Dear Parents and TMS Community,
This evening during its regularly scheduled public Business Meeting, the DeKalb County School Board of Education voted to approve our charter renewal petition. Tonight’s vote was the first, and a highly critical step, in gaining full approval for our school to receive another five-year charter contract. We are delighted to have received this major vote of confidence!
Brief Background
As a charter school, we have a five-year contract with both the DeKalb County School District and the Georgia Department of Education. This contract (charter) outlines our autonomy, accountability and agreements with these entities. Our current charter is set to expire on June 30, 2017.
Immediate Next Steps
Starting immediately, we will begin the process of submitting information to the State BOE and preparing for our interviews with members of that board. We anticipate receiving the State’s BOE decision in the early spring of 2017. Our new charter, upon approval by the state, will be in effect until June 30, 2022.
Key Information
As communicated in a charter renewal status update email a few weeks ago, the majority of our academic, organizational and financial goals will remain the same. Additionally, our successful ‘museum school’ and project-based academic model will remain the same.
We have two new additions to our now DeKalb BOE-approved charter. Our charter now includes an added academic goal that focuses on increasing the number of students who score ‘proficient’ or ‘distinguished’ on the Georgia Milestones test. Our charter also includes goals that seek to increase diversity across our student, staff and board populations.
Moving Forward
Tonight’s vote was an important day for the future of our school – we are now one step closer to having our charter fully renewed for another five-year term.
In my remarks during tonight’s public comment period, I noted that we appreciate the DeKalb board’s vote of confidence in our school. More importantly, I noted how their vote serves as validation that our innovative school is making a difference in the lives of young children.
I want to thank Principal Kelbaugh, the Charter Renewal Committee and the TMS Governing Board for their exceptional leadership and flexibility in guiding us to this important point. We started our charter renewal process 16 months ago. It has been a rigorous journey that’s included several unexpected turns.
I will provide another update when we have news to share regarding the State’s review of our charter petition.
I am available to answer any questions you may have. Please do not hesitate to call or email me.
Sincerely,
Andy Huff
Chair, Board of Directors
The Museum School of Avondale Estates
[email protected]
706.372.3629
