P%(l&c S$a$e e*$! “STEAM Studio Charter School – a pu lic hi!h "chool #or creativit$ and innovation – i" propo"ed in Andover% &t #ocu"e" on Science' Technolo!$' En!ineerin!' Art()e"i!n' and Mathe*atic" +ith an interdi"ciplinar$ approach lendin! the *ind o# a "cienti"t or technolo!i"t +ith that o# an arti"t or de"i!ner% The acade*ic e,perience co* ine" e"t-o#- reed acade*ic" +ith pro.ect- a"ed learnin! in ri!orou" colle!e-preparator$ "tudie"% Student" pur"ue concentration" – Co*putin! / )i!ital Art" and 0ealth Science" – and tac1le real +orld pro le*" in pro.ect" each "e*e"ter +ith an e*pha"i" on de"i!n' e,ploration' invention' and entrpreneur"hip% Thi" “learnin! $ doin!2 approach prepare" "tudent" #or colle!e and career"%2 -&ss&o* S$a$e e*$! “STEAM Studio Charter School prepare" "tudent" #or a #uture in +hich "cienti#ic di"cover$' technical innovation' and creative e,pre""ion lead to a etter li#e #or ever$one% STEAM Studio i" an environ*ent in +hich all "tudent" #louri"h via creative e,ploration and invention and all learnin! eco*e" *ore per"onali3ed% 4ur !oal i" to prepare "tudent" #or a #uture in +hich "cienti#ic di"cover$' technical innovation' and creative e,pre""ion lead to a etter li#e #or ever$one% The "chool +ill provide a ri!orou" colle!e-preparator$ curriculu* that include" a "tron! #oundation in STEM – +ith a #ocu" on Co*putin! / )i!ital Art" and 0ealth Science" – and the 0u*anitie" +hile #ull$ inte!ratin! pro.ect- a"ed learnin! and character develop*ent% The "chool +ill e e"ta li"hed and located in Andover and i" propo"ed to "tart in the 2014 acade*ic $ear +ith 115 "tudent" in 5rade 9% 6hen #ull$ operational' STEAM Studio +ill "erve a *a,i*u* o# 450 "tudent" in !rade" 9-12%2
Proposed "ro.$h Pla* )or F&rs$ F&#e ,ears o) Opera$&o*! School ,ear Fir"t Year Second Year Third Year Fourth Year Fi#th Year "rade Le#els 9 9' 10 9' 10' 11 9' 10' 11' 12 9' 10' 11' 12 To$al S$%de*$ E*roll e*$ 115 270 740 450 450
-&ss&o*/ V&s&o*/ a*d 0escr&p$&o* o) $he Co Pr& ar' S$re*+$hs
%*&$'1&es2 $o 3e Ser#ed
Pr& ar' Wea4*esses
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The *i""ion and the vi"ion de#ine the value" o# the propo"ed "chool% The e*pha"i" on creative e,ploration and invention are *eanin!#ul' and con"i"tent +ith hi!h acade*ic "tandard" and "tudent "ucce""% 8Section &%A%9 The propo"ed i*ple*entation o# the three innovative learnin! environ*ent": cla""roo*' "tudio' and on de*and: the STEAM co**unitie" +ithin the propo"ed educational pro!ra*: and the potential o# the"e "tructure" to #o"ter *eanin!#ul career readine"" #or "tudent" are co*pellin! and *eanin!#ul a"pect" o# the *i""ion and vi"ion% 8Section &%A% and &%;%9 The applicant !roup de*on"trated a pa""ionate under"tandin! o# and connection to the propo"ed *i""ion and vi"ion durin! the intervie+' a" +ell a" a "tron! co**it*ent to "erve Andover and the "urroundin! co**unitie"% 8Section &%;%9 The application received letter" and<or te"ti*on$ in "upport: *aterial" +ere pri*aril$ #ro* Andover parent"' and re"ident"% See pu lic co**ent% 8Section &%C%9
