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The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education

Proposed Contract with Education Management Organizations (EMO) for Lowell Collegiate Charter School

To:
Members of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
From:
Mitchell D. Chester, Ed.D., Commissioner
Date:
May 10, 2013

At its meeting in February 2012, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (Board) granted a charter to the board of trustees of the Lowell Collegiate Charter School which intends to enter into a contract with Springfield Education Management, LLC, to procure substantially all educational services. Springfield Education Management also currently manages charter schools in two of our highest need districts in Massachusetts, the SABIS International Charter School, a K-12 school in Springfield, and the Holyoke Community Charter School, a K-8 school. Springfield Education Management, LLC, is a wholly owned subsidiary of SABIS® Educational Systems, Inc. (SABIS), a for-profit education management organization (EMO).

Under the charter school statute, G.L. c. 71, § 89(k)(5), the Board must approve contracts between charter schools and entities from which they intend to procure substantially all educational services. Prior to Board action, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department) reviews the technical and legal aspects of all proposed contracts. The school's board has worked in concert with Department staff to strengthen the proposed contract, which was submitted with the original charter application, and address all of the required elements. The Department has reviewed the final revised contract and it is reasonable and consistent with the charter school statute and regulations as well as Department guidance. The contract includes a delineation of the roles and responsibilities of the EMO and the school; a description of how the board of trustees of the charter school(s) will monitor the academic performance and fiscal activity of the school; performance evaluation measures, including those for student academic performance; the total fee paid for management services; a description of the payment structure; delineation of authority over hiring and firing; and the conditions and procedures for the contract's renewal and termination.

I recommend that the Board vote to approve the contract. A motion for this approval is attached.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Cliff Chuang, Associate Commissioner (781-338-3222); Jeff Wulfson, Deputy Commissioner (781-338-6500); or me.

Attachment:

 
Motion
Download PDF Document
LCCS EMO Contract