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Page 1: FY19 VOAMN Authorizer Annual Report

VolunteersofAmerica-Minnesota

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FY2019AuthorizerAnnualReport

AuthorizerInformation

NameofAuthorizingOrganization:VolunteersofAmerica-Minnesota

MailingAddress:92419thAve,Minneapolis,MN55404

NameandTitleofPrimaryAuthorizerContact:StephanieOlsen,AuthorizingSeniorProgramManager

TelephoneofPrimaryAuthorizerContact:612-270-1998

EmailAddressofPrimaryAuthorizerContact:[email protected]

AuthorizerSummary:Enteranoverviewofyourauthorizingorganization(forexample,includeyourorganization’smission,vision,andhistory).Limithalfpage.

AuthorizingProgramVision:VolunteersofAmerica-Minnesota(VOA-MN)CharterSchoolAuthorizingProgramwillauthorizehighqualitycharterschoolsthatimproveallpupillearning,allstudentachievement,andpromoteservicetoothers.

AuthorizingProgramMission:VolunteersofAmerica-Minnesota(VOA-MN)CharterSchoolAuthorizingProgramwillimproveallpupillearningandallstudentachievementwithservicetoothersasitscore.

VOA-MNisanonprofitorganizationestablishedinMinnesotain1896,makingusoneoftheoldestnon-profitsinthestate.Throughoutourhistory,wehaverespondedtosomeofthemostpressingsocietalneeds.Weseektoempowerprogramparticipantswiththeskills,education,andcompetenciesnecessaryforage-appropriateindependenceandself-reliance.Weseektostrengthencommunitiesandfosterwithinthemthecapacitytosupporttheirmembersinachievingthisindependenceandself-reliance.

Becauseofthewiderangeofourservices,weareabletorespondtoanequallywiderangeofhumanneeds.Annually,ourmorethan34,000programparticipantsincludeabusedandneglectedchildren,childrenwithmentalhealthproblems,personswithdevelopmentaldisabilitiesormentalillness,studentsatriskofeducationalfailure,personsconvictedofcrimebutnowmotivatedtodevelopself-sufficientlives,independentseniorcitizensseekingsocialactivitiesandhome-boundseniorsrequiringsignificantservicesandsupportstoremainintheirresidenceofchoice.

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VOA-MNisoneoftheoldest,largestandmostcomprehensivehumanserviceorganizationsinthestate.In2000,theMinnesotastatelegislaturemadeitpossibleforanon-profitorganizationinMinnesotatoauthorizecharterschools.Atthistime,VolunteersofAmerica-Minnesotabecamethefirstnon-profitcharterschoolauthorizerinthenation.Wehavearichhistoryofdevelopinginnovativeprogramstomeetemergingsocialneeds.Weprideourselvesonsponsoringprogramswhichareabletoexplicitlyarticulatetheoutcomesachievedinourprogramparticipants'lives.VOA-MNCharterSchoolAuthorizingProgramprovidesMinnesotastudentswithhighqualitychoicesinpubliceducationthroughourportfolioofhigh-performingcharterschoolsandisamodelofexcellenceinauthorizingthroughoutthestateandnation.

Intheyearsthatwehavebeenauthorizing,VOA-MNhasdevelopedandpracticesamodelofcharterschoolauthorizingthatgoesbeyondthecompliance-basedrolevaguelyoutlinedinstatestatute.Weengageinpro-activerelationshipsandaddvaluetotheschoolswithwhichwework.DuringthestartupphaseVOA-MNworkscloselywithfoundinggroupstoensurethattasksnecessarytoasuccessfulopening(facility,finance,humanresources,marketing/recruitment,curriculumdevelopment)areaccomplishedinatimelymanner.Onceoperational,VOA-MNcontinuestovigilantlymonitortheacademic,boardgovernance,operations,andfinancialperformanceofitsschoolsthroughfrequentcommunication,schoolsitevisits,boardmeetingobservations,andregularlyreviewingofschooldocuments.Whensignsoftroublearise,weworkcloselywiththeschool’sboardtoproblemsolveandidentifyresourcesthatmaybehelpful.Thisisadeparturefromthetraditionalreactiverelationshipbetweencharterschoolauthorizersandschools.

Ourauthorizercooperativeoversightisongoingandintendedtohelpcharterschoolsliveuptothepromiseofincreasedautonomyinexchangeforincreasedaccountability.Inaddition,tobeauthorizedbyVOA-MNmeansyouarenotjustacharterschool,butapartofthebiggerVOA-MNCharterSchoolNetwork,whichpromotesrelationshipsbetweenschoolsandthelargercharterschoolcommunitybycreatingprofessionaldevelopmentopportunitiesforparticipants—whetherasaboardmember,schoolleader,orcommunitymember.VOA-MNauthorizedschoolspridethemselvesonbeingapartofthehighqualityoftheschoolsthatcomprisestheVOA-MNNetworkofAuthorizedCharterSchools.BeingauthorizedbyVOA-MNmeansbeingapartofastrongnetworkofcharterschoolsthatmeetsatleastannually,regularlysharesideasoneffectiveeducationalandoperationalstrategies,offerspeermentoringtonewleaders,andtogetherbroadenindividuals’understandingofthecharterschoolcommunitythroughoutMinnesota.

AuthorizerProcesses

NewCharterSchoolApplicationsinFY2019(B.1)

DidyourorganizationreviewanynewcharterschoolapplicationsinFY2019?

No.

Ifno,pleaseprovideanexplanation:

Wedidnothaveanyapplicationssubmittedforreview.Furthermore,ourfocuswasonexpandingtheschoolsthatwealreadyauthorize.

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Ifyes,completethetablebelowforeachapplication:

NameofCharterSchoolApplicant

AuthorizerApprovalorDisapproval

MinnesotaDepartmentofEducation(MDE)

ApprovalorDisapproval

IfDisapproved,Reason(s)forDisapproval

ApplicationWithdrawnbyApplicant

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

NewCharterSchoolOpeningsinFY2019(B.2)

Didyourorganizationengageinready-to-openactivitiesinFY2019?

No

Ifno,pleaseprovideanexplanation:

Ourfocusasanauthorizerhasbeenonensuringthatourneweroperationalschoolscontinuedtostabilizeandexcelandsupportingtheexpansionofourmoreestablished,high-performingschools.

Ifyes,completethetablebelowforeachcharterschoolscheduledtoopen:

NameofCharterSchoolProjectedtoBeginServing

StudentsinFY2019

ProjectedOpeningDate

DidthisSchoolOpenasPlanned?

IfNo,ProvideReason(s)andRevisedProjectedOpeningDate

N/A N/A N/A N/A

CharterSchoolExpansionApplicationsinFY2019(B.2)

Didyourorganizationreviewanysiteand/orgradeexpansionapplicationsinFY2019?

Technically,no.However,thereviewoftheNewCenturySchoolexpansionapplicationoccurredduringsummer2019-endofFY19andbeginningofFY20.

