Policy 7.134

Encouraging Large Schools to Subdivide Into Schools-Within-a-School

1. The School Board acknowledges the Florida Legislature's determination that, to reduce the anonymity of students in large schools, the School Board shall adopt a policy that encourages the subdivision of large schools into schools-within-a-school.

2. The term "school-within-a-school" shall be defined as an operational program that uses flexible scheduling, team planning, and curricular and instructional innovation to organize groups of students with groups of teachers as smaller units, so as to functionally operate as a smaller school.

3. As mandated by Fla. Stat. §§ 1001.42(20) and 1003.02(4), the School Board hereby adopts a policy of encouraging (but not requiring) schools to subdivide into "schools-within-a-school."

4. A school-within-a-school shall operate within existing resources, as required by Fla. Stat. § 1003.02(4).

5. When planning for and implementing a school-within-a-school, the school principal shall advise and counsel with the Area Superintendent and School Advisory Council to develop a program patterned after one of the following models set forth in Fla. Stat. § 1003.02(4), or a similar model:

1. An organizational arrangement assigning both student and teachers to small units in which the students take some or all of their coursework with their fellow grouped students and from the teachers assigned to this smaller unit. A unit may be grouped together for either one (1) year or on a vertical, multiyear basis.

2. An organizational arrangement similar to that described in paragraph (5)(a), with the additional variations in instruction and curriculum. The smaller unit usually seeks to maintain a program different from that of the larger school, or of other smaller units. It may be vertically organized, but is dependent upon the school principal for its existence, budget, and staff. The District's career-education programs and career academies may be examples of this model.

3. A separate and autonomous smaller unit formally authorized by the school board or superintendent. The smaller unit plans and runs its own program, has its own staff and students, and receives its own separate budget. The smaller unit must negotiate the use of common space with the larger school and defer to the building principal on matters of safety and building operation

6. Unless otherwise specifically authorized by the School Board, when a school-within-a-school is created, the school principal shall maintain oversight of all portions of the school site, consistent with School Board Policy 1.014 and Fla. Stat. §§ 1012.28 and 1001.54, although the immediate supervision of the smaller unit may be delegated to another administrator.

7. The establishment of a school-within-a-school will be carried out consistent with Article IX of the Classroom Teachers Association Collective Bargaining Agreement, or other applicable collective bargaining Agreement, if said Article or Agreements are deemed applicable.