Additional Start-Up Phase Supports

Innovative Schools can provide additional supports to a newly opened school including support with recruiting a teaching staff, academic support, and more.  Learn more by visiting the Innovative School Staffing and Innovative School Solutions divisions.

One of the biggest obstacles to opening a new school is establishing an effective support network. The Alliance of Model Schools is a cost-free membership that provides resources, advocacy and networking for schools that implement a new school design.  Learn more, click here.

 

Do you have specific questions about replicating a new school model?

Check out our list of Frequently Asked Questions. If you don't see your question on the list, or would like to discuss a model further, email or call us! Dawn Downes, Director of Innovative School Models, 302-656-4737 or ddownes@innovativeschools.org.

Thank you!
Innovative Schools would like to thank the Welfare Foundation for their support of Innovative Schools’ New School Development program, which helps to launch new charter schools. The Welfare gift will provide a revolving fund to cover the costs for community groups interested in working with Innovative Schools to develop a high quality charter application and replicate one of school designs in our Portfolio of Model Schools.

Start-Up Phase


 Application Phase   |   Planning Phase   |   Start-Up Phase

 Relationship

During the Start-Up Phase, Innovative Schools is a comprehensive support organization and resource center for your school. Our Start-Up Phase programs are geared toward professional development and continuous improvement for both school administration and teaching staff to ensure that your school is utilizing best practice and meeting the mandates of the charter agreement.  Back office support services ensure that limited resources are effectively managed and that cost savings can be redirected to students

Commitment

The Start-Up Phase begins early in the summer before the doors of the new charter school open and continues throughout the school year.

Deliverables

During the Start-Up Phase, Innovative Schools provides the following support services at a minimum:

  • Up to 225 hours of support with Financial Reporting including:
    • Budget planning
    • Local billing support
    • Monthly reconciliation of accounts
    • Preparation and dissemination of monthly board and web reports
    • Preparation of annual GAAP report
    • Attendance at Board meetings to discuss financial reports
    • Effective records management
    • Review of state and local funding
    • Assistance in preparation of consolidated grant application
    • Bi-annual food service reporting
    • School audit assistance
    • Financial training for the Board of Directors
  • Up to 300 hours of support with FSF/PHRST
    • FSF Accounts Payable – Data Entry
    • Monitoring of FSF Accounts
    • Ensure transactions pass budget check
    • Monitor purchase order balance
    • Payroll processing through PHRST system
    • Benefits administration
    • Personnel file audit
    • New employee orientation
    • Advise on FLSA / FMLA compliance
    • Advise school employees on state benefit rights, short term disability, pension counseling and enrollmen
  • Up to 20 hours of support with Licensing and Certification Assessment
    • Determine the licensing and certification status of each teacher and provide a report on status of all professional staff
    • Train teachers and administrators on how to navigate the Delaware Educator Data System (DEEDS). 
    • Provide teaching staff with recommendations for proceeding from one license level to the next
    • Assist teaching staff in the continuing license renewal process
    • Support for non-certified, emergency certified, or ARTC teachers who need to take the Highly Qualified Survey, Praxis II, or Para Pro tests
  • Up to 216 hours of Information Technology support  including:
    • General maintenance and repair
    • Hardware and software installation
    • Hardware and software troubleshooting
    • Needs assessment
    • Network security
    • Rapid-Response Service
    • 24-Hour emergency service
    • Remote network monitoring