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6hile the vi"ion "tate*ent de"cri e" the ha it" o# *ind the propo"ed "chool ai*" to develop in "tudent"' and i" con"i"tent +ith the *i""ion and educational philo"oph$' the vi"ion i" not "u##icientl$ developed or inte!rated into the i*ple*entation o# a co*prehen"ive educational pro!ra*% 8Section &%;%9 The application provide" li*ited in#or*ation re!ardin! the a""e""*ent o# "upport +ithin the Andover co**unit$ #or the propo"ed "chool% )urin! the intervie+' the applicant !roup di"cu""ed variou" recruit*ent "trate!ie" that the$ have i*ple*ented or intend to i*ple*ent' ut provided li*ited concrete in#or*ation to "upport enroll*ent #or the openin! o# the propo"ed "chool in 2014% Thi" application received te"ti*on$' and<or +ritten co**ent in oppo"ition durin! the pu lic hearin! and pu lic co**ent proce""' includin! ut not li*ited to the Andover "chool co**ittee and "uperintendent' )r% Marinel Mc5rath: the =orth Andover "chool co**ittee and "uperintendent' )r% >evin 0utchin"on: the 6il*in!ton "uperintendent' ?oanne ;enton: Andover parent"' teacher"' and ad*ini"trator"% See pu lic co**ent% 8Section &%C%9
)urin! the intervie+' the applicant !roup e,pre""ed a "tron! co**it*ent to chan!e the e,perience" o# "tudent"' teacher"' #a*ilie"' and co**unit$ *e* er" throu!h the propo"ed "chool $ i*ple*entin! a learnin! and teachin! environ*ent that i" re"pon"ive to "tudent"@ need"' and continuall$ i*provin!% 8Section &&%;%9 The applicant !roup ha" identi#ied variou" curriculu* re"ource" #or i*ple*entation o# the Art" ( )e"i!n' Co*putin! and )i!ital Art"' and 0ealth Science" pro!ra**in!' includin! cour"e" #ro* the Acade*$ o# )i!ital Art" and Science hi!h "chool pro!ra*% )urin! the intervie+' the applicant !roup articulated the de"ire to u"e hi!h Aualit$ co**ercial re"ource" at #ir"t +hile adaptin! and developin! *aterial" over ti*e to uniAuel$ *eet "tudent"@ need" in achievin! the propo"ed outco*e"% 8Section &&%;%9
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The application provide" li*ited in#or*ation on ho+ the propo"ed educational practice" *a$ i*prove the acade*ic per#or*ance o# the anticipated "tudent population and it" diver"e need"' includin! "tudent" +ith di"a ilitie" and En!li"h lan!ua!e learner"% 8Section &&%A9 The application doe" not provide a clear co*prehen"ive plan that +ill #acilitate the develop*ent' i*prove*ent' and re#ine*ent o# the curriculu* #or the propo"ed "chool% The application al"o doe" not de"cri e the proce"" and procedure" u"ed to evaluate +hether the curriculu* i" e##ective and "ucce""#ull$ i*ple*ented% 8Section &&%;%9 The "tren!th and +ea1ne"" in thi" propo"ed "chool i" in the variet$ and co*ple,it$ o# the variou" co*ponent" o# the educational pro!ra*' includin! the cla""roo*' "tudio' and on-de*and learnin! environ*ent"% &t i" unclear ho+ the variou" curricular co*ponent" +ill e inte!rated into a co*prehen"ive educational pro!ra*' and e read$ to i*ple*ent in Septe* er 2014% 8Section &&%;%9 The curriculu* outline provided in the application provide" a li*ited "en"e o# the content and "1ill" to e tau!ht' and doe" not include the Art" ( )e"i!n' Co*putin! and )i!ital Art"' and 0ealth Science" concentration" re#lective o# the propo"ed "chool@" *i""ion% )urin! the intervie+' the applicant !roup indicated the intent to add 5reen En!ineerin! a" a concentration a" +ell% 8Section &&%;%9 &n the application' and durin! the intervie+' the applicant !roup provided li*ited detail" a" to ho+ the propo"ed "chool +ill en"ure that all "tudent" can acce"" the !eneral curriculu*' a" +ell a" ho+ the propo"ed "chool plan" to train and "upport teacher" to addre"" the individual need" o# all "tudent" +ithin the propo"ed educational pro!ra*% 8Section