Ifno,pleaseprovideanexplanation:

Byschoolchoice,theexpansionplanningbyourschoolswasnotdeemedreadyforapplicationsubmissiontoauthorizerVOA-MNduringFY19forformalreview.

Ifyes,completethetablebelowforeachapplication:

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NameofCharterSchool

ProposedAdditionalGradestobeServedand/orLocationofNewSite

AuthorizerApprovalorDisapproval

MDEApprovalorDisapproval

IfDisapproved,Reason(s)forDisapproval

ApplicationWithdrawnbyApplicant

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

OfficialEarlyLearningProgramRecognitionRequestsinFY2019(B.2)

DidyourorganizationreviewanyrequestsforofficialearlylearningprogramrecognitioninFY2019?

No

Ifno,pleaseprovideanexplanation:

Byschoolchoice,theexpansionplanningbyourschoolswasnotdeemedreadyforapplicationsubmissiontoauthorizerVOA-MNduringFY19forformalreview.

Ifyes,completethetablebelowforeachrequest:

NameofCharterSchool

EarlyLearningProgramSeeking

Recognition

AuthorizerApprovalorDisapproval

MDEApprovalorDisapproval

IfDisapproved,Reason(s)forDisapproval

ApplicationWithdrawnbyApplicant

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

CharterSchoolChangeinAuthorizerRequestsinFY2019(B.2)

DidyourorganizationreviewchangeinauthorizerrequestsinFY2019?

No

Ifno,pleaseprovideanexplanation:

AuthorizerVOA-MNdidnotreceiveanychangeofauthorizerrequests.

Ifyes,completethetablebelowforeachrequest:

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NameofCharterSchool

AuthorizerCharterSchoolRequestedtoTransferFrom

AuthorizerApprovalorDisapproval

MDEApprovalorDisapproval

IfDisapproved,Reason(s)forDisapproval

ApplicationWithdrawnbyApplicant

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

CharterContractRenewalsinFY2019(B.9)

DidyourorganizationengageincharterrenewalactivitiesinFY2019?

Yes

Ifno,pleaseprovideanexplanation:

N/A

Ifyes,completethetablebelowforeachschool:

NameofCharterSchool WasContractRenewed?

IfYes,TermofContractRenewal

IfNo,Reason(s)forNonrenewal

AthlosAcademyofSt.Cloud

Yes 07/01/2019-06/30/2022

N/A

FITAcademy Yes 07/01/2019-06/30/2022

N/A

SpectrumHighSchool Yes 07/01/2019-06/30/2024

N/A

TrekNorthHighSchool Yes 07/01/2019-06/30/2024

N/A

AdditionalAuthorizerActivities

AuthorizingLeadershipandStaffSkillDevelopment(A.5)

Describehowyourorganizationbuilttheknowledgeandskillbaseofitsauthorizingleadershipandstaffthroughprofessionaldevelopmentoverthepastyear.

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• KatiePerzel:VOA-MNEducationandClinicalMentalHealthServicesDivisionDirectorKatiePerzelistheDirectoroftheEducationandClinicalMentalHealthServicesDivisionatVOA-MNandhasworkedwiththeorganizationforoverthirteenyears. AstheDivisionDirectorforVOA-MN,Ms.Perzelisresponsiblefortheoversightofacontractalternativeschool,anadulthighschooldiplomaprogram,eighteencharterschoolsacrossthestateofMinnesota,andVonaCenterforMentalHealth. Ms.Perzelhasbeeninaleadershiproleforthelastsevenyearsprovidingoperationaldirection,financialoversight,andstrategicprogramdevelopmenttohumanserviceprograms. Ms.PerzelhasaBachelorofScienceDegreefromtheUniversityofMNinPsychologyandBusinessManagementandhasaMastersDegreeinSocialWorkfromtheUniversityofSt.Thomas/UniversityofSt.Catherine. ProfessionalDevelopment:PerzelparticipatedinDiversityAwarenessandDataPracticestrainingsthroughouttheyearasrequiredofallVOA-MNprogrammanagersanddivisiondirectors.ProfessionalDevelopment:MulticulturalAwarenessandDiversity(6hours)ConveningToughConversationsbetweenAdolescentsandParents(3hours)MandatedReportingforTraumaInformedSettings(4hours)DataPracticesActandFERPA-webinar

• StephanieOlsen:VOA-MNAuthorizingProgramManager StephanieOlsenhasbeentheProgramManagerfortheVOA-MNCharterSchoolAuthorizingProgramsinceDecember2012,wheresheisresponsibleforprovidingongoingmanagementoftheauthorizingprogramcontractors,aswellassupportandoversightofVOA-MN’s18charterschoolsacrossMinnesotaandholdingtheschoolsaccountabletotheirmissions,highacademicperformanceandaccountabilitygoals,compliancewithstateandfederallaws,andmaintaininghighsatisfactionratesfortheirconstituency(students,parents,andfaculty). PriortoVOA-MN,shewasanEducationSpecialistattheMinnesotaDepartmentofEducation(MDE)whereherresponsibilitiesincludedprovidingtechnicalassistancetocharterschooldevelopers,operatorsandauthorizers,aswellaspromotingqualitypublicschoolchoiceinMinnesota.WhileemployedatMDE,shewasalsoresponsibleforfacilitatedtrainingopportunitiesfornewandexistingcharterschooldevelopers,boardmembers,andauthorizers;aswellasMDEpoliciesandprocessforcharterexpansion,changeofauthorizerprocess,andchartersystemspertainingtoboardelectionsandmeetingprocedures(OML)andenrollment/lotteries.Shewasalsoauthorizerliaisonforthestate’stenauthorizedschools. ShewasthefoundingChairoftheMinnesotaAssociationofCharterSchoolAuthorizers(MACSA);aformerelectedmemberoftheMinnesotaHouseofRepresentatives,duringwhichtimesheservedontheEducationPolicy,K-12EducationFinance,andGovernmentOperationsCommittees.Priortoservingasastaterepresentative,Ms.OlsenwasemployedasaLegislativeEducationResearchConsultantandhighschoolsocialstudiesteacher.ShehasaBachelorofScienceDegreeinSocialStudiesSecondaryEducationandwasaMinnesotalicensedteacher.   Ms.OlsenisamemberoftheExecutiveCommitteeoftheMinnesotaAssociationofCharterSchoolAuthorizer’s(MACSA)andChairoftheMACSAPolicyCommittee.ProfessionalDevelopment:Ms.OlsenparticipatesincharterschoolauthorizingmeetingsscheduledbytheMinnesotaDepartmentofEducationandregularlyattendsthemonthlymeetingsoftheMinnesotaAssociationofCharterSchoolAuthorizers.Ms.OlsenalsoroutinelyparticipatesinthenationalconferenceoftheNationalAssociationofCharterSchoolAuthorizers.Finally,Ms.OlsenparticipatedinMulti-CulturalAwarenessandDiversityandDataPracticestrainingsthroughouttheyearasrequiredofallVOA-MNprogrammanagersanddivisiondirectors.Ms.Olsenalsoparticipatedinthetwo-dayVOA-MNNetworkConferencefullofprofessionaldevelopment,includingsessionsonschoolviolenceandsafety,aswellasschooldiversityheldinJanuary2019.

