Title
MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE PEMBROKE PINES CHARTER SCHOOLS TO ADD FOUR (4) EARLY RELEASE DAYS TO THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL CALENDAR PURSUANT TO THEIR DESIGNATION AS SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE, AND FURTHER AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER, AS SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, TO PROVIDE THE REQUIRED NOTICE TO EACH CHARTER SCHOOL SPONSOR.
Summary Explanation and Background
SUMMARY EXPLANATION AND BACKGROUND:
1. Section 1003.631, Florida Statutes, authorized the Schools of Excellence Program to provide certain administrative flexibilities for those top performing schools which scored in the 80th percentile or higher in its school grade calculation in schools as compared to schools of the same grade groupings as designated by the State Board of Education (See Exhibit 1. Florida State Statute 1003.631).
2. The Pembroke Pines Charter Schools are designated Schools of Excellence by the State Board of Education.
3. Due to achieving this designation as a School of Excellence, the Pembroke Pines Charter Schools desire to exercise its administrative flexibility as so authorized in order to deviate from its Sponsor’s requirements, policies, or procedures that establish times for the start and completion of the school day by specifically adding four (4) early release days to the school calendar year. Although this change may slightly reduce student instructional time, the schools will continue to meet all state-required instructional hour requirements while providing additional time for teacher planning, professional development, and other administrative activities that support the continued success and effective operation of the charter schools. Below are the dates the Pembroke Pines Charter Schools would like to add to their 2026-2027 school calendar as additional early release days:
1. September 24, 2026
2. November 5, 2026
3. February 25, 2027
4. April 16, 2027
4. To exercise this administrative flexibility, a charter school must provide notice to its sponsor of its intent to do so. Accordingly, Pembroke Pines FSU Charter Elementary School must notify Florida State University, while Pembroke Pines Charter Elementary, Middle, and High Schools must notify The School Board of Broward County, Florida. It is therefore requested that the City Commission, acting as the Governing Board of the City’s Charter School System, authorize the City Manager, in his capacity as Superintendent of Schools, to provide the required notifications to each sponsor. Should a charter amendment or any additional action by the Governing Board subsequently be required, the matter will be presented to the City Commission for further consideration and approval.
5. Recommend that the City Commission authorize the Pembroke Pines Charter Schools to add four (4) early release days to the 2026-2027 school calendar pursuant to their designation as Schools of Excellence, and further authorize the City Manager, as Superintendent of Schools, to provide the required notice to each charter school sponsor.
Financial Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT DETAIL:
a) Initial Cost: None.
b) Amount budgeted for this item in Account No: Not Applicable.
c) Source of funding for difference, if not fully budgeted: Not Applicable.
d) 5-year projection of the operational cost of the project: Not Applicable.
e) Detail of additional staff requirements: Not Applicable.
FEASIBILITY REVIEW:
A feasibility review is required for the award, renewal and/or expiration of all function sourcing contracts. This analysis is to determine the financial effectiveness of function sourcing services.
a) Was a Feasibility Review/Cost Analysis of Out-Sourcing vs. In-House Labor Conducted for this service? Not Applicable.
b) If Yes, what is the total cost or total savings of utilizing Out-Sourcing vs. In-House Labor for this service? Not Applicable.