February 25, 2008 – 7:30pm
Attendance
Board members in attendance: Tom Nida, Chair; Anthony Colón, Vice Chair; Dr. Dora Marcus; Will Marshall, Karl Jentoft, and Josephine Baker, Ex-Officio and Secretary.
Board members excused: Brian Jones and Lawrence Patrick, III.
The January 28, 2008 minutes were approved.
Approval of the Agenda
The agenda was approved with the notation that the first order of business would be the Public Hearing regarding Howard Road Public Charter School’s request to amend its charter.
Request to Amend Charter
Howard Road Academy Public Charter School
Mr. Tom Nida opened the floor to the Public Hearing regarding Howard Road Public Charter School’s request to amend its charter. A preliminary briefing was given by the PCSB. (The proceeding was officially recorded by Beta Court Reporting).
Following the proceedings were made during the public hearing: Dr. Dora Marcus made a motion to approve Howard Road Academy’s request to amend its charter to increase its enrollment ceiling. The motion was seconded by Mr. Karl Jentoft and was carried out unanimously.
Finance Committee
Contracts Reviewed of $25,000 or More
Mr. Tom Nida presented for the record an overall review of school contracts. Mr. Anthony Colón motioned to approve the report. Dr. Dora Marcus seconded the motion and it was carried unanimously; Mr. Karl Jentoft recuse himself from the contract vote for Yung Ying lease approval.
Schools Committee
Charter Amendment Request
Elsie Whitlow Stokes PCS
School Representation Present: Ms. Linda Moore, Executive Director
Ms. Jackie Boddie provided rationale regarding Elsie Whitlow Stokes request to amend their charter. She reported that the school is in its 10th year of operation and is seeking a charter amendment request to add a pre-school and pre-kindergarten program for three and four year old children.
Ms. Linda Moore explained to the PCSB the improvement of assessment for Pre-K regarding reviewing another literacy approach for reading. She also explained the resolution of the transportation and safety patrol issue by providing shuttle service for the Columbia Heights and Mount Pleasant students. In addition, the students will be dropped off and escorted to the school. Discussion was held regarding the schools involvement in participation with the ANC’s, Ward and community representatives.
Based on the information provided in the charter amendment request during the public hearing in January, the recommendation was made by the School’s committee for full approval. A motion was made by
Mr. Karl Jentoft to approve the charter amendment request and seconded by Mr. Will Marshall and the vote was carried unanimously.
Request to Lift Notice of Concern
Hospitality PCS
School Representation Present: Dr. Debra Knight, Principal; Ms. Tiffany Godbout, Executive Director; Ms. Ruth Moses, Business Manager
Ms. Monique Miller reported that PCSB voted to issue a Notice of Probation on 06/18/07 to Hospitality Public Charter High School which centered around the school’s notice that it would relinquish its charter. Probation was based on documentation needed to remain a charter school through the completion of its 10th year charter review.
Ms. Miller informed the PCSB that Hospitality would keep its charter in the name Washington Hospitality Foundation Public Charter School. Ms. Josephine Baker questioned the current association with the school as it relates to with Roosevelt High School and the integration of curriculum into the culinary arts. Dr. Debra Knight stressed the good relationship Hospitality Public Charter School has with the Roosevelt High School and the that the required documents have been submitted to the PCSB regarding Hospitality progressively moving into a positive direction relative to accountability plans and testing. Ms. Josephine Baker further questioned whether the students practice culinary internships on or offsite. Dr. Debra Knight responded that at present, permits have not been approved to operate their kitchen onsite. The school currently utilizes the D. C. Central Kitchen for actual culinary functions and performs in-house demonstrations at their current location. Mr. Tom Nida requested that the school inform the PCSB when their site can handle all aspects of the culinary arts training.
Further discussion and confirmation was given by Washington Hospitality High Public Charter School to Mr. Tom Nida that the school maintains one charter and one board. The motion was made by Mr. Will Marshall and seconded by Mr. Karl Jentoft to lift the Notice of Probation and the motion was carried unanimously.
Request to Approve Accountability Revision Plan
Carlos Rosario International PCS
School Representation Present: Ms. Allison R. Kokkoros, Deputy Director; Ms. Patricio Sanchez, Student Assessment Coordinator
Ms. Martina James reported that Carlos Rosario International PCS is in its 10th year of operation and is proposing the PCSB to approve their revised accountability plan that runs from the 2004-05 school year through the 2008-09 school-year. The academic targets are in the areas of personal goal setting, computer and workplace skills. The non-academic target is related to family literacy. These targets were established because of the school’s most recent charter amendment. The Schools Committee is recommending approval of the revised plan.
Dr. Dora Marcus questioned the baseline targets in some areas being projected as too high. Ms. Josephine Baker explained that the 54% target was set in 05/06 and the increased targets will include next year during their five-year review. Dr. Dora Marcus made the motion that their revised accountability plan be approved. The motion was seconded by Mr. Anthony Colón and the motion was carried unanimously.