• RoderickHaenke:VOA-MNAuthorizingProgramSchoolGovernanceAnalyst RodHaenkehasworkedwithMinnesotaCharterSchoolssince1997.Rod'sbackgroundincludesexperienceasaclassroomteacher,aschoolprincipal,aninstructionaldesigner,anationaltrainer/presenter,andasacharterschoolfounderandleader.HealsowastheDirectorofCurriculumandInstructionfortheMinnesotaAssociationofCharterSchools.RodhasauthoredasuccessfulauthorizerapplicationtothestateofMinnesotaandhas

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evaluatedschoolsandprovidedtechnicalassistancetothreeofthestate’slargestauthorizersofcharterschoolsinMinnesota,includingastheGovernanceAnalystforVolunteersofAmerica.Heisalsothe“goto”schoolimprovementandstrategicconsultantformanycharterschoolsintheareasofgovernance,accountabilitysystems,instructionalpractices,teacherevaluationsystems,andprofessionaldevelopment.Rodhasdevelopedalibraryofgovernanceresourcesanddeliveredboardtrainingtoover10Minnesotacharterschools.Rodhasalsoevaluatedschoolsandstateapplicationstothefederalgovernmentforcharterschooldisseminationgrants. ProfessionalDevelopment:Mr.HaenkeisintheCertificateinAdvancedEducationLeadership(CAEL),basedonthegroundbreakingDoctorofEducationLeadership(Ed.L.D.)programattheHarvardGraduateSchoolofEducation,whichprovidescurrentandaspiringeducationleaderswithaninnovativeandflexibleonlinelearningexperiencethatdevelopsarobustunderstandingofthecomplexitieswithineducationalsystems,whilehoningtheleadershipskillstocreatetransformationalchange.Mr.HaenkealsoparticipatedintheVOA-MNrequiredannualDataPractices/FERPAwebinarandourtwo-dayVOA-MNNetworkConferencefullofprofessionaldevelopment,includingsessionsonschoolviolenceandsafety,aswellasschooldiversityheldinJanuary2019.Mr.HaenkealsoparticipatedintheMDEAuthorizerConferenceinJuly.

• RochelManders:VOA-MNAuthorizingProgramSchoolFinancialAnalyst RochelMandershas25yearsofexperienceinschoolfinanceintraditionalandcharterschoolsettingswith10yearsasaBusinessManagerintwosmalltraditionalschooldistrictsand5yearsinacharterschool.Herpassionhasalwaysbeenworkingwithsmallschooldistrictswherevarietyisthefareoftheday.ShehasworkedinapublicaccountingfirmandisalicensedCertifiedPublicAccountant(CPA)withadditionalexperienceinprivateindustry.RochelhasbeenanactivememberoftheMinnesotaAssociationofSchoolBusinessOfficialsfor25yearsandhasservedontheMNTrustBoardofTrustees.RocheliscurrentlyafinancialconsultantforMinnesotapublicschoolsandjoinedtheVOA-MNAuthorizingProgramteaminJuly2017providingfinancialoversightofandtechnicalassistancetotheVOA-MNnetworkofschools,assistancetotheVOA-MNProgramManager,andanannualfinancialreviewofeachschoolintheVOA-MNnetwork.ProfessionalDevelopment:AnnualAuthorizingConference Roseville,MN MDE JulyCSBootCamp Roseville,MN MDE JulyCSPWebinar n/a Webinar SeptemberNACSA NationalCSConference Orlando,Fl OctoberMs.MandersalsoparticipatedinVOA-MNannuallyrequiredannualDataPractices/FERPAwebinarandthetwo-dayVOA-MNNetworkConferencefullofprofessionaldevelopment,includingsessionsonschoolviolenceandsafety,aswellasschooldiversityheldinJanuary2019.Finally,shealsoparticipatedintheMDEAuthorizerConferenceinJuly.

• PhillipMorris:VOA-MNAcademicPerformanceAnalystPhillipMorrisjoinedtheVOA-MNAuthorizingProgramteaminsummer2016.Hehasyearsofinternationalexperienceineducation/teachingandacademicdataanalysis.PhilliphasaMasterofArtsinTeachingfromHamlineUniversity,andBachelorofArtsinHistoryfromVancouverIslandUniversity.HeholdsaMinnesotateachinglicenseinK-6Elementary&5-8SocialStudies.Hisexperienceincludes:YinghuaAcademy2009-2018,JumpstartLanguageSchool(Taiwan)2002–2008.InadditiontohiscontractwithVOA-MN,hisfull-

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timeemploymentisasalanguageartsteacherandDistrictAssessmentCoordinatorat“NationalBlueRibbonSchool”YinghuaAcademy.AsourVOA-MNAcademicPerformanceAnalyst,heisresponsibleforpublishingourannualVOA-MNAcademicPerformanceReportonournetworkofauthorizedcharterschools.ThereportservesasasingleannualsourceofacademicprogramandperformanceinformationforallofourVOA-MNoperationalcharterschools.Thereportcontainsananalysisofannualandcumulativeacademicprogram,performance,andprofessionaldevelopmentdataforeachschool.ContentfromtheannualAcademicPerformanceReportalsoservesasthebasisfortheschoolacademicperformanceanalysiscontainedinthestatutorilyrequiredContractRenewalEvaluationReports,includingevaluationoftheextenttowhichtheschoolhasmettheirprimarypurpose,“toimproveallpupillearningandallstudentachievement”duringthecontracttermandextenttowhichprofessionaldevelopmentisjob-embeddedandalignedtostudentacademicimprovement.ProfessionalDevelopment/workshopsattended:*UnpackingStandardsandLessonObjectives*EducationalEquityandDiversity*FocusonGrowth-NWEA-Est.commonlanguagefordiscussinggoals-UseMAPgrowthtoolstosetgoalsthatsupportschoolimprovementplans*ApplyingReports-NWEA-AccessandinterpretkeyMAPgrowthreports-Developandnurtureacultureofusingdataregularlytoinformdecisions*EnteringMTASdatainPearsonAccessNext-MDE*UnderstandingMCAlinguisticsupportsandaccommodations-MDE*Testingpoliciesandprocedures–MDEMr.MorrisalsoparticipatedinourVOA-MNannuallyrequiredannualDataPractices/FERPAwebinar.

AuthorizerSelf-Evaluation(A.9)

Describehowyourorganizationself-evaluateditsinternalability(capacity,infrastructure,andpractices)tooverseetheportfolioofcharterschoolsoverthepastyear.