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&&%;%9 The application contain" a li*ited di"cu""ion o# the develop*ent and i*ple*entation o# pro#e""ional develop*ent #or in"tructional "ta##% 8Section &&%;%9 6hile the in"tructional *ethod" de"cri ed are *ulti#aceted: inAuir$- a"ed learnin!' pro.ect- a"ed learnin!' individuali3ed coachin! and tutorin!' technolo!$- a"ed learnin!' and colla orative learnin!: it +a" not clear either in the application or durin! the intervie+ ho+ the"e co*ponent" +ill e developed' "tructured' and operationali3ed to #unction +ithin the propo"ed educational pro!ra* #or "tudent" and #acult$% 8Section &&%A' &&%;% and &&%E%9 6hile the propo"ed in"tructional u"e o# on de*and and "tudio learnin! environ*ent" are e,citin! innovation" +ithin the propo"ed "chool' the di"cu""ion re!ardin! the develop*ent' i*ple*entation' and re#ine*ent o# the"e "trate!ie" +ithin the application and durin! the intervie+ re*ained !enerali3ed and li*ited% Bevie+er" #ound the li*ited in#or*ation pre"ented +ithin the application prevented an a""e""*ent o# the applicant !roup@" capacit$ to i*ple*ent the propo"ed educational pro!ra*% 8Section &&%;%9
The propo"ed "chool incorporate" a variet$ o# per#or*ance- a"ed a""e""*ent tool"' "uch a" pre"entation" and port#olio"' +hich are con"i"tent +ith hi!h e,pectation" o# "tudent" and the propo"ed "chool@" *i""ion and vi"ion% 8Section &&%)%9
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The per#or*ance' pro*otion' and !raduation "tandard" "ection o# the application provide" li*ited narrative to "upport ali!n*ent +ith the propo"ed "chool@" *i""ion and educational pro!ra*' or the a"i" #or it" policie"% The pro*otion and !raduation "tandard" are clo"el$ ali!ned to the pre"ent Andover 0i!h School policie"' and do not appear re#lective o# the uniAue nature o# the propo"ed "chool' and it" STEAM 8Science' Technolo!$' En!ineerin!' Art()e"i!n' and Mathe*atic"9
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co**unitie"% 8Section &&%C%9 Thou!h the a""e""*ent "$"te* propo"e" *an$ di##erent internall$ developed in"tru*ent" to *ea"ure and report "tudent pro!re"" +hich are ali!ned +ith the propo"ed *i""ion' it i" unclear ho+ the a""e""*ent" +ill provide a cohe"ive picture o# "tudent learnin! and the e##ectivene"" o# teachin! practice% The application doe" not provide a clear "$"te* to re#lect ho+ "tudent per#or*ance on a""e""*ent" +ill e u"ed to #acilitate deci"ion-*a1in! a out ad.u"t*ent" to the educational pro!ra* and in#or* a "ta## develop*ent plan that +ill "upport the !oal o# i*proved "tudent learnin!% 8Section &&%)%9 6hile the application indicate" a nu* er o# non-acade*ic !oal" #or "tudent" and a #e+ "trate!ie" related to tho"e !oal"' includin! the u"e o# coache"' there i" no plan developed to *ea"ure "tudent pro!re"" to+ard attainin! non-acade*ic !oal"% 8Section &&%)%9 )urin! the intervie+' the applicant !roup indicated that +hile there are variou" co**ercial product" availa le to u"e #or the propo"ed learnin! *ana!e*ent "$"te* 8CMS9' none o# the tool" #ull$ addre"" the de*and" o# the "$"te* that the$ propo"e to i*ple*ent% &t +a" unclear #ro* the application and intervie+ di"cu""ion +hether the !roup had pro!re""ed pa"t the initial "ta!e" o# identi#$in! their need" to the readine"" to i*ple*ent an CMS "$"te* #or "ta1eholder u"e in Septe* er 2014% 8Section &&%)%9
School Charac$er&s$&cs Pr& ar' S$re*+$hs Pr& ar' Wea4*esses
