Stephen Tarason
Memorandum on increased local governance status
December 11, 2006

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To:                   Wilson LSRT/Community
Date:                December 11, 2006

From:               Stephen Tarason, Principal
Subject:            Increased Local Governance Status for Wilson SHS

The following is a report on the results from the 12/6/06 meeting with Dr. Janey regarding the pending increased local governance status for Wilson SHS. In attendance were Dr. Janey, Superintendent; Ms. Abbey Hairston, General Counsel, Mr. Dale Talbert, Deputy Chief for Accountability, Ms. Patricia Tucker, Regional Superintendent (Region VI), Dr. Stephen Tarason, Principal of Wilson SHS; Mr. Alex Donahue, Special Assistant for SHS; Mr. Cornell Brown, Executive Director, OFM; Mr. Paul Taylor, Deputy Director, OFM; and Mr. William Barnette, OFM.

Dr. Janey expressed clear support for immediate movement on implementation of the increased local school governance status for Wilson. He expects to move a draft resolution to the Board of Education this month that would empower him to make the new arrangement. Because the original MOU between Dr. Janey and the Wilson community was concluded before the innovative schools model was established in the WTU contract, Wilson's increased local governance status will be independent of the innovative schools program.

An entity that will serve as a managing agent for Wilson needs to created, most likely in the form of a 501(c)(3) organization. The DCPS General Counsel will provide guidance to the Wilson group regarding the formation of the appropriate entity. DCPS requests that the Wilson group forward a list of individuals who will represent the entity in communications with DCPS.

DCPS will develop a draft agreement to be discussed with the Wilson representatives. Financial considerations of the arrangement will be subject to approval by the D.C. CFO.

Once the terms of the agreement have been agreed upon and approved by Dr. Janey, funding and staffing issues can be resolved and moved forward for implementation. Facilities issues will be dealt with in a phased-implementation approach.  The agreement will include provisions for accountability through performance standards and specific expected results from the new arrangement and the empowerment that will be granted to the new entity.

After the Board of Education has acted on the proposed resolution, DCPS will contact the Wilson representatives to set out a timeline for discussions and implementation.