Name of the Proposed Charter School: Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts
Address of Proposed Charter School: Proposed location adjacent to Highland High School
Date Application Submitted to District: August 15, 2005
Authorized Applicant Information:
Name: David Schmidt
Address: 1665 E. Princeton Avenue
City: Salt Lake City
State: UT
Zip: 85105
Daytime Phone: 583-1555
Fax:
Email Address: dave@gottasing.com
Description of Group or Organization: Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts, a Non-Profit Organization.

School InformationSCHOOL INFORMATION

Name: Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts
Address: proposed located adjacent to on the campus of Highland High School at: 2166 South 1700 East
City: Salt Lake City
State: UT
Zip: 84105
Phone: TBD 801-466-6700
Fax: 801-485-1707
Website Address: TBD saltlakeSPA.org
School district: Salt Lake City School District
Date School Will Begin: August 2006
Grade Levels or Student Ages to be served: Grades 9 – 12
Number of Students to be served: 400

Conversion of an Existing Public School N/A

• Hire/dismiss the SLSPA’s director/principalPrincipal and Artistic Director.
• Evaluate performance of the principalPrincipal and the Artistic Director. [Comment 2]
• Hire/dismiss and supervise teachers and staff based upon recommendations from the principalPrincipal and the Artistic Director. [Comment 1]
• Evaluate performance of all teachers with input from the principalPrincipal and the Artistic Director. [Comment 1]
• Promote the mission of the SLSPA.
• Oversee the school fundraising.
• Assure financial responsibility and accountability.
• Approve budget and overseeing adherence.
• Contracting for an approving independent audit.

The Board will meet monthly to:

• Fulfill primary responsibilities.
• Discuss logistics of school operations.
• Consider and approve new or amended policies or procedures.
• Hear Board members reports or concerns.
• Consider concerns and/or questions from parents, teachers, students and community through an advisory council.
• Address any other school issues.

3.0 Chief Administrative Officer

The Chief Administrative Officer will be the principal/directorPrincipal of the school. That person will be selected early in 2006. The selection and supervision of the director/principalPrincipal will be the responsibility of the Board. The director/principalPrincipal will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the school. The director/principalPrincipal will be responsible for financial expenditures; hold regular faculty meetings; supervise teachers and other staff; ensure school curriculum meets curriculum required by the state of Utah; implement Board decisions; and promote the school’s mission, philosophy and goals. The principal Principal will hire necessary administrative staff as needed and approved by the Board. All administrative , facility, and teacher staffs staff members and teachers report to the director/principalPrincipal. [Comment 1]

SLSPA will seek applicants for the position of Principal who shall who possess some or all of the following skill and/or experience:
• Masters degree or equivalent work experience in the field of education.
• Administrative license or will operate within state rule.
• Prior teaching experience, especially within the chosen curricula emphasis of the school. [Comment 1]
• A demonstrated ability to treat faculty, parents, and students with respect and provide honest communication.
• A demonstrated ability to incorporate our stakeholders (parents, students, board, community, etc.) in the problem solving and decision making process.
• Demonstrated eExperience managing and monitoring business goals and outcomes.
• Experience managing performance and holding others accountable for performance.
• Additional certifications, degrees, or training relevant to middle and high school education. [Comment 2]
• Prior to initiating the staff selection process, a detailed employment application shall be created and posted in accordance with Utah law.

SLSCPA will expect its Principal to fulfill the following responsibilities:

Overarching Duties

• Demonstrates commitment to SLSPA’s vision and mission and communicates that vision and missionthem it to school personnel, the students, and families, and the community.
• Models school values for students, parents and the Board.
• Functions as a visible leader maintaining frequent contact with students and staff.
• Exercises a participatory management style with staff.
• Communicates effectively by written and oral methods.
• Facilitates activities for families and staff to encourage community and shared purpose.

Specific Educational Leadership Duties

• Participates in the hiring and evaluation of staff.
• Oversees planning and evaluation of programs and set priorities for programs.
• Coordinates design of curriculum with Board, staff, and volunteers.
• Administrates all school-based programs.
• Administers services of resource personnel.
• Assists staff in evaluating their methods and instructional materials.
• Designs schedules.
• Develops cooperation and teamwork within staff.
• Assists staff in accommodating individual student needs and abilities.
• Monitors student progress, discipline, health and safety.
• Provides perspective on educational issues with the school’s Board on a regular basis.
• Recommends plans for improvement of instruction, school philosophy, and school policies.
• Assists the board in evaluating the school’s progress on established priorities.

Community Relations Duties

• Promotes and develops a professional relationship with the school’s Board and staff.
• Seeks and considers opinions of others in a timely fashion.
• Provides information to community, media, and interested parties about the school, its programs, and progress towards goals.
• Develops all printed materials needed for the operation of the school.
• Serves in a liaison capacity with requisite State entities on an administrative and/or educational matter.
• Assists with the recruiting, scheduling, and training of volunteers within the school.