Theauthorizingprogramteamdiscussesgoalsandanyschoolconcerns/celebrations,includingstrategiesandactivitiesasneeded,duringregularlyscheduledteammeetings.Goalsarespecificallydiscussedindepthquarterly.Documentation(ex.AnalystMonthlyLogs)oftheteammeetingdemonstratethattheteamisprogressingongoalsandcontainanyareasofauthorizerschoolconcernorinterest.Theauthorizingprogramleadershipalsodeterminestheextenttowhichweare“buildingaportfolioofschoolscommittedtoexcellence”inacademic,finance,andboardgovernancethroughongoingdatacollectionandanalysisinpreparationforourannualVOA-MNSchoolNetworkPerformanceReports.Thesereportsarespecificallydesignedtomeasureschoolprogressmeetingourperformancestandards.

AspartoftheVOA-MNCorporatebudgetingprocess,VOA-MNProgramleadershipmeetswithcorporateseniorleadershipannuallyinthespringtodiscussprogramperformance(strengthandchallenges)andstrategizeregardinganyneededadjustmentstoourprogramstaffingorcalendarofevents.Anannual“satisfactionsurvey”takenbytheleadershipofourschoolsisadatasourcethatalsoinformsourstaffinganddecision-makingprocessaspartofourcontinuousimprovementplan.

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AuthorizerHighQualityAuthorizingDissemination(A.10)

Describehowyourorganizationdisseminatedbestauthorizingpracticesand/orassistedotherauthorizersinhighqualityauthorizingoverthepastyear.

VOA-MNwasaguestspeakeratthe2018NACSAconference.TheVOA-MNprogrammanagerwaspartofapanelofthreespeakingonoversightofstudentandschoolsafety.Inaddition,VOA-MNauthorizingprogramhasadesignated“liaison”toboththeMinnesotaAssociationofCharterSchoolsandtheMinnesotaAssociationofCharterSchoolAuthorizerswhereauthorizersengageinmeaningfuldiscussionsandsharingofbest-practices.

TheVOA-MNAuthorizingProgramalsohasasectionoftheCorporateVOA-MNwebsitewherewehouseourschoolnetworkPerformanceReportsandotherauthorizingdocumentsforeasyaccessbyotherauthorizersandthepublic.

CharterSchoolSupport,Development,andTechnicalAssistance(B.7)

Describehowyourorganizationsupporteditsportfolioofcharterschoolsthroughintentionalassistanceanddevelopmentofferingsoverthepastyear.

Theprogrammanagerandthreeperformanceanalysts’contactinformationisreadilyavailabletoourschoolsforquestionsorassistance.Thisyear,fornumerousreasons,ourprogramteamallgotuniformcorporateemailaddresses([email protected]).Themainreasonforthenewemailaddressesisforeaseofschoolscontactingus.Proactivequestionsfromourschoolsisencouragedbyourauthorizingteam.WehavealsoestablishedtheVOA-MNCharterSchoolCollaborationWebsitewhereourschoolscancommunicateamongstthemselvesandshareresources.AnotherwayweassistanceschoolsisbyproducingourthreeNetworkPerformanceReports:academic,boardgovernance,andschoolfinance.Thereportsarenotonlyanannualwayforschoolstomonitorprogressmeetingourrequiredstandards,butalsotolearnwhatisworkinginotherschoolsweauthorize.

Weholdonelargetwo-dayeventannuallycalledourVOA-MNCharterSchoolNetworkConferenceheldinJanuary.The2019conferencewasheldattheHolidayInnConferenceCenterinOtsego,MN.ThemaintopicsoftheconferencewereSchoolSafety,SchoolQuality,andSchoolDiversity;however,thereweresmallerbreak-outsessionsonmanydifferenttopics.Thetwo-dayconferenceisfreetoourschoolsandVOA-MNalsocoverstheexpenseoftheschoolhotelroomsbecauseweencourageourschoolstostayovernighttoattendtheschoolawardbanquetdinnerandfuneveningteam-buildingsocialactivities.

HighQualityCharterSchoolReplicationandDisseminationofBestSchoolPractices(B.8)

Describehowyourorganizationplannedandpromoted,withinitsportfolio,themodelreplicationanddisseminationofbestpracticesofhigh-performancechartersschoolsoverthepastyear.

Thisresponsewascoveredtosomeextentintheprevioussection.VOA-MNissomewhatuniqueinourNetworkApproachtoauthorizing.Wewantourschoolstofeelapartofalargernetworkofschools,thesameasIndependentSchoolDistrict(ISD)schoolprincipalsenjoy.Forthatreason,wehavestarteda“SchoolLeadershipTeam”comprisedofschool-nominatedleaderswhomeetmonthlytoplananddiscussopportunitiesforour

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networkofschools.TheSLTistheinfluentialagentbehindourNetworkConferenceplanningandhasdevelopedourVOA-MNSchoolCollaborationWebsiteinordertogivethemanopportunitytopost“bestpractices”andelectronicallysharedocuments.ThenewCollaborationWebsitealsohasa“listserv”whereleaderscanreachtheotherleaderswithquestionsandwithouthavingtogothroughamemberofourauthorizingprogramteam.

Withregardtoreplication,ourVOA-MNauthorizingprogramplacesanemphasisonsupportingourschoolstogrowandreplicate.ThoughwedidnothaveanyschoolsreplicateorapplyforexpansioninFY19,severalwereworkingontheexpansionplanningprocessandnearlyallofourschoolscontinuetosignificantlygrowtheirenrollment.Inadditiontooursupporttotheschoolsandencouragementtogrow,our“Network”ofschoolsalsoaretheretosupportoneanother.Oneofthebreak-outsessionsduringour2019NetworkConferencewasconvenedbyoneofourschoolboardchairsandthetopicwasovercomingobstaclestofacilityexpansion.

PortfolioInformation

GeneralCharterSchoolPortfolioData(asofJune30,2019)

PreoperationalCharterSchoolsinAuthorizer’sPortfolio:

NameofCharterSchool

CharterSchoolLEANumber(ifassigned)

CharterSchoolProgram(CSP)

GrantRecipient

GradeLevels

ApprovedtoServe

ProjectedEnrollmentwhenFullyEnrolled

ProposedLocation

ProposedOpeningDate

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

OperationalCharterSchoolsinAuthorizer’sPortfolio:

NameofCharterSchool

CharterSchoolLEA

Number

CSPGrantRecipient

GradeLevels

ServedinFY2019

Location CharterSchoolDemographicandEnrollmentInformation

CharterSchool’sWorld’sBestWorkforceReport

AthlosAcademyofSt.Cloud

4250 Yes K-6 St.Cloud AASCWBWF

AthlosLeadershipAcademy

4011 No PK-8 BrooklynPark

ALAWBWFReport

BirchGroveCommunitySchool

4145 No K-5 Tofte BGWBWFReport

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NameofCharterSchool

CharterSchoolLEA

Number

CSPGrantRecipient

GradeLevels

ServedinFY2019

Location CharterSchoolDemographicandEnrollmentInformation

CharterSchool’sWorld’sBestWorkforceReport

CornerstoneMontessoriElementarySchool

4201 K-6 K-6 St.Paul CMESWBWFReport

FitAcademy 4244 Yes K-12 AppleValley FITWBWFReport.docx

GreenIsleCommunitySchool

4144 No K-5 GreenIsle GICSWBWFReport

HarborCityInternationalSchool

4085 No 9-12 Duluth HCISWBWFReport

KaleidoscopeCharterSchool

4118 No K-12 Otsego KCSWBWFReport

Kipp:NorthStarAcademy

4191 No K-1,5-8 Minneapolis KNSAAnnual/WBWF

Report

LakesInternationalLanguageAcademy

4116 No PK-8 ForestLake LILAAnnual/WBWF

Report

NaytahwaushCommunityCharterSchool

4155 No K-6 Naytahwaush NCCSWBWFReport

NewCenturySchool

4240 Yes K-6 St.Paul NCSWBWF/Annual

Report

SchoolcraftLearningCommunity

4058 No K-8 Bemidji SLCAnnual/WBWF

Report

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NameofCharterSchool

CharterSchoolLEA

Number

CSPGrantRecipient

GradeLevels

ServedinFY2019

Location CharterSchoolDemographicandEnrollmentInformation

CharterSchool’sWorld’sBestWorkforceReport

SouthsideFamilyCharterSchool

4162 No K-8 St.Paul SFCSWBWFReport

SpectrumHighSchool

4160 No 6-12 ElkRiver SHSWBWFReport

TesfaInternationalSchool

4239 No K-6 ColumbiaHeights

TISWBWFReport

TrekNorthHighSchool

4106 No 6-12 Bemidji TNWBWFReport

WoodburyLeadershipAcademy

4228 Yes K-6 Woodbury WLAWBWF/Annual

Report

MDEOfficiallyRecognizedEarlyLearningProgramsatCharterSchoolsinAuthorizer’sPortfolio:

NameofCharterSchool OfficiallyRecognizedEarlyChildhoodHealthand

DevelopmentalScreeningProgram

OfficiallyRecognizedInstructional

PreschoolProgramtoprovideearly

childhoodeducationandpreparationfor

transitiontokindergartenforchildrenages3-5

OfficiallyRecognizedInstructional

PrekindergartenProgramforfour-year-oldsto

preparechildrenforentryintokindergartenthe

followingyear

AthlosLeadershipAcademy No No Yes

LakesInternationalLanguageAcademy

No Yes No

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CharterSchoolswithCharterManagementOrganization(CMO)/EducationManagementOrganization(EMO)

NameofCharterSchool

ManagementOrganization

Name

EmployerIdentificationNumber(EIN)

ManagementOrganization

AddressLocation

ManagementOrganization

AddressMailing

ManagementOrganization

Type

AthlosAcademyofSt.Cloud

SchoolModelSupport,LLCdbaAthlosAcademies

EIN:45-5421815

918WIdahoSt.Boise,ID83702

918WIdahoSt.Boise,ID83702

CHAREMO

CharterSchoolPortfolioActivityinFY2019

InFY2019,didanycharterschoolsleaveyourorganization’sportfolioandtransfertoanotherauthorizerduringorattheendoftheyear?

Yes

Ifyes,completethetablebelowforeachapplicableschool:

NameofCharterSchool CharterSchoolLEANumber

NewAuthorizingOrganization

EffectiveDateofTransfer

CornerstoneMontessoriElementarySchool

4201 UniversityofSt.Thomas 07/01/2019

InFY2019,didyourorganizationterminateorrevokethechartercontractforanycharterschoolbeforetheendofthecontractterm?

No

Ifyes,completethetablebelowforeachapplicableschool:

NameofCharterSchool CharterSchoolLEANumber

Reason(s)forContractTermination

EffectiveDateofContractTermination

N/A N/A N/A N/A

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InFY2019,didanycharterschoolsvoluntarilyclose(i.e.,closurewasinitiatedbytheschool)duringorattheendoftheyear?

No

Ifyes,completethetablebelowforeachapplicableschool:

NameofCharterSchool CharterSchoolLEANumber

Reason(s)forClosure EffectiveDateofClosure

N/A N/A N/A N/A

CharterSchoolPortfolioPerformance

World’sBestWorkforce

DescribehowyourorganizationincorporatesachievementofWorld’sBestWorkforcegoalsinitsongoingoversightandevaluationofcharterschools.

ThechartercontractofeveryschoolincludesthataschoolmustmeettheWorld’sBestWorkforcestatutoryprovisions.ExamplefromAddendumBofourchartercontracts:

ADDITIONALPURPOSE(M.S.120B.11):TheschoolistomeettheoutcomesadoptedbytheCommissionerforallpublic-schoolstudentsunderMinnesotaStatutes,section120B.11(“World’sBestWorkforce”),applicabletoelementaryandhighschools.Specifically,that1)allracialandeconomicachievementgapsbetweenstudentsareclosed;2)allchildrenarereadyforschool,3)allthird-graderscanreadatgradelevel.

Goalsaretobelocallydetermined,boardapprovedannuallyforeachoftheoutcomesandreportingonprogressmeetingWBWFgoalsistobereportedintheschoolAnnualReport.Eachschool’sAnnualReportandWorld’sBestWorkforcePlanistocontainanupdateontheirprogressmeetingtheirWBWFgoals.ItistheVOA-MNAcademicPerformanceAnalystthatthenevaluatesthatprogressintheannualVOA-MNNetworkAcademicPerformanceReport.AnnualReportcontentcomplianceisalsomonitoredbytheVOA-MNGovernanceAnalyst.

AcademicPerformance

Presentoutcomedataregardingkeyacademicperformanceindicatorsyourorganizationusedwhenevaluatingyourportfolioofcharterschools.Provideanarrativeanalysisofthisdata,indicatingstrengthsandareasforimprovement.

