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Springfield Ball Charter School
Charter School Agreement
The Board of Education
Springfield School District No. 186
Springfield, Illinois
and
The Board of Directors of
Ball Charter Schools
on behalf of
Springfield Ball Charter School
Effective July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2018
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Table of Contents
Charter School Agreement ............................................................................................................1
1.0. Grant of charter, name of school, and mission statement ..............................................1
1.1. Grant of charter ........................................................................................................1
1.2. Name of school ........................................................................................................1
1.3. Public school ............................................................................................................1
1.4. Mission Statement ....................................................................................................1
2.0. Grade range, areas of focus, number of pupils, admissions criteria .............................2
2.1. Grade range ..............................................................................................................2
2.1.a. Charter grade range ......................................................................................2
2.1.b. School growth ..............................................................................................2
2.1.c. Normal age at school entry ..........................................................................2
2.2. Pre-kindergarten services ........................................................................................2
2.2.a. Service offering ............................................................................................2
2.2.b. Services for "at-risk" students ......................................................................2
2.2.c. Normal age at pre-kindergarten entry ..........................................................3
2.2.d. Additional entry criteria ...............................................................................3
2.3. Areas of focus ..........................................................................................................3
2.3.a. Literacy (Reading/Language/Arts) ..............................................................3
2.3.b. Numeracy (Arithmetic/Mathematics) ..........................................................3
2.3.c. Multi-aged grouping ....................................................................................3
2.3.d. Professional development time for teachers ................................................3
2.4. Class size ..................................................................................................................4
2.5. Admissions criteria ..................................................................................................4
2.5.a. School District residents ..............................................................................4
2.5.b. Out-of-District residents ..............................................................................4
2.5.c. Student enrollment .......................................................................................4
2.5.d. Fees ..............................................................................................................4
2.6. Enrollment................................................................................................................4
2.6.a. Open enrollment...........................................................................................4
2.6.b. Lottery for admission ...................................................................................5
2.6.b.5. Vacancies .......................................................................................5
2.6.b.6. Waiting lists ...................................................................................5
2.6.b.7. Eligible siblings .............................................................................6
2.6.b.8. Eligible applicants ..........................................................................6
2.7. Hours of operation ...................................................................................................6
2.7.a. Student day...................................................................................................6
2.7.b. Teacher workday ..........................................................................................6
2.8. Calendar year ...........................................................................................................6
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3.0. Address and description of the physical plant ................................................................6
3.1. Address ....................................................................................................................6
3.2. Description of the physical plant .............................................................................7
3.2.a. History..........................................................................................................7
3.2.b. Building description .....................................................................................7
3.2.c. Grounds ........................................................................................................7
4.0. Consistency with declared purposes of General Assembly ............................................7
4.1. Consistency with declared purposes of the General Assembly ...............................7
5.0. Goals, objectives, pupil, and organizational performance standards ...........................8
5.1. Compliance with state requirements ........................................................................8
5.2. Goals across academic subjects ...............................................................................8
5.3. Objectives ................................................................................................................8
5.4. Pupil and organizational performance standard .......................................................8
5.4.a. Academic standards .....................................................................................8
5.4.b. Pupil performance expectations ...................................................................8
5.4.c. Annual school performance feedback/stakeholder evaluation ....................9
5.4.c.1. Parent survey ..................................................................................9
5.4.c.2. Faculty survey ................................................................................9
5.4.c.3. Student survey ................................................................................9
5.4.c.4. Survey administration and results .................................................9
5.4.d. Research participation ..................................................................................9
6.0. Description of educational program.................................................................................9
6.1. Stakeholder involvement .........................................................................................9
6.2. Curricular components .............................................................................................9
6.2.a. Literacy (Reading/Language/Arts) ..............................................................9
6.2.b. Numeracy (Arithmetic/Mathematics) ........................................................10
6.2.c. Science/Health and Social Studies .............................................................10
6.2.c.1. Integration into literacy and numeracy ........................................10
6.2.c.2. Curriculum for upper primary and middle levels .........................10
6.2.d. Visual arts and music .................................................................................10
6.2.e. Physical education .....................................................................................10
6.2.f. Foreign language ........................................................................................11
6.2.g. Technology ................................................................................................11
6.3. Organizational components ...................................................................................11
6.3.a. Extended day ..............................................................................................11
6.3.a.1. Extension of supervision ..............................................................11
6.3.a.2. Extension of instruction ...............................................................11
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6.4. Multi-aged grouping ..............................................................................................11
6.4.a. Flexible grouping .......................................................................................11
6.4.b. Grade level structure ..................................................................................12
6.5. Adult learners .........................................................................................................12
6.5.a. Principal professional development ...........................................................12
6.5.b. Teacher professional development ............................................................12
6.5.b.1. Opportunities for participation .....................................................12
6.5.b.2. Professional development time ....................................................12
6.5.c. Staff development ......................................................................................12
6.5.d. Parent education .........................................................................................12
7.0. Evaluation and assessment ..............................................................................................13
7.1. Assessment of student learning ..............................................................................13
7.1.a. Diagnostic tools .........................................................................................13
7.1.b. Student achievement ..................................................................................13
7.1.c. Continuous progress...................................................................................13
7.1.d. Objective tests ............................................................................................13
7.1.e. Internal assessment system ........................................................................13