Managerial Duties

• Approves and authorizes: building usage, budget items, permanent record maintenance, building maintenance, all school-based activities and schedules, purchase and utilization of material resources, equipment, textbooks and supplies.
• Plans and implements the staff development program.
• Delineates all responsibilities and authority, establishing lines of communication and supervision.
• Develops enthusiasm and promotes positive morale among staff and parents.
• Actively leads and participates in the development of the master budget.

The Principal and Artistic Director will be the co-managers of the school’s performing arts curricula. [Comment 1] The selection of the Artistic Director will be the responsibility of the Board with recommendations from the Principal. The Artistic Director will assist the Principal in ensuring the coordination of the school’s performing arts tracks; ensuring the school curricula meets the requirements of State of Utah; [Comment 2] implementing Board decisions; and promoting the school’s mission, philosophy and goals.

The Artistic Director will be a SLSPA’s liaison with and coordinate between SLSPA, Highland High School, the local arts community, and the Salt Lake City School District. The Artistic Director will be responsible for identifying and applying for grants that will assist the school with its performing arts mission.

SLSPA will seek applicants for the position of Artistic Director who shall possess some or all of the following skills and/or experiences:

• Masters degree or equivalent work experience in the field of performing arts education. [Comment 3]
• Prior teaching experience, especially within the performing arts curriculum emphasis of the school. [Comment 4]
• A demonstrated ability to treat faculty, parents, and students with respect and provide honest communication.
• A demonstrated ability to incorporate our parents, students, board, community, and all interested parties the problem solving and decision making process.
• Experience in managing and monitoring performing arts goals and outcomes.
• Additional certifications, degrees, or training relevant to high school education in performing arts.

SLSCPA will expect its Arts Artistic Director to fulfill the following responsibilities:

Overarching Duties

• Demonstrates a commitment to SLSPA’s vision and mission and communicates that vision and mission to school personnel, the students, and families, and the community.
• Models school values for students, parents, and the Board.
• Functions as a visible leader maintaining frequent contact with students and staff.
• Exercises a participatory management style with staff.
• Communicates effectively by written and oral methods.
• Facilitates activities for families and staff to encourage community involvement and shared purpose.

Specific Educational Leadership Duties

• Assists in planning, evaluation, and setting of priorities of the performing arts programs.
• Coordinates design of the performing arts curricula with Board, staff, and volunteers, [Comment 5] including courses with joint enrollment of Highland and SLSPA students.
• Assists the arts staff faculty in evaluating their methods and instructional materials.
• Designs arts schedules and coordinates with Highland High staff.
• Develops cooperation and teamwork and a sense of shared purpose between the within both Highland and SPA staffs.
• Assists staff in accommodating individual student needs and abilities.
• Provides perspective on performing arts educational issues with the school’s Board on a regular basis.
• Recommends plans for improvement of the school’s arts instruction, school philosophy, and school policies.
• Assists the board in evaluating the school’s progress on established arts priorities.
• Coordinates school performing arts productions with faculty, staff, and Highland High, and Salt Lake City School District personnel.
• Applyies for grants to support the performing arts courses and productions.
• Coordinates the concept, development, and maintenance of physical facilities to support the performing arts coursework and productions.
• Establish and coordinate an Advisory Board of professional performing artists in from the community.

Community Relations Duties

• Promotes and develops a professional relationship with the school’s Board and staff.
• Seeks and considers opinions of others in a timely fashion.
• Provides information to community, media, and interested parties about the school, its programs, and progress made towards published goals achievement.
• Assists in developing printed materials needed for the operation of the school.
• Serves in a liaison capacity with State and District education professionals and Highland High school on performing arts educational matters.
• Assists with the recruiting, scheduling, and training of volunteers within the school.

Managerial Duties

• Assists in delineating responsibilities and authority of the performing arts faculty.
• Develops enthusiasm and promotes positive morale among staff and parents.
• Actively leads and participates in the development of the master performing arts curricula.

Parental involvement is crucial to the success of SLSPA. We value parental input and feedback. Parents will be encouraged to volunteer and participate in the Parent Teacher Organization and/or serve on the Governing Board. Other volunteer opportunities will be communicated to parents through a newsletter and school website. All parents will be encouraged to provide constructive criticism and offer alternatives and/or solutions. When issues or concerns are raised, interested parents may be asked to participate in a research committee to study the issue and offer alternatives/solutions to the Governing Board for consideration. In particular, we intend to host public Parent Dialogues so that interested parents can voice concerns, make well thought-out proposals for change, and participate in other meaningful ways.

