District of Columbia Public Charter School Board

Board Meeting Minutes

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April 20, 2009 – 7:35 P.M.

Attendance

Board members in attendance: Mr. Tom Nida, Chair; Mr. Brian Jones, Vice Chair, Dr. Dora Marcus; Mr. Will Marshall; Dr. Darren Woodruff; Mr. John “Skip” McKoy; Mr. Don Soifer; and Ms. Josephine Baker,

Ex-Officio and Secretary

The board meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M. by Mr. Tom Nida.

Approval of Agenda

Mr. Thomas Nida presented the proposed agenda for the April 20, 2009 meeting. The Notice of Concern for Options Public Charter School (PCS) and the Proposal to issue Notices of Concern to charter schools for failure to submit discipline reports were tabled until the May 18, 2009 meeting. Mr. Will Marshall moved that the agenda be approved as modified and Dr. Dora Marcus seconded the motion. The agenda was approved by all members present.

Approval of March 16, 2009 Meeting Minutes

Mr. Thomas Nida presented the March 16, 2009 meeting minutes for approval. Dr. Dora Marcus moved that the minutes be approved, and Mr. Brian Jones seconded the motion. The minutes were unanimously accepted by all members present.

Acknowledgement of Elected Officials

Mr. Thomas Nida called for any elected officials to stand and be recognized. None were present.

Acknowledgement ofContracts Reviewed

Mr. Thomas Nida gave a recap of the contracts over $25,000, which were reviewed by the Finance Committee.

Mr. Don Soifer moved that the report be accepted and Mr. Brian Jones seconded the motion. The report was accepted as presented by all members present.

Discussion - Facilities Allowance for Charter Schools

Mr. Thomas Nida opened a dialogue with Board members about concern for the proposed 2010 budget provisions for charter schools for facilities allowance; this dialogue also provided information to the public. There was discussion about the suggested legislation and its affect on charter school funding and facilities cost. After careful deliberation, the members of the D.C. Public Charter School Board (DCPCSB) will recommend to the Council of the District of Columbia that the current facility allowance paid to D.C. Public Charter Schools, at $3,109 annually per student be continued for fiscal year 2010, pending an independent review of all facility costs of not only the D.C. Public Charter Schools, but also D.C. Public Schools (DCPS).

This review will determine the actual facility costs of the entire D.C. Public School system, and as a consequence, determine if current and projected facility costs are equitable for all D.C. Public School students. Once this is determined, then equitable adjustments in facility costs can be made across the entire D.C. Public School system for inclusion in future fiscal years starting with fiscal year 2011.

SCHOOLS COMMITTEE

Charter Revocation Proposal

MEI Futures Academy Public Charter School (PCS)

School Representation Present: Mr. Craig Edelin, Board Chair; Ms. Letitia Dowling, Acting Principal

Mr. Thomas Nida noted that an extensive discussion during an informal hearing was held between MEI Futures Academy PCS’s Board of Trustees and the D.C. Public Charter School Board about the proposal of the revocation of MEI Future Academy PCS’s charter. Dr. Jackie Boddie gave highlights of the unannounced reviews of transcripts, special education services, curriculum audits conducted from March 30, 2009 through April 14, 2009. Dr. Boddie reported that based on the audit results, neither assessment strategies, nor identified instructional interventions based on alignment with the state’s assessments supports have been addressed as of April 14, 2009.

There was discussion about the school’s various comprehensive problem areas such as; decreased enrollment, educational program, academic design and standards, graduation verification, and chronic attendance and truancy. Mr. Will Marshall voiced his dissatisfaction with the audit results and gave his regret of the schools’ failure to succeed. Mr. John “Skip” McKoy complimented the school on its dynamic mission and the need for such a service.

Mr. Thomas Nida pointed out that based on the summary findings from the audits by the PCSB and its staff, the Board found that MEI Futures Academy PCS has committed the following material violations set forth in its charter agreement, including violations related to the education of children with disabilities:

Failure to operate with a valid Certificate of Occupancy.
Lack of sufficient books and other supplies for all students attending the school, and failure to develop and provide curriculum materials to all teachers at the school.
Failure to operate in accordance with the mission statement provided in its application.
Failure to design and implement the educational program described in its application.
Failure to adopt content and performance standards for all subject areas at all grades and other performance levels served by the school.
Failure to comply with all federal requirements related to educating students with special needs.
Failure to submit to the PCSB, meeting minutes of the Board of Trustees.

