How are SB 1882 Structured?
Each nonprofit organization will hire a small number of staff to support and coach the school’s leadership, provide professional development opportunities for school staff, and ensure the nonprofit meets all of the district’s expectations, such as producing an annual financial audit. The partner will also create a campus nonprofit governing board comprised of community stakeholders and professionals with the experience and passion necessary to support the school in achieving its goals. The nonprofit governing board will collaborate with the campus in selecting the curriculum, school calendar, and student assessments. If a change in leadership is ever needed at the school, the nonprofit partner will work closely with the district and the school’s community to select the school’s principal.
At any partnership school, the MISD Board retains ultimate authority and oversight over the school, which will always remain an MISD campus. The district will hold the partner accountable for strong academic and financial performance through a board-approved performance contract and regular monitoring of the school’s charter by district staff and the MISD Board.
What types of organizations are eligible to be an 1882 partner?
Partner organizations must be nonprofits, institutions of higher education, or government entities. They must have a strong track record of success, align with MISD’s mission and core values, and provide specific expertise that meets the unique needs of the partnership schools. In conjunction with the District’s Annual Call for Quality Schools, all partners will be extensively vetted by the MISD team and district staff prior to being evaluated and approved by the MISD Board.
How does MISD hold partner schools accountable?
Senate Bill 1882 partnerships ultimately exist to improve student outcomes and empower educators, so partnership agreements are written to ensure strong accountability and give the district the flexibility to end the partnership if it’s not benefiting students and staff. The MISD Board will review the performance of all in-district charter schools and SB 1882 partnerships every 3 to 5 years, as required by Board Policy EL(LOCAL). If a performance evaluation during a review cycle shows that the in-district charter school and its nonprofit partner are not meeting the district’s academic and operational expectations, the district may end the partnership or revoke the in-district charter or place it on probation. If the schools are meeting their 3 to 5-year performance goals, and the partner is fully complying with the partnership agreement and applicable law, then the length of the partnership can be up to 10 years. During the term of the partnership, a nonprofit partner will be subject to a minimum of two and as many as three separate performance review cycles, along with the annual audit as required.
The district can end the partnership or revoke the in-district charter at any time if any of the following occurs: (i) the schools fail to meet their 3 or 5-year performance metrics; (ii) the school or partner violates applicable state or federal law; (iii) the schools fail to meet generally accepted accounting standards; or (iv) after two years, the schools are rated as “Improvement Required” or are in the bottom 5% in comparison to all district campuses based on academic performance.
