School Selection Process

Per Senate Bill 522, a list of qualifying schools is created each year based on data from the previous school year. the ISD superintendent will present this list to the State Board of Education for approval. By November 15, the ISD Superintendent shall notify superintendents and local boards of education that have schools on the Qualifying List of each school’s status, performance data, considerations for improvement, and any additional information deemed necessary by the ISD Superintendent.

Qualifying Schools are schools with a school performance score in the lowest-performing five percent (5%) of all schools meeting the following criteria:

• Receives funds under Part A of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended.
• Is governed by a local board of education subject to this Article
• Is not one of the following types of schools:
• An alternative school
• A cooperative innovative high school
• A school that was in its first or second year of operation in the previous school year
• A newcomers school. (A newcomers school is a school in which at least ninety percent (90%) of its students are enrolled for no more than one year on the basis of their status as recently arrived English language learners.

State Board of Education shall select the following schools to become innovative schools:

• The lowest scoring qualifying school in the State identified based on the school performance score calculated from data for the 2019-2020 school year to become an innovative school in the 2021-2022 school year.
• The lowest scoring qualifying school in the State identified based on the school performance score calculated from data for the 2020-2021 school year to become an innovative school in the 2022-2023 school year.

Additionally, the State Board of Education shall select schools for transfer to the ISD based on an analysis and evaluation of performance of qualifying schools using a three-year tiered process as follows:

• Qualifying List
  In the first school year in which a school has been identified as a qualifying school based on data from the previous school year, the school shall be placed on the ISD qualifying list. By November 15, the ISD Superintendent shall notify the superintendent and local board of education of that school’s status and provide that school’s performance data, considerations for improvement, and any additional information deemed necessary by the ISD Superintendent.
• Watch List
  If a school that was on the qualifying list in the prior school year remains a qualifying school in the next school year, the school shall be placed on the ISD watch list. By November 15, the ISD Superintendent shall notify the superintendent and local board of education of that school’s status and provide that school’s performance data, considerations for improvement, and any additional information deemed necessary by the ISD Superintendent.
• Warning list
  If a school that was on the watch list in the prior school year remains a qualifying school in the next school year, the school shall be placed on the ISD warning list. A school shall remain on the ISD warning list until it is either no longer a qualifying school or is transferred into the ISDBy November 15, the ISD Superintendent shall notify the superintendent and local board of education of that school’s status and provide that school’s performance data, considerations for improvement, and any additional information deemed necessary by the ISD Superintendent.

During this phase, the local school district and the ISD team work to establish final protocols and plans for:

• Transfer of the school to the ISD
• Development of contracts and agreements
• Design and implementation planning for the launch of a local Innovation Zone (if requested by the local school board, recommended by the ISD superintendent and approved by the SBE)

Elements of Partnership & Operations

• Transportation to be provided by local school district
• Direct management by IS operator for a five-year contract (possible 3-year extension)
• IS operator authorized to have direct role in making decisions about:
  • school finance
  • human capital
  • curriculum and instruction while developing the leadership capacity in such schools
• Shall remain open to enrollment in the same manner with the same attendance zone as prior to becoming an innovative school
• Facility and capital expenditures – Local BOE shall be responsible for facility and capital expenditures. IS operator and local BOE shall enter into an occupancy agreement establishing terms of occupancy for the IS operator
• In consultation with ISD Superintendent, IS operator may elect to enter into a memorandum of understanding for alternative arrangements with the local BOE to address:
  • Facility and capital expenditures
  • Transportation services
  • Services for Children with Disabilities
• The ISO shall select and hire the principal of the school
• All other personnel retained at the school shall be employees of the ISD (selection based on feedback from the ISO and ISD Superintendent)
• Employees shall be eligible for enrollment in the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System of NC and other benefits available to State employees
• IS operator shall provide funds to the ISD in an amount sufficient to provide salary and benefits for employees of the ISD working in the innovative school based on the terms of the employment established by the IS operator

All contracts and agreements are signed and enacted between all parties. School personnel, leaders and I-Zone staff are identified and hired to operate the schools.

The ISD, the selected and approved Innovative School Operator (ISO), and the local district are collaborating towards the full operation of the Innovative School and Innovation Zone (as applicable). This would include identification and partnership with other local organizations, community leaders and parents/families to ensure strong engagement in the effective operation of the schools.

Innovative Schools (as operated by ISO) and Innovation Zones are engaged as partners for a minimum of 5 years, with an option to operate an additional 3 years if student and school outcomes are improving.

During the final year of operation under the ISD, the team engages in a process for effectively returning the school to the control and management of the local district.

• This transition planning process will include:
• Analysis of data and outcomes for students at the school
• Assessment of teacher and school leader performance over the previous four-year period
• Parent engagement and education activities on the transition through forums and open-house style events
• Personnel transition plans (back to the district or other options)

Transition Phase Outcome

Transition the ISD school back to the local district or the school may be closed if the local school board elects not to receive the school back into the local district

Innovative school operator may apply to convert the school to a charter school if the local school board elects not to receive the school back into the local district