Attendance
Board members in attendance: Mr. Tom Nida, Chair; Mr. Brian Jones, Vice-Chair, Mr. Will Marshall;
Mr. John “Skip” McKoy; Mr. Don Soifer; Dr. Darren Woodruff; Ms. Sara Mead and Mrs. Josephine Baker, Ex-Officio and Secretary

Mr. Tom Nida called the Board meeting to order at 7:44 p.m.
 
Acknowledgement of Elected Officials
Mr. Tom Nida invited elected officials be acknowledged.  Mr. David Holmes, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, Ward 6A was present.

Approval of Agenda
The agenda was accepted by all Board members present.

Approval of November 16, 2009 Meeting Minutes
Mr. Tom Nida presented the November 16, 2009 meeting minutes for approval.  Mr. Will Marshall moved that the minutes be approved.  Mr. Brian Jones seconded the motion.  The minutes were approved by all Board members present.

Contracts Reviewed
Mr. Tom Nida reported on contracts reviewed over $25,000.00 which were approved by the Finance Committee.  Mr. Brian Jones made the motion to accept the report as corrected and Mr. Darren Woodruff seconded the motion.  The report was accepted by all Board members present.

SCHOOLS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
                                                
Request to Relinquish Charter
City Collegiate Public Charter School (PCS)
School Representation Present:  Pebble Randolph, Board of Trustees, Co-Chair; Julie Klingenston,
Co-Chair; Andrew Klingenton, Treasurer; and Trina Williams, Secretary

PCSB staff member, Dr. Jackie Boddie reported that the Board of Trustees of City Collegiate Public Charter School voted on Thursday, December 10, 2009 to cease operations of its charter at the end of the 2009-2010 school year.  Dr. Boddie stated that the Board of Trustees and school leadership is working on the orderly transition of students to other educational facilities and assisting with the final closing activities.  The school will also submit letters s to the parents about the situation and encourage them to attend the Communication’s Recruitment Expo in January.

Mr. Will Marshall asked about the reasons for the difficulty.  There was discussion about the school’s decision to relinquish its charter due to several factors including enrollment concerns, leadership turnover, and financial challenges. 

Mr. Tom Nida entertained the motion that the D. C. Public Charter School Board reluctantly accept the voluntary surrender of City Collegiate Public Charter School’s charter immediately and proceed with the established closing procedures.  Mr. Will Marshall made the motion to accept City Collegiate Public Charter School’s request to relinquish its charter.  Mr. Brian Jones seconded the motion.  The motion was carried unanimously by all Board members present.

Proposal to Issue Board Action for Attendance and Truancy
Young America Works PCS
School Representation Present:  Sharita Slayton; Dwayne Jones, Principal; and Edward Mime
PCSB staff member Dr. Robert Mayo reported that according to Young America Works PCS academic year 2008-2009, the school’s attendance report showing 83.48% fell below the required 85% required threshold.  Dr. Mayo noted that the school met the requirement for truancy. 

Per the established attendance accountability policy, the Schools Committee is proposing a continuance of the Notice of Probation to Young America Works PCS.  There was discussion about the school’s overall performance and decreasing the relative high truancy rate of 12%.  Mr. Romero stated that the school is meeting with the students to determine what the school can do to improve the truancy rate.  Mr. Will Marshall moved to continue the Notice of Probation and Mr. Darren Woodruff seconded the motion.  The motion was carried unanimously by all Board members present.

Compliance Review Results – Lift Board Action: Extended Notice of Concern
PCSB staff member Monique Miller submitted a list identifying the schools that addressed the outstanding compliance issues by the deadline and requested to extend the Notices of Concern.  Mr. Tom Nida opened discussion about the compliance review results and the implementation of the Authorizers’ Oversight Information System (AOIS).  Following discussion, the motion was made by Dr. Darren Woodruff to lift the Extended Notice of Concern and seconded by Mr. Don Soifer.  The motion was carried unanimously.

Compliance Review – Extend Notice of Concern
PCSB staff member Ms. Monique Miller reported that Washington Latin addressed the outstanding compliance issues; however because of delays beyond its control Washington Latin PCS was unable to obtain a Basic Business License or submit a detailed inventory list.  The Schools Committee is proposing that Washington Latin’s Notice of Concern be extended to allow more time for the school to submit outstanding documents.

