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A Message From the Superintendent

September 1, 2026

School has begun. It was great to see so many of you at the first-day-of-school meet-and-greet event.

Our primary mission at Horizon Charter School is to deliver a high-quality, standards-based education that prepares every student for the future. We fulfill that mission on a foundation built on a collaborative relationship between teachers and parent educators who work together to tailor each student’s educational experience.

Instructional funding is one of the most impactful tools we have to bring that personalized experience to each one of our students. However, these funds are not simply a line item in a budget; they are a shared resource meant to support the ongoing collaboration between the family partner and the Supervising Teacher. When parents and teachers collaborate to make purchasing decisions, every dollar spent directly strengthens the academic plan built to ensure your student masters grade-level standards.

To ensure we steward these state public funds responsibly and keep the focus where it belongs, which is on student learning and growth, here is how we approach purchasing for the 2026/2027 school year.

The Golden Standard: The 8-Point Purchasing Criteria

Before submitting any order, the family partner and teacher team commit to evaluating the request together. Every item must answer a firm “YES” to all eight of these essential criteria:

  • Course Alignment: Is it directly aligned with a course listed on the student’s Master Agreement?
  • Educational Value: Is the primary purpose of the item strictly educational?
  • Reasonable Quantity: Is the amount appropriate for a single student?
  • Fiscal Responsibility: Is this a wise, defensible use of public funds that avoids any “gift of public funds” issue?
  • Best Value: Have you compared pricing to ensure we are getting the best value?
  • Age Appropriateness: Is it right for your student’s current developmental and grade level?
  • Classroom Availability: Does it mirror what is reasonably provided in a site-based classroom setting?
  • Seasonal Consumption: Will consumable items be fully used up by the end of the school year?

Key Operational Guidelines for 2026/2027

To keep our purchasing seamless, compliant, and focused on achievement, keep these practical guardrails in mind as you map out the year with your teacher:

  • Prioritize Academic Progress: First, focus on the student’s core and academic courses and curriculum for the year. If a student is working to catch up to grade-level standards in any area, the teacher will direct instructional funding toward targeted academic support and core interventions.
  • Pace Both Semesters: Do not exhaust your allocation in the fall. Collaborate with your teacher to ensure you have adequate resources reserved for spring curriculum, second-semester projects, and year-end needs.
  • The $100 Per-Item Limit: Individual items must be $100 or less (unless explicitly stated otherwise in the guidelines) so they are not misconstrued as a thing of value or excessive expense.
  • No Vendor Returns or Credit Restorations: Review your choices carefully before ordering. Once HCS pays a vendor, those funds cannot be restored to the student’s budget if you change your mind, as vendors do not issue refunds to the school.
  • School Property Notice: All non-consumable items (textbooks, tech, durable equipment) remain the property of Horizon Charter School. Continuing students keep their materials through the school year, but all non-consumables must be returned upon graduation, withdrawal, or end-of-year checkout. Consumables like workbooks and basic supplies are meant to be used up.

When parents and teachers collaborate on educational decisions, every resource we deploy translates directly into measurable student academic and social-emotional growth and achievement. Reach out to your Supervising Teacher this week, review the full 2026/2027 Purchasing Guidelines together, and let’s build a solid, high-impact plan for your student’s year ahead.

Sincerely,

John Garrard, Superintendent, Horizon Charter Schools