HAMILTON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

3074 Hickory Valley Road

Chattanooga, TN 37421

MEMORANDUM

TO: Hamilton County Board of Education

FROM: Dr. Bryan Johnson, Superintendent

DATE: February 15, 2018

RE: Partnership MOA

The Partnership MOA with the State Department of Education is presented as discussed
at the February 8, 2018 Work Session for approval.
 Partnership Network

Memorandum of Agreement

This memorandum of agreement ("Agreement") by and between the Hamilton County Board of Education
("HCBE") and the Tennessee Department of Education ("TDOE") (hereinafter, collectively referred to as the
"Parties") establishes a new school improvement model—a Partnership Model—intended to improve
academic outcomes through evidence-based strategies and allocation of additional resources to low-
performing schools. A Partnership Model joins together district and state resources to be used pursuant to
T.C.A. §49-l-602((b)(2)(a), and establishes a Partnership Network ("Network") within the Hamilton County
School District.Through this Agreement, HCBE and TDOE shall build a plan to ensure success for every student
enrolled in schools within the Network, such that all students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to
successfully embark upon their chosen path in life.

This Agreement specifies the schools to be served through the TDOE and HCBE Network, goals for the progress
of those schools, commitment for how the schools in the Network shall be supported, and the roles of the
Parties. This Agreement shall become effective upon the date of execution by both parties and shall expire at
the end of the 2022-2023 school year.

The Network plan shall be established on four evidence-based standards:

• Strong leadership: ensuring that every school has a results-oriented, community-competent leader
• Talent management: recruiting and retaining effective teachers with the will and skill to teacher
students in high-needs schools
• Effective instruction: training and supporting highly effective teachers in the depth and knowledge of
instructional practice
• Student supports: providing support and wraparound services that engage students, parents,
community partners, and other stakeholders

Section 1: Network Structure

The Network shall be supported by an advisory board of local leaders called the Partnership Network Advisory
Board ("AB"). The AB shall include seven members. Four (4) members, including the chair of the AB, shall be
appointed by the Commissioner of Education ("Commissioner"). Three (3) members shall be appointed by
HCBE at the recommendation of the Director of Schools for Hamilton County ("Director of Schools"). The AB's
membership shall be residents of Hamilton County. Members of the AB shall be appointed within 30 days
from the effective date of this Agreement. The AB's role is advisory only.

Responsibilities of the AB shall include the following:

• Review and comment on the goals established for the Network by the Commissioner and Director of
Schools;
• Review progress towards those goals and issue reports on progress to the Commissioner, Director of
Schools, and the HCBE;
 • Hold at least four public meetings each year to hear public input on the goals of the Network and the
progress towards those goals; and
• Review proposed Network activities and programs to ensure interventions are evidence-based;
• Review implementation of Network initiatives and make recommendations to the Commissioner,
Director of Schools, and the HCBE regarding needed changes or interventions;
• Review and advise on the allocation of resources to Network, including uses of grant, state, and local
funding, and make recommendations to the Commissioner, Director of Schools, and the HCBE.

Decision-making for Network schools in the following areas shall be made by the HCBE and Director of Schools
in compliance with state law, local procurement policies and in consultation with and consensus of the TDOE:

• Evaluation, hiring, and retention decisions of school leaders

• Teacher and principal evaluation model selected for use
• Resource allocation and budgets for Network schools
• The requisite criteria and selection process for any external vendors, partners, programs, or
instructional materials

• Establishment of any compensation plans or incentives

Furthermore, HCBE agrees to prioritize the following to support Network schools:

• Expedited and streamlined processes for procurement and hiring in accordance with all state laws and
local procurement policies, such that needed resources can be made available quickly
• Recruitment and placement of highly effective educators through partnerships with residency and
alternative certification programs and the reduction of vacancies and long-term substitutes

Section 2: Executive Leadership of Network

The Network shall be supported by a designated leader, employed and designated by the HCBE with the
approval of the Commissioner. This position shall report to the Director of Schools and be evaluated pursuant
to state law and HCBE policy annually but such evaluation shall include a measure of the progress toward the
jointly approved and publicly reported goals of the Network..

The Commissioner shall appoint a management liaison ("Network Facilitator") to the Network, who shall
regularly monitor and support the Network, the designated leader of the Network, as described in the
paragraph above, and the AB. The Commissioner may also appoint an instructional liaison ("Network
Instructional Coordinator") to the Network, who shall support instructional walkthroughs, implementation of
instructional materials, and educator support programs. The Network Facilitator and Network Instructional
Coordinator shall be employed by the TDOE and provide regular reports to the Commissioner and the AB
regarding progress towards goals.