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DataSource:MinnesotaReportCard

VOA-MN Charter Schools’ Math Proficiency

2016 2017 2018 2019

Statewide Average 60.1% 59.2% 57.7% 55.5%

Athlos Academy of St. Cloud

N/A 37.3% 25.5% 31.1%

Athlos Leadership Academy

37.2% 43.0% 42.3% 39.9%

Birch Grove Community School

CTSTR 54.5% CTSTR 66.7%

FIT Academy N/A N/A 30.4% 20.5%

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Green Isle Community School

58.3% 58.6% 42.4% 57.7%

Harbor City International School

45.7% 51.6% 52.3% 40.5%

Kaleidoscope Charter School

46.2% 48.5% 49.2% 54.0%

KIPP North Star Academy

35.2% 34.8% 32.3% 19.2%

Lakes International Language Academy

67.9% 59.6% 65.4% 58.8%

Naytahwaush Community Charter School

41.9% 37.8% 40.5% 26.8%

New Century School

N/A 13.3% 33.3% 44.8%

Schoolcraft Learning Community

56.9% 55.1% 45.9% 50.0%

Southside Family Charter School

56.5% 57.1% 60.6% 52.2%

Spectrum High School

62.2% 64.3% 66.8% 61.0%

Tesfa International School

10.0% 6.3% 14.3% 31.6%

TrekNorth High School

48.8% 47.5% 45.4% 40.3%

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Woodbury Leadership Academy

75.2% 66.7% 67.0% 54.2%

VOA-MN 50.8% 49.5% 48.2% 44.8%

Boththechartandthetableaboveillustratethe2019mathproficiencyfortheVOA-MNnetworkofcharterschools.Thegreenlineindicatesthestateaverage55.5%.FourschoolsintheVOA-MNnetwork,BirchGroveCommunitySchool,GreenIsleCommunitySchool,LakesInternationalLanguageAcademyandSpectrumHighSchool,metorexceededthestateaverageonthe2019mathMCA.Inaddition,fourschoolsintheVOA-MNnetwork,KaleidoscopeCharterSchool,SchoolcraftLearningCommunity,SouthsideFamilyCharterSchoolandWoodburyLeadershipAcademy,scoredwithintenpercentagepointsofthestateaverage.Theremainingnineschoolsscoredbelow45.5%onthe2019mathMCA.ThisisanareaforcontinuedimprovementforalltheschoolsintheVOA-MNnetworkofcharterschools.Asanauthorizer,VOA-MNwillcontinuetoemphasizetheimportanceofdata-drivendecisionmakingattheschoollevelaswellasacademicgoal-basedprofessionaldevelopment.

DataSource:MinnesotaReportCard

*BirchGroveCommunitySchooldidnothaveatestingcelllargeenoughtorecordascore.

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VOA-MN Charter Schools’ Reading Proficiency

2016 2017 2018 2019

Statewide Average 60.2% 60.6% 60.4% 59.7%

Athlos Academy of St. Cloud

N/A 42.1% 36.4% 40.2%

Athlos Leadership Academy

49.5% 48.1% 53.3% 51.6%

Birch Grove Community School

CTSTR 63.6% CTSTR CTSTR

FIT Academy N/A N/A 58.1% 43.2%

Green Isle Community School

41.7%% 58.6% 45.5% 50.0%

Harbor City International School

87.9% 71.4% 83.0% 81.3%

Kaleidoscope Charter School

49.3% 57.1% 58.6% 62.9%

KIPP North Star Academy

29.9% 34.1% 29.4% 26.8%

Lakes International Language Academy

56.9% 61.8% 62.4% 65.7%

Naytahwaush Community Charter School

58.1% 35.1% 35.7% 25.5%

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New Century School

N/A 16.7% 37.2% 32.1%

Schoolcraft Learning Community

63.2% 62.2% 58.7% 53.9%

Southside Family Charter School

61.2% 66.2% 64.6% 68.2%

Spectrum High School

67.7% 75.1% 77.8% 69.7%

Tesfa International School

20.0% 19.1% 17.5% 28.9%

TrekNorth High School

64.9% 64.6% 63.8% 62.4%

Woodbury Leadership Academy

75.2% 67.6% 72.7% 48.9%

VOA-MN 55.5% 56.4% 56.2% 53.8%

Boththechartandthetableaboveillustratethe2019readingproficiencyfortheVOA-MNnetworkofcharterschools.Thegreenlineindicatesthestateaverage59.7%.SixschoolsintheVOA-MNnetwork,HarborCityInternationalSchool,KaleidoscopeCharterSchool,LakesInternationalLanguageAcademy,SouthsideFamilyCharterSchool,SpectrumHighSchoolandTrekNorthHighSchool,metorexceededthestateaverageonthe2019readingMCA.Inaddition,threeschoolsintheVOA-MNnetwork,AthlosLeadershipAcademy,GreenIsleCommunitySchoolandSchoolcraftLearningCommunity,scoredwithintenpercentagepointsofthestateaverage.Theremainingeightschoolsscoredbelow49.7%onthe2019readingMCA.ReadingproficiencyisanotherareaforcontinuedimprovementforallschoolsintheVOA-MNnetworkofcharterschools.Asanauthorizer,VOA-MNwillcontinuetoemphasizetheimportanceofdata-drivendecisionmakingattheschoollevelaswellasacademicgoal-basedprofessionaldevelopment.

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DataSource:MinnesotaReportCard

*BirchGroveCommunitySchool,GreenIsleCommunitySchool,NaytahwaushCommunityCharterSchoolandTesfaInternationalSchooldidnothaveatestingcelllargeenoughtorecordascore.

VOA-MN Charter Schools’ Science Proficiency

2016 2017 2018 2019

Statewide Average 55.5% 54.7% 52.5% 50.7%

Athlos Academy of St. Cloud

N/A 33.3% 36.9% 31.8%

Athlos Leadership Academy

31.1% 34.6% 38.2% 28.1%

Birch Grove Community School

CTSTR CTSTR CTSTR CTSTR

FIT Academy N/A N/A 37.5% 25.0%

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Green Isle Community School

CTSTR CTSTR CTSTR CTSTR

Harbor City International School

N/A 62.7% N/A 76.6%

Kaleidoscope Charter School

59.0% 56.0% 49.5% 51.3%

KIPP North Star Academy

37.0% 32.8% 44.4% 32.4%

Lakes International Language Academy

57.6% 53.3% 47.6% 55.9%

Naytahwaush Community Charter School

CTSTR 10.0% CTSTR CTSTR

New Century School

N/A 18.2% 58.3% 59.3%

Schoolcraft Learning Community

60.0% 60.7% 51.5% 45.9%

Southside Family Charter School

42.1% 69.1% 57.1% 60.0%

Spectrum High School

67.1% 63.9% 67.0% 63.9%

Tesfa International School

25.0% 8.3% 17.6% CTSTR

TrekNorth High School

50.9% 58.0% 42.3% 51.3%

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Woodbury Leadership Academy

90.9% 60.9% 64.0% 50.0%

VOA-MN 53.0% 46.3% 47.0% 49.6%

Boththechartandthetableaboveillustratethe2019scienceproficiencyfortheVOA-MNnetworkofcharterschools.Thegreenlineindicatesthestateaverage50.7%.FiveschoolsintheVOA-MNnetwork,HarborCityInternationalSchool,KaleidoscopeCharterSchool,LakesInternationalLanguageAcademy,NewCenturySchool,SouthsideFamilyCharterSchool,SpectrumHighSchoolandTrekNorthHighSchool,metorexceededthestateaverageonthe2019scienceMCA.Inaddition,twoschoolsintheVOA-MNnetwork,SchoolcraftLearningCommunitySchoolandWoodburyLeadershipAcademy,scoredwithintenpercentagepointsofthestateaverage.Theremainingeightschoolseitherscoredbelow40.7%onthe2019scienceMCAordidnothaveenoughatestingcelllargeenoughtorecordascore.

