Investing in Educational Excellence (IE2) System Application

Investing in Educational
Excellence (IE2) System
Application
DISTRICT NAME
Paulding County School District
DISTRICT ADDRESS
3236 Atlanta Highway
Dallas, Georgia 30132
Richard Woods
State School Superintendent
1
IE2 SYSTEM APPLICATION
COVER SHEET
Please enter the requested information in the gray boxes following each question. Thank you!
Proposed IE2 System Information
1. Full Name of Proposed IE2 System Paulding County School District
2. Please indicate whether this is a:
New Petition X or a Renewal Petition
3. How many schools in total are you
proposing to include in your IE2 system?
33
4. How many of each of the following schools are you proposing to include in your IE2 system?
Primary School(s)
Middle School(s)
9
Elementary School(s) 19
High school(s)
5
2
5. On July 1 of what year do you want your IE contract to be effective? 2015
6. IE2 System Street Address
3236 Atlanta Highway
7. City
Dallas
10. Contact Person Gina King
8. State
Georgia
9. Zip
30132
11. Title Director of Accountability
12. Contact Street Address
3236 Atlanta Highway
13. City
Dallas
14. State
Georgia
16. Contact’s telephone
number 770-443-8003
Ext. 10104
17. Contact’s fax number
770-443-6014
15. Zip
30132
18. Contact’s E-mail Address
gking@paulding.k12.ga.us
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THE PAULDING COUNTY SCHOOL
DISTRICT IE2 PARTNERSHIP
APPLICATION
In accordance with the State of Georgia in Article 4, O.C.G.A. § 20-2-84, the Paulding County School
District intends to operate as an IE2 school system through the development of the IE2 partnership
between our school district and the State Board of Education. The following components consist of the
current planning for completing the application and developing the contract necessary to take effect on
July 1, 2015.
Paulding County School District Overview
The Paulding County School District is driven by a vision that promotes a strong focus on learning; a
mission that charges staff to action aligned with the vision; and, a set of beliefs regarding staff and
stakeholder responsibilities. PCSD's Strategic Plan provides direction for how the ideals set forth in the
Vision, Mission, and Beliefs will be accomplished.
OUR VISION
The vision of the Paulding County School District is to provide a safe, healthy, supportive environment
focused on learning and committed to high academic achievement. Through the shared responsibility of
all stakeholders, students will be prepared as lifelong learners and as participating, contributing members
of our dynamic and diverse community.
OUR MISSION
The mission of the Paulding County School District is to prepare ALL students to be successful in the
21st century.
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OUR BELIEFS
1. We believe students are our first priority.
2. We must provide our students with a safe and healthy learning environment.
3. We believe all students will learn.
4. We believe positive relationships are crucial to the success of students, teachers, and parents.
5. We believe we must effectively use best practices in instruction.
6. We believe in the development of collaborative learning communities in our schools.
7. We believe preparing students for graduation is a responsibility that begins in kindergarten.
8. We believe that data should drive instruction.
9. We believe the family and community must be involved in the education of their children.
10. We believe in building leadership and maximizing potential in all employees.
The Paulding County School District (PCSD) serves approximately 28,488 students (FTE) in special
needs pre-school through twelfth grade. Located 40 miles northwest of Atlanta, Paulding provides the
benefits of metropolitan resources while affording a suburban lifestyle. The proximity to Atlanta has
drawn many newcomers to the area resulting in explosive growth and changing demographics over the
last two and a half decades. In 1988, PCSD had a student enrollment of 6,452 which consisted of eight
elementary schools, two junior high schools, and one high school. Currently PCSD serves the student
population in 19 elementary schools, nine middle schools, five high schools, and one alternative
education program. The Paulding County School District employs approximately 3,300 people.
Approximately 60% of those employees are certified teachers.
The recent economic recession hit the Paulding community and the Paulding County School District
particularly hard. Since 2008, the local Tax Digest, net, has decreased by 27.3%, or $1.1 billion. While
programs such as the Equalization Grant have helped ease the impact, State of Georgia Austerity
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reductions are in place and total $13.5 million, or 9.7% of all QBE Earnings for FY2015. Per the Georgia
Department of Education, total Revenues have decreased 1.2%, or $2.7 million from FY2008 to FY2014.
Expenditures have decreased 0.6% or $1.3 million during the same period. Simultaneously, PCSD has
adapted to educate a growing student enrollment (FTE), increasing from 25,865 to 28,488, or 10.1% from
FY2008 to FY2015. The cumulative impact of these funding and enrollment trends has dramatically
impacted the functioning of the District. With a waiver of State regulations related to class size, the staffstudent ratio has increased by up to five students in classrooms and programs over the last three years.
Programs such as Middle School Athletics and Instructional Coaches have been eliminated. Professional
Learning, local school, and instructional budgets have been cut. The school calendars for 2010-2014
included a reduced number of student attendance days. During this same time, staff members have each
absorbed a total of 26 unpaid leave days. For the 2014-2015 school year, the District was able to restore a
full calendar for both students and staff. As new State initiatives have begun implementation, the District,
