High Point Academy Spartanburg An Applied Learning School

Level III Disciplinary Consequences
• Detention Hall

• Denial of privileges – i.e. field trips, recess, parties

• Emergency Removal from school

• Home-Based Instruction (HBI) - no more than 3 consecutive days or 6 days per semester

• In-School Suspension (ISS)

• Referral to law enforcement agencies

• Restitution/Restoration

• Saturday School

• Suspension – no more than 3 consecutive days or 6 days per semester

• Special Education Student – refer to Individual Education Plan (IEP)

• Section 504, if applicable, review Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)
Any other disciplinary action deemed appropriate by the administrator.
Level IV Disciplinary Consequences
• Confiscation of inappropriate article

• Denial of privileges – i.e. field trips, recess, parties

• Expulsion

• Withdrawal from HIGH POINT ACADEMY SPARTANBURG

• In-School Suspension (ISS)

• Referral to appropriate law enforcement agency

• Restitution/Restoration

• Home-Based Instruction

• Special Education Student – refer to Individual Education Plan (IEP)

• Section 504, if applicable, review Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)

Any other disciplinary action deemed appropriate by the administrator

OFFENSES WARRANTING IMMEDIATE EXPULSION
Offenses that warrant immediate expulsion include, but are not limited to:
• Engaging in conduct punishable as a felony

• Engaging in conduct that contains the elements of the offense of assault or terrorist threat

• Conduct that contains the element of retaliation against any school employee
Any student who brings a firearm to school will be removed according to state law.

Decisions by the Board of Directors which uphold expelling or withdrawing a student requires an immediate withdrawal from HIGH POINT ACADEMY SPARTANBURG. HIGH POINT ACADEMY SPARTANBURG shall send notice of removal of a student to the school district where the student would normally attend.

APPEAL PROCESS
A student may appeal an expulsion decision to the Board of Trustees and Administrative Representative. The Board has final decision concerning the actions of expulsion and decision imposed.
ASSURANCES
High Point Academy will comply with the S.C. Code Ann. 59-63-235, which provides for the expulsion of any student who brings a firearm to school;
High Point Academy will comply with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. 1232)


9. Governance and Operation

The governing board of High Point Academy is elected every even year. Both employees and parents have a vote for the school board elections. If a parent has more than one child enrolled, they receive one vote per child based on the number of their children enrolled in the school. School board elections will occur in May. This offers the new board members a transitioning time with the old board members, creating continuity for the school. The new members will be trained prior to September 1^st of the new school year.

In order for a candidate to be allowed to run, they must first fill out a candidate application form and go through an interview process with the board. A position on the school board requires tireless effort, no pay, and continued service. All potential candidates must first turn in a Statement of Candidacy, a Statement of Economic Interest, and a Loyalty Oath. This allows proper screening of potential board members to ensure there are no previous felonies, as well as explaining that all service to the school board is volunteer with no expectation of remuneration.

Upon the completion of these documents and an interview, a candidate will be allowed to be placed on a ballot to run for a school board position. As specified in the bylaws, fifty percent of the individuals must have a background in K-12 education or in business and can remain on the board as assigned by the majority. At least fifty percent of the board must be elected by the parents of students enrolled in the charter school and employees on staff.

An election will occur in an evening school wide meeting with all members present who wish to cast a vote. Absentee ballots that are registered will be accepted prior to the school wide meeting. No absentee ballots received after the evening meeting will be accepted. Each family unit (parent/parents) receives the number of votes that is equal to the number of students that are enrolled and attend High Point. A registered ballot will be made for each family. Upon their arrival they may pick up their ballot to cast the allotted number of votes that have been predetermined for them on their standardized ballot. All ballots will be turned into the designated page and counted during the meeting. Results of the election will be given that night. Any ties between candidates will be decided by a ballot vote that night.

The charter planning committee will be dissolved after the election and training of the first school board. The new board will receive training by November 1 of the first school year. The charter planning committee will then officially be dissolved and the new school board will assume its inaugural leadership and duties. Currently the charter planning committee consists of BK Vernon (Former South Carolina SBE Member), Martha Axmann (Retired Public School Teacher), David Wells (Minister of Music), Bill Wynn (Lawyer), Aubrey Dillard (Business Owner), Ashleigh Asper (Business Owner), Mary Jane Wells (Retired Fundraiser) and Lori Manning (Certified Teacher and Former Charter School Administrator). Any board member that is hired to be a worker in the school will be replaced through an election in September 2014.

