Educational Service Center of Lake Erie West Community Schools Center

	

OHIO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (ODE)

Office of Community Schools Responsibilities:
Approve, renew, and revoke contracted sponsorship authority

Evaluate sponsor performance based on quality practices, legislative compliance, and school academics as part of the annual Sponsor Performance Review (SPR)

Monitor sponsor performance including the review of corrective action plans (CAPs) used to address deficiencies

Oversee sponsors on probation and limit sponsorship authority as appropriate

Provide sponsors with technical assistance

Prepare for key policy makers an annual report on community schools

ODE – Sponsor Contract: Designates how many schools a sponsor may authorize and outlines the responsibilities of sponsorship under law

ODE undertakes the role of a sponsor (authorizer) in the Office of School Sponsorship.

	

SPONSOR (AUTHORIZER)

Sponsor Responsibilities: Review and accept or reject new school proposals using a systematic application process with defined evaluation criteria

Oversee and monitor school performance metrics

Provide school operators and governing authorities with technical assistance

Conduct annual school opening assurances, school site visits (at least twice a year), and monthly review of school financial and enrollment records

Communicate with each school’s governing authority at least monthly and regularly attend each school’s board meetings

Implement CAPs to address deficiencies and if a school fails to meet expectations, take appropriate action (such as probation, suspension, or closure)

Sponsor – Governing Authority Contract: Identifies several areas of school planning and operations and also contains performance framework defining the expected academic and non-academic outcomes with measurable goals

	

SCHOOL GOVERNING AUTHORITY (GOVERNING BOARD)

Governing Authority Responsibilities: Negotiate and agree to the
contract with the sponsor (authorizer)

Oversee the entirety of school operations to ensure compliance with state and federal laws

Oversee school performance in reference to the requirements outlined in the board’s contract with the sponsor including academics and fiscal management

Adopt administrative policies and procedures

Operate as good stewards of public funds by providing transparent fiscal oversight

Hire the school operator (principal) or management company and evaluate their performance

Develop and monitor CAPs as necessary

Governing Authority – Operator Contract: The Governing Authority has the choice of entering a contract with an individual operator (principal) or with management companies serving as operators

	

SCHOOL OPERATOR (PRINCIPAL) AND MANAGEMENT COMPANY

School Operator Responsibilities:
Provide and manage the school’s day-to-day operations such as food service, transportation, facilities, budgeting, technology, and security

Ensure statutory and contractual compliance

Manage human resources including recruitment, retention, supervision, benefits management, and professional development

Implement an educational program aligned with both Ohio standards and the sponsor’s contracted performance framework

Manage student data, records, and test scores

Provide student services such as special education, counseling, discipline, athletics, and extra-curricular activities

Coordinate marketing and relations of both the public and stakeholders

The school operator (principal) or management company responsibilities are contractually defined and may include all or select school operations and human resource tasks.

	

Roles and Responsibilities of Ohio Community School Stakeholders

Defined by law, the roles and responsibilities of Ohio community school stakeholders include standards for academic performance, quality practices, and legislative compliance. Levels of accountability for community school operators, governing authorities, sponsors, and the Ohio Department of Education are clearly outlined.

June 2017