Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 2-23-18

Feature
Board To Vote On Operator For 7 Failing Schools
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
When Hillsborough County School Board mem- bers meet on March 6, they will be presented with a recommendation for an Ex- ternal Operator for 7 failing schools.
Earlier this week, Su- perintendent Jeff Eakins and the District’s Procure- ment Services Team an- nounced their recommendation of Phalen Leadership Academies as the External Operator.
If approved by the Board members, Phalen Leader-
ship Academies will take over the day-to-day opera- tions of the schools on July 1st. They will have a 1-year contract with 2 additional 1-year renewals.
Last October, the Florida Department of Education gave the District a deadline to improve the grades of the schools to a “C.” The School District was ordered to provide TOPs (Turn- around Option Plan) that would be implemented at Foster Elementary, Mort Elementary, Oak Park Ele- mentary, Potter Elemen- tary, Sheehy Elementary, and B. T. Washington Ele-
EARL MARTIN PHALEN Founder and CEO of George and Veronica Phalen Leader-
ship Academies
mentary Schools. Memorial Middle School is the only secondary school on this list.
The District was told they could choose between three options for any of the schools whose grades did not improve to the level designated.
The options were: close the schools and transfer students to better perform- ing schools; close the schools and re-open them as a charter school; or turn over the day-to-day opera- tions to an outside entity
not associated with the School District.
Superintendent Eak- ins stated in a letter to members of the schools and community, “We are confi- dent the school is on track toimprovetoanA,B,orC grade this year. That’s a tribute to dedicated teach- ers, incredible support staff, great leadership, car- ing parents, and generous partners giving all they have to ensure goals are being met.
“However, due to a deci- sion at the state level, we must be proactive and sign a contract with an external operator. This external op- erator will work next school year with Turnaround Schools that do not im- prove to at least a C grade this year.
“Since we cannot be cer- tain when the state will re- lease school grades, the contract must be signed now...
“For schools that do not earn at least a C grade, the partner organization will have broad authority. This includes the ability to make leadership changes and other staffing decisions in partnership with our school
district.
“... Due to “code of si-
lence” laws, until the con- tract is officially signed, all communications with prospective vendors must occur only through the dis- trict’s Procurement Serv- ices Team,” he said.
Once the contract is signed, Superintendent Eakins said there will be meetings with faculty and staff at each school. There will be additional meetings planned with parents, com- munity members and other shareholders, he said.
About Phalen Leadership Academies It is a turnaround oper-
ator that works to trans- form underperforming schools into high-quality facilities. It is a non-profit organization, currently serving more than 4,000 students in 10 schools in Detroit, Michigan, Indi- anapolis, Fort Wayne, and Gary, Indiana.
It was founded in 2013 and based in Indianapolis, Indiana.
For additional informa- tion about Phalen Leader- ship Academies, visit their website at www.phale- nacademies.org.
Organizations Join Forces To Provide New Boxing Program
On Monday, February 26th, at 5:30 p.m., mem- bers of the community will gather at the Powerhouse Gym, 3251 W. Hillsborough Avenue, for a boxing exhibi- tion.
The event will focus on dozens of youth who will display their talents in the boxing ring. The event will feature both girls and boys between the ages of 8 and 17.
The youngsters will high- light the new program as they train with instructors and participate in drills.
The event is the result of a partnership between the Tampa Housing Authority, the Tampa Police Athletic
League, and Powerhouse Gym.
The training and boxing classes are free and each student receives educa- tional support, mentorship, transportation and healthy food options. The league runs throughout the year with 10-week training inter- vals.
The purpose of the initia- tive is to provide at-risk, low-income youth an op- portunity to participate in a sport many would not oth- erwise be able to. In addi- tion, through education and athletics, this new league empowers Tampa students to be positive and produc- tive members of society.
FRIDAY, FEBRAURY 23, 2018 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-A