Mr. Thomas Nida entertained a motion for the Board to vote on the decision to revoke the school’s charter effective June 30, 2009. Mr. Don Soifer moved that the D. C. Public Charter School Board revoke the charter of MEI Futures Academy Public Charter School. Dr. Dora Marcus seconded the motion and the motion passed with all Board members voting in favor. Mr. Nida asked MEI Futures PCS Board’s full cooperation and assistance to ensure an orderly transition of student placement and participate in a joint effort with the PCSB Board and staff on the closing logistics.

Charter Review

SAIL Public Charter School (PCS)

School Representation Present: Mr. John Seiver, Board Chair; Mr. Rick Offne, Parent Chair; Ms. Leanne Nurse, Vice-Chair; Mr. William Van Pelt, Head of Budget Oversight; Ms. Tosha Francis, Board Member; Ms. Shomari Williams, Parent and Board Member

PCSB staff member Ms. Carolyn Trice reported that SAIL PCS met the academic, non-academic and organizational standards for compliance in its Charter Review. SAIL PCS however, did not meet the organizational performance standards for governance and is a candidate for Charter Revocation.

Board members asked SAIL’s Board to give a response to the following questions:

How the school plans to address the budget deficit and the progress in developing internal control protocols?
How the school plans to address the high attrition rate of school leadership and staff?
What plans are in place for beginning the process for accreditation and when will accreditation be completed?

Mr. Rick Offner stated that the School’s Board has taken the following corrective action steps:

a) Mr. Offner’s appointment as the new Chief Executive Officer and will begin his role effective July 1, 2009.

b) Creation of an Oversight Committee to review the curriculum, accreditation and the performance standards.

c) Appointment of Mr. William Van Pelt as the Head of a three member Committee to review existing policies and procedures regarding overall governance including human resource and personnel issues.

d) Retained an Independent Accountant to examine the school’s financial viability.

Dr. Dora Marcus moved that SAIL PCS be granted conditional continuance of its charter for one year and the motion was seconded by Mr. John “Skip” McKoy. The motion passed with all Board members voting in favor.

Rescind Abeyance of Upper School/Fully Implement Middle School

SAIL Public Charter School (PCS)

The PCSB Board considered the request to lift the abeyance of SAIL’s middle school program. PCSB granted conditional approval to reinstate the middle school program. Full approval is contingent on meeting the following conditions within a one year; 1) to complete the development of comprehensive curricula for the seventh and eighth grades that meets PCSB’s curricula standards, 2) design and implement a professional development program to train teachers in the use of the middle school curricula, and, 3) limit enrollment to the school’s rising seventh and eighth grade students; no new students will be enrolled for the 2009-2010 school year. Dr. Dora Marcus moved that conditional approval to reinstate the middle school program be granted with the conditions noted above. Dr. Darren Woodruff seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously with all Board members in favor.

Request to Change LEA Status

Eagle Academy Public Charter School (PCS)

School Representation Present: Ms. Cassandra Pinkney, Executive Director; Ms. Terence Jett-Jones, Special Education Coordinator; Mr. Ronald Hasty

PCSB staff member Ms. Carolyn Trice reported that Eagle Academy PCS is requesting permission to change its LEA status from a D.C. Public School (DCPS) to become its own LEA for purposes of the amended section of Part B of the IDEA and the amended Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Ms. Trice explained the rationale for Eagle Academy PCS seeking to become its own LEA.

Mr. Brian Jones moved that Eagle Academy PCS be granted permission to change its LEA status from a DCPS school for the purpose of special education and become its own LEA. Mr. John “Skip” McKoy seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously by all Board members.

Request to Operate in a New Location

Washington Latin Public Charter School (PCS)

School Representation Present: Mr. Samuel Carter, Board Chair; Ms. Martha Cutts, Head of School; Mr. Tom Goss, Assistant Head of Operations

Mr. Corey Carter reported that the Washington Latin Public Charter School is requesting approval to operate in a new location moving from the 3855 Massachusetts Avenue NW to a new building at 16th and Upshur Street NW (see attached letter). Mr. Samuel Carter stated that the school has submitted a copy of the lease and final details are being negotiated with legal counsel. Mr. Tom Goss noted that the plan is to have the Middle School with grades five through eight at the Upshur street campus, and the ninth and tenth grades at the Decatur street campus. He pointed out that transportation would be provided to eliminate any commuting problems.

