EDWARD L POZZUOLl Direct Dial: 954-760-4934 June 3, 2014 The I-Ionorable Glenda Ritz Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Indiana Department of Education PNC Building, South Tower, Suite 600 115 West Washington Street Indianapolis, IN 46204 Dear Superintendent Ritz, The undersigned represents the Turnaround School Operator, Charter Schools USA. We write on behalf of the students of Emma Donnan Middle School (Donnan}, Thomas Carr Howe Community High School (Howe}, and Emmerich Manual High School (Manual). On behalf of our students and because of our commitment to them, we feel duty bound to express our grave concerns with the pending recommendation to the State Board of Education that significantly reduces School Improvement Grant (SIG) funding to Donnan, Howe and Manual (collectively the "Turnaround Schools" ) over the next two years. As a reminder, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) opted to intervene in the above to bring in external schools pursuant to P.L. 221. This law allowed the Superintendent turnaround school operator for schools that had received the state's lowest grade of "F" for six consecutive years. The Turnaround Schools here have repeatedly been deemed by IDOE to be in the "Highest Priority" category, because of this special status, for purposes of receipt of grants awarded from 1003(a) school improvement funds (SIG). The Turnaround Schools safely fit within the federal guidelines and meet all the requirements to receive SIG funds. Moreover, the Turnaround Schools fully comply with No Child Left Behind (NCLB) SIG standards as these corrective action and restructuring. schools have been identified for school improvement, Pursuant to NCI. B, the grant of SIG funds to the Turnaround schools would demonstrate the State's strong commitment to ensuring SIG funds are used to achieve the goals expressed under the State's own established education plans. The Turnaround Schools' operation fully satisfy the USDOE's "next steps that IDOE must take or demonstrate to meet the principles of ESEA In fact, the work performed at the Turnaround flexibility" pursuant to its monitoring report. Schools has been used as evidence to support and protect the State's NCLB waiver request. The Turnaround Operator, as a Local Educational Agency, is compelled to protect its receipt of aII Federal Funds. We have real concerns that a reduction in SIG funds to the Turnaround Schools may jeopardize the State of Indiana's education status with the USDOE, as such cuts may well be viewecl as arbitrary and will clearly have a significant negative impact upon those students these SIG funds were specifically intended to benefit and who have the greatest need. 110 Southeast Sixth Street, Fifteenth Floor ~ Fort auderdale, Fllorida 33361 Post Office Box 14245 ~ Fort Lauderdalle, Florida 33392 Tel 954.525.75GQ ~ Fax 954.761.8475 ~ www. trippscottcorn I ~Pa e2 Letter to The honorable Glenda Rttz Indtana Su enntendent of Publtc Instructton 1une 3 2014 In addition, pursuant to the contractual agreement between the IDOE and the Turnaround School Operator, it was agreed that SIG funding was vital and necessary to operate the Turnaround Schools. The use of these funds has facilitated a true improvement in school environment, The reestablishment of a full range of student activities, culture and academic performance. programs and athletics has begun to show real improvement in student life and pride in these schools. The Turnaround Schools have, for example, had a reduction in disciplinary and other of a character related issues. This, in part, has been achieved through the implementation education program. Indeed, the most recent ISTEP scores {not yet public} show significant gains across each Turnaround School in virtually all areas. While there is still progress to be made, the intervention efforts are beginning to take hold and are having an impact on each and every student who attends these Turnaround Schools. We ask, therefore, on behalf of the students and parents of the Turnaround Schools, that the State not reduce this much needed funding. We seek a greater State commitment to the Turnaround Schools and are willing to be an active participant in a solution that strengthens these Schools, In our view, a commitment would involve additional funding; as such should the pending recommendation be approved, we will have no choice but to exercise our rights of redress pursuant to our contractual agreement with the State and seek relief directly from the State Board of Education. To our mind, an additional commitment would, in part, include an assurance of receipt of SIG and other monies beyond the next two school years. We respectfully request a action so we may better review the budget impact any potential deferral of this proposed and to allow us to work with the State Board to build upon the recommendation may have progress and achievements that been accomplished by our students thus far. We offer to be a willing partner with the State Board in ensuring the future success of the Turnaround Schools in order to continue to enrich the lives of the students in our care. E3P/jjc cc: 3onathan K. Hage State Board of Education Claire Fiddian-CJreene