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Special Olympics

PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

THE CHEROKEE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

AND

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

This agreement entered into on this 20th day of July, 2017, by and between the Cherokee County Board of Education, hereinafter referred to as the “School Board” and Special Olympics.

WHEREAS, the School Board’s mission is to educate the emerging generation through learning environments designed to increase the performance of all students; and,

WHEREAS, one of the School Board’s Major System Priorities is to increase parental and community involvement through public engagement policies and practices that treat parents, businesses, community-based organizations and agencies, local institutions of higher learning and other public entities as true partners in the educational process; and,

WHEREAS, Special Olympics mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them the opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families other Special Olympic athletes, and the community; and,

WHEREAS, the Special Olympics goal is to help bring persons with intellectual disabilities into the larger society under conditions whereby they are accepted, respected, and given the chance to become useful and productive citizens.

Now therefore in consideration of the covenants and conditions set forth herein the parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

The parties agree that the foregoing recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference

ARTICLE II

The School Board will:

  1. Provide the use of buses for transportation for student athletes to attend selected weekend events as specified by both parties (day trips and overnights), as well as bus transportation to the Annual Special Olympics Awareness Day Event.

  2. Provide a school system contact for purposes of coordinating/facilitating activities relative to the Annual Special Olympics Awareness Day Event.

  3. Coordinate special needs testing with organizers of Special Olympics.

  4. Provide the use of available school facilities (playing fields, gymnasium and ice machine) for selected weekday evening and weekend practices.

  5. Continue the countywide payroll deduction fundraiser.

  6. Provide authorized leave for two county personnel for the Georgia Special Olympics State Games (Fall Games, Indoor Winter Games, State Summer Games, and Bowling Tournament) and official Special Olympics Georgia certification trainings.

  7. Provide use of a high school track, concession stand (including ice machine) and sound system for the Annual Special Olympics Awareness Day Event.

  8. Provide use of a school cafeteria and ice machine for the Seasonal Sports Banquets.

  9. Provide a mailbox, paper, copying and faxing arrangements for information distribution to schools and athletes.

  10. Provide an appropriate storage area and permanent meeting space as determined by the school system.

  11. Provide a field trip release form for student athletes and Unified Partners participating in accredited Special Olympics Events that take place during the school day.

ARTICLE III

Special Olympics will:

  1. Conduct an interview with the principal of each aforementioned facility prior to and after the use of the facility.

  2. Abide by the rules and regulations contained in the facility use contract at each facility and those contained in the Community Use of System Facilities Policy (KG).

  3. Continue to serve over 300 athletes in the Cherokee County School District by providing t-shirts and ribbons for placing in events.

  4. Continue to pay all registration fees and for lodging and meals, as necessary, for registered athletes.

  5. Submit an agenda, schedule, approximate mileage and driver times for trips when school buses are used to the Assistant Superintendent, School Operations and Transportation Department. All field trips/athletic regulations will be followed.

  6. Accept all children/interested participants for participation within its programs without regard to their gender, race, political affiliation, age, national origin, disabling condition or any other discrimination recognized and prohibited by State or Federal Law. Children/participants with handicaps must be provided all necessary levels of supervision and must be included within the activities of the partnering organization. As a result of this partnership agreement, Special Olympics must adhere to all local, State or Federal laws regarding education.

  7. Provide student athletes with opportunities to earn varsity letters from their respective high schools.

  8. Provide extra-curricular athletics opportunities and inclusive sports opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities and cognitive delays.

ARTICLE IV

The term of this contract is July 15, 2017 through July 15, 2018. This contract shall automatically renew for additional terms not to exceed five years unless either party notifies the other at least 60 days prior to renewal date.

ARTICLE V

This contract may be terminated by either party upon thirty (30) days written notice to the other party with or without cause. All notice of this contract shall be given to the Superintendent of Cherokee County Schools at 110 Academy Street, Canton, GA 30114, and to the Coordinators of Special Olympics.