with support of the Local Board of Education, has had to add additional support staff. The District has
provided an additional administrator for each school, the Evaluation and Assessment Coordinator (EAC).
The role of the EAC is to assist with the implementation of Teacher Keys Effectiveness System (TKES),
coordinate student testing with Student Learning Objectives (SLO’s), and offer customized professional
learning throughout the year.
The College and Career Readiness Performance Index (CCRPI) is a comprehensive school improvement,
accountability, and communication platform that promotes college and career readiness for all students.
Districts and schools across the state of Georgia receive a CCRPI score between 0 and 100. For the 2014
school year, scores at each level decreased, which was consistent with the decrease in scores at the state
level. For the 2012 school year, PCSD elementary, middle, and high schools had CCRPI scores below the
state average. In 2013, both elementary and middle school had CCRPI scores above the state with high
school still below. The 2014 District scores now indicate all levels have CCRPI scores above the state
average.
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The four largest subgroups within PCSD are students with disabilities (SWD), economically
disadvantaged (ED), Hispanic, and Black. Of these four, the Hispanic subgroup has shown positive trends
in four of the five subject areas. The SWD and Black subgroups have shown an increase in the percentage
of students meeting and exceeding the standard in all subject areas. The SWD subgroup has shown the
most success in closing the gap between subgroups and all students. The SWD subgroup is closing the
gap in four of the five subject areas over the past four years.
The instructional program is coordinated through the PCSD Curriculum Department and focuses on the
use of best practices for implementation of the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards in order to
maximize learning for each individual student. The District fosters a proactive approach to optimize
learning by providing time, resources, professional learning support, and district-wide collaboration that
focuses on the needs of each school and the District as a whole.
Student needs are met through a comprehensive range of programs and services. Instructional support
programs such as Gifted, English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Special Education (ESEP), Title
I, and the Early Intervention Program (EIP) are structured to complement each other to best meet all
students' learning needs. A variety of programs are available to support the enrichment of a student
experience including Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE), Advanced Placement (AP),
Magnet, Fine Arts, virtual and blended-learning, and College Credit Now. Students' social and emotional
needs are addressed through the K-12 guidance and counseling program, student advisement program,
and through coordination with external services and agencies.
The Paulding County School District has developed a leadership succession plan that builds capacity for
future leaders. Teacher leadership is encouraged through building-level leadership teams and district-level
opportunities. Through partnerships with Georgia's Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI),
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the Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA), the Georgia Department of Education (DOE), and
surrounding colleges and universities, the district has established methods for preparing Paulding County
educators for formal leadership and administrative roles. The New Principal's Institute provides timely,
relevant support to novice administrators in their first two years of administration. A well-planned,
comprehensive leadership training initiative enables the District to meet the growing demands for school
and district-level leaders.
All members of the Paulding County School District demonstrate their commitment to providing highquality educational opportunities for their students by engaging in a continuous improvement process.
Throughout the District, efforts are aligned, results are examined, and people are valued as we work
toward our shared mission for the Paulding County School District and the children we serve: that all
students are prepared for success in the 21st century.
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Paulding County School District Student Population
October 7, 2014
FTE Cycle 1 Date
Total Number of Students = 28,488
Student Groups
Percent
American Indian
0.2%
Asian
0.8%
Pacific Islander
0.1%
Black
21.0%
Hispanic
8.0%
Multiracial
4.2%
White
65.3%
Paulding County School District Students Served by Program
October 7, 2014
Program
ELL
Free/Reduced Lunch
Gifted
Students With Disabilities
Percent
1.2%
42.2%
6.9%
12.0%
American Indian
Ethnicity Demographics
Asian
Black
80%
Hispanic
67.2%
70%
67.1%
66.5%
Multi
65.3%
White
Percent of Students
60%
50%
40%
30%
20.1%
20.0%
20.4%
21.0%
20%
10%
0.8%
0.3%
7.3%
3.9%
0.8%
0.2%
7.5%
3.8%
0.8%
0.2%
7.7%
3.9%
0.8%
0.2%
8.0%
4.2%
0%
2012
2013
2014
2015
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Ethnicity Demographic Trends
80.00%
Percent of Studnets
70.00%
67.20%
67.10%
66.50%
65.30%
American Indian
60.00%
Asian
50.00%
Black
40.00%
Hispanic
30.00%
Multi
20.10%
20.00%
20.40%
21.00%
7.30%
3.90%
0.80%
0.30%
7.50%
3.80%
0.80%
0.20%
7.70%
3.90%
0.80%
0.20%
8.00%
4.20%
0.80%
0.20%
2012
2013
2014
2015
White
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
ELL Students
370
360
360
Number of Students
349
350
340
330
333
ELL Students
323
320
310
300
2012
2013
2014
2015
9
Students With Disabilities
4000
Number of Students
3000
3436
3229
3500
2953
2825
2500
2000
Students With Disabilities
1500
1000
500
0
2012
2013
2014
2015
Students Enrolled in the Gifted Program
2,500
2,034
2,000
Number of Students
1,885
1,971
1,675
1,500
Gifted Students
1,000
500
0
2012
2013
2014
2015
10