* The Birch Grove Community School has not had a large enough testing cell size in recent years to generate growth scores.

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* The Birch Grove Community School has not had a large enough testing cell size in recent years to generate growth scores.

Growth Z-Score

2019

Percent of LEAs with Growth Z-Scores Above the State Average for the Same Grades Served

Count of LEAs with Growth Z-Scores Above the State Average for the Same Grades Served

Count of LEAs with Growth Z-Scores Below the State Average for the Same Grades Served

Math* 31.3% 5 11

Reading* 43.8% 7 9

* Growth Data Not available for Birch Grove Community School

TheMinnesotaDepartmentofEducationsetsexpectationsforallstudentsbasedonaverageimprovementsfromyeartoyearonstatewideassessments.Studentsreceiveindividualgrowthresultsbycomparingtheirscorefromlastyeartothecurrentyear.Thisgrowthresulttellswhetherstudentsareprogressingfromyeartoyearatexpectedrates.TheabovechartsandtableillustrategrowthachievedbytheschoolsintheVOA-MNnetworkonthe2019MCAmathandreadingassessments.Thebluebarsintheabovechartsindicateschoolsthathadgrowthz-scoresabovethestateaverage,whilethegreenbarsindicateschoolsthathadscoresbelowthestateaverage.VOA-MNconsidersgrowthscorestobeavaluableindicatorwhenevaluatingschoolswithinitsnetwork.Basedondatafromthe

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2019MCAmathassessments,fiveschoolsfromtheVOA-MNnetworkhadgrowthscoresabovethestateaverage,whilesevenschoolshadgrowthscoresabovethestateaverageinreading.Asanauthorizer,VOA-MNwillcontinuetoemphasizetheimportanceofstudentgrowthandachievementwithinitsnetworkofschools.

OperationalPerformance

Presentoutcomedataregardingkeyoperationalperformanceindicatorsyourorganizationusedwhenevaluatingyourportfolioofcharterschools.Provideanarrativeanalysisofthisdata,indicatingstrengthsandareasforimprovement.

MANAGEMENTANDOPERATIONSSTANDARDS-EachVOA-MNauthorizedcharterschoolmaintainsa“ComplianceBinder”onsitethatincludesVOA-MNdefinedevidenceofcompliancewithstateandfederalstatutesorganizedinthemannerprescribedbyVOA-MN.Additionally,VOA-MNauthorizedcharterschoolssubmitinformationtotheauthorizerinaccordancewiththeVOA-MNprescribedAnnualSubmissionCalendar.ManagementandoperationsoftheschoolismonitoredbytheauthorizerandreportedintheFormalSiteVisitReportannuallyandadditionallyasneeded.Thecompliancebinderandsubmissioncalendararesystemsforongoingmonitoringofschoolperformanceandcomplianceandcompliancerequirementsareimbeddedinprevioussections.

AllschoolsreceivedtheirformalandinformalschoolsitevisitsbyauthorizerVOA-MNinFY19andreceivedtheirFormalSiteVisitReports.SitevisitsaregenerallyconductedbytheSeniorProgramManager.98percentofschoolswere100percentcompliant–meetingalloperationstandards.Asexpected,acoupleofschoolshadalittleroomforimprovement,mostlyduetoleadershipchangesanddocumentsmisplacedduringthetransition.

SCHOOLBOARDGOVERNANCESTANDARDS–Theauthorizerregularlymonitorstheperformancequalityoftheschoolboardbasedonauthorizerobservations;interviewswiththedirector,boardandfaculty;andthereviewofschoolpolicies,reportsandboardmeetingminutes.Aschoolmusthaveagovernancemodelthatprovidesqualityoversightbyensuringthattherearechecksandbalancesbetweentheboardandtheschooladministrators.

TheVOA-MNCharterSchoolAuthorizingProgrampublishesannuallyaSchoolBoardGovernanceReportontheirnetworkofauthorizedcharterschools.ThepurposeofthereportistobeasingleannualsourceontheboardoperationsandcomplianceofthefifteenVOA-MN-authorizedcharterschools.AuthorizerVOA-MNalsoobservesaminimumofoneschoolboardmeetingannually.

TheVOA-MNdeterminedschoolboardgovernancestandardscontainedbelowareuniformforallVOA-MNcharterschools.ThestandardsarecontainedinVOA-MNCharterContractAddendumB(SchoolAccountabilityandAuthorizerOversightSystem)andserveasthebasisforbothannualauthorizermonitoringofschoolboardperformanceandcontractrenewaldeterminations.TheauthorizerwillmonitorschoolperformancemeetingthesestandardsonanongoingbasisandthestandardsareevaluatedintheannualVOA-MNNetworkGovernance

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Report.Thestandardsalsoserveasthecriteriaforcontractrenewaldeterminations.Theauthorizerreservestherighttohaveflexibilitytoreasonablyamendthesestandards/expectationsasneeded.

VOA-MN’sschoolboardgovernancestandards/expectationsincludethefollowing:

1. TheBoardofDirectorsmetitsgovernancemodelrequirementslaidoutinitsbylawsandmembershiprequirementsasrequiredbyMinnesotaStatute*.

2. TheBoardofDirectorshasthenecessaryknowledgetocarryouttheresponsibilitiescontainedinMinnStat124E.07,Subd.6.(Duties),includingknowledgeinfinance/budget,policy/legal,personnel/employment,andeducation.

3. Theboardadherestoanorientationprocessforbringingonnewmembers.4. TheBoardofDirectorscomplieswithinitialandongoingtrainingrequirementssetforthinMinn.Stat

124E.07,Subd7(Training):governance,financial,andemploymentpoliciesandpractices.5. TheBoardofDirectorscompletesaself-evaluationeachyear.6. TheBoardofDirectorswillcomplywithMNOpenMeetingLaw,Chapter13D,andmaintainsaquorumfor

allboardmeetings.7. Theboardregularlyreviews,updates,andapprovesitsbylaws.Thebylawsareconsistentwithstatelaw.8. TheBoardofDirectorsadherestoboardmemberelectionrequirementssetforthbystatestatute*.9. TheBoardconductsanannualevaluation(includingallaspectsofthepositiondescription)ofthe

performanceoftheschoolleaderthroughadefinedannualevaluationprocess.10. TheBoardhasaboard-approvedprofessionaldevelopmentplanfortheschooldirector(ifapplicableas

requiredbyMinn.Stat.124E.12,Subd.2*.11. TheBoardofDirectorsmonitorstheorganization'sadherencetoschoolboardpolicies.12. TheBoardofDirectorscomplieswithFederaldatapracticeslawandtheMinnesotaDataPracticesAct

(Minn.Stat.Chapter13)*.13. TheBoardofDirectorsprovidesongoingoversightofschoolacademicperformance.14. Theschoolmaintainsahighlevelofparent,teacherandstudentsatisfactionratesbasedonschool

conductedsurveysandstudent/facultyretentionrates.15. Boarddocumentsaredistributedtoallboardmembersatleast3dayspriortoaboardmeeting.16. TheBoardofDirectorsmaintainsaBoardDocumentsBinderwhichincludesmeetingminutes,bylawsand

articlesofincorporationandfinancialstatements;andstatutoryrequirementsforpostingboardrelatedinformationontheschool’swebsite*.