The school will provide parents the opportunity for hands-on involvement in the education of their children. Parents who may not be available to volunteer during school hours may volunteer by doing things that may be done at home, in the evenings, or on weekends.

Parents will be encouraged to volunteer in a number of ways that may include committees, fundraising, office help, field trips, classroom help, tutors, assemblies, and others. A volunteer coordinator will be recruited to oversee volunteerism. The coordinator will organize and plan volunteer schedules, track volunteer hours, and disperse volunteer schedules.

By volunteering, parents will be key in easing some of the burdens on teachers and staff. Parental involvement may also allow teachers to focus more on their teaching by relieving them of some of the everyday secondary tasks required in the classroom, and provide parents a feeling of ownership in the school and their children’s education. and develop Developing strong parent/teacher relationships that will be an effective in means of enhancing and maximizing the learning experience of every child.

Each parent will automatically be included as a member of the Parent Advisory Association that will address the needs of the school community. Members of the Parent Advisory board will potentially serve on a Board appointed task force or committee and be encouraged to attend the monthly Board meetings. At Board meetings, parents are invited to make comments and suggestions related to school policies, procedures, programs, curriculum, and other issues being discussed at the meetings.

Communication with parents is key to the school’s success. The SLSPA will be subject to all State and Federal laws regarding this issue. Parents will be welcome to visit the school or classroom any time as long as they do not cause a disturbance to that inhibits effective classroom instruction.

5. Communication with Parents

Parents of the students attending SLSPA are vital to the success and operation of the school. Part of this vital involvement will be taking part in the many opportunities to help establish new and varied ways of improving the school. Parents may serve as committee chairs, and participate in the parent organization. In addition, parents will be asked to provide feedback and suggestions through surveys. Parents who have complaints or suggestions they would like to have considered will be invited to present them in writing to the Principal, Artistic Director and/ or the governing Board. Parents will be encouraged to provide alternatives and suggestions, and may be asked to lead a special committee to research and present options.

6. Complaints

Parent complaints will be taken seriously by SLSPA. Specific complaints will be addressed according to the following guidelines:

• Individuals with complaints should initially attempt to resolve the problem by addressing the parties directly involved.
• If disagreements cannot be resolved individually, the Principal or Artistic Director may serve as mediator to resolve concerns and facilitate understanding.
• Problems that cannot be resolved with the Principal may be presented to the Governing Board for consideration. The issue should be stated in writing and should specify the prior attempts at resolution both individually and with the Principal mediator. The Governing Board will investigate the complaint and make a decision according to the student’s best interests of all parties involved. [Comment 1]

1. Notification

SLSPA will prepare public service announcements in both English and Spanish for broadcast on local radio and television stations, and a press release for dissemination to all of the major print media in the school district. The for the purpose is to of informing the general public of the enrollment period and location of the school. The Governing Board will conduct community meetings and presentations on the high school in partnership with Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake City School District, and Salt Lake County. The Governing Board will also distribute informative fliers flyers in both English and Spanish throughout the community. Informative posters will be distributed to the Salt Lake City Library and other public locations in the community.

SLSPA also desires to inform Salt Lake City School District schools about the unique opportunities afforded to students who may attend SLSPA. Drama and voice teachers will be visited by school officials, notifying them of the open enrollment procedures at the school. By reaching out to SLCSD students, SLSPA will ensure that local children are afforded every opportunity to participate in the open enrollment period.

2. Selection

Following the notification period, an Open Enrollment Period will be established, during which . Applications will be received by the Board via mail, e-mail, and delivery. Within two weeks of receiving an application, the Board will notify applicant of receipt. An application will not be considered complete until such notice has been received. The Open Enrollment Period will allow for at least thirty (30) days to receive applications.

All complete applications will be added to an applicant pool. Prospective students will be given the opportunity to enroll regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, social or economic status, or special needs. The first priority for enrollment will be given to children of founding current staff members. After which, students will be selected by a computer-generated random draw conducted in an open meetings. This random draw will begin with the 12th grade students. When a student is chose, the siblings of the applicant will also be invited to enroll, provided there are openings. [Comment 1] The random draw will continue down to the 11th grade, then 10th grade, etc. Eligible students already enrolled will be given preference to re-enrollment during subsequent years. Siblings of enrolled students will also be given preference relative to other applicants. [Comment 1] Applicants will be notified in writing of their status or any change of status following the original lottery and subsequent lotteries. This notice will be provided within thirty (30) days of the application deadline.

3. Standards

SLSPA will assemble a student handbook including clear behavioral expectations and consequences for acceptable and unacceptable behavior. Parents and students will be provided with this handbook and will be expected to sign a behavioral contract agreeing to abide by these guidelines. Generally our behavioral policy will be guided by the following ideals:

• Mutual respect between all parties
• Issues should be addressed with related person(s).
• Zero Tolerance for teasing, putdowns, etc.