Students Receiving Free and Reduced Lunch
46.00%
45.42%
Percentage of Students
45.00%
44.10%
44.00%
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.00%
42.20%
41.84%
42.00%
41.00%
40.00%
2012
2013
2014
2015
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THE CASE COMPONENT
“Focused on Learning”, the theme for the Paulding County School District, exemplifies the District’s
commitment to meet the needs of each individual student as we foster high academic achievement. The
Investing in Educational Excellence (IE²) Partnership will enable the District to focus on the various
needs of our population as we utilize the flexibility granted by the State Board of Education.
Through collaborative efforts among stakeholders, prioritized challenges for the Paulding County School
District were determined along with high-impact strategies and action steps to target the challenges.
Specific Title 20 Law and State Board of Education Rules which place limits on the District’s ability to
focus on individual student’s needs were reviewed and identified. The greatest challenges faced by the
District include: meeting the needs of each individual student, technology use and resources, and financial
ability to provide resources necessary to increase student achievement. Flexibility with Title 20 Law and
State Board of Education Rules requested through the Investing in Educational Excellence (IE²)
partnership will allow the District to be innovative with the use of best practices to optimize the
effectiveness of instruction. The chart below describes the prioritized challenges affecting the Paulding
County School District. Action steps are included to explain how the District will utilize waivers to
address challenges and increase student achievement. Finally, the necessary waivers requested by the
Paulding County School District application will alleviate the constraints of Title 20 Law and State Board
of Education Rules, allowing the District and schools to focus on individual student needs in order to
increase academic achievement.
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Summary of Challenges Aligned with Necessary Waivers
Challenges Prioritized
Order
Specific Action and Explanation
Waivers
The Paulding County School District will
The following waivers will provide the flexibility necessary to address one or more of the
develop innovative practices with course
District challenges:
Provide a learning
design, programs, and scheduling which will
 Salary Schedule requirements (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-212, and SBOE Rule 160-5-3environment that
maximize academic achievement and
.08)
enables the District to
organizational effectiveness. Data will be
 Class-size and Reporting requirements (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-182)
meet the needs and
analyzed frequently at the school and District
increase academic
 Direct Classroom Expenditures and Expenditure Controls (O.C.G.A. § 20-2level to determine students’ progress and
achievement for all
171)
needs.
learners.
 Program Enrollment & Appropriation (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-160)
 Certification requirements (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-200, O.C.G.A. § 20-2-201,
O.C.G.A. § 20-2-204, O.C.G.A. § 20-2-167(a,3) and SBOE Rule 160-3-3-.04 )
 Educational Programs (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-151 to 20-2-156 and SBOE Rule 160The Paulding County School District will
4-2-.38, SBOE Rule 160-4-5-.02, SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.17)
Provide financial
align spending priorities with the District
 Organization of Schools; Middle School Programs; Schedule (O.C.G.A. § 20-2stability for the District
Strategic Plan and individual School Plans to
290, 20-14-33(g))
to enable all schools to
optimize student academic achievement.
 Competencies and Core Curriculum, Online Learning (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-140.1,
have necessary
20-2-142 and SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.48, SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.47)
resources to maximize
academic achievement
 Flexibility with regards to Public School Choice (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2131)
for all learners.
 Scheduling for Instruction: (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-168 and SBOE Rule 160-5-1-.02)
 Promotion and Retention: (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-283 and SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.11 )
 QBE Financing (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-161)
The Paulding County School District will
 Categorical Allotment requirements: (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-184.1, O.C.G.A. § 20-2increase the capacity, use, and variety of
182(h), and SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.14)
Provide technology
technology for engaging students, developing
 Graduation Requirements (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-131 and SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.48,
resources and
collaborative communities of students and
SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.47 )
professional learning
staff, and enhancing communication to all
 Statewide Passing Score: (SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.13 Section 2(a)
for the most effective
stakeholders.
use of these resources
to maximize academic
achievement for all
learners.
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THE WAIVERS COMPONENT
Under O.C.G.A. § 20-2-80 and SBOE Rule 160-5-1-.33, the Paulding County School District is
seeking flexibility for all its schools from the following state statutes and/or rules in exchange for
greater accountability (as outlined in the IE2 Partnership Contract) over the life of a five-year
contract which allows for seven years of flexibility between the Paulding County Board of
Education and the Georgia State Board of Education.

