School Recognition Program

A+ Awards Meeting September 22, 2010

Purpose of Meeting

1. Clarify rules, roles, & procedures.

2. Provide perspective.

3. Answer common questions related to A+ funds.

School Grades Released

For Elementary and Middle Excellent News for SCPS!

A / B Schools

98%

Qualified for A+ Funds

82%

A+ Recognition Funds How Much for SCPS?

Last Year:

$3,169,703

How Much Per School? Last Year

Elementary Schools: $ 38,527 - $78,961

Middle Schools: $ 74,539 - $117,647

High Schools: $ 44,747

The Purpose of A+ Funds?Reward and Sustain

Substantial Academic Improvement&

High Academic Achievement

Common Questions! Who decides how to spend it?

What can we do with it?

When can we get it?

How do we get it?

Who Decides How to Spend It?School Advisory Council

(SAC Voting Members)

&

School Staff (Current Year)

Who Counts More?

Neither One: They’re Equal Partners

• Decision making power is not based on the number of individuals making up either group.

• SAC has 50% and the Staff has 50% of the decision making power in developing and approving the Joint Spending Plan.

How Do They Do It?

“Cooperate to Generate”a

Jointly Developed Plan

~Local School Decision~

How Does It Work?“Everybody Gets a Say”

***

“Not Everybody Gets their Way”

What Can We Do With It?

1. Award Bonuses to Faculty & Staff.

2. Hire Temporary Personnel.

3. Purchase Educational Equipment & Materials.

Who Can Get a Bonus?1. Current - SCPS Personnel

working at the school this year.

2. Former - SCPS Personnel who worked at the school last year.

Annual Question Clarified

1. School administrators are considered part of the school’s staff when it comes to A+ funds.

2. They do not get a bonus or supplement from the state or the district for being an A school.

Celebrate Success !1. Keep in mind everyone contributes to a

school’s success.

2. Keep what’s fair at the center of the decision making.

3. Beware of unintended messages.

Past vs. Present Employees?

“Super Bowl Ring Analogy”

Team Members that Won it …Get it!

No Matter What Happens After the Season!

It’s a reward for being a team member.

It’s not a gift of placement.

Variable Bonus Option*Recognizes Everyone’s Contribution. *Awards Proportional Bonuses.

*Amount Based on Staffing Point Values.*Eliminates Ambiguity*Reduces Bad Feelings.

What About Two Bonuses?Address in your “A+ Processing Plan”

Windfalls weren’t intended to be a part of the School Recognition

Program.

SCPS - Three Step Process 1. Develop “A+ Processing Plan” for

approval.

2. Use processing plan to develop a “Budget for A+ Expenditures.”

3. Submit “A+ Budget” for approval.

A+ Processing Plan1. Describe how Joint Plan will be

developed.

2. Identify committees (if any) and their roles.

3. Clarify procedures for resolving conflicts.

Processing Recommendations 1. Be Open and Inclusive.

2. Agree on Procedures from Outset.

3. Be Clear on How Final Decision will be Made.

4. Have Conflict Resolution Procedures in Place.

Why the SCPS Process?1. Insure the “A+ Processing Plan”

and the “A+ Budget” comply

with the law.

2. Provide assistance to schools when

needed or requested.

The Principal’s Role 1. Provide Leadership.

2. Facilitate the Process.

3. Insure Procedures are Followed.

Temporary Personnel To assist in maintaining or improving student performance:

Examples: Teachers; Assistants; Professional Development and Consultant Fees; 6th period supplements; Substitutes for professional development or school improvement activities.

Non-Examples: Security Officers; SRO’s; DARE Officers; Custodians; Travel Expenses; and Conference Registration Fees.

Educational Equipment/Materials To assist in maintaining or improving

student performance: Examples: Books; Subscriptions; Computers;

Software; Maps; Globes; Calculators.

Non-Examples: Food; Shirts; Parties; Student Performance Rewards, Field Trips, Landscaping; Cafeteria Tables; Book Cases, Playground Equipment; Plaques/Ribbons.

A+ Expenditures2009-2010

Bonuses Equipment Personnel

Amount $3,103,484 $55,271 $10,948

Percentage 97.91% 1.74% 0.35%

Is There a Decision Timeline?

Yes! Previous Years it was November 1st

Senate Bill 4 Change To

February 1st

Prior to February 1st

The School’s Plan• School controls the funds.

• Free to choose who, what, and

how much to allocate.

After February 1st?The State’s Plan

• State controls the funds. • FS 1008.36(3) directs all funds to

be equally distributed to all classroom teachers currently teaching in the school.

What Does That Mean? Classroom Teachers Only

Does not include guidance counselors,

media specialists, deans, or any other

staff members.

What Does That Mean? Current Teachers Only• Limited to the current year’s teachers. • Includes teachers new to the school.• Excludes teachers no longer at the school.

What’s Been Done Before? Last Year 1. 100% gave bonuses to teachers, non-

instructional staff, and custodians.

2. 100% (48 of 48) included administrators.

3. 98% included food service staff.

Additional Considerations Not Subject to Bargaining or Grievances

Recommend Spent in Fiscal Year

Requires Timely Entry of Data

Sooner is Better than Later

SCPS Pay DatesWill be announced

After Funds Are Received

From the Department of

Education

Payroll Deadlines Friday Prior to Payday

(Noon)

Process Completed (Keyed at School)

QUESTIONS

???

Office of School Improvement

Joan Robinson(320-0022)

Anna-Marie Cote(320-0504)