Application for TEA Monitor / Conservator

Background

As authorized under TEC §39A.002, §39A.102, §39A.107, §39A.111 the Commissioner of Education may appoint a monitor, conservator, management team, or board of managers, as applicable, as the result of findings of a special investigation or as a sanction ordered by the Commissioner of Education.

Each of these appointments has a distinct role:

• Monitors report to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) on the activities of the board of trustees or the superintendent.
• Conservators oversee the operations of the district and can direct the action of a campus principal, superintendent, or board of trustees.
• A management team directs the operations of a district in areas of insufficient performance.
• A board of managers exercise the powers and duties of the board of trustees.

As required under TEC §39A.003, at least every 90 days, the commissioner shall review the need for the conservator or management team and shall remove the conservator or management team if the commissioner determines that continued appointment is no longer necessary for the effective governance of the district or for the delivery of instructional services.

Term

TEA will identify qualified monitors, conservators, management team members and members of boards of managers. Board of Manager members will be appointed in accordance with §39A.204.

Qualifications and Requirements

Qualified respondents must demonstrate experience in, and ability to:

• Review and assess the identified school issues, propose solutions, and draft a plan to address the issues that incorporates clear strategies for improvement with tangible benchmarks and timelines;
• Develop and issue recommendations or directives to the district, board of trustees, and/or the superintendent that are tied directly to the improvement plan;
• Complete monthly product reports;
• Identify critical training and technical assistance needs and recommend or direct the district in obtaining such services; and
• Report to the agency on the implementation efforts.

Specific roles and responsibilities include but are not limited to: preparing plans for the implementation of corrective actions, reviewing and assessing performance data in order to identify areas of concern; attending scheduled meetings between board members and district administrators or agents; recommending or directing training for board members and administrators on identified areas of concern; identifying any technical assistance needs and facilitating the acquisition of such services; reporting the district’s progress to the agency; recommending to the agency any additional interventions or sanctions that may be needed; and, submitting timely reports detailing activities during the reporting period, the findings, progress on corrective action plans, and any recommendations to the agency for further action.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible respondents are qualified individuals with recent, related experience in public education in one or more of the subject matter area(s) listed below.  Selected individuals will be assigned to work only in the subject matter areas which they select and in which they demonstrate the required experience and qualifications.

TEA has identified the following areas of expertise: Academic Performance, Charter Schools, Finance, Governance, Data and Reporting Issues, Special Education, and Special Programs.

Individuals will be selected based on the following criteria:

1. A degree from an accredited 4-year college or university, graduate degree preferred;
2. Demonstrated qualifications in public education and administration;
3. Demonstrated experience working with school boards and administration;
4. Demonstrated experience in the specific area(s) selected on the application;
5. Demonstrated experience with timely report submissions;
6. A certification and/or license in the specific area(s) selected on the application;
7. Ten (10) years of relevant experience in the specific area(s) selected on the application;
8. At least one (1) year of the ten (10) years of experience must have occurred within the last five (5) years;
9. Residence in the State of Texas, preferred;
10. The ability to travel and work on-site at the local education agency (LEA), as needed.

For individuals that are selected, the terms of the appointment and the number of appointments throughout the year will vary based on need, location, and area of expertise. 

Budget

The cost of the monitor’s, conservator's, and/or board of manager's services will be paid by the district or charter school in accordance with TEC §39A.903 and §39A.251.  The monitor’s, conservator's, and board of manager's hourly fee shall be $125 per hour ($62.50 per hour for travel that exceeds one hour each way).

• Mileage will be reimbursed at the state rate as calculated by the Comptroller of Public Accounts Actual Mileage Guide.
• TEA uses Mapquest.com to report the mileage between duty points.
• The Comptroller website outlines travel rules and regulations — Textravel.

Scope of Work of Monitor / Conservator

The duties of Monitors, Conservators, and Management Teams include but are not limited to the following:

• Reviewing and assessing the identified school performance issues, identifying solutions, and drafting a plan to address the issues
• Developing and issuing recommendations or directives to the district, board of trustees, and/or the superintendent that are tied directly to the improvement plan
• Identifying training and technical assistance needs and recommend or direct the district in obtaining such services
• Monitoring the implementation of the plan and providing corrective feedback to the district as needed
• Creating plans for the implementation of corrective action,
• Reviewing and assessing performance data to identify areas of concern
• Attending scheduled meetings between board members and district administrators or agents
• Recommending or direct training for board members and administrators on identified areas of concern
• Identifying any technical assistance needs and facilitating the acquisition of such services
• Recommending to the agency any additional interventions or sanctions that may be needed
• Submitting timely reports detailing activities during the reporting period, the findings, progress on corrective action plans, and any recommendations to the agency for further action

Work Products

Progress Reports

Monitor, Conservator, Management Team and/or Members of the Board of Managers must submit regular reports to TEA in the format required by TEA, including applicable attachments, by the requested due date.

Expense Reports

Monitor, Conservator, or Management Team must submit a signed monthly expense report using the electronic form required by TEA, with all supporting documentation for expenses.

Supportive Documents

If requested, the monitor, conservator, or management team must collect information for and submit to TEA within the requested timelines

Conflict of Interests

An applicant will not be selected for an appointment if he/she has a real or perceived conflict of interest that will or may arise during the assignment.  For this reason applicants must disclose all business interests and all relationships (i.e. current and previous employment, personal relationships, etc.) that could be considered a possible conflict of interest to the applicant’s performance prior to being appointed as a monitor, conservator or Board of Manager.