Salary Schedule requirements (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-212 and SBOE Rule 160-5-3-.08)

Class-size and Reporting requirements (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-182)

Direct Classroom Expenditures and Expenditure Controls (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-171 and SBOE Rule
160-5-1-.29)

Program Enrollment & Appropriation (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-160)

Certification requirements (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-200, O.C.G.A. § 20-2-201, O.C.G.A. § 20-2-204,
O.C.G.A. § 20-2-167(a,3) and SBOE Rule 160-3-3-.04 )

Educational Programs (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-151 to 20-2-156 and SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.38, SBOE
Rule 160-4-5-.02, SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.17)

Organization of Schools; Middle School Programs; Schedule (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-290, 20-14-33(g))

Competencies and Core Curriculum, Online Learning (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-140.1, 20-2-142 and
SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.48, SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.47)

Flexibility with regards to Public School Choice (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2131)

Scheduling for Instruction: (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-168 and SBOE Rule 160-5-1-.02)

Promotion and Retention: (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-283 and SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.11 )

QBE Financing (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-161)

Categorical Allotment requirements: (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-182(h), O.C.G.A. § 20-2-183-186 and
SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.14)

Graduation Requirements (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-131 and SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.48, SBOE Rule 160-42-.47 )

Statewide Passing Score: (SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.13 Section 2(a))
14
THE ACCOUNTABILITY COMPONENT
The Paulding County School District will be held accountable to the State Board for the
performance of the academic goal listed below.
Goal 1: Each Paulding County school will demonstrate proficiency and/or improvement on
the CCRPI.
Action 1: Each school will annually develop and execute a school strategic plan designed to
demonstrate proficiency and/or improvement on the CCRPI.
Measure 1: School performance goals will be set so that for each year during the five-year
contract, an individual school shall increase its CCRPI score, without Challenge Points, by 3% of
the gap between the baseline year CCRPI score (without Challenge Points) and 100. The
baseline year is 2015-16.
OR
Measure 2: For each year during the five-year contract, an individual school with an initial
CCRPI score, without challenge points, performing in the top quartile of the state within each
grade level shall remain at or above the top quartile threshold established the baseline year. The
baseline year is 2015-16.
OR
Measure 3: If a school fails to meet its CCRPI target score, the school will be deemed as
meeting its yearly performance target if the school is determined to be “beating the odds”
through an analysis that compares the school’s CCRPI to its expected baseline performance as
determined by comparison schools statewide having similar characteristics (i.e. ED, ELL, SWD,
school size, teacher-to-pupil ratio, etc…).
Goal 2: The Paulding County School District will engage in sound financial practices
which result in economic stability.
Action 1: The Paulding County School District will implement exemplary practices with
regards to accounting and financial reporting.
Action 2: The Paulding County School District will receive a satisfactory audit report on annual
audits completed by external financial auditors. The District will meet all Generally Accepted
Governmental Accounting Standards (GAGAS).
Action 3: Annually, the Paulding County School District will develop a proposed budget that is
reflective of the needs of our schools and our District.
15
Measure: Each year, the Paulding County School District will develop and communicate a
balanced General Fund.
Goal 3: The Paulding County School District will provide a positive school culture that
fosters communication and engagement among all stakeholders.
Action 1: The Paulding County School District will foster collaboration and shared decision
making among schools, parents, and the community through the utilization of Local School
Councils.
Action 2: The Paulding County School District will foster positive involvement of parents, the
community, and staff by providing opportunity for feedback and/or discussion during public