Both the Network Facilitator and Network Instructional Coordinator shall have access to any necessary school
and staff data in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws.

Furthermore, the Commissioner and Director of Schools shall meet at least twice annually for the purpose of
discussing Network progress towards goals, initiatives, and staffing.
Section 3: Finances

The Network is eligible to receive applicable state and federal school improvement funds with the
understanding that certain school improvement funds are limited to support of those schools designated as
Priority or Focus schools.

As part of this Agreement, HCBE agrees to review uses of and leverage other state, local, and federal funding
sources to ensure that the needs of Network are prioritized.

TDOE and HCBE shall work together to complete periodic resource allocation reviews to assess the impact of
financial investments in Network activities.

Section 4: Schools Included in Network

Whereas T.C.A. § 49-1-602 authorizes the Commissioner to place any school identified on consecutive priority
school lists into the Achievement School District ("ASD"), this Agreement is being entered into in lieu of ASD
intervention for Priority schools in Hamilton County for the 2018-19 school year. The Network will include the
five (5) schools currently designated as Priority Schools within the Hamilton County School District and will
expire at the end of the 2022-2023 school year.

The schools currently covered by this Agreement are the five (5) schools served currently designated as Priority
schools:

Brainerd High School

Dalewood Middle School
Orchard Knob Elementary School
Orchard Knob Middle School
Woodmore Elementary

Schools may be added into or removed from the Network during the period of this contract only through an
Amendment of this Agreement executed by both parties.

Section 5: Guiding Principles

The following guiding principles have been used to develop this Agreement and shall guide the operation of
the Network:

• School Empowerment: Provide schools with the autonomy and support they need to make the best
decisions for students.

• High Standards: Improve academic performance of all students through a system of high standards
and accountability.
• Focus on Excellent Educators: Attract, recruit, retain, and support the preparation and development of
an exceptional educator workforce.
• All Means All: Provide individualized support and opportunities for all students with a focus on those
who are furthest behind.
 • Deep Engagement: Provide engaging learning opportunities for students, through innovative practices
beyond the traditional classroom.
• Continuous Improvement: Commit to intellectual honesty in identifying areas of strength and areas for
development, and design processes to collect and use data to drive continuous improvement.

Section 6: Goals of the Partnership Network

The Commissioner and Director of Schools shall jointly establish long-term and annual goals for every school in
the Network and for the Network as a whole within 60 days from the effective date of this Agreement and
annually prior to the start of the school year every year thereafter. Prior to the establishment of goals, the
Director of Schools shall consult with the AB as described in section one of this agreement.

Network goals shall include but not be limited to:

• Increases in the number of students scoring on grade level or mastered on the TNReady assessment
• Increases in the number of students deemed a Ready Graduate as outlined in the state accountability
model

• Decreases in chronic absenteeism

• Schoolwide growth scores that exceed expectations, at a level four (4) or five (5)
• Increases in the hiring and retention of highly effective educators
• Placement and retention of highly effective leaders in each school

Section 7: Amendments

Upon mutual agreement,the TDOE and HCBE may amend any portion of this agreement any time throughout
the term of this agreement. Such amendments shall be incorporated herein and made effective only upon
written approval by the Parties.

Section 8: Termination

Either party may terminate this Agreement for convenience without cause and for any reason by providing the
other party at least thirty (30) days written notice before the termination date. IfHCBE exercises the right to
terminate this Agreement, the Commissioner may immediately place all schools included in the Network at
the time of termination in the ASD.

Section 9: Adherence to Laws and Administrative Rules

The Parties intend that they be bound by, and that this Agreement be subject to, any and all applicable future
amendments or additions to the state law, federal law, Tennessee State Board of Education Rules and Policy.
TDOE and HCBE hereby agree to comply with any such change as if it were specifically set forth herein. Any
such change shall supersede any provision within this agreement that conflicts with it. The Parties intend that
where this agreement references federal laws, state laws, Tennessee State Board of Education rules or policy,
that they be bound by any amendments to such laws, regulations and policies upon the effective date of such
amendments.
Section 10: Severability

The provisions of this Agreement are severable. Any term or condition deemed illegal or invalid shall not
affect any other term or condition, and the remainder of the Agreement shall remain in effect unless
otherwise terminated by one or both of the parties.

Section 11: Entire Agreement

This Agreement, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF,

Hamilton County Board of Education

Board Chair Name:

Signature:

Date:

Tennessee Department of Education

Commissioner of Education Name:

Signature:

Date: