oppaa letter

7/30/2019 OPPAA letter

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January 16, 2013

Dear Clay County Board Member,

We hope that you in good health and good Spirit. Clearly, you already know why we are sending this letter.

We want you to vote approval of our Charter School. This letter will simply outline a few points with some

supporting documentation as to why the School Board should approve our Charter School application.

Point 1Board Members Ability/Capacity to Do a Good Job (Attachment 1)

Back in October, the Board voted unanimously to give us an opportunity to improve our application and in the

one month we made substantially improvements. Between now and when school starts we can make anynecessary adjustments during the contract period. Our Board is very capable of achieving any of the desired

requirements from the District. Considering over the history of Charter Schools only 17 schools have ever

failed out of 518. This figure represents (6%), there is no question that our Board of Director is very capable

or running a successful Charter School. We have a highly experience Board with former Clay County

Superintendent, Former College President and Former School Board President and an established Attorney.

All of the Board members have very good reputations in the community.

Point 2 Elementary FCAT Scores at Grove Park, Montclair and Argyle (Attachment 2)

For the last few years the District has not made substantial improvements with students at these schools. Wedeserve a chance to demonstrate what we can do. The parents of these schools deserve a Choice. The

attached table shows FCAT Performances for 3 schools in Orange Park, grades 3-5. The grades that are BELOW

state averages are shown in RED; ABOVE state average is GREEN. Please note the predominance of RED on

this table.

Grove Park is below average in everything. Montclair is mostly below average. Argyle is better than average

most of the time; but, they are very low in Science. Parent with children who attend these schools aren't

given an equal opportunity for a decent education.

The two lowest performing elementary schools are Grove Park and Montclair. Both of these schools are

within 1 mile of our Charter School Site. Currently, the educational systems and curriculums are not working

for these students. We are merely requesting an opportunity to reach and teach children who have not fared

well in the traditional academic setting as evidenced by the test scores. The kids at these two schools

desperately need the help that OPPAA can provide. Children that have difficulty in elementary school

continue to struggle academically in Junior High School which is indicated in the Orange Park Junior High FCAT

Scores. Building a strong academic foundation in Elementary School is critical, otherwise it manifest

throughout the school years.


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Point 3 Time for Clay County to Embrace Change and Current Educational Trends (Attachments 3)

Have you given any thought to why in a 17 year history of Charter Schools, Clay County has never approved

one? One could argue it is not needed because the District is performing well. Overall, the District is going

well; however, there are some gaps that we are trying to address. St. Johns County which is ranked 3rd

in the

State has 6 Charter Schools. High performing Districts have Charter Schools because the Districts have

embraced them and worked with the applicants to make it happen. No one has a perfect application. Duval

County has 21 Charter Schools. They have done a tremendous job of working with the applicants for approval.

There is nothing in application that cant be addressed during the contract or planning period. Applicationsare presentations of ideas and concepts that are durable.

The Governor of Florida and the new Commissioner of Education Tony Bennett are very strong advocates of

Charter Schools. In the January 14, 2013 Times Union, it is reported that the Florida Commissioners agenda

includes Charter Schools. It is time for Clay County to embrace the concept of Charter Schools and what they

can offer. Please refer to Attachment 4. This document shows how Charter School students achieve higher

FCAT scores in Reading, Math and Science. A Charter School in the District will make it more competitive, and

it will help the Clay District keep up with other high performing Districts. It is vitally important at this critical

time in Education to embrace change and approve our Charter School.

Point 4 Ms. Sandy Emery the Community Representative (outsider with no personal interest) gave theCharter Application a Passing Grade (Attachment 5)

She had a concern with the Curriculum and the Action Plan. The curriculum was written by a consultant of a

high performing Charter School in Columbia County. Shining Star Academy is a Performing Arts Elementary

School that is doing very well. Dr. Anthony Buzzella is a 25 year educator with proven research. OPPAA

curriculum was adopted from his school. Our curriculum is over 300 pages that specifically outlines what we

will teach at each grade level. Please refer to Attachment 5 Model Florida Charter School Application.

When you look at page 4 and 5, it is specific what the State of Florida requires in a Standard Application. We

clearly have all of that information in our application. In review an application often it is a matter of

perspective. For example the only other area that Ms. Emery did not approve was the Action Plan. In anemail from Mr. Bandy dated November 3, 2012, he specifically wrote the other adjustments look pretty

good. He was specifically referring to the Action Plan.

What is of importance here and what is worthy of note deals with experience with Charter Schools. Clay

County has never had a Charter School and really does not know what it takes to run a successful Charter

School so the point of reference of what will work and wont work is not very clear. This leads to the next

point of what works.

Point 5 The Work of Board Members and The Work of the Principal

OPPAA Teachers and Principals are required to have the same credentials that the District requires. The

Principal is the driving force behind any good high performing school. The Principal of our school will be fully

aware and abreast of all of the District and State requirements. For that matter, the District can select the

Principal. We just want to work in partnership to create a top ranking Performing Arts Elementary school that

will impact the lives of the children who are being left behind.

Point 6 Needs for Performing Arts

Only two out of 11 Elementary Schools have Art Program in Clay County. OPPAA will offer something an

academic program that is not currently available in Clay County. The approach we are proposing can bring


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more vigor and excitement to the students and the District. We have several parents who have pre-enrolled

in the school. Our school will give children a positive alternative to the traditional learning environment.

Research has shown that kids who participate in the performing arts do better academically. We are willing to

assist the most challenging children in Clay County. Overall, the District will help the students in the

community and financially it does not hurt the County because funds will serve the children who need the

most attention. The District keeps all its Capital Outlay funds and it retains 5% of the funds for each child.

Point 7 Charter School have a wealth of resources once the school is operational

please visit

www.floridaschoolchoice.org

Once the school is up and running, there are several organizations that support Charter Schools and there are

several Charter School membership organizations that mentor new schools.

We have confidence that we have submitted an application that will win in the Appeal Process. Please give us

every consideration for approval now.

Choices: Attachment (Florida Statutes) 1002.33(6) (b) and 1002.33 6 (b) 5

1. Approve OPPAA Charter School with an option to make changes during the contract period2. Approve OPPAA Charter School with a six month planning period to raise funds and address any

changes

Florida Statutes allows for school start times to be negotiated between the District and the school. Florida

Statutes also allows for a planning period. We can achieve a successful school either way. Going through

this process all over again is not a good use of the staff time. Staff will be reviewing the similar documents

(duplicating work) 4 more time if we reapply in August of this year. We are at the door, please just open it

Open it for the children and to give them a better chance in life.

Humbly submitted,

Orange Park Performing Arts Academy Board

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