7.1.f. Standardized achievement tests .................................................................13
7.1.g. Illinois required assessment .......................................................................13
7.1.h Peer institution comparison........................................................................14
7.2. Reporting of student performance/progress to parents ..........................................14
7.3. Reporting of evaluation and assessment ................................................................14
7.4. School District time line ........................................................................................14
7.5. Additional support for student needs .....................................................................14
7.5.a. At-risk students ..........................................................................................14
7.5.b. Stability for mobile populations.................................................................14
7.5.c. Student as an individual .............................................................................15
8.0. Financial issues .................................................................................................................15
8.1. Economic soundness ..............................................................................................15
8.1.a. Receipt of funding......................................................................................15
8.1.b. External funding.........................................................................................16
8.2. Proposed budget .....................................................................................................16
8.3. Reporting................................................................................................................16
8.3.a. Fiscal year ..................................................................................................16
8.3.b. Annual audit ...............................................................................................16
8.3.c. Annual status report ...................................................................................16
8.3.d. Transmission of data to the School District ...............................................16
8.4. Services provided by the School District ...............................................................17
8.4.a. Specific services.........................................................................................17
8.4.b. Lease of 2530 Ash Street facility ...............................................................17
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8.4.c. Special education services .........................................................................17
8.4.d. Alternative education services. ..................................................................17
9.0. Governance .......................................................................................................................17
9.1. Board of Directors..................................................................................................17
9.1.a. Powers and duties of the Board of Directors .............................................17
9.1.a.3. Bylaws ..........................................................................................18
9.1.b. Composition of the Board of Directors ......................................................19
9.1.b.1. Voting members ...........................................................................19
9.1.b.2. Ex Offico member ........................................................................19
9.1.c. Terms of office of the members of the Board of Directors
Certification of Appointment ...................................................................19
9.1.d. Meetings of the Board of Directors ...........................................................19
9.1.e. Officers of the Board of Directors .............................................................19
9.1.e.1. President .......................................................................................19
9.1.e.2. Vice President ..............................................................................19
9.1.e.3. Secretary .......................................................................................20
9.1.e.4. Treasurer ......................................................................................20
9.2. Illinois Freedom of Information Act ......................................................................20
9.3. Illinois Open Meetings Act ....................................................................................20
9.4. General Not for Profit Corporation Act of 1986 ....................................................20
9.5. Site-based Leadership ............................................................................................20
9.5.a. Site-based management .............................................................................20
10.0. Relationship with employees ...........................................................................................20
10.1. Statement of nondiscrimination in hiring ..............................................................20
10.2. Criminal background investigations ......................................................................21
10.3. Local Government and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act .................21
10.4. Employment ...........................................................................................................21
10.5. Employee rights .....................................................................................................21
10.6. Compensation ........................................................................................................21
10.7. Group health insurance/dental ...............................................................................21
11.0. Legal liability and insurance coverage ...........................................................................21
12.0. Effective date and term of charter .................................................................................21
12.1. Effective date and term of charter ..........................................................................21
13.0. Amendment ......................................................................................................................22
14.0 Assignment.........................................................................................................................22
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15.0 Additional limitations as required by statute .................................................................22
15.1. Court-ordered desegregation plan ..........................................................................22
15.2. Health and safety requirements ..............................................................................22
15.3. Student discipline ...................................................................................................22
15.4. The Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act ..................................................22
15.5. The Illinois Student Records Act ...........................................................................22
16.0 Agreement reopener ........................................................................................................22
17.0. General provisions ...........................................................................................................23
1
CHARTER SCHOOL AGREEMENT
This Agreement is entered into this _____day of , 2013, by
Springfield School District No. 186, with principal offices at 1900 West Monroe Street,
Springfield, Illinois (“the School District”), and Springfield Ball Charter School, an
Illinois not-for-profit corporation, with principal offices at 2530 East Ash Street,
Springfield, Illinois (“the Charter School”).
WHEREAS, the School District and the Charter School desire to provide the
parents of the School District a high-quality, tuition-free education option that they may
choose for their children.
WHEREAS, the Charter School is interested in opportunities to demonstrate key
innovations that enhance the productivity of schools; that is, produce demonstrable and
measurable achievement gains; and
WHEREAS, the Charter School is subject to the provisions and limitations of the
laws of the State of Illinois and the terms of this Charter Agreement, and subject to any
limitations in the Articles of Incorporation or its bylaws, the business and affairs of the
Charter School shall be managed by and under the Charter School Board of Directors
recognized as the expressed exclusive authority and legal entity. The Charter School
Board of Directors may delegate the management of the day-to day operation of the
Charter School to other persons, provided that all corporate powers shall be exercised
under the ultimate direction of the Board of Directors.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises hereof and the mutual
covenants contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1.0. Grant of charter, name of school, and mission statement.
1.1. Grant of charter. Pursuant to Article 27A of the School Code of Illinois
the School District grants the Charter School a charter to operate the
charter school described in this Agreement and its Appendices for a period
of five (5) years.
1.2. Name of school. The school chartered pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement shall be known as the Springfield Ball Charter School.
1.3. Public school. The school chartered pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement will serve the School District and its student population as a
public school which is nonsectarian, nonreligious, non-home based, and
nonprofit (105 ILCS 5/27A-5a)
1.4. Mission statement. The mission of the Springfield Ball Charter School is
the creation of a safe, nurturing environment that fosters learning through
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the development of high-quality, research-based academic programs,
attention to the learning needs of individual children, and the involvement
of parents in their children's education.
2.0. Grade range, areas of focus, number of pupils, admissions criteria.
2.1. Grade range.
2.1.a. Charter grade range. The grade range included in the charter
shall be kindergarten through grade 8. Pre-kindergarten services
for three and four year old students may be offered given sufficient
demand for such services (see Section 2.2, Pre-Kindergarten
services).
2.1.b. School growth.
2.1.b.1. The Charter School may adjust the number of classes
offered at specific grade levels. Maximum enrollment may not
exceed four hundred eighty-eight (488) students, including pre-
Kindergarten classes.
2.1.c. Normal age at school entry.
2.1.c.1. Normal age of entry for kindergarten students will be age
five on or before September 1 of the year of enrollment.
2.1.c.2. Children reaching age five after September 1, at the
request of the parent and the discretion of the principal, may be
screened for possible early entrance into kindergarten.
2.2. Pre-kindergarten services.
2.2.a. Service offering. The Charter School reserves the right to offer
Pre-kindergarten services for three and four year old students to
include a fee-for-service model. The Charter School is committed
to the inclusion of a Pre-kindergarten program as a part of the
regular school program. Early learning opportunities for children
and their families will be developed to provide a strong foundation
for academic learning and individual self-esteem.
2.2.b. Services for "at-risk" students
2.2.b.1. The Charter School reserves the right to seek available
funding for Pre-kindergarten services for "at-risk" three and four
year old students if the Charter School qualifies for such funding.
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2.2.b.2. Students for whom such funding is received will not be
charged tuition for participation in the half day academic program.
2.2.c. Normal age at pre-kindergarten entry.
2.2.c.1. Normal age of entry for four year olds will be age four on
or before September 1 of the year of enrollment.
2.2.c.2. Normal age of entry for three year olds will be age three
on or before September 1 of the year of enrollment.
2.2.d. Additional entry criteria.
2.2.d.1. Additional entry criteria based upon developmental
standards may be developed for entering three and four year olds.
2.3. Areas of focus.
2.3a. Literacy (Reading/Language Arts). The literacy goal of the
Charter School is to provide instruction and appropriate
intervention which will result in the students meeting or exceeding
grade level Common Core State Standards. Due to the Charter
School’s strong commitment to early literacy learning, pre-
kindergarten and kindergarten sessions will include appropriate
activities which focus on the acquisition of prerequisite literacy
skills. Literacy instruction at the Primary, Intermediate, Upper
Primary and Middle Levels will continue and utilize research-
based best practices.
2.3.b. Numeracy (Arithmetic/Mathematics) The numeracy goal of the
Charter School is to provide instruction and appropriate
intervention which will result in the students meeting or exceeding
grade level Common Core State Standards. Instruction will
develop each student's ability to use mathematics to solve
problems, understand information in mathematical terms, and
apply learning in real-world applications. Numeracy instruction at
the Primary through Middle Levels will utilize research-based best
practices.
2.3.c. Multi-aged grouping. The Charter School will implement multi-
age grouping practices to better meet the needs of all learners.
Students entering a classroom will remain in that classroom
(looping) until the student progresses to the next program level.
2.3.d. Professional development time for teachers. The Charter School
is committed to providing teachers with regularly scheduled times
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to continue their professional growth through interaction with
peers, work with content consultants, and opportunities to confer
with parents.
2.4. Class size. Class size shall range from 20 to 24 students, and not exceed
24 students. This guideline may be altered at the recommendation of the
principal.
2.5. Admissions criteria.
2.5.a. School District residents. Enrollment in the Charter School shall
be open free of tuition charge to any student residing within the
legal boundaries of the School District. Selective admissions
criteria will not be used.
2.5.b. Out-of-District residents. In the case of existing spaces not filled
by students residing within the legal boundaries of the School
District, students residing outside the legal boundaries of the
School District may be offered admission to the Charter School.
The parents/guardians of such students would be required to pay
the standard out-of-District tuition assessed by the School District
in the case of such enrollment within the School District. Once so
enrolled, such out-of-District students will have the opportunity to
maintain continuous enrollment in the Charter School provided
that tuition payments shall be maintained on a current basis.
2.5.c. Student enrollment. The Charter School shall enroll students
under a nonexclusive, nondiscriminatory admissions policy in
accordance with the provisions of 105 ILCS 27A-4. During the
term of this Agreement it shall establish and implement outreach
initiatives designed to promote and maintain a student body that
generally reflects the demographic characteristics of the School
District's student population and shall annually report on such
initiatives to the School District.
2.5.d. Fees. The Charter School may charge reasonable fees for
textbooks, instructional materials, student activities, and childcare
services.
2.6. Enrollment.
2.6.a. Open enrollment.
2.6.a.1. Charter School enrollment will be open to all children
regardless of disability, race, creed, color, gender, national origin,
ancestry, or need for special education services.
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2.6.a.2. The Charter School will be open to students in
kindergarten through grade 8 should sufficient demand and
facilities exist. Pre-kindergarten services for 3 and 4 year old
students may be offered given sufficient demand for such services
(see Section 2.2 Pre-kindergarten services). Students enrolled in
grades K-8 shall be accepted for enrollment in the next ensuing
year.
2.6.b. Lottery for admission.
2.6.b.1. If there are more eligible applicants than seats within a
grade level, a lottery will be conducted to determine the successful
applicants (105 ILCS 5/27A-4).
2.6.b.2. In the case of a lottery, any applicant with siblings
enrolled in other grade levels will be given priority (105ILCS
5/27A-4h). If a lottery is held, preference will be accorded the
siblings of students whose names are drawn if those siblings are
applicants for grade levels in which a lottery will need to be held.
Subject to the sibling exception, a Pre-k student seeking to enter
kindergarten shall participate in the lottery selection process in the
same manner as any other kindergarten applicant.
2.6.b.3. Due to the court-ordered desegregation plan under which
the School District operates preference may need to be extended to
particular groups of students in order for the Charter School to
comply with the desegregation order as required by the Illinois
Charter School Law.
2.6.b.4. All remaining names within the applicant pool will be
placed on a waiting list for the appropriate grade level in the order
in which they are drawn by lottery. Such names will form a
waiting list for future vacancies during the school year.
2.6.b.5. Vacancies. Applications received after 4:00 p.m. on
January 31 of each year of this Agreement will be placed on the
appropriate grade level waiting list on a first-come/first-served
basis following the names of any applicants placed on the
corresponding waiting list by lottery. The waiting list will be used
to fill vacancies that may occur during the next school year.