The High Point Academy school board will have the authority to develop policies, make decisions, and execute each of the following responsibilities:

1. 
   employing and contracting with teachers and nonteaching employees;
   
2. 
   ensuring that all certified personnel, teachers, and noncertified teachers undergo background checks and other investigations before they are employed in the school;
   
3. 
   contracting for other services including, but not limited to, transportation, accounting, and legal;
   
4. 
   developing pay scales, performance criteria, and discharging policies for its employees, including the school’s administrator;
   
5. 
   deciding all other matters related to the school’s operation, including budgeting, curriculum, and operating procedures; and
   
6. 
   ensuring that the school will adhere to the same health, safety, civil rights, and disability rights requirements applicable to all public schools operating in the same district.
   

High Point Academy and its governing body will comply with the Freedom of Information Act. All records are public information with the exception of the following:

Exemption (b)(1) - National Security Information

Exemption (b)(2) - Internal Personnel Rules and Practices

"High" (b)(2) - Substantial internal matters, disclosure would risk circumvention of a legal requirement

"Low" (b)(2) - Internal matters that are essentially trivial in nature.

Exemption (b)(3) - Information exempt under other laws

Exemption (b)(4) - Confidential Business Information

Exemption (b)(5) - Inter or intra agency communication that is subject to deliberative process, litigation, and other privileges

Exemption (b)(6) - Personal Privacy

Exemption (b)(7) - Law Enforcement Records that implicate one of 6 enumerated concerns

Exemption (b)(8) - Financial Institutions

Exemption (b)(9) - Geological Information

Student records and administrative records that involve privacy issues for students or staff will not be open to public viewing. Board meeting and minutes can be viewed by the public. However, closed session meetings, are not available for public viewing.

Board meetings will occur nine times yearly. The annual meeting to close business for the year will be in May. Every even year newly elected board members will be included in this meeting during a transitioning period and training. Additional Board meetings will be in August and January. According to the High Point Academy bylaws, Section 2 states, a special meeting can be requested by a school administrator or board member.

The lead administrator will participate in all board meetings and help to promote the mission of the school. The lead administrator will be responsible for the academic, discipline, and financial decisions in the school. The board will allow this leader the freedom to make decisions as to the everyday workings of the school. The administrator bridges the gap between the board and the staff/student body. The board is responsible for policy and the administrator is responsible for the methodology and implementation of the policy.

The Board will have the responsibility to hire/fire the lead administrator.

The sponsoring district, SCPCSD, is not held liable for any decisions made by the High Point Academy board and leadership.

10. Parent and Community Involvement

High Point Academy intends to reach a diverse population of students for the school. We have set-up booths at local festivals, events, and sporting activities. Also, we currently are having community informational meetings and running ads in the paper. High Point is using the local non-profit organizations to help spread the word of a coming charter school. Through the head start organization, we are planning on reaching many Title I families that long for a choice in educating their family, but have few options. It is our specific plan to include a flyer drive where families and supporters will wear t-shirts and walk the neighborhood of targeted communities to pass out flyers door to door. We want to create excitement and interest in the community for the opportunity that High Point brings to the greater Spartanburg area.

Giving students and parents a chance to participate in creating something from nothing allows them to take ownership in a new project that they can call their own. These families will be called “Founding Families,” which instills pride and excitement as the school takes form and begins to function. Strong leadership to promote a TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More) atmosphere lets a few individuals build into a large group and then grow into a thriving community and successful educational institution.

Parents and teachers are given a voice in the representation of the school board. They are allowed one vote per employee and a vote for every student enrolled in the school. Eligible parents, community members, and founders that choose to run for board membership will represent the voices of the High Point families. By law we cannot require a parent to be a volunteer for HPA in exchange for school entrance. However, we believe that by promoting service opportunities and having our students do community projects, our parents will follow suit and begin to make a difference in the lives of those around them. We will require volunteering service hours of families that choose to participate in the free after school program. Requiring these hours (5 hours per year) to participate in the free after school program is a small payment to give and yet helps establish ownership and relationship with otherwise absent families.

High Point Academy hopes to have a PTO on site. This will enable parents and teachers alike to participate in day to day activities and fundraising for the school. Also, all parents and teachers are given an equal opportunity to cast their vote in the election of board members. Any citizen from the community can choose to run for a board position.