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The propo"ed "chool +ould operate #or a lon!er "chool $ear' 190 da$"' and lon!er "chool da$' D a%*%-7 p%*% +hile al"o i*ple*entin! an on de*and learnin! environ*ent +hich "tudent" +ith technolo!$ re"ource" could acce"" out"ide o# the "chool da$% 8Section &&%E%9
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The application contain" li*ited in#or*ation re!ardin! the *echanic" o# the propo"ed educational pro!ra*' and ho+ it +ill e or!ani3ed #or "tudent" and #acult$% 6hile the propo"ed on de*and' cla""roo*' and "tudio learnin! environ*ent" provide the potential
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"tructure" to i*ple*ent the propo"ed educational pro!ra*' the application doe" not contain a co*prehen"ive plan to i*ple*ent the pro!ra* a" de"cri ed% 8Section &&%E%9 6hile the i*ple*entation o# STEAM pro.ect ti*e #or 7 hour" ever$ Frida$ +ill allo+ "tudent" the ti*e to colla orate on authentic interdi"ciplinar$ pro.ect"' it i" unclear ho+ the"e loc1" o# ti*e on Frida$" +ill operate #or "tudent" and #acult$' includin! #acult$ +ho do not per#or* in"tructional dutie" durin! STEAM pro.ect ti*e% 8Section &&%E%9 The application indicate" the u"e o# teacher" a" coache" +ho provide oth acade*ic and "ocial-e*otional advi"in! to "tudent" +ithin the "chool da$% &t i" unclear ho+ teacher" +ill e "upported to #ul#ill thi" role' and ho+ thi" a"pect o# the propo"ed educational pro!ra* +ill e developed' i*ple*ented' a""e""ed' and i*proved in a "$"te*atic *anner% 8Section &&%;% and &&%E%9 The application did not #ull$ de"cri e the propo"ed "chool@" ehavior philo"oph$' or a plan re!ardin! "tudent di"cipline #or i*ple*entation at the "chool' ut *entioned con"ideration o# a to1en econo*$ "$"te* #or ehavior *ana!e*ent% 8Section &&%E%9 The application provided a li*ited di"cu""ion o# the propo"ed "chool@" culture and the plan to e"ta li"h a "chool culture con"i"tent +ith the *i""ion and educational pro!ra**in! o# the propo"ed "chool% 8Section &&%E%9
intent to co*pl$ +ith "tate and #ederal la+" and re!ulation"' the de"cription o# the proce""e" and procedure" u"ed to identi#$' a""e""' and "erve "tudent" receivin! "pecial education "ervice" +a" e,tre*el$ li*ited and could not e"ta li"h
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the applicant !roup@" 1no+led!e to "erve "tudent" +ith di"a ilitie" in accordance +ith reAuire*ent"% For e,a*ple' the application doe" not provide clear de"cription" o# ho+ "tudent identi#ication and a""e""*ent +ill e conducted' the t$pe" o# "upport "ervice" to e o##ered' or the Auali#ication" o# individual" deliverin! "ervice"% 8Section &&%F%9 • Si*ilarl$' +hile the application clearl$ "tate" the intent to co*pl$ +ith "tate and #ederal la+" and re!ulation"' the de"cription o# the proce""e" and procedure" u"ed to identi#$' a""e""' and "erve En!li"h lan!ua!e learner" 8ECC"9 had *i""in! piece" or inaccurate co*ponent"' and could not e"ta li"h the applicant@" 1no+led!e to "erve ECC" in accordance +ith reAuire*ent"% For e,a*ple' the application doe" not provide an$ in#or*ation re!ardin! the annual a""e""*ent o# ECC"' nor i" the 6orldCla"" &n"tructional )e"i!n and A""e""*ent 86&)A9 En!li"h Can!ua!e Fro#icienc$ Standard" the "ole co*ponent o# En!li"h lan!ua!e develop*ent in"truction% 8Section &&%F%9 • &t i" not clear i# the pro.ected "pecial education and En!li"h a" a Second lan!ua!e 8ESC9 in"tructional "ta## durin! the #ir"t $ear" o# i*ple*entation +ill e "u##icient to deliver the reAuired "tudent "ervice" +ithin the propo"ed educational pro!ra*' e"peciall$ i# the anticipated "tudent population "hi#t" to an increa"in! nu* er o# non-Andover re"ident"% 8Section &&&%F%9 • The application doe" not "u##icientl$ addre"" ho+ the propo"ed curriculu*' includin! the online and "tudio learnin! environ*ent"' +ill e acce""i le to "tudent" +ith di"a ilitie" and "tudent" learnin! En!li"h% 8Section &&%F%9 E*roll e*$ a*d Recr%&$ e*$ Pr& ar' S$re*+$hs Pr& ar' Wea4*esses
