises; 4) conduct constituting a danger to the physical well-being of other
students; 5) continued and willful disobedience or open defiance of any authority
figure employed by the school; 6) expropriation of another student's or a
staff member's personal property, whether by theft, through force, or by intimidation;
7) habitual use of profanity or obscenities; and 8) willfully causing damage
to school property. No student will be suspended or expelled unless the conduct
for which he/she is to be disciplined is related to school activities and/or
attendance and occurred on school property, including school buses. Disciplinary
actions will have no bearing on the student's academic standing, except in
cases of academic dishonesty.
These general guidelines for suspension and expulsion will be reviewed and
modified, as appropriate, by the SVRCS Board of Trustees together with the
school administration.
8.5. Transportation
The primary means of transporting students to and from the SVRCS will be
via busses contracted by the local school district. SVRCS personnel will work
closely with the school district to ensure that necessary modifications to
existing bus routes, if any, will be made in a manner that considers both
student safety and efficiency.
In the event that an extended-day or extended-year program is implemented
at SVRCS, attempts will be made to maximize the use of district-provided transportation.
Additional transportation needs will be satisfied by contracting for services
with the district or with one or more of the bussing contractors in the local
area.
Transportation for sporting events, field trips, etc. will be performed in
a manner that ensures student safety and may include contracting of services,
as-needed rentals and car pooling.
Students living outside the local district who attend the SVRCS will be provided
transportation pursuant to applicable statutes and regulations.
8.6. Food Service
The primary facility under consideration to house SVRCS has a fully appointed
kitchen and an operational cafeteria. The food preparation and service areas
will accommodate the number of students who will attend SVRCS. It is anticipated
that SVRCS would participate in the school lunch/breakfast programs presently
offered by the KCSD under the auspices of the Child Nutrition Programs (CNP)
funded by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Participation in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs
requires menu planning reviewed by an appropriately certified and licensed
dietitian to ensure all necessary diet components and appropriate portions
are provided to students in order to remain eligible for funding. It is the
intention of SVRCS to pursue applications or grant proposals needed and comply
with all necessary guideline and procedures, to become a participant in Child
Nutrition Programs or other school food programs.
In accordance with Pennsylvania School Code 24 PS 13-1337, the Department
of Education may give technical advice and assistance to any board of school
directors in connection with establishment and operation of any school food
program and may assist in training personnel engaged in the operation of such
programs. SVRCS will also pursue this option to ensure efficient food service
operations which comply with required standards and regulations.
8.7. Timetable
Initial School Design and Planning 10/96 - 1/97
Develop Formal Plan and Charter Application 1/97 - 5/97
Recruit Students and Staff 4/97 - 8/97
Complete School Design 5/97
Refine Plan 5/97 - 6/97
Facility Inspections 6/97 - 8/97
Procure Educational Materials 6/97 - 8/97
Install Furnishings and Equipment 7/97 - 8/97
Appoint Faculty and Administration 7/97 - 8/97
Parent/Student Orientation 8/97
Pre-Service Staff Training 8/97
Begin Classes 9/97
8.8. Safety
Safety of students, employees, school visitors and school property is paramount
and will be the primary factor in all relevant decisions regarding implementation
and operation of the SVRCS. It is the intention of the founders that the "safety
plan" for the SVRCS will exceed requirements dictated by local, state
and federal laws and regulations.
The services of a competent architect/engineer will be contracted for pre-inspection
of any facilities being considered for use by the SVRCS. The architect will
be expected to document not only items that are non-compliant with existing
regulations but also items that "may" pose a hazard if not corrected.
Facilities that can not be brought into compliance in a realistic manner will
be removed from consideration for use. All safety-related issues will be resolved
prior to use of any facility.
Local municipalities (Loganton, Logan Township and Greene Township) will
be contacted to determine requirements for and schedule preliminary inspections
for SVRCS facilities within their jurisdiction and to arrange inspection schedules
that meet or exceed local requirements. County building inspectors will be
contacted, where appropriate.
The Sugar Valley Volunteer Fire Company will be contacted to determine requirements
for and schedule preliminary inspections for all SVRCS facilities and to arrange
inspection schedules that meet or exceed applicable laws and regulations.
The county fire marshal will be contacted, if appropriate.
Prior to the use of any explosive or flammable compounds or liquids in connection
with courses taught at the SVRCS, municipal licensing authorities will be
contacted and applicable procedures, laws and regulations will be adhered
to.
8.9. Documentation
The founders of the SVRCS will provide documents relevant to its facility
(certificate of occupancy; fire inspection certificate; health inspection
certificate; proof of compliance with local, state and federal health and
safety regulations; lease; and miscellaneous contracts) as soon as practical
after the school's charter is granted.
The founders of the SVRCS will provide hiring contracts, certifications and
other documents relevant to qualifications and employment of teachers, administrators
and other staff as soon as practical after the school's charter is granted
and hiring is in progress.