2023-2024 DOPR Internet-or Computer-Based Community School

  • This application is for new internet- or computer-based community schools that will primarily serve students in a dropout prevention and recovery program managed by an operator in accordance with ORC 3314.013 B(4). Please review any supporting documentation found with this application including the rubric, timeline, and attachment list. Please note that all file uploads are required to be in PDF format. At the bottom of this application, there is a Save and Continue Later option for your convenience.
  • General Information

    Name of the Primary Contact for the application and the Organization completing the application on behalf of the school:
  • Enter the address of where the school will be operating from. If an address is not yet known, please enter the city.
  • Note: A majority of students must be in a dropout prevention and recovery program.
  • Development Team

    This section focuses on the development team for the proposed school. The development team plays a critical role in starting the school and Team members should have a varied range of expertise. This section will be scored on the following criteria (based on the resumes uploaded below): 1. the team consists of several individuals with diverse skills; 2. evidence was provided showing the team members have expertise in at least three (3) of the following areas: business, education, finance, technology and governance.
  • Provide a current resume for each development team member and upload as a single PDF document titled Attachment 1. Note: Each resume must contain current contact information (mailing address and phone number).
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    Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 512 MB.
    • If any member of the development team plans to continue to be involved with the school or the governing authority after opening, please describe the role. If no members intend on transitioning to the school or governing authority, please enter “N/A”.
    • Governance

      The governing authority’s role is vital to the school’s success and future existence. The governing authority sets policies, establishes the budget and is the fiduciary agent for the community school. The governing authority is responsible for compliance with the community school contract and applicable local, state and federal laws. The governing authority of the community school is the responsible entity and contracting party for any community school contract. Ohio Revised Code requires no fewer than five (5) members. Under ORC 3314.036, the governing authority must employ legal counsel, who is independent from the school’s sponsor and the operator. Independent counsel shall negotiate the school’s contract with the sponsor or the school’s contract with the operator.
    • Provide the names and email addresses of each governing authority member. Click the plus symbol to add additional rows. Provide a resume for each governing authority member as a PDF document titled Attachment 2. This section is scored based on the number of governing authority members with all requested information provided as well as an assessment of the resumes to determine members’ experience and expertise with community schools and governing authorities. Note: to receive a “Meets” information must be provided for at least five (5) members.
      NameEmail Address 
    • Drop files here or
      Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 512 MB.
      • Describe the governing authority structure (including how/when meetings are held, committees, terms, etc.), recruitment and future development plans. This section will be scored based on the applicant providing a clear plan with all of the requested information.
      • Under Ohio Revised Code Section 3314.036, the governing authority must employ legal counsel who is independent from the school’s sponsor or the operator. Independent counsel shall negotiate the school’s contract with the sponsor or the school’s contact with the operator. While a score will not be given for this section, the expectation is that the legal counsel listed has experience with Ohio law as it pertains to community schools.
        Name of Legal CounselContact Information Phone and Email 
      • Management

        This section focuses on the operator of the proposed school.
      • What type of organization is the management company?
      • Management Company NameContact PersonPhone and EmailManagement Company IRNManagement Company EIN 
      • Please provide the following:
        • • Provide a higher-level description of the management company’s role with managed school(s), and
        • • Describe the management organization’s responsibility to the governing authority.
        • • Upload a copy of the management agreement as a PDF document titled Attachment 3. If a management agreement has not been finalized, provide a copy of the management agreement template as a PDF document titled Attachment 3. To receive a “Meets” on this section, a final or template management agreement must be submitted AND a detailed description of the management organization’s roles and responsibilities.
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        Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 512 MB.
        • Please provide the following:
          • • Describe the organizational structure of the management organization including specific individuals who will be responsible for the day-to-day operation and success of the proposed school.
          • • Upload the EMO or CMO organizational chart with description of each person’s responsibilities as a PDF document titled Attachment 4 with defined responsibilities for each individual.

            To receive a “Meets Expectations” all of the information above must be provided.

        • Drop files here or
          Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 512 MB.
          • In the box below, please provide:
            • • A formal statement of business goals, reasons they are attainable and plans for reaching them which contains information on the academic, financial and operational position of your organization over multiple years.
            • • Include how many schools the organization plans to open over the next five (5) years.
            • To receive a “Meets” the plan provided must contain all of the required elements and demonstrate the organization’s capacity to achieve the stated goals.
          • As part of the application, the most recent audits for internet- or computer-based schools currently operated by the replicator will be collected and reviewed. If the Auditor of State has identified findings for recovery, please provide details below describing how these findings have been resolved. If there have not been any findings for recovery, please note that in the text box. If any unresolved findings exist, a score of Meets cannot be received.
          • For any internet- or computer-based school not currently sponsored by St. Aloysius, upload the last three (3) months of board approved financials and supporting board meeting minutes for the currently operated internet- or computer-based schools as PDF documents titled Attachment 5. If necessary, provide a brief explanation below of the information contained in the current financials. A score of Meets will not be received if all requested information is not provided.