Board of Education meetings and quarterly Stakeholder meetings.
Measure: The Paulding County School District will achieve a STAR School Climate Rating
equal to or above the state school district average.
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The Consequences Component
Sanctions and interventions for nonperforming schools:
The schedule of sanctions and interventions shall be designed to ensure that the local school
system sufficiently addresses the achievement deficiencies at all non-performing schools under
the local school system’s management and control. Such sanctions and interventions shall be at
the recommendation of GOSA and shall include the following:
Annually, all schools in the Paulding County School District will develop and submit a School
Strategic Plan which includes components addressing the annual performance goals as outlined
by the IE2 contract. In accordance with O.C.G.A. § 20-2-84.1, the Paulding County School
District will employ the following interventions or sanctions at all non-performing schools under
the Paulding County School District’s local management and control. The sanctions and
interventions shall include the following:
(a) If based upon the review of 2018-19 performance data, a school has not made sufficient
progress toward meeting the articulated academic goals, a school improvement plan will
be incorporated into the annual school strategic planning process. The school
improvement plan will address the specific achievement deficiencies along with a
targeted plan to address the deficiencies. The school improvement plan and the targeted
plan will be approved and monitored by the district throughout the academic year.
(b) If based upon the review of 2020-21 performance data, a school has not achieved three
years of growth in the articulated academic goals, the Paulding County School System
will apply direct school management support and intensive teacher development support
as outlined in the jointly developed school improvement plan between the school
leadership and district leadership staff. Implementation of the school improvement plan
will be jointly approved and monitored by the school system and the Georgia Department
of Education.
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EXHIBITS
1. Signed Letter of Intent and Local Board of Education Resolution
18
19
2. Public Hearing Notice
PCSD to hold public hearing on IE2 Contract on February 9, 2015
Pursuant to official notice, the Paulding County School District has scheduled a public hearing to
be held in conjunction with the District Stakeholder’s meeting regarding the District’s Investing
in Educational Excellence (IE2) Partnership Contract. The public hearing will be held Monday,
February 9, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room at the District Office, 3236 Atlanta Highway,
Dallas, Georgia. The purpose of the public hearing is to gather input prior to approval by the
Paulding County Board of Education and submission to the Georgia Department of Education.
For more information, please contact Gina King at 770-443-8000, extension 10104 or by email at
gking@paulding.k12.ga.us.
Notice to Principals sent on January 27, 2015:
Good Afternoon, Principals,
A public hearing has been scheduled to be held in conjunction with the District
Stakeholder’s meeting regarding the District’s Investing in Educational
Excellence (IE2) Partnership Contract. The public hearing will be held Monday,
February 9, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room at the District Office, 3236
Atlanta Highway, Dallas, Georgia. The purpose of the public hearing is to gather
input prior to approval by the Paulding County Board of Education and
submission to the Georgia Department of Education. The draft contract
application will be posted on the district website February 3, 2015, for review.
Please share this information at your local school.
I would like to thank you all for your support and ideas as we have worked to
develop a plan that will best meet the needs of our students and community!
Thank you,
Gina
Gina King
Director of Accountability
Paulding County School District
gking@paulding.k12.ga.us
770-443-8003 X10104
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3. List of District Schools Included in IE2 System
Paulding County School District Schools
Elementary Schools:
Allgood Elementary School
Bessie L. Baggett Elementary School
Burnt Hickory Elementary School
C.A. Roberts Elementary School
Connie Dugan Elementary School
Dallas Elementary School
Floyd L. Shelton Elementary School
Hal Hutchens Elementary School
Hiram Elementary School
Lillian C. Poole Elementary School
McGarity Elementary School
Nebo Elementary School
New Georgia Elementary School
Northside Elementary School
Roland W. Russom Elementary School
Sam D. Panter Elementary School
Sarah M. Ragsdale Elementary School