2.6.b.6. Waiting lists. Waiting lists for the current school year
are dissolved at the end of each school year, except in the case of
siblings, who will remain on the waiting list in the order held at the
close of the current school year.
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2.6.b.7. Eligible siblings. “Siblings” are defined as biological or
adopted children. Adults of “siblings” must be permanent legal
guardians and living within the same household. Enrollment for
children temporarily placed in the household will be conducted
using the application and lottery process for children with no
siblings in the school.
2.6.b.8. Eligible applicants. Applications for available seats for
the next school year will be accepted through the last school
attendance day in January of the current school year. If there are
more eligible applicants than seats within a grade level, a lottery
will be conducted to determine the successful applicants and to
establish a waiting list for the next school year.
2.7. Hours of operation.
2.7.a. Student day. The Charter School will be open from 7:00 a.m. -
6:00 p.m. on a daily basis. The regular school day for students
attendance will be at least six and one half (6.5) hours for a full
day and at least two and one half (2.5) hours for half-day
attendance, with specific opening and closing times dependent
upon transportation considerations.
2.7.b. Teacher workday. The regular workday for teachers will consist
of eight (8) hours for full day sessions and four (4) hours for half-
day sessions. Exact beginning and ending times will depend upon
the scheduling of student transportation.
2.8. Calendar year. The Charter School will adopt an alternative calendar
that supports student achievement. This will include at least 180 but no
more than 200 student instruction days. In addition, time for collaborative
planning and professional development will be included in the faculty
calendar not to exceed 210 workdays. To the extent possible, the Charter
School calendar will match the School District calendar.
3.0. Address and description of the physical plant.
3.1. Address. The Charter School shall continue to occupy the site at 2530
East Ash Street in Springfield. In the event of any site change for the Charter
School, such change shall require formal approval of the Charter School, the
School District, and the Illinois State Board of Education.
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3.2. Description of the physical plant.
3.2.a. History. Originally built in 1954 as an elementary attendance
center, the Webster School site has served the School District in a
variety of capacities, including its current use as a site for the
Springfield Ball Charter School. In 2004 the Charter School in
concert with the School District undertook a $5 million facility
renovation and expansion.
3.2.b. Building description. The facility houses administrative offices,
art, music, the stage, and four (4) classrooms along with the Media
Center. The 1st floor houses the gym and gym lobby, locker
rooms, kitchen, multi-purpose room, teacher and resource rooms,
as well as eight (8) classrooms. The 2nd
floor consists of the
science lab, resource room, foreign language classroom, as well as
eight (8) classrooms. The site contains approximately 63,000
square feet of space.
3.2.c. Grounds. The site contains 10.2 acres of ground, which include
two equipped playground areas, a basketball court, a grass field,
and a baseball diamond. The grounds lend themselves to the
development of a nature study area as well as provide adequate
space for physical activities.
4.0. Consistency with declared purposes of the General Assembly.
4.1. Consistency with declared purposes of the General Assembly. The
Charter School shall operate in a manner consistent with the stated
purposes of the General Assembly as it relates to charter schools (105
ILCS 5.27A-2). Such stated purposes are as follows:
(1) To improve pupil learning by creating schools with high, rigorous
standards for pupil performance.
(2) To increase learning opportunities for all pupils with special
emphasis on expanded learning experiences for at-risk pupils. "At-
risk pupil" is defined as a pupil who, because of physical,
emotional, socioeconomic, or cultural factors, is less likely to
succeed in a conventional educational environment (105 ILCS
5.27A-3).
(3) To encourage the use of teaching methods that may be different in
some respects than others regularly used in the public school
system.
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(4) To allow the development of new, different, or alternative forms of
measuring pupil learning and achievement.
(5) To create new professional opportunities for teachers, including
the opportunity to be responsible for the learning program at the
school site.
(6) To provide parents and pupils with expanded choices within the
public school system.
(7) To encourage parental and community involvement with public
schools.
(8) To hold charter schools accountable for meeting rigorous school
content standards and to provide those schools with the
opportunity to improve accountability.
5.0. Goals, objectives, pupil, and organizational performance standards.
5.1. Compliance with state requirements. The Charter School shall comply
with the state goals, standards, and assessment requirements established
pursuant to Section 2-3.64 as required by 105 ILCS 5/27A-6(b).
5.2. Goals across academic subjects. Outcome goals for students will be
consistent with, but not limited to, the Illinois standards as adopted by the
Illinois State Board of Education.
5.3. Objectives. The principals and teaching staff will develop
standards/objectives based upon, but not limited to, Common Core State
Standards. Primary focus will be placed upon development in the areas of
literacy and numeracy.
5.4. Pupil and organizational performance standard
5.4.a. Academic standards. Expectations for student performance will
be consistent with Common Core State Standards as adopted by
the Illinois State Board of Education. The Charter School will
maintain and adapt the expectations and academic standards to
guide educational planning.
5.4.b. Pupil performance expectations.
5.4.b.1. The Charter School will maintain a Continuous
Improvement Plan that outlines the expectations of student
progress and growth.
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5.4.b.2. The Charter School will maintain a multifaceted
assessment system which will link curricular and instructional
outcomes to assessment components. The system will allow the
Charter School faculty to closely monitor the needs and progress of
students.
5.4.c. Annual School performance feedback/stakeholder evaluation.
5.4.c.1. Parent survey. The Charter School will use data derived
from a parent satisfaction survey as a measure of overall parent
satisfaction with the Charter School.
5.4.c.2. Faculty survey. The Charter School will use data derived
from Satisfaction Survey to gauge teacher satisfaction with the
Charter School.
