Administration recommends the adoption of Board Policy ELA (Local), for the purpose of meeting the requirements of the School Transformation Fund Planning Grant (Planning Grant). The Board accepted the Planning Grant on September 18, 2018, which allowed the District to explore and identify a partner to apply for a TEA school action grant for the 2019­-2020 school year. Board adoption of ELA (Local) is needed prior to any consideration of the District entering into a partnership with an eligible entity.  The proposed addition was reviewed by Executive Cabinet on February 11, 2019, and by Leadership on February 25, 2019.

Board Policy ELA (Local) will allow the District to authorize partnerships with eligible entities/organizations to provide innovative schooling options for students.  This policy is aligned to the System of Great Schools to ensure every student has access to great schools regardless of where the student lives.

Partnerships will be entered into only after approval by the Board of Trustees.

It is recommended that the Board adopt the proposed Board Policy ELA (Local): Campus or Program Charters, Partnership Charters, as presented.

Board Policy ELA (Local) will allow the District to authorize partnerships with eligible entities/organizations to provide innovative schooling options for students.  Administration will review and provide a recommendation to the Board regarding the human resources, academic, financial, and facilities feasibility of entering into partnership opportunities on a case by case basis.

The District will no longer be eligible to apply for the School Transformation Fund Grant.  Further, the Board of Trustees will not be able to authorize partnerships with eligible entities to provide innovative schooling options for students.