Board members excused: Mr. Tom Nida, Chair; Mr. Brian Jones, Vice Chair; and Dr. Dora Marcus

The board meeting was called to order at 7:36 P.M. by Mr. Will Marshall.

Acknowledgment of Elected Officials
Mr. Will Marshall called for any elected officials to stand and be recognized.  None were present.

Approval of Agenda
Mr. Will Marshall presented the proposed agenda for the June 15, 2009 meeting.  Mr. John “Skip” McKoy moved that the agenda be accepted as presented, and Mr. Don Soifer seconded the motion.  The agenda was approved as presented by all members present.
 
Approval of May 18, 2009 Meeting Minutes
Mr. Will Marshall presented the May 18, 2009 meeting minutes for approval.  Mr. Don Soifer moved that the minutes be approved, and Mr. John “Skip” McKoy seconded the motion.  The minutes were approved by all members present.

Contracts Reviewed
Mr. Will Marshall reported on contracts over $25,000, which were reviewed by the Finance Committee.  The motion was made by Mr. Don Soifer to accept the report as presented and, Mr. John “Skip” McKoy seconded the motion.  The motion passed and the report was accepted as presented by all board members present. 

SCHOOLS COMMITTEE

Approval of PCSB Bylaws Revisions
Mr. Will Marshall provided clarification of the D.C. Public Charter School Board’s revision to its Bylaws pertaining to the rules and regulations in both the Conflict of Interest and Gift section.  Following a brief discussion, Mr. John “Skip” McKoy made the motion to adopt the changes to the Bylaws.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved by all board members present.

Accountability Plan
Potomac Lighthouse Public Charter School (PCS)
School Representation Present: Mr. Ramon Richardson, Education Subcommittee Member
PCSB staff member Dr. Sean Coleman reported that Potomac Lighthouse Public Charter School (PCS) has submitted its accountability plan with literacy and mathematics academic targets using the DC-CAS and NWEA assessments.  Non-academic targets address teachers’ perception of the learning environment, attendance, and families’ school satisfaction.  Dr. Coleman indicated that Potomac Lighthouse PCS has established satisfactory annual and baseline targets and is requesting full approval of its Accountability Plan.  Mr. John “Skip” McKoy moved to fully approve the accountability plan.  Mr. Marshall seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously by all board members present.

Charter Amendment Request
D. C. Bilingual Public Charter School (PCS)
School Representation Present: Ms. Wanda Perez, Principal; Ms. Ilene Wassow, Chief Academic Officer
PCSB staff member Dr. Sean Coleman provided rationale regarding D.C. Bilingual Public Charter School’s request to amend its charter.  D. C. Bilingual currently serves two hundred and eighty-three students from pre-kindergarten to fifth grade.  Dr. Coleman reported that the school is requesting a charter amendment to extend
the program to the middle school grades, sixth through eighth, by adjusting its enrollment cap from three hundred and seventy-two to five hundred and fifty students starting with the 2010-2011 school year and adding one grade at a time.  Dr. Coleman further noted that based on the results from the Preliminary Charter Review,the school failed to meet AYP in 2008 and was placed on Charter Warning in January 2009.  He stated that D. C. Bilingual’s Performance Development Review showed that nearly 90 percent of the indicators were rated adequate or above. 

Mr. John “Skip” McKoy asked how the current charter warning would impact the overall academic program, and performance standards.  Ms. Wanda Perez explained to the PCSB that the school is in the process of revising its model of the dual language program to impact and improve data results, conducting research to examine its academic program and is in the process of stabilizing its teaching staff, leadership and student population.  Ms. Perez added that the school is developing a comprehensive middle school curriculum based on the D.C. Learning Standards and will bring on additional staff members.  Based on the information provided in the charter amendment request during the public hearing in May, the recommendation was made by the Board for full approval.  There was discussion about the school’s proposal to expand the use of its current location to include fifteen thousand square feet to accommodate additional classrooms.  Ms. Ilene Wassow, explained that the D.C. Bilingual PCS is managed by CentroNia, a management company that will provide support to implement the extension of the school program.