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=one identi#ied%
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6ithin the application' and durin! the intervie+' the applicant !roup clearl$
indicated the "tron! li1elihood that 70G or *ore o# the anticipated "tudent" +ould e re"ident" out"ide o# Andover% &# an e,i"tin! "chool received 20G or *ore o# their enroll*ent #ro* out"ide their "peci#ied charter re!ion' the "chool +ould e reAuired to add tho"e di"trict" to their charter at rene+al% 8Section &&&%A%9
Capac&$' a*d School "o#er*a*ce Pr& ar' S$re*+$hs Pr& ar' Wea4*esses
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The applicant !roup po""e""e" diver"e Auali#ication" includin! e,ten"ive !overnance e,perience on non-pro#it oard" and pu lic odie"% Founder" include an Andover "chool co**ittee *e* er' a #or*er "chool di"trict ad*ini"trator' educational technolo!$ developer"' hi!her education pro#e""ional"' a neurop"$cholo!i"t' and entrepreneur"' in addition to individual" 1no+led!ea le in online learnin! environ*ent"% The !roup intend" to recruit additional oard *e* er" +ith e,perti"e in #inance' and #undrai"in!% Three individual" are indicated a" propo"ed "chool e*plo$ee"' includin! the e,ecutive director and principal% Since the application +a" "u *itted' the applicant !roup ha" identi#ied a propo"ed principal and acade*ic leader 8FAC9' pre"entl$ the Chie# &nnovation 4##icer and )irector o# =e+ton@" Ca ' an innovation la orator$' at =e+ton Fu lic School"' +ith con"idera le e,perti"e ali!ned +ith the propo"ed "chool@" *i""ion and vi"ion% 8Section &&%C%9
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&t +a" di##icult to a"certain the propo"ed oard o# tru"tee"@ capacit$ durin! the intervie+ +ith 45G o# the propo"ed oard not pre"ent% 8Section &&%;%9 The application contain" a !enerali3ed di"cu""ion o# charter "chool !overnance that provide" a li*ited a ilit$ to a""e"" the applicant !roup@" under"tandin! o# the re"pective role" and re"pon"i ilitie" o# the oard and the "chool ad*ini"tration% )urin! the intervie+' the propo"ed oard provided incon"i"tent evidence o# co*prehen"ive under"tandin! o# a oard@" re"pon"i ilitie"' includin! the hirin! o# "chool leader"hip% 8Section &&&%C%9 )urin! the intervie+' the propo"ed oard o# tru"tee" ac1no+led!ed the potential challen!e" o# evaluatin! the propo"ed E,ecutive )irector 8E)9 )avid ;irn ach due to their prior relation"hip" +ith hi*' and hi" central role thu" #ar in the develop*ent o# the propo"al% 6hile *e* er" de"cri ed durin! the intervie+ their co**it*ent to u"in! a #act- a"ed per#or*ance evaluation #or the E) po"ition' the application contain" a !enerali3ed and li*ited de"cription o# the propo"ed proce"" and *etric"% 8Section &&&%)%9
-a*a+e e*$ Pr& ar' S$re*+$hs Pr& ar' Wea4*esses
