I.            Overview

On August 1, 2011, the Department of Charter Schools received an application from Mavericks High of Metro Palm Beach County to open a charter school in the School District of Palm Beach County in August, 2012.

The mission of Mavericks High of Metro Palm Beach County is, “to provide students who have dropped out or are in danger of dropping out an innovative education solution to earn a high school diploma.  Our school is committed to providing an individualized, rigorous, self-paced, technology-enhanced curriculum that prepares students to earn a high school diploma.  Our school is dedicated to helping students successfully transition from high school to post secondary opportunities such as employment, college, military or vocational/technical school.”

Its application was written utilizing the Model Florida Charter School Application (see Exhibit “A”).  Thereafter, designated School District of Palm Beach County (“District”) reviewers evaluated their application using the "Florida Charter School Application Instrument" (see Exhibit "B"). 

The District’s staff reviewers of charter school applications were trained how to evaluate the Model Florida Charter School Application utilizing the Florida Charter School Application Evaluation Instrument on May 16, 2011 (see Exhibit “C”).

The District’s charter application process was explained to applicants during the New Applicants’ Workshop held on May 27, 2011 (see Exhibit “D”).  The applicant was invited and did attend.

A review of the application was conducted using the required Florida Charter School Application Evaluation Instrument.

II.            Projected Enrollment

First Year         9-12     400 Projected Enrollment

Second Year    9-12     500 Projected Enrollment

Third Year       9-12     550 Projected Enrollment

Fourth Year     9-12     550 Projected Enrollment

Fifth Year        9-12     550 Projected Enrollment

III.            Education Program Design

The Educational Program Design at Mavericks High of Metro Palm Beach County is Traditional, similar to that offered at other high schools in Palm Beach County.

IV.            Location

To be determined.  (See Charter Schools Location Map attached.)

V.            Applicant’s Founding Governing Board

Two of the three Founding Board members are local.

VI.            District’s Reviewers Evaluation Ratings of Mavericks High of Metro Palm Beach County’s Application

Designated District staff reviewed the 19 sections of Mavericks High of Metro Palm Beach County’s application that were uploaded for the Board Meeting for November 22, 2011.  Each section of the Evaluation Instrument received one of the following ratings:  Meets the Standard, Partially Meets the Standard, or Does Not Meet the Standard. 

There were two evaluations of this application.  After the first evaluation, Mavericks High of Metro Palm Beach County had 16 of 19 sections that received a rating of (Meets the Standard), 3 sections received a rating of (Partially Meets the Standard) Section 5 – Assessment; Section 7 – English Language Learners; Section 9 - Governance, 0 sections received a rating of (Does Not Meet the Standard).  Pursuant to F.S.1002.33(6),  “Before approving or denying any application, the sponsor shall allow the applicant, upon receipt of written notification, at least 7 calendar days to make technical or non-substantive corrections and clarifications, including, but not limited to, corrections of grammatical, typographical, and like errors or missing signatures, if such errors are identified by the sponsor as cause to deny the application”.  These documents were emailed to the applicant group on September 29, 2011 and sent certified mail on September 29, 2011. (See Exhibit “E”) 

Mavericks High of Metro Palm Beach County then submitted additional information that cured the concerns that were outlined in Exhibit E. (See Exhibit “F”)

After the second evaluation, all 19 sections received a rating of “Meets the Standards”. (See Exhibit “G”)  Per the Overall Assessment Summary/Checklist, the ratings indicated that their application did meet the statutory requirement set forth in F.S. 1002.33(6).

The charter school applicant did not provide the District an extension of time to vote upon its application.   (See Exhibit “H”)

The communication advising the charter school applicant of this Board meeting is attached as Exhibit “I”.

*** A copy of Mavericks High of Metro Palm Beach County’s revised 850 page Application is available for review in the Board Office.

Applicant's Name: Mavericks High of Metro PBC  Grades: 9-12 

Florida Charter School Application Evaluation Instrument

Each section presents criteria for a response that meets the standard and these criteria should guide the overall rating for the section.  The Strengths and Weaknesses boxes provide space to identify data and other evidence that supports the rating.  The rationale for each rating is important, especially if some of the data or evidence does not fit neatly into the criteria provided.

The following definitions should guide the ratings:

Meets the Standard:                                                     The response reflects a thorough understanding of key issues and demonstrates capacity to open and operate a quality charter school.  It addresses the topic with specific and accurate information that shows thorough preparation and presents a clear, realistic picture of how the school expects to operate.

Partially Meets the Standard:                              The response addresses most of the criteria, but the responses lack meaningful detail and require important additional information.

Does Not Meet the Standard:                              The response lacks meaningful detail; demonstrates lack of preparation; or otherwise raises substantial concerns about the applicant’s understanding of the issue in concept and/or ability to meet the requirement in practice

                                                           

OVERALL ASSESSEMENT/CHECKLIST

          

2^nd Evaluation Summary of Reviewers’ Comments as of September 23, 2011

	Section 1 Mission	Section 2 Population	Section 3 Education	Section 4 Curriculum	Section 5 Assessment	Section 6 ESE/504	Section 7 ELL
Meet Standards	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Partially Meet Standards
Does Not Meet Standards
	Section 8 Climate	Section 9 Governance	Section 10 Management	Section 11 ESP	Section 12 Employment	Section 13 Parent	Section 14 Recruitment
Meet Standards	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Partially Meet Standards
Does Not Meet Standards
	Section 15 Facilities	Section 16 Transportation	Section 17 Food Service	Section 18 Budget	Section 19 Finance
Meet Standards	X	X	X	X	X
Partially Meet Standards
Does Not Meet Standards