There was discussion about the Notice of Concern and the proposal was made that the Notice of Concern for Washington Latin PCS be lifted at the January Board meeting contingent upon Washington Latin meeting the above requirements.  Mr. Don Soifer moved to approve the proposal and Dr. Darren Woodruff seconded the motion.  The motion was carried unanimously.

Compliance Review – Extend Notice of Deficiency
PCSB staff member Ms. Monique Miller reported that Children’s Studio PCS , IDEAL Academy PCS (Peabody street and North Capitol street campuses), Howard University Math and Science Middle PCS, and City Collegiate PCS failed to address the outstanding compliance issues and were issued a Notice of Deficiency and an on-site Deep Dive compliance review.  Ms. Miller indicated that several issues remain unresolved and the Schools Committee is proposing that the Notice of Deficiency be extended to allow more time for these schools to submit outstanding documents.

There was discussion about the Notice of Deficiency.  Mr. Will Marshall questioned the repercussion if schools do not comply with the requirements.  Ms. Monique Miller stated that it should not be a problem for the schools to meet the deadline by January and if so, the schools will receive a Notice of Probation.  The proposal was made that the Notice of Deficiency for the above cited schools be addressed by the January Board meeting.  Mr. Brian Jones moved to approve the proposal and Mr. Don Soifer seconded the motion.  The motion was carried unanimously.

Approval of Technology Plans
Hospitality High School PCS; Cesar Chavez PCS; and Achievement Preparatory PCS
Mr. Don Soifer presented the three (3) following Technology Plans reviewed by the Technology Committee for approval; Hospitality High School PCS, Cesar Chavez PCS, and Achievement Preparatory PCS. 
Following discussion, the Board proposed that full approval be granted for Hospitality High PCS; conditional approval be granted for Cesar Chavez PCS, and conditional approval be granted for Achievement Preparatory PCS. 

The Board advised that the schools granted conditional approval work with staff member Mr. Lamont Brittain, IT/Technology Manager to complete the requirements for full acceptance of its Technology Plan.
Mr. Will Marshall made the motion to approve the Technology Plans as noted above and Mr. Brian Jones seconded the motion.  The motion was unanimously carried by all Board members present.

PCSB Proposed Policy – New Charter School Opening Timeline
PCSB Staff member Ms. Jacqueline Scott-English provided a new charter school opening timeline policy to be adopted and effective as of December 21, 2009.  The policy establishes a fifteen-seventeen month timeframe after the approval date for the opening of all newly authorized public charter schools, including the conversion of DC public schools or existing private or independent schools in the District of Columbia to public charter school status.

There was discussion the timing of the current application process putting restraints on the city’s budget and the advantages of the new timeline given the fifteen month window.  Dr. Darren Woodruff questioned that if during the interim period, the schools could remain open as DCPS schools.  Ms. Jacqueline Scott-English answered yes.  The motion was made by Mr. Don Soifer to approve the new charter school opening timeline policy.  Dr. Darren Woodruff seconded the motion and the motion was carried unanimously by all Board members present.

Request to Operate in a New Location
Hyde Leadership PCS
School Representation Present:  Mr. Joe Fanone, Board President;  Ms.  JoAnn Cason, Principal; and
Ms. Anne Hedman, Chief Operating Officer
PCSB staff member Ms. Charlotte Cureton reported that Hyde Leadership PCS is requesting conditional approval of its petition to operate in a new location at 1800 Perry Street, N.E., Washington, D.C., pending submission and review of outstanding documents.  Ms. Cureton stated that in September 2009, the D.C. Department of Real Estate Services awarded Hyde Leadership PCS the entitlement to locate at the Taft Junior High School building.  She stated that dependent upon conditional approval, construction could begin at the site in January 2010 so that the school can move in before the start of the next school year.  Mr. Joe Fanone informed the Board that the City Council and Building Hope supported the school’s request and that financing closure should be finalized by April 2010. 

There was discussion about space specifications and accommodations to fulfill curriculum courses and outdoor athletic activities to have the capacity for growth.  Mr. Tom Nida opened the floor to the Board for discussion.  There being none, Dr. Darren Woodruff moved that Hyde Leadership PCS be approved with conditions until all documents related to financing, lease agreements and construction plans to finalize its petition are submitted to the PCSB.  Mr. Don Soifer seconded the motion and the motion was carried unanimously by all Board members present.  Once conditions are met and the school is fully approved to relocate, the PCSB staff will conduct a pre-opening site visit to document the schools readiness.