5.4.c.3. Student survey. The Charter School will use data derived
form a student satisfaction survey as a measure of overall student
satisfaction with the Charter School.
5.4.c.4. Survey administration and results. All surveys
referenced above will be administered and the results compiled by
an external source contracted to ensure data integrity and survey
industry norms are followed.
5.4.d. Research participation. The Charter School may participate in
research studies and accreditation programs at the discretion of the
Charter School principal.
6.0. Description of educational program.
6.1. Stakeholder involvement. The Charter School shall develop and
implement programs to ensure that parents with children attending the
Charter School, together with other stakeholders, are actively engaged in
the students’ education. This will include timely, meaningful
communication between stakeholders about the educational program,
student needs and progress, respective roles and responsibilities, and
effective feedback on the results of these programs.
6.2. Curricular components.
6.2.a. Literacy (Reading/Language Arts). Teaching students to read
and to communicate their thoughts in oral and written form is of
primary concern. The Charter School will place significant
emphasis upon the needs of all readers. Core materials for reading
and writing will contain strong phonics and early literacy skills
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instruction, well written literature selections, and strong support for
the acquisition of comprehension strategies. Students will engage
in research-based literacy instruction that supports and develops
the following: higher level thinking, comprehension of challenging
texts, and meaningful writing about what is read. Additional
reading materials will be available which support and extend
student literacy learning.
6.2.b. Numeracy (Arithmetic/Mathematics). Developing each
student's ability to use mathematics to solve problems and to
understand information in mathematical terms. Research-based
instruction will include the use of hands-on activities using math
manipulatives as tools for the development of each student's
understanding of mathematical concepts. At all levels, math
instruction will focus on using mathematics to solve problems.
Math instruction at the Middle Level will prepare students to be
successful in high school programs.
6.2.c. Science/Health and Social Studies.
6.2.c.1. Integration into literacy and numeracy. The Charter
School curriculum at the Primary and Upper Primary levels will
integrate science/health and social studies content into literacy and
numeracy curriculums. While the Charter School recognizes the
value of these curricular areas, it is our belief that school curricula
for young learners should be focused upon mastery of foundational
concepts within the literacy and numeracy curriculum. Common
Core State Standards will guide curricular planning and
performance expectations along with research-based practices.
6.2.c.2. Curriculum for upper primary and middle levels. Intermediate and Middle Levels’ curriculum at the Charter School
will address science/health and social studies as discrete content
areas within the school curriculum. Common Core State Standards
standards will guide curricular planning and performance
expectations along with research-based practices.
6.2.d. Visual arts and music. All students will have the opportunity to
participate in research-based visual art and music instruction
provided by specialists in these areas. Visual art and music
curriculum will be connected to our instructional focus.
6.2.e. Physical education. All students will have the opportunity to
participate in a developmentally appropriate, research-based
physical education program. Physical education curriculum will be
connected to our instructional focus.
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6.2.f. Foreign language. The outcome goal for students who participate
in the complete research-based school program is to build a strong
foundation for listening, conversing, reading, and writing of the
foreign language, as well as exploring the culture of native
speakers. In conjunction with the literacy goal, the Charter School
will provide foreign language instruction so that all students will
have the opportunity to learn Spanish. Initial instruction will focus
on oral and verbal skills, with later instruction to include reading
and writing. Foreign language curriculum will be connected to our
instructional focus.
6.2.g. Technology. The Charter School recognizes that a pupil’s ability
to master and utilize evolving technology applications will have an
impact on their ability to function in society as a citizen as well as
impact the success of their future academic pursuits. Opportunities
for technology integration as a tool to enhance student learning
will be sought and utilized in all curricular areas.
6.3. Organizational components.
6.3.a. Extended day.
6.3.a.1. Extension of supervision. The school will be open and
will provide supervision from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., Monday
through Friday. Before and after school sessions will be available
on regular, pupil attendance days for Charter School students.
Full-day sessions will be scheduled on such weekdays that are
designated as faculty professional development days and whereby
students are not in session but except for designated state and
national holidays.
6.3.b.2. Extension of instruction. To the extent possible, the
Charter School will extend instructional support for students into
periods either before or after the regular school day. In order to
support such activities, the school will explore possible options,
which may include, but are not limited to, teacher flex-time, use of
volunteers, and fee-for-service options.
6.4. Multi-aged grouping.
6.4.a. Flexible grouping. Flexible grouping structures will be used to
provide skills-based instruction. The majority of students should be
served within their own classroom setting. However, a student
whose literacy and/or numeracy achievement falls outside the
norm for his/her class may be grouped with students in another
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classroom if such placement is appropriate and in the best interest
of the student.
6.4.b. Grade level structure. Classroom groupings will be multiaged,
covering up to two (2) grade levels depending upon the numbers
and needs of students.
6.5. Adult learners. The Charter School believes that in order to meet the
goal of continuous progress for student learners, adults within the school
setting should have the opportunity to model and participate in lifelong
learning opportunities.
6.5.a. Principal professional development. Professional development
opportunities for the principal will be provided, as appropriate,
through the School District and/or other providers. The Charter
School principal will be an active participant in teacher
professional development activities as well.
6.5.b. Teacher professional development.
6.5.b.1. Opportunities for participation. Continuous
improvement of instructional quality will be addressed through a
comprehensive teacher development program. Teachers will
participate in professional development opportunities provided
prior to the beginning of student attendance in the fall of the year
and on an ongoing basis throughout the school year. When
appropriate, Charter School and School District personnel may
participate in joint professional development opportunities.
