Five underperforming schools in Waco ISD at risk of closing will remain open for at least two years, even if they don't meet accountability standards this year.
This comes after the Texas Education Agency approved Waco ISD's eligibility for an in-district charter partnership with Prosper Waco this week, contingent on making a technical modification to the performance contract.
Under the proposed in-district charter, Prosper Waco would oversee six campuses within the district, making decisions ranging from staffing to curriculum. In addition, the partnership would allow the six schools to receive $3.5 million additional funds from the state.
The campuses included in the agreement are Alta Vista Elementary, Brook Avenue Elementary, G.W. Carver Middle School, J.H. Hines Elementary and Indian Spring Middle School.
Those struggling schools have been listed as improvement required for five years or more. South Waco Elementary, which is part of the proposal, is not at risk of closing, but it was included due to its proximity to Alta Vista.
"This is great news for our students and our community," Waco ISD's Director of Communications Kyle DeBeer said. "Our students will benefit from everything that Prosper Waco brings to the table and from the additional funding that these campuses will receive. It also means that these campuses will remain open and that decisions about them will continue to be made here in Waco."
He added the technical modifications will not change the nature of the partnership or how campuses operate on a day-to-day basis. The Waco ISD Board of Trustees and the Prosper Waco Board of Directors will make a decision on the changes in June.
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