July 21, 2008 – 7:30p.m.
Attendance
Board members in attendance: Mr. Tom Nida, Chair; Mr. Anthony Colón, Vice Chair; Dr. Dora Marcus; Mr. Will Marshall; Karl Jentoft; and Jo Baker, Ex-Officio and Secretary
The board meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mr. Tom Nida.
Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved with no changes.
Approval of June Meeting Minutes
The June meeting minutes were approved with no modifications.
Acknowledgement of Elected Officials
Mr. Tom Nida invited elected officials to stand and be acknowledged; there were none present.
Contracts Reviewed
Mr. Tom Nida reported on contracts reviewed over $25,000.00 which were approved by the Finance Committee. The report was accepted and approved as presented.
Schools Committee
Proposal for Board Action
Inadequate Attendance and Truancy Rates
Mr. Tom Nida reported that this agenda item regarding attendance and truancy has been tabled at this time. He stated that the PCSB is researching proposed policy options in terms of reporting standards and consequences for insufficient attendance and truancy rates. Mr. Nida also pointed out that the PCSB will gather feedback from both the affected and non-affected schools before the implementation stage of the policy.
Request to Expand Virtual Learning Program
Community Academy PCS (CAPCS)
School Representation Present: Ms. Allison Cleveland, K-12 Vendor; Ms. Flossie Johnson, Head of School; Mr. Leonard Upson, Vice-President, Education and Development; Mr. Kent Amos, Executive Director
Dr. Robert Mayo reported that CAPCS is requesting an enrollment cap increase of its K12 online program from 100 to 200 students. Dr. Mayo also noted that CAPCS is seeking permission to infuse K12 virtual learning into its existing traditional curriculum, both of which currently employ the Core Knowledge curricular scope and sequence which speaks positively to curricular and instructional congruence.
Dr. Robert Mayo pointed out that although, CAPCS/K12 on-line learners generally yield higher achievement than their peers in traditional educational settings on the DCCAS in performance, there has been a steady decline in math achievement over the past three academic years. Dr. Dora Marcus voiced her concern regarding the decrease in math test scores. Mr. Kent Amos stated that a series of interventions are being implemented in the upcoming year to improve test scores. Ms. Allison Cleveland commented that CAPCS has a contract with Scantron to administer performance tests that would provide benchmark data which would then be utilized to identify student needs. She stated there will be an increase in hands-on mandatory tutoring based on the results of the benchmark data.
Discussion was held regarding how test score data is analyzed, if any evaluation data on their success rate has been documented on the program, student retention and the number of students completing the program. Mr. Karl Jentoft asked about current enrollment figures. Mr. Kent Amos explained that currently 113 students are enrolled online with 20 on the waiting list with no formal advertising or marketing outreach. Further discussion was held regarding how student performance and outcomes are measured and what guidelines are in place. Mr. Will Marshall advised the school to delay the expansion of the program and to focus their efforts and resources on the math dilemma. Mr. Marshall also suggested the need for the school to utilize more reliable metrics of measuring student achievement. Ms. Josephine Baker voiced her concern of compounding the decline in achievement results with increased enrollment and recommended that the school first show significant student improvement in the area of math and address other specific questions before commencing with an enrollment increase.
Mr. Anthony Colón made a motion to conditionally approve the request for an enrollment increase from 100 to 200 for the upcoming 2008-09 school year. Mr. Karl Jentoft seconded the motion and the motion passed with one opposed, Dr. Dora Marcus.
Following discussion of the school’s request to infuse K12 virtual learning into its existing traditional curriculum, the PCSB voted to take no action at this time.
Request to Operate in a New Location
Cesar Chavez Preparatory Academy Public Charter School
School Representation Present: Mr. Andrew Touchette, Principal; Ms. Tara O’Flaherty, Vice-President for Academics
Mr. Corey Carter reported that Cesar Chavez Public Charter School is requesting authorization to operate its Bruce Preparatory campus in a temporary location at Elsie W. Stokes Community Charter School at 4220 16th St., N.W. Washington, DC 20010. Delays in construction are making such a move necessary.
Following discussion of the construction progress, Mr. Will Marshall made the motion to conditionally approve the request to temporarily operate in a new location, pending readiness of the site and Dr. Dora Marcus seconded the motion. The motion was carried unanimously.
Request to Operate in a New Location
Nia Community Public Charter School
School Representation Present: Mr. Vernon Howard, Principal; Mr. Vernon Hawkins, Board of Directors and Treasurer
Ms. Susan Miller reported that Nia Community Public Charter School is requesting authorization from PCSB to relocate from its current location at 3845 South Capitol Street, SW to a new facility located in Benning Elementary School at 100 41st Street, NE, Washington, DC on August 15, 2008. Ms. Miller stated that the school has not submitted all necessary documents to satisfy the requirements for relocation at this time.
Mr. Vernon Howard stated that the school is subletting from Building Hope and DCPS. They are awaiting the Certificate of Occupancy. Ms. Kathleen Padian from Building Hope reported on the status of the building stating that they are still in negotiations of the execution of the lease with the tenants. Discussion was held regarding the number of students needed to fulfill their enrollment target and to ensure that the school is financially viable. Mr. Tom Nida questioned whether their will be a problem with the distance of students travel to the site. Mr. Vernon Howard indicated that parents have committed to enrolling their students at the new site and transportation would not be a problem. Mr. Howard further stated that door-to-door recruitments efforts are underway and they now have verifiable enrollment figures totaling 147 students and thus will meet their enrollment targets. Mr. Vernon Hawkins commented that the school has an incubator initiative fund which will provide a financial cushion until grant support is made available.
Dr. Dora Marcus made the motion to conditionally approve the school’s request to operate in a new location pending submission of necessary documents to satisfy the requirements for relocation and readiness of the site. Mr. Karl Jentoft seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Request to Operate in a New Location
D. C. Preparatory Academy Public Charter School
School Representation Present: Ms. Kathleen Padian, Building Hope; Ms. Emily Lawson, Principal; and Mr. David Leahy, Chief Operating Officer
Dr. Robert Mayo reported that DC Prep’s COO, David Leahy, submitted correspondence on June 23, 2008 to request to begin preschool and prekindergarten operations at the former Benning Elementary School in the upcoming fall of 2008. DC Prep officials have indicated that they will submit all required related documentation to the DCPCSB as it becomes available.
Ms. Emily Lawson noted the recruitment efforts of the school and that the school has a student waiting list. Discussion was held regarding transportation of student to the campuses. Ms. Kathleen Padian stated that the new campuses will meet the enrollment target. Mr. Karl Jentoft made the motion to conditionally approve the school’s request to operate in a new location pending submission of necessary documents to satisfy the requirements for relocation and site readiness. Dr. Dora Marcus seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Public Comment
Mr. Tom Nida reported that PCSB’s Annual Report will be released by July 30, 2008 showing the school performance and High School data from the 2007-2008 school year. Mr. Nida shared the following accomplishments: 849 graduating seniors, 687 of the graduating seniors took the college entrance exam and the acceptance rate of 84 percent. He also reported that $10,594, 474 were awarded in scholarships.
There being no general public comment, the meeting was adjourned at 8:37 p.m.