EProposed AR 6187.1 Charter School Administrator Evaluation

For committee review, attached is the proposed AR 6187.1 Charter School Administrator Evaluation. 

Soldotna Montessori had the following comments regarding AR 6187.1 - Our APC members did not have any feedback regarding the proposed changes. We will be using the new policy AR6187.1, if adopted, to modify our bylaws this year to match the policy. That policy seemed to reflect well the current practice, and we will look specifically at ensuring teacher participation on our APC match the guidelines of the policy. Specifically we will be looking to allow teacher participation in APC matters, but restrict their participation in the principal evaluation process, as an APC member.

Aurora Borealis had the following comments regarding AR 6187.1 - The APC discussed AR 6187.1 Charter School Administrator Evaluations during their August 27, 2019 APC meeting. There was a unanimous motion to approve the AR with no reservations.

Fireweed Academy had the following comments regarding AR 6187.1 - 

A central issue - and a change from current policy (if not practice) - is: who conducts the performance review for the Principal? In a traditional human resources context, the authority to hire also includes the right to fire and evaluate, though the policy and the statute currently are silent here. While the APC recognizes the unique dynamic created by charter schools (see, e.g., AS 14.14.130), we believe the APC should have a meaningful, substantive role in the evaluation of the principal before any evaluation by the District, with the intent to provide a more-informed evaluation that includes the local perspectives of the APC. Accordingly, the APC recommends the following revision to the proposed policy:

[Proposed revision underlined]

The District shall designate a qualified evaluator to conduct an
evaluation of the charter school administrator. The individual
conducting the evaluation will meet the requirements of AS
14.20.149 and shall utilize the District's administrator evaluation
procedures. Prior to any evaluation under this section, the evaluator shall obtain from the APC feedback on the principal’s performance, and any other information that may assist the evaluation process.

Kaleidoscope had the following comments regarding AR 6187.1 - Our APC actually discussed this again last night at our APC meeting. The concern they have is that our process seems to work to provide the perspective from the staff and from the outside members of the board. KSAS APC wants to understand what type of involvement the staff will be limited too. They feel that the staff members are able to provide insight that parent and community reps many not have access to, such as communicating effectively with staff in meetings, evaluations, support with students and families, classroom interactions, etc… The founding members said it seems that it helped to create a checks and balance of sorts.