            Please note: CSS will collect this information for any school currently sponsored by St. Aloysius and it will be reviewed and scored along with the information uploaded.

          • Drop files here or
            Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 512 MB.
            • Has any member of the development team, governing authority, management company or treasurer/fiscal officer, been involved with an entity that was involved in a bankruptcy, closed for financial reasons or has been designated as unauditable by the Auditor of State?
            • If YES, please list the entity involved, the management company’s relationship to the entity and a brief description of the situation.
            • Record of Success

            • Provide a list of each internet- or computer-based school ever affiliated with the management organization that includes the following:
              • • Names of schools,
              • • If the school is operating or closed. If closed, the reason for closure,
              • • Dates of management organization’s affiliation with the school,
              • • Grade levels served,
              • • Number of students served by year,
              • • For Traditional Schools, the Overall Grade, Progress grade and Performance Index Score for the years affiliated,
              • • For DOPR Schools, the Overall Grade, High School Test Passage Rate, Progress grade, Gap Closing and Graduation Rates, AND
              • • A summary for each school describing challenges encountered and/or successes achieved in the schools’ academic performance.
              • Upload as a PDF document titled Attachment 6. To receive a “Meets” all of the required information must be provided and evidence a record of academic success in affiliated schools.
            • Drop files here or
              Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 512 MB.
              • Provide data evidencing the management organization’s financial and business experience related to starting and operating schools. This information should include:
                • • Debt carried by affiliated schools
                • • The number of affiliated schools that owe money to the management organization and how much is owed.
                • • This information should be provided for each school listed in the Record of Success in Academics section.
                • Note: You may provide the information in the text box and/or upload a file. All of the requested information must be included. If uploading a file, it must be a PDF titled Record of Success Financial/Business. If ONLY uploading a file, please enter “See Attachment” in the text box. To receive a “Meets Expectations” there must be clear evidence that shows the management organization has a record of success in the financial and business aspects of starting and operating community schools.
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                Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 512 MB.
                • Describe and provide data evidencing the management organization’s experience and success with underserved student populations with emphasis in experience in online or remote education programs as well as dropout prevention and recovery programs.

                  You may provide the information in the text box and/or upload a file. If uploading a file it must be a PDF titled Record of Success in Underserved Student Populations. If ONLY uploading a file, please enter “See Attachment” in the text box. To receive a “Meets”, there must be strong evidence showing experience with underserved student populations.

                • Drop files here or
                  Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 512 MB.
                  • Educational Program

                    This section focuses on the educational program of the proposed school.
                  • Please complete the education plan document that is found on the Application page of the website and upload it as a PDF document titled Education Plan. The education plan should clearly describe an online- or internet-based curriculum. If the application is approved, the education plan becomes part of the contract agreement.
                    Drop files here or
                    Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 512 MB.
                    • Demographics and Market Research

                      This section focuses on the demographics and marketing research of the proposed school.
                      • Please provide the following:

                        – Describe how the school model will serve the unique needs/characteristics of the dropout prevention and recovery populations across the state or the target area that students will be drawn from.

                        – Describe the targeted area that this school’s students will be drawn from.

                        – Provide specific data that shows the state’s or targeted area’s need for the school’s model.

                        You may provide the information in the text box and/or upload a file. If uploading a file it must be a PDF titled School Model . If ONLY uploading a file, please enter “See Attachment” in the text box.

                    • Drop files here or
                      Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 512 MB.
                        • Upload a list of all schools (traditional and community) that offer the same grades and programming that this school is offering. Also provide the following:

                            – Using the list of schools provided, describe the current educational options available.

                            – What deficiencies or lack of capacity exists from the existing schools and how will this school fill those deficiencies?

                          • Note: You may provide the information in the text box and/or upload a file. If uploading a file, it must be a PDF titled Attachment 7 Market Research. If ONLY uploading a file, please enter “See Attachment” in the text box. To receive a Meets you must provide all of the requested information.
                      • Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 512 MB.
                        • Upload evidence of support for your school as a PDF document titled Attachment 8, such as:
                          • • Letters of support showing how the school will meet student and family needs,
                          • • Other indicators of support for the school.
                          • The letters of support must:
                            • • Be dated within one year of application date,
                            • • Specifically support this school.
                            • To receive a “Meets Expectations” support must be shown. Providing a robust plan to establish support may receive a “Partially Meets” and not providing either receives a “Does Not Meet”.
                        Drop files here or
                        Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 512 MB.
                        • Please provide the following:
                          • • Discuss the school’s current recruitment and marketing plans.
                          • • Discuss plans to maintain student enrollment at the lowest grade level and attrition at all grade levels.
                          • • Future marketing strategies.
                          • • Upload copies of promotional or recruitment materials including; media plans, marketing plans, open house schedules, etc. as a PDF document titled Attachment 9.
                          • To receive a “Meets Expectations” the evidence provided must reflect a realistic and attainable plan to recruit students and maintain enrollment. This should align with the enrollment projections listed below.
                        • Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 512 MB.
                        • Enrollment Projections

