FPCS Tidbits
November 12, 2021
Message from the Principal regarding FPCS' recharter
November 12, 2021
FPCS Families,
As you know Family Partnership is an ASD charter school, which receives state funding and operates independently, allowing ASD families to receive financial allotments and have choices in homeschool curriculum and course offerings. The ASD school board will be voting on our charter renewal at the Nov. 16th, 6pm school board meeting. Our charter is the contract between FPCS and ASD authorizing our existence and outlining the terms of our operation. The District is recommending a provisional 5-year instead of the typical 10-year, along with an enrollment cap of 1,850.
Why is the District recommending a 5 year vs. a 10-year charter?
Their reasons are related to the purchase and approval of religious curriculum from 4 years ago. You can access the documentation of these violations here. Last year alone, we purchased 3.3 million dollars of curriculum and services without an infraction. We hired a full-time Curriculum Coordinator and created a vetting system that assures monitoring of materials purchased from state funds are non-religious. The second reason for the recommendation is our FPCS board violated policy AR 6181 which requires staff recuse themselves from discussions regarding principal evaluations. We have responded to these concerns as a board, assuring continued professional development to make ourselves aware of state and district policies. FPCS is not perfect; we acknowledge our mistakes and are better because of them. We are the largest, second-oldest, and fastest-growing charter school in the state. We have the highest allotments of all the homeschool programs in the state, boasting 62% of our budget going straight to our families. We have the highest graduation rates of all the ASD charter schools and we proudly carry out our mission of “partnering with families, increasing student achievement.”
Why a 5-year charter vs. a 10-year charter matters?
A 5-year charter significantly affects our ability to secure a building lease and make other financial decisions that sustain the longevity of our school. We cannot sign a lease for longer than our charter.
We need your support in getting our charter fully approved for the next 10 years. Will you consider…
- Making public comment (either in person or via phone) at the next ASD school board meeting. Share your homeschool journey and let ASD know why you love FPCS. Instructions below for making public comment.
- Show up in support at the 11/16 ASD school board meeting
- Do you know a previous student, vendor, or community member that has benefitted from FPCS? Help us spread the word!
Let's show ASD and our community how much we value the flexibility of choice in our children’s education. Help ASD understand the value and benefits of providing this homeschool option to our community. Your voice matters! To sign up for public testimony, click on the following link by 2pm, 11/16- Sign up to Testify Be sure to put "Action Item: FPCS Charter Renewal" as the topic of your testimony, so your testimony lands properly timed in the agenda before the vote. More information regarding testimony instructions here.
Thank you for being part of our Family!
Sincerely,
Dr. Jessica Parker
FPCS Principal
Mark your calendar
- 11/16 ASD School Board Vote on FPCS Recharter
- 11/16 @ 2:30 pm Parent Workshop Civil Air Patrol: STEM Kits & Cadet Program
- 11/22-26 Thanksgiving Holiday - Office Closed
- 12/3 REIMBURSEMENT DEADLINE(receipts dated 6/1/21-12/03/21)