There was discussion about Washington Latin’s outreach and interaction with the Community and all Ward 4, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners (ANC’s). Mrs. Josephine Baker suggested that Washington Latin obtain letters of support and make certain that the ANC’s are aware of the school’s intent to operate in the new building and location. Mr. John “Skip” McKoy made the motion to approve the operation of Washington Latin in the new location at 16th and Upshur Street NW. Dr. Dora Marcus seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously by all Board members present.

Response to Notice of Concern - Attendance

Options Public Charter School (PCS)

School Representation Present: Dr. Donna Montgomery, Executive Director; Dr. Charles Vincent, Chief Operating Officer

PCSB staff member Dr. Robert Mayo recapped that at last month’s Board meeting, Options PCS was issued a Notice of Concern for attendance. Dr. Mayo mentioned as a follow-up process by the PCSB, Options PCS will give a follow-up assessment of the situation from the school’s perspective. Dr. Donna Montgomery reported that the evaluation showed reporting problems that caused inaccuracies in attendance and that training for leadership is underway in collecting and reporting attendance data.

Dr. Montgomery stated that the process for checking the attendance roster and recording attendance has changed from morning to midday, specifically during the lunch period. Dr. Dora Marcus questioned the rationale of taking attendance in the afternoon as being evidence for alleviating the problem. Dr. Marcus commented that late afternoon gathering of attendance can cause a serious situation of increased tardiness. Dr. Robert Mayo echoed those concerns. Following discussion by the PCSB Board and Options PCS, Dr. Thomas Nida asked that action will be deferred pending results from the third quarter attendance report to be submitted at the end of May, 2009.

Requests to Approve Technology Plans

Dr. Dora Marcus reported that as part of the new funding stimulus plan proposal, the IT Committee is reviewing the educational technology plans, as they are submitted by charter schools. Mr. Lamont Brittain will review and summarize each plan using a strict set of criteria developed by the Board and make his recommendation to Dr. Dora Marcus who will make the final decision. The Board gave Dr. Dora Marcus, assisted by Mr. Lamont Brittan, the authority to approved submitted technology plans

Proposal to Revise PCSB Policy

Charter Amendment Policy

PCSB staff member, Mrs. Jacqueline Scott-English presented proposed revision to the Charter Amendment request policy statement and the timeline for the Performance Management Framework.

Mrs. Scott-English reported that the established criteria for all amendment requests must meet conditions as stated below:

For all types of amendment requests (new curriculum, change in grades and age served, or change in management), the following considerations would be given:

rationale for the requested amendment; and
whether the request addresses issues identified as a result of AYP status.
Schools seeking to add grades beyond those approved in the charter or to institute new curriculum would also be required to meet the following criteria:

Access to a facility to accommodate any projected enrollment increases resulting from the amendment; and evidence of financial capacity as demonstrated by criteria outlined in the PCSB’s Fiscal Policy Handbook. Schools seeking to add grades beyond those approved in the charter, would need to meet the following criteria: an average rating of “proficient” or above on the most two recent Program Development Reviews; and currently not under PCSB corrective action.

There were no questions or revisions; Dr. Dora Marcus moved that the Charter Amendment Request Policy Statement be approved to facilitate the implementation of the Board’s new Charter Amendment criteria.

Dr. Darren Woodruff seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously by all Board members voting in favor.

Expansion/Replication Policy Statement

PCSB staff member, Mrs. Jacqueline Scott-English presented the proposed Expansion/Replication Policy Statement timeline and criteria for charter schools. Mrs. Scott-English reported that the established criteria for all expansion/replication requests will include the following conditions:

Completion of four years of operation
Overall proficiency rating
Access to a facility to accommodate expansion/replication plans
Evidence of a demand for an expansion/replication
Currently not under PCSB corrective action
Evidence of financial capacity to support expansion/replication
Rationale for expansion/replication
Relationship of request to AYP status
Accreditation or at least a candidate for accreditation for schools beyond its six year of operation

There was discussion about competitive and demographic analysis being performed to determine adequate demand for expansion and replication. Dr. Dora Marcus commented once the policy is adopted, schools will need to be notified immediately. Dr. Darren Woodruff moved that the proposed timeline and criteria for the Expansion/Replication Policy Statement be approved and the motion was seconded by Mr. Don Soifer. The motion passed unanimously by all Board members present.

Public Comment:

There was no public comment.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 9:14 PM.