Jefferson City Schools

Charter Petition Process

Charting the CourseMay 2014

Exposure to Excellence Promotes Excellence

To maintain and improve student achievement by providing a

challenging instructional program that meets the needs of all students.

To recruit and retain highly qualified personnel necessary to deliver rigorous and up to date instruction.

To maintain and upgrade facilities to meet the challenging instructional needs of students and staff and accommodate current and anticipated growth.

To establish an effective electronic communication system for students, staff, parents, board members, and the community.

To generate and manage resources that support a quality instructional program.

Jefferson City SchoolsPerformance Goals

Exposure to Excellence Promotes Excellence

Strategic Planning Process

Engage community members and other stakeholders in the process by providing opportunities for input and feedback through conversations focusing on moving the district forward

The strategic planning process provides a comprehensive structure to assist in developing a strategic plan that is aligned from the district level to the school level

As part of the process, review existing performance goals and identify strategies for implementing and monitoring progress toward goals

Explore the option of adding a new performance goal and strategies for becoming a Charter System

Exposure to Excellence Promotes Excellence

Per O.C.G.A. §20-2-84.3, no later than June 30, 2015, each local

school system must notify the Georgia Department of Education that it will operate as an: Investing in Educational Excellence School System (IE2) Charter System Status Quo School System

Status quo is not an option for Jefferson City Schools

The Jefferson City School System Board of Education has spent a considerable amount of time exploring the Charter System and IE2 options

In May 2014, the decision was made to file a petition with the Georgia Department of Education to become a charter school system, which seems to align more closely with the direction of Jefferson City Schools

Why a Charter System?

Exposure to Excellence Promotes Excellence

A contract between the local board of education and the state

board of education

Allows flexibility and waivers for state education laws, rules, and regulations

For the flexibility, school systems are held to accountability standards and goals

Charter systems must Define innovative instructional plans Positively impact student achievement Create an environment of shared governance between the board of education and

the schools (involvement of parents, business partners, community members, and other stakeholders)

What is a Charter System?

Exposure to Excellence Promotes Excellence

Application process

An oversight committee will be formed to address all aspects of becoming a Charter System

Action teams will review performance goals and strategic planning strategies, define the innovative practices, and provide input for the governance structure that will be included in the application

Transparent process Website Updates Community Meetings Public Hearings

How does the Jefferson City School System become a

Charter System?

Exposure to Excellence Promotes Excellence

Charter System Timeline February 2014 Letter of Intent Submitted to GaDOE

March 2014 Board Member and System/School Leadership Orientation and Training Session led by

Dr. Sherrie Gibney-Sherman, Georgia Department of Education, Charter Systems Division

April 2014 System Leaders to Study and Review Charter Applications

May 2014 Board Decision to Pursue Charter Petition

June 2014(June 17, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.)

Community Meeting #1 – Overview of Charter System Application Process; Establish

Action Teams - Assignment to Review Governance Structure and Innovative Practices

July 2014 (July 10, 2014 at 6:00 p.m.)

Community Meeting #2 – Action Teams will present their findings and recommendations

and ask for feedback

July 2014 Orientation for all schools during preplanning to share ideas/recommendations presented by Action Teams and to provide additional opportunities for staff

members to provide feedback and suggestions on practices/strategies proposed in the Charter Petition

July 2014 Steering Committee will prepare a draft of bulleted items using the ideas presented by the Action Teams (bulleted list to be shared at the Community

Breakfast/Public Hearing #1)

July 30, 2014 (Tentative) Public Hearing #1 – Jefferson City School System Community Breakfast – Presentation to Schools and Community

August 2014 Prepare DRAFT application based on feedback from Community, Faculty, and other meetings

August 14, 2014 Public Hearing #2 – Presentation to Schools and Community – Seek BOE Approval of Charter Petition at 4:00 p.m. (Scheduled Board Meeting)

September 2014 Finalize Charter Application based on feedback from community members and other stakeholders

October 1, 2014 Submit Charter Petition to Georgia Department of Education

November-December 2014 Site visit from Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) and Charter Advisory Council (CAC)

January-February 2015 Revise Charter Petition based on recommendations from GaDOE and CAC

March-June 2015 State DOE Approval Process

July 2015 Operation as a Charter System Begins

How can you become involved in the process?

Attend community meetings and public hearings

Become a member of an action team to review performance goals and strategic planning strategies

Provide feedback regarding innovative practices and governance structure

Monitor progress, information, and Frequently Asked Questions on the website

Email Dr. Donna R. McMullan at dmcmullan@jeffcityschools.org if you have questions regarding the Charter System Application Process

Exposure to Excellence Promotes Excellence