Title and Board Action Requested
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Approve contract services with Caissa K12, a student recruitment campaign initiative for the period of one (1) year and authorize the performance-based fee of $935 per qualifying student.
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Executive Summary
On behalf of the Superintendent of Schools, the Executive Director of Student Support Programs respectfully requests Board approval to contract with Caissa K12, a nationally recognized student recruitment and retention organization, to support efforts to increase enrollment in the Hernando County School District.
Scope of Services
Caissa K12 will focus on recruiting students in grades 1 through 8 who are currently enrolled in homeschool, private, charter, or other alternative educational settings. Using targeted outreach lists, Caissa K12 will implement customized strategies to re-engage families and encourage enrollment in our public schools. All branding, communications, and outreach activities will be submitted to the District for approval prior to distribution.
Compensation Model
The District will pay Caissa K12 a one-time performance-based fee of $935 per student, only after the student is:
• Successfully enrolled in the District;
• Counted in at least one official state reporting survey; and
• Documented in Caissa K12’s outreach dashboard.
Caissa K12 has waived the standard $24,800 setup fee, resulting in no upfront costs for the District. There is no financial impact to the district. When a student meets the above enrollment criteria we will receive state FTE funding for that student less $935.
Data Security
Caissa K12 has signed the District’s required Data Security Agreement, ensuring compliance with all data protection standards.
Comparable Services
Our department researched two other education service providers and compared them to Caissa K12 and found that Caissa K12specializes exclusively in student recruitment and retention and offers comprehensive recruitment strategies tailored to public education. Caissa K12 is currently working with several districts in Florida as well as many districts throughout the country.
Vertex Education provides a broad range of operational support services including HR, IT, and food services and primarily serves charter and private schools.
SchoolMint offers a technology-driven platform for school choice, enrollment, and behavior management and primarily supports charter schools and districts with tools for registration and marketing. Hernando County currently uses SchoolMint for our school choice/lottery application platform. Their recruitment services are part of a broader suite, not as specialized as Caissa K12 and not available to purchase separately. In order to purchase their recruitment service we would
have to purchase their entire enrollment package which is not necessary since we use Skyward as our student enrollment/information system.
My Contact
Lisa Cropley
Executive Director of Student Support Programs
352-797-7000, ext. 70455
2023-28 Strategic Focus Area
Priority 1: Student Success
Financial Impact
The cost of this agenda item is unknown and will be based on per student recruitment and retention. See the attached budget sheet. The cost for the previous year was $0.
If expenditure is not currently budgeted, this will serve as the budget amendment when Board approved. If the agenda item includes the purchase of goods or services, the funds requested are an anticipated amount and may fluctuate depending on such factors as current market conditions, product availability, additional funding sources, and the needs of the District. Should the actual cost exceed the anticipated amount, the Board approves the additional cost, after review by the superintendent, but not in excess of the funds available in the site’s approved annual budget.