SLSPA will implement a school dress code policy for its students in accordance with state and federal law.

4. Dismissal

Ultimately student discipline will be conducted at the discretion of the Principal and he/she may utilize any means he/she feels is necessary to ensure a safe learning environment is maintained, as long as it is lawful and does not violate the rights of the student. If a student does not comply with the expectations outlined in the student handbook, SLSPA will attempt to resolve the problem by employing any or all of the following steps:

Step 1 - Parent/Guardian Notification: This may be written and/or verbal. This notification may be given by teachers, Principal, Artistic Director, or any other supervising adult. [Comment 2] Notification may require parent signature and/or a conference with the referring adult.

Step 2 – Principal Intervention and Parent/Guardian Notification: This will include a mandatory meeting with attended by the Principal, the parent/guardian, the student, and/or any other involved parties.

Step 3 - Suspension and/or Parent/Guardian Supervised Attendance: After due process for up to three (3) days with re-admission after a conference with principal, parent/guardian, student, and others parties as determined by the principal which will be provided within those 3 days this timeframe.

Step 4 – Suspension up to five (5) days with readmission contingent upon hearing and determination of the Governing Board. This hearing will be provided held during this five day period.

Step 5 – Expulsion after due process for the remainder of the semester and/or school year with a hearing by the Governing Board to determine eligibility for re-enrollment. This hearing will be conducted within one week of the student’s expulsion.

The Principal will be responsible for understanding the legal requirements for discipline in relation to students with disabilities. In most cases behavioral expectations will be the same for all students at the school unless the behavior is a manifestation of a student’s disability and/or special considerations have been made relative to a student’s IEP. Ultimately ensuring the safety of all students and school personnel will be a priority.

1. Screening and Selection

The SLSPA expects to include teachers, administration, and parents in a collaborative effort to create a true learning community to meet the needs of each student. All will be encouraged to use their skills, ideas, and creativity to resolve various issues facing individual students or the academy as a whole.

The school will select its personnel directly and in compliance with all Federal and State rules and regulations. The Board in collaboration with the director/principalPrincipal, and Artistic Director will be reasonable for the hiring, supervision, and evaluation of the school’s teaching staff as well as for periodic contract review. All teaching staff will be evaluated receive a performance evaluaton on a yearly basis. The Board will be responsible for evaluating the performance of the Principal and Artistic Director on an annual basis. The director/principal and the ‘Board will review all contracts periodically.

The Board or director/principal A designated and appropriately trained member of the Administrative Staff will mustcomplete background checks and /or order drug testing on prospective or currentemployees. This staff member will be responsible for maintaining confidential records of the completed screening tests as well as for renewing them on a period basis for all then current employees. Volunteers, who in any form come in unsupervised contact with the student body, will also be required to submit to a background check. [Comment 1]

2. Qualifications

The qualifications of the SLSPA principal are outlined above. [Comment 2] SLSPA will hire teachers in accordance with Utah State requirements for public school teachers. This includes certification and/or alternative certification as required by Utah law per Utah Charter School law 53A-1a-512.4. Ongoing employment at SLSPA is contingent upon meeting and or exceeding and maintaining these requirements.

SLSPA also intends to hire part-time employees teaching staff that are not may or may not be certified. Such All part-time employees teaching staff will meet minimum skill requirements for teaching at the school.

In addition, SLSPA will seek teachers with the following skills and experience:

• Prior teaching experience, [Comment 3] especially within the chosen curricula and/or chosen life skills processes.
• A demonstrated commitment to learn new curricula, as well as to propose improvements.
• A demonstrated ability to treat colleagues, parents, and students with respect and honest communication.
• A demonstrated willingness to collaborate with teachers, faculty and parents to creatively solve problems and make innovative decisions that will benefit the school.
• Demonstrated use of technology, both as a learning tool and to manage classroom activities.
• Confidence in managing volunteer efforts.
• Additional certifications, degrees or training relevant to high school education. [Comment 4]
• Leading instruction sessions in the chosen curricula.
• Teaching and adapting instruction to various development levels.
• Certifications in specific curriculum instruction. [Comment 4]

3. Staffing Patterns

It is proposed that students will rotate among classes at both SLSPA and Highland High School. For example, SLSPA students may take academic courses such as English, Math, Science, etc at Highland High while arts courses such as Dance, Art, Music and Theater will be taken at SLSPA. Further, it is anticipated that students of Highland High School will be able to take courses in the arts at SLSPA. Staffing requirements will be determined based on the number of students taking courses at each school and when the courses are offered. A sSpecific course offerings and where they will be taken are indicated in the Curriculum and Instruction section.

4. Teaching Schedule

Teaching schedules will follow the same A/B block schedule that is used at Highland High School. Full-time teachers will have one consultation period every day and will teach three classes per day.