                        • Year 1Year 2Year 3Year 4Year 5 
                        • Financial Records

                          This section focuses on the finances of the proposed school.
                        • Upload the the management organization’s most recent annual income statement and balance sheet as a PDF document titled Attachment 10. Describe below, in detail, the plan to support the new school(s) while continuing to support currently operated schools.
                        • Drop files here or
                          Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 512 MB.
                          • Using ODE’s Community School Annual Budget template (found with the application supporting documents or on ODE’s website), provide the school’s first-year budget with monthly detail showing expected cash flow, assets and liabilities as a PDF document titled Attachment 11. The information in the budget should align with the enrollment projections listed above.
                              If the budgets for each location will vary significantly, provide a budget for each location.
                                To receive a “Meets Expectations” the budget must be complete and realistically reflect the enrollment, revenue and expenditures of the school.
                          • Drop files here or
                            Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 512 MB.
                            • Please provide the following:
                              • • Upload a sample five-year forecast for the proposed school(s) using the Ohio Department of Education’s prescribed format and guidance as a PDF document titled Attachment 12a.
                              • • Upload the most recent five-year forecasts for all internet- or computer-bsed schools currently operated, and not sponsored by St. Aloysius, as PDF documents titled Attachment 12b.
                              • • If necessary, provide a brief explanation below of your five-year forecast(s).

                                Please note: CSS will collect five-year forecasts for schools currently sponsored by St. Aloysius and they will reviewed/scored along with the documents uploaded.

                            • Drop files here or
                              Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 512 MB.
                              • If applicable, upload signed letters of commitment for contributions of funds or in-kind services as a PDF document titled Attachment 13. If necessary, provide a brief explanation of the contributions below.
                              • Drop files here or
                                Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 512 MB.
                                • Describe the governing authority’s plan to maintain the school’s short and long term financial stability and viability, including potential reductions in expenditures relative to fluctuating enrollment. Note: You may provide the information in the text box and/or upload a file. All of the requested information must be included. If uploading a file, it must be a PDF titled Financial Stability. If ONLY uploading a file, please enter “See Attachment” in the text box.
                                • Drop files here or
                                  Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 512 MB.
                                  • Compliance

                                    The purpose of this section is to verify the replicator has the knowledge and understanding needed to maintain compliance with state and federal guidelines and appropriate operational procedures. Inclusion of complete policies, benefit manuals, or handbooks are not required at this time.
                                  • As part of the application, the compliance site visit reports from the previous school year will be collected and reviewed for all internet- or computer-based schools managed by the replicator. CSS staff will collect compliance site visit reports for schools currently sponsored by St. Aloysius.
                                    • • Upload copies of all reports of site visits conducted by another sponsor from the previous school year as PDF documents titled Attachment 14. If any items are non-compliant, provide a brief explanation below of the reason for non-compliance and explain steps taken to achieve compliance.
                                  • Drop files here or
                                    Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 512 MB.
                                    • Describe your experience with compliance as it relates to internet- or computer-based schools. You must include the following: 1. Provide evidence showing knowledge and understanding of attendance rule and law for e-schools. 2. Evidence of a state and diagnostic testing logistics plan. 3. Evidence of systems and attendance tracker.

                                      You may enter information in the text box and/or upload a document as a PDF titled Compliance Internet or Computer Based Schools. If only uploading a document enter “Upload Only” in the text box.

                                    • Drop files here or
                                      Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 512 MB.
                                      • Please provide a description of the school’s plan to address support services necessary for the school. The description/plan must, at a minimum, include a plan for providing special education and related services to students with disabilities, providing a computer/device to students, internet reimbursement, EMIS, and any contracted services not previously addressed in this application.
                                      • Have any of the schools managed by the operator been on probation and/or received an intent to suspend notice? If yes, provide copies of all probation or intent to suspend notices and any school responses as a PDF document titled Attachment 15.
                                      • Drop files here or
                                        Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 512 MB.
                                        • Capacity to Execute

                                          Each section of the application will be used to inform reviewers of the capacity of the applicant to execute the plan as described throughout the application. If there is any information you would like to provide that is not previously stated in the application, please provide below.

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