DEPARTMENT: Pre-K 4 SA
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Sarah Baray, Ph.D.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
SB 1882 Partnership
SUMMARY:
This item includes a briefing and Board action to approve a Memorandum of Understanding with Edgewood ISD establishing a partnership through SB 1882.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Senate Bill (SB) 1882, passed in 2017, allows for additional funding from the state for independent school districts who partner with an eligible entity to operate a district campus. Under SB 1882, entities eligible to partner with school districts are charter management organizations, universities, and non-profits with strong track records. In addition to increased funding for these partnerships, SB 1882 also creates an exemption from certain accountability interventions for schools with historic underperformance. The state set forth requirements for creating the partnership and will determine which partnerships qualify under SB 1882. Providers partnering with school districts are required to have total control of teachers, curriculum, and all education aspects, and to put into place performance metrics to evaluate the partnership and whether or not students impacted are making progress.
ISSUE:
Edgewood ISD is eligible for SB 1882 funding and has expressed an interest in pursuing a partnership with Pre-K 4 SA. As a non-profit organization, Pre-K 4 SA is eligible to serve as a partner for school districts through SB 1882. Staff have worked with external attorneys, Thompson & Horton LLP to revise the existing partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to comply with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) requirements for SB 1882 partnerships. This MOU would replace the existing MOU for Edgewood ISD.
In the traditional SB 1882 model, the district issues an in-district charter to an existing district campus, the district and the partner decide on each party’s responsibilities (within the parameters of the law), and the partner begins to operate the campus. For the 2018-19 school year, this partnership would not alter the regular operations of Pre-K 4 SA; Edgewood ISD students would enroll in and attend the Pre-K 4 SA Education Centers. These Pre-K 4 SA students already qualify to generate SB 1882 funds for districts under this MOU. Edgewood ISD would be required to set aside additional funding to be used in a manner designated by Pre-K 4 SA. Pre-K 4 SA will work with the ISD over the coming year to discuss the potential for replicating Pre-K 4 SA practices in the ISDs by building out model classrooms in Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade.
This item requests Board action to approve the Memorandum of Understanding with Edgewood establishing a partnership through SB 1882.
ALTERNATIVES:
Pre-K 4 SA would forgo the opportunity to support improved quality in Edgewood ISD.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Under the revised MOU, Edgewood ISD will pay Pre-K 4 SA $3,200 per student enrolled in Pre-K 4 SA. SB 1882 allows the partnership to receive the additional funds that open-enrollment charters already receive. The school district will withhold up to 5% annually for administrative services. The remaining 95% of SB 1882 funds will be held by the school district in a designated account spent in accordance with the budget and at the discretion of Pre-K 4 SA. Pre-K 4 SA is limited to spend no more than 5% of its SB 1882 funds on operations outside of the Center.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the Board approve the Memorandum of Understanding with Edgewood ISD establishing a partnership through SB 1882.