REGULAR BOARD MEETING

BOARD MATTERS
November 3, 2021

Susie King Taylor Community School CHARTER: Two Year Extension

of Existing Charter Contract (GOALS 1, 2, 3, 4,)

The Susie King Taylor Community School Charter School (SKTCS) has served the students
of Savannah-Chatham County for over four years and is currently in the final school year of
their existing Charter. SKTCS has not met the accountability expectations set forth for
academics and student performance during the contract period. These deficiencies include
low academic performance, low Climate Star Rating, and designation as a Targeted Support
and Improvement (TSI) school by the Georgia Department of Education (TSI schools have at
least one subgroup that is performing in the lowest 5% of all Georgia schools in at least 50%
of CCRPI components).

The Charter School is currently under a Corrective Action Plan that the State Department of
Education approved, and they are monitored monthly.

SKTCS initiated the Charter Renewal process and met the required renewal deadlines;
however, due to significant performance deficiencies, the administration cannot support a
five-year charter contract renewal at this time.

Throughout the renewal process, the administration collaborated with the charter petitioners
and sought guidance from the State Department of Education. While the performance
deficiencies are concerning, all parties agree that the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic
have diminished the ability to make a quality recommendation due to lack of reliable
performance data over the last two school years (SY 2020 and SY 2021). The extension will
allow the charter school to continue to operate under specific terms and conditions outlined
in the contract extension. The administration supports this extension to allow for proper
performance review to account for the pandemic disruptions.

The SKTCS Charter Petitioner now requests a 2-year extension on the current charter
contract to demonstrate successful academic performance and improvement. The
Governing Board of the Susie King Taylor Community School has approved the amendment,
and the extension agreement has been reviewed by the Superintendent and Board
Attorney. Board action at this time is required.

THUS, BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, that the Board
approve the amendment to the Charter contract and extend the Charter term for the Susie
King Taylor Community School Charter School by two years to conclude on June 30 th, 2024.
(ENCLOSURES)