PUBLIC - PRIVATE
PARTNERSHIP
TASB Summer Leadership Institution
June 2014
Andrew Peters, Marfa ISD Superintendent
WWW.MARFAISD.ORG/SLI
Goal: Energize You and Your Board to Seek Out
Your Community Partners
 Definitions & Motivation for Partnerships
 Examples:
 Traditional
 Marfa ISD’s
 Keys to Success
 Brainstorm: Your Resources
Public-Private Partnership
 The usage of public-private partnerships or P3s is a way to
build true partnerships between the public and private
sector.
 P3s have been used successfully for decades in the U.S., but
with new financial pressures on federal, state and local
agencies, many agencies have a renewed focus toward P3s
as a means to reduce operating budgets by turning
operations and maintenance responsibilities over to private
companies.
A Public-Private Partnership is a Contractual Agreement Between a Public
agency (Federal, State or local) and a Private sector entity.
Through this agreement, the Skills and Assets of each sector (public
and private) are shared in delivering a service or facility for the
use of the general public.
In addition to the sharing of Resources, each party shares in the
Risks and Rewards Potential in the delivery of the service and/or
facility.
Traditional Examples
 DARE programs (usually with police/sheriff)
 After School programs
 City Transportation Services/Private Transportation services
 Facilities
 Swimming Pools, Athletic Complexes
Why Now?
 Political – “the folks want it.”
 Financial - “we can save some money.”
 Improves Services - “Just Makes Sense”
The Marfa Miracle
Marfa I.S.D. 2012
 Budget Upside by $600,000 ($4 million budget). Budget
deficit for multiple years.
 Overstaffed
 Declining Enrollment
 Housing / Employment Shortages
 “Academically Unacceptable” Rating for 2 Straight Years.
 Two Private Schools in a Town of 2000.
http://bigbendnow.com/2013/04/marfa-montessori-teams-up-with-marfa-isd/
The Marfa Miracle
Marfa I.S.D. 2012-2013
 Art Classes Taught by Outside Non-Profit/After School
Program
 ISD invites Non-Profits to the Table
 Summer School program for All
 Discussions with private Montessori school
http://bigbendnow.com/2013/04/marfa-montessori-teams-up-with-marfa-isd/
The Marfa Miracle
 Marfa I.S.D. 2013-2014
 Montessori school is implemented in Public
School
 Summer Shake-up - Summer School program for All
 Art Program Expanded (Marfa Studio of Arts)
 Band/Music Program support from Sul Ross
University
 Youth Media Project with KRTS: Public Radio
 Playwright Workshop with MLA – Octavo Solis.
http://bigbendnow.com/2013/04/marfa-montessori-teams-up-with-marfa-isd/
SUMMER SHAKE-UP
SUMMER SHAKE-UP
Partnering with the local LIBRARY
SUMMER SHAKE-UP
Library partners with a Science Truck, Trailblazer II
Summer Shake-up
Summer Shake-up
 Local Theater group, Marfa
Live Arts, teaches a one
week course on theater
including how to use the
sound and light equipment
at a local theater.
Summer Shake-Up
 Marfa Public Library
 Marfa Live Arts – Theater Camp
 Marfa Public Radio – Broadcasting/Newswriting
 Chinati
 Marfa Studio of Arts – Ceramics
 Marfa Contemporary (Art Gallery)
 Ballroom Marfa – Music Moves U, DJ Camp
 El Cosmico
Summer Shake-Up
 Day Field Trips:
 Observatory in Ft. Davis
 Sul Ross University
 Big Bend Coffee Roasters
 Local Museums & Places of Historic Significance
Summer Shake-up
 Seamless Summer Feed Program USDA/TDA
 From Losing Money to Making Money
 Feeding 4 children to Feeding 65
 Summer Shake-up Gives Student a Reason to Attend
 Transportation provided
 Activities that interested the children and provided
the non-profit entities with access to the students.
MONTESSORI
Montessori
 Successful Private
School
 3, 4 and 5 year olds.
 Parents paying $400 per
month
 Fund Raisers
 Served 20 + students w/ a
teacher and an assistant.
Montessori Marries Public Education
 Teacher continues with her
program
 MOU gives protection to staff,
curriculum.
 MOU provides financial
support for ISD
 Students are added to the
program (3 year olds attend
public school).
 High school classrooms are
converted to PK classrooms.
FACILITIES & OTHER
CONCEPTS
Social Worker
 Community Health Department needed a location
for a Social Worker.
 Provide Free Office Space
 Partner Provides ISD with Ease to Access Services
School Resource Officer
 Sheriff’s Office provided ISD with a Licensed Officer.
 I.S.D. provided a house for Officer at Reduced Rent
 Partner Provides ISD with Officer 100% of Time
 Salary Shared by Both Entities.
Marfa Studio of Arts
 After School Program & “Teachers” in the Classroom
 Previously Bussed Students to Their Facility
 2014-2015, we will provide MSA with 100% of the Facility
Needs.
 Ceramics Lab
 Added High School courses (HB 5 Implementations).
KEYS TO SUCCESS
Public – Private Partnerships
Keys to Success
1. Know the Political Environment