6.5.b.2. Professional development time. To assist teachers in
continually improving the instructional program, professional
development will include frequent and regular periods designed to
provide continuing teacher support, opportunities for teacher
collaboration and joint planning, and assessment of the impact of
innovations on student achievement. These opportunities will be
scheduled during the school day without decreasing students’
instructional time. Additional teacher in-service half days or full
days may be scheduled as needed.
6.5.c. Staff development. Charter School staff members, other than
teachers, may be provided the opportunity to participate in training
sessions pertinent to their employment.
6.5.d. Parent education. The Charter School may provide such parent
education programs as are deemed appropriate by the parent
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stakeholder group. The Charter School will actively encourage and
seek parental involvement in the education of their children.
7.0. Evaluation and assessment.
An evaluation plan has been developed to provide data which will identify student
progress, be used as a part of the evaluation of the Charter School's effectiveness,
and as the basis for continuous improvement of the school's program.
7.1. Assessment of student learning.
7.1.a. Diagnostic tools. Charter School faculty will conduct appropriate
and ongoing diagnostic assessments to identify specific student
needs and instructional levels.
7.1.b. Student achievement. Assessment tools will include portfolios
and performance assessments. In addition, student progress will be
documented on a written learning continuum.
7.1.c. Continuous progress. The Charter School believes that the goal
of continuous progress for all learners should constitute the
foundation for analysis of student achievement. In support of
continuous progress, the Charter School will use an internal
assessment system and develop work sampling and portfolio
systems for all learners.
7.1.d. Objective tests. Assessments will be used throughout the year to
determine mastery of curriculum objectives. Such assessments
may include text publisher instruments, teacher-developed tests,
and test instruments from other sources which provide appropriate
diagnostic and mastery information.
7.1.e. Internal assessment system. The Charter School will use an
assessment system that will link curricular and instructional
outcomes to assessment components. The system will allow the
Charter School faculty to closely monitor the needs and progress of
students.
7.1.f. Standardized achievement tests. The Charter School will
administer an annual standardized achievement test. The Charter
School reserves the right to adopt additional test instruments and to
schedule the use of such assessment instruments in order to meet
the needs of the Charter School and its students.
7.1.g. Illinois required assessment. Assessment instruments as required
by Illinois School Code will be administered to all students
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according to the schedule required by the Illinois State Board of
Education.
7.1.h. Peer institution comparison. The Charter School will use local,
regional and national comparisons of other schools as a basis to
compare overall school performance in relation to the performance
of others.
7.2. Reporting of student performance/progress to parents. The written
continuum and parent/teacher conferences will be used to set goals for and
to assess student achievement and progress. Student-led conferences will
be used yearly.
7.3. Reporting of evaluation and assessment. The Charter School shall
include in its Annual Status Report to the School District Board of
Education a summary of the data collected in the evaluation plan (see
Section 8.3.c. for a description of the contents of the Annual Status
Report).
7.4. School District time line. The Charter School will use and adapt the
School District's time line for the achievement of pupil performance
expectations. The adoption of the School District time line for the
achievement of pupil performance expectations does not limit the Charter
School from developing additional or more rigorous expectations for
achievement of the time line.
7.5. Additional support for student needs.
7.5.a. At-risk students. The Charter School will consider a variety of
interventions for students who either fall below curriculum
standards at grade level or who have difficulties which hinder their
continuous progress and development. The appropriate
intervention for individual students may be determined by the
principal, faculty, and parents following a joint review of student
outcomes and appropriate diagnostic assessments. Interventions
may include, but are not limited to tutoring, the use of alternative
instructional methods, and/or the use of alternative instructional
materials. Progress will be measured by multiple assessment
forms.
7.5.b. Stability for mobile populations. Due to the unique nature of the
Charter School, children may attend from any geographic location
within the School District. Many "at-risk" children live in families
who frequently change residence and consequently school
attendance sites. The Charter School will be able to provide a
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stable school attendance site not only during a single school year,
but also throughout the crucial early years of a child's education.
7.5.c. Student as an individual. The Charter School is committed to
maximizing the opportunity to learn for all students who attend. In
order to create such a learning environment, the Charter School
will provide:
(a) a strong academic program for learners based upon
research and best practice. The school will focus on early
intervention and prevention rather than remediation.
(b) an atmosphere which is accepting of individual differences
and works to find ways which will allow each learner to be
successful.
(c) opportunities for students to participate in multiaged
settings and flexible grouping practices which support
continuous student learning.
(d) extended learning opportunities and enrichment activities
that provide students with opportunities to study alternative
subject matter or examines subjects with a more in depth
instructional focus than possible during the normal
academic year.
8.0 Financial issues.
8.1 Economic soundness.
8.1.a. Receipt of funding.
8.1.a.1. The School District shall pay the Charter School with the
following schedule for each Charter School student enrolled in
Kindergarten through Grade 8:
School Year % of per capita Paid Enrollment
2013-2014 75% 378
2014-2015 75% 378
2015-2016 75% 378
2016-2017 75%* 396**
2017-2018 75%* 414**
In no event shall the payment per student during any year hereof be
less than the floor, as established by the foregoing schedule, of the
School District’s then current per capita student tuition rate nor
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more than 90 percent of the School District’s then current per
capita student tuition rate.
*The Floor will increase to 80% in FY17 if full GSA funding is
restored.
** The paid enrollment increase is contingent upon restoration of
full GSA funding.
8.1.a.2. The Charter School shall receive from the School District
the proportionate share of monies generated under other federal or
state categorical aid programs (105 ILCS 27A-1 l(c).
8.1.b. External funding. The Charter School will actively seek
additional funding, including grants and donations for the purpose
of developing educational resources.
8.2 Proposed budget. The projected budget for the Charter School is
provided as Appendix A.
8.3 Reporting.
8.3.a. Fiscal year. The fiscal year of the Charter School shall be July 1
to June 30 until such a time as the School District adopts a new
fiscal year. In such an event the Charter School shall change its
fiscal year to match that of the School District.