Partnerships within the community are important for the success of a new school. The State School for the Deaf and Blind, local community colleges, Palmetto En Pointe, Good Housekeeping Real Estate along with other businesses have agreed to support the progress of High Point Academy. The individuals established among these businesses are seeking to be change agents within their community. An additional business that has been monetarily supportive of the High Point dream is Buckman Laboratories. Mr. Buckman feels that a school that reaches to the underprivileged child and offers strategies for handling children with special needs is important for the community. His $250,000 gift has paved the way for several other donors and grant organizations, as well.

11. Budget and Finance

High Point Academy, Inc. has received a $250,000 donation in Feb 2013 (See the bank account statement in Appendix M behind the 5 year budget plan). The money has been ear marked for the High Point Academy school project. This received gift is the first of several gifts pledged to be given. On June 24, 2013, High Point receive news from Wave IV- NCLG- Next Generation Learning Grant, as to whether or not it receives a Wave IV grant in the amount of $150,000 for the planning year prior to opening. If this grant is awarded, we will be eligible to apply for the 1:1 matching grant from Wave IV- NGLC on Dec 2, 2013. All money received by the school between June 24, 2013 and December 2, 2013 will be eligible to count towards the 1:1 funding up to $300,000! High Point is working hard, diligently seeking grants that will allow us to promote the high tech environment we have envisioned for STEM learning.

The High Point budget reflects a balanced approach. Teacher salaries and building costs comprise a large portion of the necessary funds received into the budget. However, High Point Academy, Inc. has invested in students and educational costs through contracting with a CMO and purchasing instructional items. Professional development, tutoring services, and teacher training are some of the provisions planned, in order that the money will be available to create a better environment for learning and assist children in succeeding. With grant money and contributions, High Point will be ahead of schedule for the purchase of IPADS for 6-12^th grade students. Our plan originally was to have two complete classroom sets of IPADS to be used among the 19 classrooms during the first year. However, due to the initial $250,000 grant, we will have 6-8^th grade students all issued an IPAD. We will also have three classroom sets purchased for use among the remaining elementary classes. The cost for this project will be just under $60,000 and includes service warranties, cases, educational networking and the IPAD. (132 IPADS)

High Point will use a recommended accounting service by the SCPCSD for yearly audits. We will comply with state law in auditing and reporting procedures. The school will strictly follow the budget as outlined in the initial charter application. The Board can make necessary amendments to the budget with a majority vote. By hiring qualified individuals and a qualified CMO, High Point will have a strong framework in place for making fiscally sound decisions. Good practice with money is vital for a school to survive its inaugural year.

Another necessity for High Point Academy is to recognize that student enrollment determines income. Poor management in Power School could cost an organization thousands of dollars. We believe that a system of checks and balances must be put in place to protect the school and ensure that it receives every penny due it. Procedures will be determined and developed for successful management of state funds in the months immediately following charter award.

The 5 year budget plan indicates only the income we are certain of obtaining. All student data numbers are determined from the state issued, unweighted pupil amount, plus $838. This account’s for the students who received a weighted account verses the 4-8^th grade student who is simply given the unweighted amount. The ten year plan shows student growth between 40 and 60 students a year after year five of operations. The staff growth was 2-3 teachers each year, contingent upon student growth.

At this time, the High Point Academy planning committee has not made any subcontracts to outside providers. High Point does intend to hire a CMO. However, the conditions of that contract are still being determined.

12. Employees

The governing body of High Point Academy will comply with the South Carolina Charter Schools Act and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

At least one member of the administrative staff must hold current South Carolina certification in administration or have at least one year experience in the field of school-based administration.

High Point Academy will also seek to hire certified teachers with no more than 25% of our staff being uncertified. All core academic teachers must be certified in the area they are teaching in or hold a baccalaureate or graduate degree in that subject. Teachers with elementary certifications may teach in any academic area allowed by their status of their certification.

Any non-certified teacher must be appropriately qualified to teach in that subject. One year of college and qualifications outlined in the S.C. Code Ann. Section 59-25-115 meets this qualification.

Employment and Dismissal for Administrative, Paraprofessionals, Teachers and other Staff
All employees at High Point Academy are considered at-will employees. At any time, the employee may choose to leave their employment services with the school. In turn, High Point can release an employee as they feel necessary for any reason not related to race, gender, or religious. High Point Academy seeks to have a pleasant work environment that offers support, training, and acknowledgement.

