Title
MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE PEMBROKE PINES CHARTER SCHOOLS PURSUANT TO THEIR DESIGNATION AS SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE, TO REVERT A PREVIOUSLY APPROVED EARLY RELEASE DAY SCHEDULED APRIL 2, 2020 BACK TO A FULL DAY OF SCHOOL 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. The Pembroke Pines Charter Schools (PPCS) are designated Schools of Excellence by the State Board of Education. As such, on June 19, 2019 City Commission authorized the PPCS to add four (4) early release days to the 2019-2020 school year (See Exhibit B, File 19-0695 Early Release Days 2019-20). Listed below are the additional early release days that were approved by City Commission on June 19, 2019:
1. September 12, 2019
2. November 7, 2019
3. January 16, 2020
4. April 2, 2020
3. Since then, the State Florida School Assessment (FSA) testing schedule was released and charter school elementary students have FSA testing on Thursday, April 2, 2020 (See Exhibit C, Florida Statewide Assessment Schedule 2019-20). As such, the PPCS would like April 2, 2020 to remain a full day of school for all PPCS elementary and middle schools. April 2, 2020 will continue to be an early release day for the Academic Village High School.
4. Charter schools designated Schools of Excellence are required to notify their Sponsor when exercising their administrative flexibility to modify their school calendar. Therefore, the Pembroke Pines FSU Charter Elementary School must provide notice to Florida State University, and the Pembroke Pines Charter Elementary and Middle 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 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 to authorize the Pembroke Pines Charter Schools to revert the previously approved early release day scheduled on April 2, 2020 back to a full day of school and further authorizing the City Manager as Superintendent of Schools to so notify each of the charter school sponsors.
Financial Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT DETAIL: Not applicable
a) Initial Cost: Not applicable
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