8.3.b. Annual audit. An annual audit of the operation of the Charter
School, including any services provided by the School District,
shall be performed within ninety (90) days after the conclusion of
each fiscal year by a certified public accountant. A copy of the
annual audit report shall be provided to the School District by the
Charter School no more than thirty (30) days after it is received in
the offices of the Charter School.
8.3.c. Annual status report. The Charter School shall provide the
School District with a written status report which shall include, but
not be limited to, student achievement data, student attendance
data, student suspension and expulsion data, any substantive
modifications to the educational program, and the membership of
the Board of Directors and Charter School Instructional Leadership
Team.
8.3.d. Transmission of data to the School District. The Charter School
agrees to the timely transmission of such data to the School
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District as is necessary for the compilation of District reports
necessary for receipt of state aid and other state or federal funds.
8.4. Services provided by the School District.
8.4.a. Specific services. The School District agrees to provide the
Charter School with food services and transportation services
throughout the term of the charter. Other services may be
purchased by the Charter School upon such terms as are negotiated
by the parties.
8.4.b. Lease of 2530 East Ash Street facility. The Charter School and
School District Boards shall enter into an agreement for lease of
the School District’s facility at 2530 East Ash Street. The
agreement shall provide terms and conditions by which the Charter
School shall comply with during its occupancy of the facility.
Once approved, the lease will be attached to this Charter
Agreement as Appendix B.
8.4.c. Special education services. Except as otherwise agreed by the
parties, the Charter School shall employ special education
instructional and/or support staff with the prior approval of the
School District’s Director of Special Education Services. The
School District shall reimburse the Charter School for costs
incurred in the provision of special education services, provided
that the parties shall negotiate a mutually acceptable remedy in the
event the costs of providing services to any individual student shall
exceed 125 percent of the average costs incurred by the District for
serving all special education students.
8.4.d. Alternative education services. In the event a student from Ball
Charter School is expelled and alternative educational services are
provided for that student within District 186, then a pro-rated
funding amount based on the length of expulsion will be
transferred from Ball Charter to District 186 in support of
alternative educational services.
9.0. Governance.
9.1. Board of Directors.
9.1.a. Powers and duties of the Board of Directors.
9.1.a.1. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for the
operation of the Charter School on the terms specified within the
agreement between the Charter School and the School District.
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9.1.a.2. The duties of the Board of Directors shall include the
following:
(1) To certify the appointed members of the Board of
Directors.
(2) To conduct regular meetings as provided within the
Charter.
(3) To select and appoint officers of the Board of Directors.
(4) To select and appoint Legal Counsel for the Charter
School.
(5) To select a Principal for the Charter School and vest in
such office the necessary authority and appropriate
personnel to carry out the mission of the Charter School.
(6) To adopt policy to facilitate the operation of the Charter
School.
(7) To take action after consultation with and considering the
recommendations of the principal regarding:
(a) The employment, promotion, suspension, or
dismissal of personnel.
(b) The purchase, lease, or other acquisition of property
and construction and repair of buildings as may be
necessary for the use of the Charter School.
(c) The adoption of an annual budget as provided by
the Charter School Law.
(d) The proposal of amendments to the Charter as
provided under the terms of the Charter School
agreement.
(8) To perform such other duties as are provided by law and
the terms of the Charter School agreement.
9.1.a.3. Bylaws. The Board of Directors shall be further governed
by the Bylaws of Ball Charter Schools as filed with the Illinois
Secretary of State and attached as Appendix C.
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9.1.b. Composition of the Board of Directors.
9.1.b.1. Voting members. The Board of directors will be
comprised of seven (7) voting members. Two (2) members of the
Charter School Board shall be parents of Charter School students
with one (1) being a parent of a K-4 student at the time of
appointment and one (1) being a parent of a 5-8 student at the time
of appointment. Three (3) members shall be appointed by the
School District, with two (2) members chosen from the community
and one (1) from District 186 staff. Two (2) additional members
shall be community appointees chosen by the Charter School.
Charter School faculty and staff shall not be eligible for
appointment to the Charter School Board. The Board of Directors
shall adopt rules and procedures regarding the filling of Board
vacancies.
9.1.b.2. Ex Officio member. The principal or his/her designee
shall serve as an ex officio member of the Board of Directors.
9.1.c. Terms of office of the members of the Board of Directors
Certification of Appointment. A member of the Board of
Directors shall have a term of three years on the Charter School
Board. The staggering of terms will be determined by drawing lots
based upon the composition of the 2008-2009 Board of Directors.
9.1.d. Meetings of the Board of Directors.
9.1.d.1. The Board of Directors will meet at least four (4) times
per year with the regular annual meeting being held in accordance
with the Bylaws.
9.1.d.2. The regular time and place of such meetings will be
established by the Board of Directors and posted in accordance
with the Illinois Open Meetings Act.
9.1.e. Officers of the Board of Directors.
9.1.e.1. President. The Board of Directors shall elect a President
who shall be a member of the Board of Directors and shall perform
such other duties as may be prescribed by law, by the Charter
Schools agreement, or by policies of the Board.
9.1.e.2. Vice President. The Board of Directors shall elect a Vice
President who shall be a member of the Board of Directors and
perform all other duties as may be prescribed to the President in his
or her absence.
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9.1.e.3. Secretary. The Board of Directors shall elect a Secretary
who shall be a member of the Board and shall present at each
regular meeting the minutes of the preceding meeting.
