The Rockford School Board has approved five-year contract agreements with Galapagos Rockford Charter School and Legacy Academy of Excellence Charter School.

The administration recommended the board extend each school’s charter by five years, with the first year of each agreement as a review period with renewal conditions. 

The renewal and new agreement terms increase each school’s accountability to the district’s administration and the community. The agreement says RPS administrators will receive regular updates on students’ academic progress.

“It’s part of the district’s responsibility to make sure our charter schools have a high quality academic program that’s best serving the needs of our community,” said Assistant Superintendent of Accountability Dan Woestman.

The renewal conditions state that in the first year of the agreement, Galapagos administration must show: -Implementation of more regular student achievement data reports -Compliance with the Illinois Open Meetings Act -Compliance with the Governance and Operations section of the agreement, such as board membership and activities -Compliance with the Specialized Services section of the agreement, such as special education services.

The renewal conditions state that in the first year of the agreement, Legacy administration must show: – Implementation of more regular student achievement data reports -Compliance with the Illinois Open Meetings Act -Compliance with the Governance and Operations section of the agreement, such as board membership and activities -Compliance with the Specialized Services section of the agreement, such as special education services -Progress on teacher evaluations, program evaluations and leadership meeting structures

RPS administrators value options for Rockford families, including specialized schools and programs such as the Renaissance Gifted Academy, Maria Montessori School, Barbour Language Academy, Creative and Performing Arts, among others. The three charters in RPS offer families another public education option. (The charter agreement for RPS’ third charter, CICS Jackson, is up for renewal next year.)

“We’re looking forward to ensuring the options that our community has – including public charter schools – are continuing to improve and best meet the needs of our kids,” Woestman said.

–News Bulletin news sources