RCS Request for Charter School Proposals

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• The Russellville City Board of Education (RCBOE) welcomes charter school applications built around fresh, well-considered ideas. We encourage new and innovative approaches that help us reach our mission and strategic goals, and we want prospective applicants to understand what "innovative" means to us in practice, not just in principle. Below is more detail on the types of charter applications we are most interested in receiving.

  We are especially drawn to models that rethink how and when students learn. Applications proposing personalized or flexible learning approaches, such as competency-based progression, self-paced coursework, or blended and hybrid instructional models, are of strong interest to the Board, particularly where they are paired with a clear plan for measuring student mastery and growth.

  We also want to hear from applicants building strong bridges between the classroom and the workforce. Charter proposals centered on STEM education, career and technical education (CTE), dual enrollment, apprenticeships, or partnerships with local employers and industry are a priority for RCBOE, as we work to ensure Russellville students graduate with both academic readiness and real-world skills.

  RCBOE places particular value on charter models designed to serve students who have not been well served by traditional structures. This includes schools built specifically for at-risk students, English learners, gifted and advanced learners, or students facing other barriers to success. We are looking for applicants who can clearly articulate the specific population they intend to serve and the evidence-based approach they will use to serve that population well.

  Finally, we welcome proposals that bring genuinely new thinking to school design and culture, whether that means project-based or expeditionary learning, arts- or design-integrated curricula, nontraditional scheduling, or innovative governance and staffing structures. What matters most to the Board is not novelty for its own sake, but a coherent educational model with a clear rationale for why this particular approach will improve outcomes for Russellville students.

  Applicants do not need to fit neatly into a single category above. Some of the strongest proposals combine elements from several of these areas. What we ask is that every application demonstrates a thoughtful, well-researched design and a genuine commitment to expanding what is possible for students in our community.

   

   

An evaluation team will complete the initial review of the charter application to determine if the applicant has met all the requirements to be considered for full review. Incomplete petitions will not be considered for the current cycle and must be resubmitted in a subsequent annual application round.  If the application is determined to be complete, the charter application will move on to Step 2.  If the application is not complete, the review process will terminate, and the applicant will be issued a denial letter with the reason and area of incompleteness noted.

This review will be completed by review team members specific to each area of the application. The applications will be reviewed for program innovation, a demonstrably effective curriculum and academic plan, cultural responsiveness, solid financial planning, depth and breadth of community support, evidence of strong academic leadership and an effective board, and carefully designed accountability measures.

If determined necessary, additional persons with particular expertise may be invited to review specific areas of the application to assist in creating a thorough application process review.

A Capacity Interview will be scheduled for each applicant where the review team will ask clarifying questions. The number of people to be interviewed and to be present at the capacity interview is determined by the applicant group. Please limit the number of face-to-face members to no more than ten, if possible. In addition to a capacity interview, a public hearing will be held where the applicant will make a presentation to the Board and the public concerning the proposed charter school.

Please be mindful that during the course of the review process, there may be requests to provide clarifying information via email, virtual, or face-to-face meetings.

The team will then submit the application(s), completed scored rubric, and details of the discussions from the full review to the Superintendent for final review. The Superintendent will then present the application to the Russellville City Board of Education for final review and approval or denial.

The board may, pursuant to Alabama Act 2015-03, approve or deny the application within 60 days of the submission of a complete application, by a resolution adopted at a public meeting of the Board. Should the petition be approved, a charter contract will be drafted and executed. This performance contract will be based upon the criteria established in the performance management framework as well as any school-specific criteria agreed upon by the petitioner and the district. Should the petition be approved conditionally, all conditions must be met by the petitioner before a contract may be drafted. Should the petition be denied, RCS will clearly state, for public record, the reason for denial.