9.1.e.4. Treasurer. The Board of Directors shall appoint a
treasurer who shall, in conjunction with appropriate staff of the
Charter School, ensure the preparation and maintenance of a true
and accurate account of all revenues and expenditures of the
Charter School. The Treasurer shall present a report of such
revenue and expenditures for each meeting of the Board of
Directors, and other reports necessary for the Board to perform
effective oversight of the financial operation of the Charter School.
9.2. Illinois Freedom of Information Act. The Board of Directors of the
Charter School will abide by the provisions of the Illinois Freedom of
Information Act as provided in 105 ILCS 5/27A-5(c) of the Charter
Schools Law.
9.3. Illinois Open Meetings Act. The Board of Directors of Charter School
will abide by the provisions of the Illinois Open Meetings Act as provided
in 105 ILCS 5/27A-5(c) of the Charter Schools Law.
9.4 General Not for Profit Corporation Act of 1986. The Springfield Ball
Charter School is organized under the General Not for Profit Corporation
of 1986 of the State of Illinois (805 ILCS 105/). This corporation shall
hold, and may exercise, all such powers as may be conferred a not-for-
profit corporation by the laws of the State of Illinois and as may be
necessary or expedient for the administration of the affairs and attainment
of the purposes of the corporation.
9.5. Site- based leadership.
9.5.a. Site-based management. A site-based management process will
be implemented within the Charter School to provide the basic
process for decision-making and support for continuous
improvement activities. The Charter School shall develop and
implement a plan, subject to review and approval of the Board of
Directors, which will allow stakeholders to review and comment
on policies and decisions of the Charter School.
10.0. Relationship with employees.
10.1. Statement of nondiscrimination in hiring. The Charter School will
comply with all federal and state laws and constitutional provisions
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prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability, race, creed, color,
gender, national origin, religion, ancestry, or marital status.
10.2. Criminal background investigations. In accordance with Section 10-
21.9 of the School Code of Illinois, criminal background investigations
will be conducted for applicants for employment (105 ILCS 5/27A-
5(g)(1)).
10.3. Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity
Act. The Charter School will comply with the Local Governmental and
Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act as provided by the Charter
Schools Law (105 ILCS 5/27A-5(g)(3)).
10.4. Employment. The Charter School will employ such persons or services
as are necessary for the instruction of students and for the provision of
building operation and maintenance services.
10.5. Employee rights. The Charter School recognizes the right of employees
to representation by a bargaining unit as specified in the Charter Schools
Law (105 ILCS 5/27A-7(a)(11)).
10.6. Compensation. The Charter School is committed to providing a
competitive compensation package for faculty and staff. Compensation
packages will be based upon available resources, education and experience
levels, and terms of the collective bargaining agreement between the
Charter School and SBCSEA.
10.7. Group health insurance/dental. Effective June 1, 2013, any eligible
Charter School employee may elect to participate in the School District's
group health and dental insurance program. The Charter School hereby
indemnifies and holds the School District harmless from any premium
charges for participating employees.
11.0. Legal liability and insurance coverage.
The Charter School will provide evidence of all necessary legal liability and
insurance coverage either through inclusion within the policies held by the School
District or through purchase of such policies from an appropriate carrier.
12.0. Effective date and term of charter.
12.1. Effective date and term of charter. The charter granted in this
Agreement will be effective July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2018. The term
of the Charter shall be five (5) years. The Charter School may submit a
renewal proposal to the School District as provided within the Charter
Schools Law (105 ILCS 5/27A-9)).
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13.0. Amendment.
This Agreement may be amended only by mutual written agreement of the
parties.
14.0. Assignment.
This Agreement may not be assigned by either party without prior written consent
of the other.
15.0. Additional limitations as required by statute.
15.1. Court-ordered desegregation plan. This Agreement does not alter or
amend the court-ordered desegregation plan in effect in the School District
(105 ILCS 5/27A-4(a)).
15.2. Health and safety requirements. The Charter School shall comply with
all applicable health and safety requirements applicable to public schools
in the State of Illinois (105 ILCS 5/27A-5(d)).
15.3. Student discipline. The Charter School shall comply with Section 24-24
of the School Code regarding discipline of students.
15.4. The Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. The Charter School
will abide by the provisions of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting
Act as provided in 105 ILCS 5/27A-5(g)(5).
15.5. The Illinois Students Records Act. The Charter School will abide by the
provisions of the Illinois Student Records Act as provided in 105 ILCS
5/27A-5(g)(6).
16.0. Agreement reopener.
Recognizing that the School District's projected revenues from the State of Illinois
are uncertain and that pension reform legislation could materially impact the
School District's expenses during the term hereof, the parties hereto acknowledge
and agree that the School District may elect to reopen any economic term or
condition of this Agreement, or the School District's provision of any service to
the Charter School hereunder, by giving written notice to the Charter School's
Board of Directors between July 1 and December 31 of any year during the term
hereof. Upon receipt of such notice, the parties shall schedule a meeting within
15 business days to commence negotiations of any reopener item identified in the
School District's notice to the Charter School. Negotiations for amended terms
shall thereafter proceed in good faith until agreement is reached, and the terms of
such agreement shall take effect as of the start of the next fiscal year or such other
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date as established by the parties, subject to State Board certification of any
material contract revision pursuant to Section 27A-6(e) of the Charter Schools
Law.
17.0. General provisions.
This Agreement is to be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of the State of Illinois.
This Agreement embodies the entire understanding of the parties and shall
supersede all previous communications between the parties, either verbal or written,
relating to this Agreement.
Springfield School District No. 186
By:_______________________________
President, Board of Education
Attest:_____________________________
Springfield Ball Charter School
By:_______________________________
President, Board of Directors
Attest:_____________________________
3/13/2013\dlw\F:\ELG\SCHOOLS\DIST. 186\BALL CHARTER\CHARTER SCHOOL AGREEMENT - MARCH 12 2013.DOC