Title
MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE PEMBROKE PINES CHARTER SCHOOLS TO ADD FOUR (4) EARLY RELEASE DAYS TO THE SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR PURSUANT TO THEIR DESIGNATION AS SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE, AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AS SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS TO SO NOTIFY EACH OF THE CHARTER SCHOOL SPONSORS.
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 A, Florida State Statute 1003.631).
2. All of the Pembroke Pines Charter Schools have been 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 decrease the hours of instruction for its students, the schools will continue to meet its required hours of instruction, but will also be able to offer additional hours of planning, professional development, or other administrative activities necessary for the continued successful operation of the charter schools. Below are the dates the Pembroke Pines Charter Schools would like to add to their 2025-2026 school calendar as additional early release days:
1. September 18, 2025
2. November 20, 2025
3. February 26, 2026
4. June 3, 2026
4. In order to exercise this administrative flexibility, a charter school is required to so notify its Sponsor of its intent to do so. Therefore, the Pembroke Pines FSU Charter Elementary School must provide notice to Florida State University, and the Pembroke Pines Elementary, Middle, and High Schools are required to so notify The School Board of Broward County, Florida. It is requested that the City Commission, acting as the Charter School Governing Board for each of the City’s Charter Schools, authorize the City Manager as the Superintendent of Schools to so notify each of these Sponsors. In the event that a charter amendment or any further action will then be required by the City Commission as the charter school governing board, it will be brought back to the City Commission for their consideration.
5. Recommend City Commission authorize the Pembroke Pines Charter Schools to add four (4) early release days to the school calendar for the 2025-2026 school year, and further authorizing the City Manager as Superintendent of Schools to so notify each of the charter school sponsors.
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