Mr. Will Marshall inquired about the absent representation of the D.C. Bilingual PCS’s Board members at tonight’s meeting and advised that Board members are expected to be present when the school is on the public meeting agenda for a decision by the PCSB.  Mr. Will Marshall stated that on May 18, 2009, a Public Hearing was held regarding the D.C. Bilingual PCS’s amendment request and that since D.C. Bilingual PCS’s Board was present, the Board members of the PCSB will proceed with the vote.  Mr. John “Skip” McKoy moved to grant conditional approval pending evidence of a successful implementation of the school’s fifth year program and curriculum development for the Middle School over a one-year period with continued monthly communications and monitoring from the PCSB staff.  D. C. Bilingual is to also show improved academic performance responsive to the Charter Warning.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Don Soifer, and the motion was passed by all Board members present.

Charter Amendment Request
Eagle Academy Public Charter School (PCS)
School Representation Present: Ms. Cassandra Pinkney, Executive Director, and Ms. Trenice Jett-Jones, Special Education
PCSB staff member Ms. Carolyn Trice reported that Eagle Academy PCS is requesting a charter amendment to change its curriculum from Houghton Mifflin to Core Knowledge and to add grades one through three.  Ms. Trice stated that to provide accommodations, Eagle Academy PCS is planning to expand to a nearby site on New Jersey Avenue S.E. for its first and second graders for the 2009-2010 school year.  The school also plans to have completed construction on its own building near 14th  Street and Good Hope Road S.E., in 2010-2011 school year that will house all students from preschool to the third grade.  Mr. Will Marshall recalled that the Eagle Academy D.C. Bilingual PCS presented its Charter Amendment request during the Public Hearing held on May 18, 2009 and that the Board members of the PCSB will proceed with the vote tonight. 

Mr. Mark Holbrook expressed his excitement about offering the IB program and WMST being the first charter school class to incorporate the IB curriculum program.  Mr. Holbrook commented on the excellent commencement speech given by the guest speaker, Mrs. Michelle Obama, during the school’s graduation ceremony.

Enrollment Ceiling Increase Request
Community Academy Public Charter School (PCS) CAPCS-Online Washington, DC
School Representation Present: Mr. Tracy Sloane, Head of School; Mr. Leonard Upson, Vice-President Educational Services; Ms. Allison Cleveland, K-12 Program Director
PCSB staff member Dr. Robert Mayo stated that Community Academy PCS is requesting full approval of its enrollment ceiling increase request for the CAPCS-Online component to two- hundred.  There was discussion about the development of strategies to strengthen support from families and improvement of test scores. 

Mr. John “Skip” McKoy made the motion to grant full approval of CAPCS-Online enrollment ceiling increase to two hundred and Mr. Don Soifer seconded the motion.  The motion passed with all Board members present.

Enrollment Ceiling Increase Request
Carlos Rosario Public Charter School (PCS)
School Representation Present: Ms. Jane Garcia, Board Chair and Mr. Brian Trujillo, Board Member
PCSB staff member Dr. Jackie Boddie stated that Carlos Rosario PCS has exceeded its enrollment projections for the 2008-2009 school year, with a waiting list, and is requesting that the school’s maximum enrollment threshold be increased to one thousand five hundred and fifty for the 2009-2010 school year.  Mr. Don Soifer made the motion to approve the enrollment ceiling increase to one thousand five hundred and fifty.  Mr. John “Skip” McKoy seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously by all Board members present.  There was discussion about the school’s request to relocate to an auxiliary campus to accommodate the additional enrollment and the Board agreed to defer the decision regarding the relocation until the July 20, 2009 public Board meeting.

Enrollment Ceiling Increase Request
Education Strengthens Families Public Charter School (PCS)
School Representation Present: None
PCSB staff member Mr. Jeremy Williams reported that Education Strengthens Families PCS met its enrollment forecast for the 2008-2009 school year and is requesting that the school’s maximum enrollment threshold be increased to two hundred and fifty.  Mr. John “Skip” McKoy made the motion to approve the enrollment ceiling increase to two hundred and fifty.  Mr. Don Soifer seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously by all Board members present. 