Preliminary Charter Review
Carlos Rosario International PCS
School Representation Present: Ms. Allison R. Kokkoros, Deputy Director; Ms. Patricio Sanchez, Student Assessment Coordinator
Ms. Martina James informed the PCSB that findings of the preliminary charter review of Carlos Rosario International PCS revealed that the school is not a candidate for charter warning. Mr. Karl Jentoft questioned the length of time students remain in the programs before achieving their actual goals. Discussion was held and clarification was given that although actual progress varied, it typically takes one to two years for the students to achieve their goals and that some students return to focus on new goals. Further discussion was held regarding the age range and the non-academic goal related to citizenship.
The PCSB stated that no board action is necessary because the school is not a candidate for charter warning.
Eagle Academy PCS
School Representation Present: Mr. Davane White, Board of Trustees Chair; Mr. Ronald Hasty, Principal; and Mr. Alexis Sorsas, Board Member
Ms. Carolyn Trice informed the PCSB that findings of the preliminary charter review of Eagle Academy PCS revealed that the school is not a candidate for charter warning. Discussion was held regarding the trend analysis of improving student performance from year to year. Mr. Ronald Hasty noted that plans are in place to change the curriculum for 3 year olds to include scientific based instruction. Ms. Josephine Baker also pointed out that the slight downward projection of the baseline targets.
Discussion was held regarding the variance due to high predictions above the average range and the Pre-K attendance targets may need to be adjusted and other fine-tuning in proposed targets. Further discussion was held regarding what options the school offers regarding medical assistance and health care; health issues are one cause of absenteeism among younger students. The PCSB stated that no board action is necessary because the school is not a candidate for charter warning.
SAIL PCS
School Representation Present: Ms. Tashia Francis, Board Member; Mr. Trevor Samuels, Principal;
Mr. Larry Ricco, and Mr. Rich Osbourne, Board Member
Ms. Carolyn Trice informed the PCSB that findings of the preliminary charter review of SAIL PCS revealed that the school is not a candidate for charter warning. Mr. Will Marshall mentioned the decrease in performance indicators from the DC CAS. Mr. Trevor Samuels mentioned that several assessment tools have been implemented to assist in the instructional use. He also informed the PCSB of significant changes in staff in an effort to strengthen the quality of teaching and leadership and the overall improvement of the outcomes regarding performance objectives. Mr. Samuels also reported that all plans have been reviewed by the board and a meeting was held with the school’s staff to reaffirm the school’s performance objectives, instructional methods and follow-up monitoring. Mr. Larry Ricco pointed out that the pre-set standards for the D.C. BAS is not in correlation with the D.C. CAS standards.
Discussion was held regarding the population percentage of special education and mentally challenged students in the school and what measures where being taken to accommodate these students. Mr. Larry Ricco stated that the school has acquired a competent staff consisting of a literacy coach, certified special education coordinator, a psychologist and social services counselor. Ms. Josephine Baker asked about the teacher/student classroom ratio. Mr. Samuels reported a ratio of 1:16. Further discussion was held regarding the school attempts to receive additional supplemental funding.
Cesar Chavez
School Representation Present: Mr. David Robinson, Chief Operating Officer; Ms. Irasema Salcido, Executive Director; Robert Rickenbrode, Chief Academic Officer, and Mr. Brian Patten, Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Corey Carter gave background regarding the summary of the preliminary charter review for Cesar Chavez’s multiple campuses. He stated that based on four years of data, Cesar Chavez Public Charter School for Public Policy met the non-academic and organizational performance standards outlined in the Charter Review Framework. However, the school failed to meet the academic performance standards, accountability plans, and PDR reviews. The PCSB will determine whether they are a candidate for placement on the Charter Warning List.
Points of discussion included the school not meeting the following: 1) annual performance targets and failure to meet the benchmark of the DC CAS in reading and mathematics, 2) non-academic performance standards, 3) organizational performance standards, and 4) related to curriculum, instruction, assessment, school climate and governance, the Capitol Hill campus performed satisfactory or higher in 14 of 19 indicators while the Parkside campus performed satisfactory or higher in 11 of 19 indicators.
Discussion was held regarding the outcome of the charter review and what remedies the school is taking since the review to support the improvement of the academic results such as; 1) separation of data to include trends and assessment of internal data, 2) adjustment of accountability measures based around DC standards for all courses, 3) itemized and planning of instructional unit and lesson plans, and 4) adoption of the MAAP test reading levels to show student growth.
Ms. Irasema Salcido stated that as the acting interim principal of the Parkside campus, one resolution would be to separate the school levels within the same building and implementation details are being developed to do this. Recruitment is also now underway for two new principals. Mr. Brian Patten gave the financial history of Cesar Chaves Public Charter School stating that a meeting took place with a financial source to acquire more than adequate funding for the project.
Discussion was held regarding the potential problems which may arise from the isolation and splitting of the school by the separation such as dual roles, facility distractions and quality growth issues. The PCSB also questioned the additional professional development support which would be needed for transitioning. Also, the PCSB voiced their concern regarding their new implementation plans designed to move forward without having an indication of the results of the changes and challenges due to different student population and various other adjustments. Another concern is the separation between communities in terms of discipline and student behavior. Mr. Karl Jentoft advised that franchising of schools may not prove to be a good learning process.
Mr. Tom Nida suggested and asked if the PCSB in an effort to reflect on the situation, would table the decision of whether to place Cesar Chavez on charter warning and place the agenda item on the March 17, 2008 board meeting. The PCSB were all in agreement to table the decision.
The meeting adjourned at 9:15p.m.