Request for an Enrollment Ceiling Increase
Appletree Early Learning PCS
School Representation Present:  Mr. Jade McCarthy, Board Chair and Mr. Russ Williams, Executive Director
PCSB staff member Taishya Adams reported that Appletree is requesting an enrollment ceiling increase that will allow them to serve 450 students.  This adjustment to their enrollment ceiling will allow them to add two additional campuses (Savannah Terrace SE, Ward 8; and 12th St. NE, Ward 6) to their three existing sites at Riverside, Amidon, and Columbia Heights.  Mr. Russ Williams noted that the added space would allow for the increase in enrollment and future growth. 

Mr. Will Marshall asked Mr. Russ Williams to give more detail about the expansion plan.  Mr. Williams pointed out that AppleTree Early Learning PCS is requesting permission to operate the following two sites (increasing their campuses to five) beginning the 2010-2011 school year:  1) 2017 Savannah Terrace SE, located in Ward 8, serving seventy two three and four year old children, and 2) 138-12th St NE, located in Ward 6, serving up to sixty three and four year olds.  Mr. Williams commented that the proposed expansion is in accordance with the city’s goal to improve preschool an early childhood education.  He spoke about the school’s strong fiscal management and the early intervention model.  The additional space will allow for accommodating expansion and growth.  Mr. Brian Jones moved that the Board approve AppleTree Learning Center PCS’s enrollment ceiling request.  Mr. Will Marshall seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. 

Request to Operate in a New Location
Appletree Early Learning Public Charter School (PCS)
School Representation Present:  Mr. Jade McCarthy, Board Chair and Mr. Russ Williams, Executive Director
PCSB staff member Ms. Taishya Adams reported that AppleTree Early Learning PCS is requesting permission to operate in two additional sites.  Ms. Adams stated that AppleTree Early Learning PCS opened in the 2005 school year and currently serves approximately 180 pre-school and pre-kindergarten children ages three and four years old.  This adds up to a total of 132 additional students to the AppleTree Early Learning PCS consortium.  Ms. Adams indicated that the school’s mission is to provide young children with the social, emotional, and cognitive foundations that will enable them to succeed in school.  Mr. Williams stated that Appletree Early Learning PCS received construction and bond approval from agencies such as the Office of Planning and the City Council. 

Mr. Brian Jones pointed out that the Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners (ANC’s) raised the question about traffic and congestion problems and asked what was AppleTree Learning Center PCS’s plan to address this issue?  Mr. Jack McCarthy gave several solutions to reduce traffic and congestion; 1) a group of parents will walk the children to and from school; 2) the school will permit a one hour window to drop off the children and a three hour window to pick up the children; and 3) ANC’s are welcomed to monitor the way the school operate regarding the traffic issues.  Mr. Don Soifer mentioned the concern about the lack of immediate proximity to a playground.  Mr. Russ Williams stated that the school is in walking distance to the Lincoln Park site.

There was discussion about the need of necessary documents relating to financing, lease agreement, anticipated projects, and completion dates.  Mr. Will Marshall moved that the Board grant conditional approval pending submission of all documents.  Mr. Brian Jones seconded the motion and the motion was carried unanimously.  Once full approval is granted, the PCSB staff will conduct pre-opening visits to each site to document its readiness to operate. 

The request to operate in a new location at the Perry street site was deferred at the request of AppleTree Learning Center PCS.

Public Comment
Mr. Tom Nida opened the floor for comment.  Mr. David Holmes, ANC Commissioner, Ward 6A opposing the request to operate in the location, commented on several issues including the measurement requirements, traffic, distance of a playground.  Mr. Joseph Jorgens, community resident, noted that his concern was mainly about the specific zoning approval of the building site and not the quality of the school.  Several parents and community members gave testimony either in opposition or support of the request with similar concerns. 

Mr. Tom Nida explained that the Zoning Board’s role is to weigh merits of whether or not a school can locate at a specific site and bond issues has to be approved by the City Council.  He noted that the D.C. Public Charter School Board (PCSB) has no purview over their decision and if schools meet the requirements, the PCSB has the responsibility to act upon a school’s request according to the charter law.

Mr. Nida expressed his appreciation for the interest shown by all individuals who came out in observance, in opposition or support of tonight’s public meeting.