Grievance and Termination Procedures

Employees at High Point Academy will have the right to file a grievance with the Board of Directors at High Point Academy. All matters pertaining to employment rests with the school board. Their decision is final.

Employee Relations

High Point Academy is an equal opportunity employer. Offering at-will employment, High Point Academy seeks to establish good relationships with all staff members. Advertisement for employment will be listed in the local newspaper, online through the South Carolina Public Charter School division and job boards and alternative certification programs. Applicants can submit an application along with a resume when seeking employment for a position at High Point Academy. Interviews will be conducted by the administration of High Point and the best candidate for the position will be selected.

Teacher Evaluations

Teachers will be evaluated on the ADEPT system.

Purpose: To establish the basic structure for the evaluation of the professional instructional staff in the district to ensure accountability.

The appropriate personnel will evaluate the performance of every instructional employee fairly and on a periodic basis in an effort to improve the quality of all work performance.

The Executive Director will enforce the rules, regulations and procedures necessary for conducting an efficient, effective program of employee performance evaluation.

The elements of the performance evaluation program are as follows.

• Every employee is informed of the criteria by which his/her performance is evaluated.

• Every employee has the right to be informed of his/her performance evaluation.

Assisting, Developing, and Evaluating Professional Teaching (ADEPT) System

High Point will use the ADEPT System to evaluate all certified teachers employed under induction, provisional, annual and continuing contracts. The school will base all evaluations on the ADEPT System Performance Dimensions.

The governing body and Executive Director will develop plans and procedures for teacher evaluation based on the following components of ADEPT.

Induction programs

High Point will design or select induction programs to provide novice teachers with special guidance and assistance throughout their first school year. These programs must contain criteria and/or requirements necessary for teachers to complete the induction contract year

Team Based Evaluation and Assistance Model (TEAM)

High Point may employ teachers who have completed an induction contract year with another district, but did not meet district criteria and requirements for success. As an At-will employer, this teacher will be allowed continue their program and complete it or could be asked to move on depending on their performance.

Terms and Conditions of Employment
All employees will be given an employee handbook that offers them guidelines and instructions for employment at High Point Academy. Every handbook will carry blank copies of forms needed during employment to assist the employee in having and finding the right form to file. When a policy change occurs, High Point Academy will update through MEMOs and announcements the information in the teacher handbook. Staff meetings and school trainings will also give proper communication of the new policy. Electronic transmission of the update will be given as well.

Executive Director/Principal

Master’s Degree from an accredited university

Experience may substitute education
Education Background required with preferably charter school teaching or administrative experience. Combination of (8) years’ experience as a classroom teacher, administrator, or supervisor; Experience as a principal, administrator, or district level administrator is required.

Ensure the Board, staff, and faculty are aware of and comply with all state and federal regulations, including the charter contract. Oversee all business and educational aspects of the school. Responsible for community relations; Lead the development, implementation and revision of the school’s strategic plan. Build unity and communicate the schools vision, mission, and goals. Recruitment for both students and teachers; work directly with any CMO contracted.

Assistant Principal/Guidance Counselor

Bachelor Degree/Master’s Degree Preferred from an accredited university

Teacher Certification
A combination of five (5) years of successful classroom management and or supervision experience; A proven ability to relate to a variety of constituents. Excellent written and verbal communication skills; demonstrated leadership and management ability
Monitor and mentor teachers; Recommend improvements to the program. Ensure student discipline is handled according to the Student Code of Conduct. Manage all IEP meetings and special assurance programs. Develop a strong advisory mentoring system for students and teachers. Assist the Administration Team in overseeing janitorial and contract labor. Coordinate Textbook and classroom educational materials inventories. Directly Sign off on all lesson plans and teacher staff deadlines.
Business Manager

An associates’ degree with a bachelor degree preferred in Business, Accounting, or Finance from an accredited college or university.

Experience in School finance may be substituted for a degree.
A minimum of four (4) years’ experience in a related field to business, management, finance, or non-profit business is required. CPA or accountant experience preferred.
Develop and maintain a timely record for the school following state guidelines. Maintain the charts of accounts and accounting processes for the school. Execute procurement through payment procedures on behalf of the school in accordance with the state and federal laws. Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual fiscal statements including budgets to actual analysis and variance explanations. Work with the Executive Director and CMO to account for all payable and receivables. Work with all auditors to assure all necessary information is given.