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Since the "u *i""ion o# the application' the or!ani3ational chart and "ta##in! plan have evolved in re"pon"e to anticipated #undin!' "uch a" the inclu"ion o# a ne+ leader"hip po"ition' director o# technolo!$ and online pro!ra*"' i# #undin! allo+"' and *odi#$in! the hirin! ti*eline a" +ell a" .o re"pon"i ilitie" o# certain po"ition"' e%!% the director o# in"truction' to e##ectivel$ *ana!e di##erent #undin! "cenario"% 8Section &&%C%9 The application de"cri e" clear di"tinction" in the role" and re"pon"i ilitie" o# the E)' FAC' and the director o# #inance and operation"% )urin! the intervie+' the applicant !roup indicated that the ad*ini"trative tea* i" "till evolvin! and coale"cin! +ith the identi#ication o# a candidate #or the FAC po"ition' Steve Chino"i' a" +ell a" the identi#ication o# a propo"ed candidate' Bichard >elle$ #or the )irector o# Technolo!$ and 4nline Fro!ra*"% 8Section &&%E%9
• The "ta##in! plan provided +ithin the
application did not ali!n +ith the propo"ed ud!et' or the application narrative% 6hile the role o# *athe*atic"' "cience' and technolo!$ teacher" a" the STEAM Co**unit$ teacher" +a" clari#ied durin! the intervie+' teacher"@ +or1in! condition"' and re"pon"i ilitie" re*ain unclear% 8Section &&&%)%9 • 6hile durin! the intervie+' the propo"ed FAC indicated the nece""it$ to identi#$ e,perienced' hi!h Aualit$ #acult$ +ho can i*ple*ent the uniAue curriculu* and in"truction +ith #idelit$' li*ited in#or*ation +a" provided a out the recruit*ent o# Auali#ied individual" out"ide o# the !roup@" pro#e""ional connection"% 8Section &&%E%9 • 6hile the application articulate" a co**it*ent to either *odel it" teacher evaluation "$"te* a#ter the "tate@" *odel "$"te* or u"e the *odel "$"te* directl$' it +a" unclear +hat per#or*ance *etric" +ould e u"ed' and ho+ the *odel "$"te* +ould e adapted to *eet the need" o# the propo"ed "chool@" uniAue curriculu* and in"tructional de*and" on educator"% 8Section &&%;% and &&&%)%9 • &n the application and durin! the intervie+' the applicant !roup indicated the intent to *odel it"el# a#ter pro!ra*" "uch a" 0i!h Tech 0i!h' ut it i" unclear +hat e,perti"e the propo"ed leader"hip tea* ha" to "ucce""#ull$ do "o' and +hat co**it*ent" #ro* e,ternal partner" have een *ade% 8Section &&%E%9
The applicant !roup ha" continued to per#or* e,ten"ive #acilit$ and #inancial plannin! "ince the application +a" "u *itted' includin! #inancial pro.ection" to plan #or variation in tuition revenue due to anticipated "tudent" #ro* "endin! di"trict" other than Andover' and the identi#ication o# t+o potential #acilitie"
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6hile the application provide" ver$ li*ited in#or*ation a out the #i"cal *ana!e*ent' #i"cal control"' and the #inancial policie" and procedure" o# the propo"ed "chool' the propo"ed oard o# tru"tee" +a" a le to provide additional in#or*ation a out the oard@" over"i!ht o# #inancial health durin! the intervie+%
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near Andover@" order +ith Ca+rence and Methuen% 8Section &&&%E9 The applicant !roup intend" to pur"ue tran"portation #or anticipated "tudent" +ho re"ide out"ide o# Andover throu!h #undrai"in!% 8Section &&&%E%9
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8Section &&&%F%9 6hile durin! the intervie+' the applicant !roup provided additional in#or*ation re!ardin! operatin! e,pen"e" and contin!enc$ plannin!' the ud!et narrative provided +ithin the charter application i" li*ited providin! little e,planation o# the pro.ected a*ount" in the ud!et and their underl$in! a""u*ption"% 8Section &&&%F%9