17. Theboardhasapolicyreviewcalendarandreviewsandupdatesitspoliciesasneededorrequiredbystatelaw.

Ofthese17standards,VOAschoolsmeetmany,ifnotall,ofthestandardsandthosethatmissachievingtheGovernanceAwardmissoneortwostandards.However,thefollowinglistofVOA-MNschoolsweredeterminedtohavemetalloftheVOA-MNBoardGovernancestandardsfromJuly1,2018–June30,2019:

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VOA-MNSCHOOL

ATHLOSLEADERSHIPACADEMY

BIRCHGROVECOMMUNITYSCHOOL

GREENISLECHARTERSCHOOL

KALEIDOSCOPECHARTERSCHOOL

LAKESINTERNATIONALLEADERSHIPACADEMY

NAYTAWAUSHCHARTERSCHOOL

SPECTRUMJRANDSRHIGH

TREKNORTHJR.&SR.HIGH

FinancialPerformance

Presentoutcomedataregardingkeyfinancialperformanceindicatorsyourorganizationusedwhenevaluatingyourportfolioofcharterschools.Provideanarrativeanalysisofthisdata,indicatingstrengthsandareasforimprovement.

SCHOOL FINANCIAL STANDARDS (FY 2019)

TheVOA-MNCharterSchoolAuthorizingProgramprovideshighqualityfinancialoversightofitsnetworkofschools.Theseschoolspridethemselvesonbeingpartofacooperativeventurewhereideasaresharedandinputfromschoolleadersisvaluedandusedtostrengthenallmembers.

TheVOA-MNdeterminedschoolfinancialstandardsserveasthebasistomonitormemberschool’sfinancialhealthandcompliancewithstateandfederallaws,includingproperuseofpublicfunds.Inaddition,thestandardsareusedtoevaluateschoolfinancialperformanceandtodeterminetheVOA-MNFinanceAwardrecipients.

Therewere18operationalschoolsandnoschoolsinplanningduringFY18.KeyperformanceindicatorsusedtoevaluateVOA-MNauthorizedcharterschoolsinclude:

1. TheSchoolmaintainsabalancedbudget.2. TheSchooliscompliantwithstateandfederalfinancialreportingdeadlinesandlaws,includingtheproperuseofpublicfunds.

3. TheSchool’sfinancialauditwillbesubmittedtotheMinnesotaDepartmentofEducation,OfficeoftheStateAuditorandtheauthorizerbyDecember31.

4. Schoolsareexpectedtohaveauditsthatarefreeofallfindings.

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5. TheSchooliscurrentonallfinancialobligations,including,butnotlimitedto:pensionpayments,payrolltaxes,insurancecoverage,loanpaymentsandterms.

6. TheSchoolprovidesVOA-MNandschoolboardmemberswithmonthlyfinancials.Junefinancialreportsmaybedelayeduntilyear-endjournalentriesarecompleted.Packetsincludeatleastthefollowing:1)detailedincome/expensereport,2)cashflowprojection,3)checkregister,and4)currentenrollment(AverageDailyMembership).Theboardshouldreviewandapprovethefinancialsateachboardmeeting.

7. TheSchooldevelopsandmaintainsatargetedGeneralFundbalancedeterminedbytheschoolboard.Forthefinancereport,VOA-MNalsodeterminesastandardforfundbalanceannuallybasedonitemssuchasschoolfundingtrendsandfundinghold-backs.

8. TheSchoolboardhasafinancecommitteethatmeetsregularlytoreviewfinancials.9. Allfinancecommitteemembersexhibitworkingknowledgeoffinancialoversight.

10.TheSchoolisnotinStatutoryOperatingDebt(SOD).

VOA-MN Finance Performance Indicator Results (2=met, 1=partially met, 0=did not meet)

FB

School 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 % 8 9 10 9

Athlos Academy St Cloud 2 2 2 0 2 0 0 7 1 2 2

Athlos Leadership Academy 0 2 2 2 2 1 0 12 2 2 2

Birch Grove Community School 2 2 2 0 2 2 0 11 0 2 2

Cornerstone Montessori Elem School 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 28 2 2 2

FIT Academy 0 2 2 0 2 2 0 (1) 2 2 2

Green Isle Community School 2 2 2 0 2 1 0 5 2 2 2

Harbor City International School 0 2 2 2 2 0 0 25 2 0 2

Kaleidoscope Charter School 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 25 2 2 2

Kipp: Northstar Academy 0 2 2 0 2 2 1 15 1 2 2

Lakes Intern’l Language Academy 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 32 2 2 2

Naytahwaush Comm Charter School 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 96 2 2 2

New Century School 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 16 2 2 2

Schoolcraft Learning Community 2 2 2 0 2 0 2 20 2 2 2

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Southside Family Charter School 2 2 2 2 2 0 2 22 1 2 2

Spectrum High School 0 2 2 2 2 2 2 24 2 2 2

Tesfa International School 2 2 2 0 2 1 0 6 2 2 2

TrekNorth Jr. and Sr. High School 2 2 2 0 2 2 2 34 2 2 2

Woodbury Leadership Academy 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 21 2 2 2

Financial highlights for VOA-MN authorized charter schools:

• 72%oftheschoolsmaintainedabalancedbudgetforFY19.• 95%offinancecommitteememberspossessaworkingknowledgeoffinancialoversight.• Fundbalances:

• 56%oftheschoolsmetorexceededthe20%fundbalancetarget• 22%oftheschoolshadafundbalancebetween10%and19.99%• 22%oftheschoolshadafundbalancebetween0and9.99%

• 56%(10of18schools)werefreeofallauditfindings.

OtherPerformance

Presentoutcomedataregardingotherkeyperformanceindicatorsyourorganizationusedwhenevaluatingyourportfolioofcharterschools.Provideanarrativeanalysisofthisdata,indicatingstrengthsandareasforimprovement.

ThreeessentialquestionsguideVOA-MNauthorizeroversight:

1. AcademicProgramPerformance-Istheschool’sLearningProgramaSuccess?2. FinancialSustainability–DoestheSchoolExhibitStrongFinancialHealth?3. Istheorganizationeffectiveandwellrun?(boardgovernance/managementandoperations)

Anarrativeandanalysisofallofthosethreeareashasbeenprovidedinthepriorsections.