Union Elementary School
W.C. Abney Elementary School
Middle Schools:
Carl Scoggins Sr. Middle School
East Paulding Middle School
Herschel Jones Middle School
Irma C. Austin Middle School
J.A. Dobbins Middle School
Lena Mae Moses Middle School
P.B. Ritch Middle School
Sammy McClure Sr. Middle School
South Paulding Middle School
High Schools:
East Paulding High School
Hiram High School
North Paulding High School
Paulding County High School
South Paulding High School
4. School Plans
School Plans are located at: http://www.paulding.k12.ga.us/content_page2.aspx?cid=22982
5. Description of IE2 System
See pages 3 - 7 of this application
6. Fiscal History
Paulding County School District (PCSD) is the 13th largest system in the State of Georgia. As of FY2014,
the District received $7,738 per FTE in revenue. Compared to a 51% statewide average, 71% of the
District’s total revenue comes from the State. Fueled by the State’s K-12 Equalization Program, which
helps supplement the local funding of low-wealth school systems, PCSD was the 9th largest recipient of
State funding. PCSD is the 3rd largest recipient of Equalization funds, totaling $32.7 million in FY2015 –
21
which equals 16% of the District’s total revenue. In fact, Equalization represents a larger percentage of
the District’s total revenue than any other district in Georgia (except Pelham and Trion City Schools).
Compared to a 41% statewide average, 24% of the District’s total revenue comes from local sources.
Since 2009, the net tax digest in Paulding County has declined 21%. In addition, Paulding County has
more “school-age children per household” than any surrounding or comparable school district. This
means because the bulk of local tax revenue comes from property taxes (not students), we receive less
local revenue per child. As a result, the District’s local tax revenues have declined 32% since FY2009,
compared to a statewide average of only 9%. PCSD’s current Maintenance & Operations (M&O) Millage
Rate is 18.879, nearing the 20.000 State maximum. Since the FY2003 inception of Austerity cuts, PCSD
reductions have totaled $134 million. The bulk of Austerity reductions occurred over the last 7
years meaning 87% of all reductions have occurred over the last 7 years alone – a $19.4 million average
per year. FY2003 to FY2008 (6 years) only account for 13% – a $2.5 million average per year. PCSD’s
FY2015 General Fund budget totals $222 million. In FY2015, through conservative budgeting and
increased funding, the District has been able to eliminate furlough days, provide a cost-of-livingadjustment (COLA), and decrease class-sizes. In addition, we have increased funding for technology,
professional development, safety and security, and bus replacement. Based on FY2015 projections, the
General Fund ending balance will total approximately 1.5 times FY2016 monthly expenditures. The
District currently has $109 million in outstanding bond debt. In 2014, PCSD refunded $91 million in
debt, saving approximately $9 million in interest over the life of the bonds. In May 2014, the voters of
Paulding County approved an extension of the penny sales tax (ELOST). Since 1997, voters have
consistently supported PCSD through resolutions, approving four previous ELOST programs (1997,
2001, 2006, and 2011). Over the past 17 years these programs have paid debt, purchased land, built and
equipped hundreds of classrooms, and helped maintain and renovate existing facilities. At the conclusion
of ELOST IV in March 2016, ELOST V collections will begin in April and are estimated to total $88
million over the five year term. Collections will be allocated evenly between debt service (principal and
interest on existing debt) and capital improvements.
7. Audit Reports
http://www.audits.ga.gov/rsaAudits/searchOptions.aud
Enter Project ID: 7101-2013
8. Accreditation
http://www.paulding.k12.ga.us/content_page2.aspx?cid=22982
9. Strategic Plan
http://www.paulding.k12.ga.us/content_page2.aspx?cid=22982
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ASSURANCES FORM AND
SIGNATURE SHEET
The law requires your school district to provide assurances that it will do certain things and comply with
certain laws. This Assurance Form enumerates all of these requirements and, when you submit this
signed Signature Sheet with this Assurance Form as part of your IE2 System Application Package, you are
providing the legal assurance that your IE2 system understands and will do these things. This form must
be signed by a duly authorized representative of the school system.
As the authorized representative of the applicant, I hereby certify that the information submitted in this
application for an IE2 contract for The Paulding County School District located in Paulding County is true
to the best of my knowledge and belief; I also certify that if awarded an IE2 the school system:
