Series No.: PA-001

Partners: Eastern Michigan University (Ypsilanti, Michigan)
Farmington Public Schools (Farmington, Michigan)

Source: Schmitt, Donna M., Jerry H. Robbins, Robbie A. Johnson, and James R. Myers. 1995. School Partnership Enacted: The Consociate School. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, 12-15 February, Washington, D.C..

Note: The Renaissance Group promulgated the concept of consociate schools; and Farmington High School, the consociate school created as a result of this agreement, was the first such school to be initiated, according to the document cited above. Although the paper does not refer to Farmington as a professional development school, the agreement covers many of the issues that arise in establishing and implementing a professional development school partnership.

This agreement is entered into on the seventeenth day of November, 1993 by and between Farmington Public Schools and Eastern Michigan University. This agreement will be governed by all policies of the Farmington Board of Education and the Board of Regents of Eastern Michigan University. All applicable state and federal laws which apply to both institutions will continue in force. Either party may choose to terminate this agreement at the close of each academic year at Eastern Michigan University or at the Farmington Schools. Written notice must be given at least eight (8) weeks prior to the end of the academic year in the event of termination of this agreement.

Support of the consociate school partnership, (hereafter referenced as simply "partnership,") both financially and/or through institutional resources, which may be incurred in the implementation of this project will, to the extent possible, be equally shared by both institutions. All expenditures of real funds will require the signature of the Superintendent of Farmington Schools or his designee as well as the appropriate administrative personnel designated by the President of Eastern Michigan University. In transactions where the equal sharing of expenditures is not possible, the institution which incurs the expense will agree to such an expenditure and in advance with the understanding that a balance sheet will be kept and reviewed each six months to insure an equal sharing of the total cost of a given project. All existing regulations governing the expenditures of funds for either institution must be followed in the operation of this partnership.

In-kind contributions, e.g. through faculty released time, travel funds or other expenditure categories, will be negotiated on a project by project basis. Agreement on in-kind contributions will be made in writing for specific projects and/or periods of time.

If external funding (external to both institutions) is secured for the operation of any portion of this partnership, the legal responsibility for monitoring the allocated funds will be assumed by Eastern Michigan University and/or Farmington Public Schools. Any changes to an original project proposed budget will be through joint agreement of both institutions.

Any or all staff members who participate in this partnership continue to be considered full time employees of their original institution. Changes in employment status require the signature of the employee affected, the signature of proper authorities of both institutions and must conform to any and all existing collective bargaining agreements affecting both institutions.

Facilities and resources of both institutions will be made available to support this project only after being requested through the proper authorities at each institution and when the proposed use does not interfere significantly with the normal operation of such facilities and resources in use by the providing institution.

Subsequent to further discussion after the approval of this partnership, an appointed advisory board will be established as a Consociate School Partnership Board of Directors to serve as the policy-making body and the liaison group for the partnership. An equal number of staff members will be selected from each institution. In order to insure the flexibility of this partnership to meet the needs of both institutions, the Partnership Board of Directors may make adaptations in this agreement throughout the year with the approval of the appropriate governing bodies at each institution. The governing bodies of both institutions shall be informed of the project. In March of each year, an evaluation report will be compiled and submitted to the Partnership Board of Directors for continued approval or modification on an annual basis. The evaluation report will be prepared by designees of both institutions. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this partnership on the date first written above.

Farmington Public Schools

by:

Board President

by:

Superintendent

by:

Dean, College of Education

Eastern Michigan University

by:

President

by:

Provost

Adopted:

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