Political leadership must be in place

Leading Political Figure (School Trustees)

Top Administrative Officials

“The Will to Change the System”

A Strong Policy Statement
Keys to Success
2. Know the Statutory (Legal) Environment
 “Can’t be done – TEA won’t allow it.”
 “Not an Approved Curriculum.”
 Rules of Certification/Highly Qualified (State and Federal rules for
instruction).
 Funding
 Three year olds.
 Cafeteria: Free/Reduced Lunch Rules
Keys to Success
3. Organization and Shared Vision
 Have a plan.
 Have an Agreement (Memorandum of Understanding).
 Know Each Parties Responsibilities
 Know What You want it to Look Like.
Keys to Success
4. Guaranteed Revenue
 Have a plan for Funding.
 Ensure a Fair Plan is Understood
 Consider Potential Savings – but state
accordingly.
Keys to Success
5. Stakeholder Support
 Who are Your Stakeholders?
 Parents, Teachers, Boards – and Competing Interests.
 Requires:
 – Open and frank discussion between sectors
 – Knowing the FACTS (not myths)
 – Translating each other’s language
Keys to Success
6. Pick Your Partners Carefully  Remember each sector’s
motivation
 This is a long-term
relationship
– Genuine need (market value
to the project)
– Verify experience (technical
capability)
– Political/statutory
environment
– Verify financial capability
– Reasonable return on
– Best Value vs. Lowest Price
investment and manageable
risks
– Timely and effective
execution vs. development
costs
Public – Private Partnerships
 Can be a valuable option
 Sometimes, the only way it can be done
 A means of cost effective, accelerated delivery
 Requires a genuine partnership and open communications
between sectors
PULLING IT ALL TOGETHER
KRTS: Marfa Public Radio – Youth Media Project
American Youth Media Project
http://americangrad.marfapublicradio.org/
Montessori & Student Radio Interview
Montessori & Student Radio Interview
Montessori & Student Radio Interview
Montessori & Student Radio Interview
Montessori & Student Radio Interview
Montessori & Student Radio Interview
Montessori & Student Radio Interview
Montessori & Student Radio Interview
Montessori & Student Radio Interview
Montessori & Student Radio Interview
Montessori & Student Radio Interview
Montessori & Student Radio Interview
Montessori & Student Radio Interview
Montessori & Student Radio Interview
Montessori & Student Radio Interview
Montessori & Student Radio Interview
Montessori & Student Radio Interview
Montessori & Student Radio Interview
BRAINSTORM YOUR
IDEAS
www.marfaisd.org/sli
apeters@marfaisd.com esteriti@marfaisd.com
Thank you.
Andrew Peters, Superintendent and
Emily Steriti, Director/Teacher
Marfa ISD
MORE INFO @ MARFAISD.ORG/SLI
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