1. Shall be nonsectarian in its programs, admissions policies, employment practices, and all other
operations;
2. Shall not discriminate against any student or employee on the basis of race, color, ethnic
background, national origin, gender, disability or age;
3. Shall be subject to all federal, state, and local rules, regulations, court orders, and statutes
relating to civil rights; insurance; the protection of the physical health and safety of school
students, employees, and visitors; conflicting interest transactions; and the prevention of
unlawful conduct;
4. Shall be subject to the provisions of O.C.G.A § 20-2-1050 requiring a brief period of quiet
reflection;
5. Shall ensure that the IE2 system is subject to the provisions of O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1 et seq. and
O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.;
6. Shall ensure that all teachers will be certified or highly qualified in compliance with No Child Left
Behind;
7. Shall comply with the accountability provisions of O.C.G.A. § 20-14-30 through § 20-14-41 and
federal accountability requirements, and participate in statewide assessments;
8. Shall adhere to all provisions of federal law relating to students with disabilities, including the
IDEA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1974, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990, as applicable;
9. Shall provide state and federally mandated services for English Language Learners, as applicable;
10. Shall provide for supplemental educational services as required by federal law and pursuant to
SBOE Rule 160-4-5-.03, and for remediation in required cases pursuant to SBOE Rule 160-4-5.01;
11. Shall notify the state of any intent to contract with a for-profit entity for education management
services;
12. Shall be subject to the requirement that it shall not charge tuition or fees to its students except
as may be authorized by local boards by O.C.G.A. § 20-2-133;
13. Shall comply with federal due process procedures regarding student discipline and dismissal;
14. Shall be subject to all laws relating to unlawful conduct in or near a public school;
15. Shall have a written grievance procedure to resolve student, parent, and teacher complaints;
16. Shall comply with the provisions of O.C.G.A. § 20 -2-211.1 relating to fingerprinting and criminal
background checks;
17. Shall ensure that if transportation is provided for its students, the system shall comply with all
applicable state and federal laws;
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18. Shall ensure that if the IE2 system participates in federal school meals programs, then each
participating system IE2 school shall comply with all applicable state and federal laws;
19. Shall prepare a safety plan in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 20-2-1185 and submit and obtain
approval from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency;
20. Shall comply with the state facility requirements regarding site codes, facility codes, the
submission of architectural plans for any new facility that the system may build or occupy during
the IE2 term and all other facility requirements as established by the Department;
21. Shall be subject to all reporting requirements of O.C.G.A. § 20-2-160, subsection (e) of O.C.G.A.
§ 20-2-161, O.C.G.A. § 20-2-320, and O.C.G.A. § 20-2-740;
22. Shall be subject to an annual financial audit conducted by the state auditor or, if specified in the
IE2 contract , by an independent certified public accountant licensed in this state;
23. Shall acknowledge that all criteria used to calculate QBE funding may not be waived;
24. Shall follow any and all other federal, state, and local laws and regulations that pertain to the
applicant or the operation of the IE2 system; and
25. Shall ensure that all new principals and other school leaders, central office staff,
superintendents, and Board of Education members receive a detailed orientation session on
their IE2 system commitments as part of their “on-boarding” process.
This IE2 System Application, Assurance Form, and attached Exhibits were approved by the Paulding
County School District Board of Education on the
day of
, 2015.
_____________________________________
Superintendent
________________________
Date
_____________________________________
Chair, Local Board of Education
________________________
Date
If an IE2 contract is granted, all Petitioners assure that the proposed IE2 system programs, services, and
activities will operate in accordance with the terms of the IE2 contract and all applicable federal, state,
and local laws, rules, and regulations.
_____________________________________
Superintendent
________________________
Date
_____________________________________
Chair, Local Board of Education
________________________
Date
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