Enrollment Ceiling Increase Request
IDEA Public Charter School (PCS)
School Representation Present: Mr. Norman Johnson, Executive Director; Lieutenant Colonel William T. Dexter, Founding Board Member
PCSB staff member Mr. Corey Carter reported that the school exceeded its enrollment forecast for the 2008-2009 school year and is requesting to increase its enrollment ceiling to five hundred and twenty five .  There was discussion about the school being in the restructuring phase and curriculum changes.  Following discussion, Mr. John “Sk ip” McKoy moved that the Board grant approval of the enrollment ceiling increase.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved by all Board members present.

Enrollment Ceiling Increase Request
Next Step Public Charter School (PCS)
School Representation Present: Ms. Julie Meyer, Executive Director and Ms. Susan Espinoza, Principal
PCSB staff member Mr. Jeremy Williams reported that the school met its enrollment forecast for the 2008-2009 school year and is requesting to increase its enrollment ceiling to one hundred and fourteen.  Mr. Don Soifer made the motion to grant approval of the school’s enrollment increase and Mr. John “Skip” seconded the motion.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved by all Board members present.

Enrollment Ceiling Increase Request
Thurgood Marshall Public Charter School (PCS)
School Representation Present: None
PCSB staff member Mr. Jeremy Williams reported that Thurgood Marshall Public Charter School satisfied its enrollment forecast for t he 2008-2009 school year and is requesting that the school’s maximum enrollment threshold be increased to four hundred and twenty for the school year 2009-2010.  Mr. Don Soifer moved that the enrollment ceiling increase to four hundred and twenty for the 2009-2010 school year be approved and the motion was seconded by Mr. John “Skip” McKoy.  The motion passed unanimously by all Board members present.

Enrollment Ceiling Increase Request
Bridges Public Charter School (PCS)
School Representation Present: None
PCSB staff member Ms. Carolyn Trice reported that Bridges Public Charter School exceeded its enrollment forecast for the 2008-2009 school year and is requesting that the school’s maximum enrollment threshold be increased to eighty-two for the school year 2009-2010.  There was discussion about the special need student population and the existing facility accommodating the expected enrollment.  Mr. Don Soifer moved that the enrollment ceiling increase request be approved to eighty-two for the 2009-2010 school year and the motion was seconded by Mr. John “Skip” McKoy.  The motion passed unanimously by all Board members present.

Enrollment Ceiling Increase Request
Hope Community Public Charter School (PCS)
School Representation Present: Mr. James Kemp, Board Chair
PCSB staff member Dr. Robert Mayo reported that Hope Community Public Charter School exceeded its enrollment forecast for the 2008-2009 school year and is requesting that the school’s maximum enrollment threshold be increased to eight hundred and fifty-four for the 2009-2010 school year.  Following discussion about the two existing campuses, Mr. John “Skip” McKoy moved that the enrollment ceiling increase request to eight hundred and fifty-four for the 2009-2010 school year be approved and the motion was seconded by
Dr. Darren Woodruff. 

Mr. Don Soifer formally provided, for the record, his written recusal from any discussion, debate, or actions regarding the enrollment ceiling increase request for Hope Community PCS (attached).  The motion passed by all Board members present with the exception of one recusal from Board member, Mr. Don Soifer.

Enrollment Ceiling Increase Request
Howard Road Academy (HRA) Public Charter School (PCS)
School Representation Present: Ms. Tracy Johnson, Board Chair; Ms. Valorie Powell, Chief Academic Officer; Ms Nicole Richardson, Principal; Mr. Earl Murray, III, Board Member
PCSB staff member Jeremy Williams stated that Howard Road Academy PCS met its enrollment forecast and is requesting an enrollment ceiling increase to one thousand for the 2009-2010 school year.  Mr. Don Soifer moved to grant approval for Howard Road Academy PCS to increase its ceiling enrollment to one thousand for the 2009-2010 school year.  The motion was seconded by Mr. John “Skip’ McKoy and the motion passed by all Board members present.

There was discussion about the school’s request to relocate to an auxiliary campus to accommodate the additional enrollment and the Board agreed to defer the decision regarding the relocation until the July 20, 2009 public Board meeting.

Request to Approve Graduation Requirements
Maya Angelou Public Charter School (PCS)
PCSB staff member Mr. Corey Carter recapped that the PCSB requested charter schools to submit revised graduation requirements to be consistent with PCSB’s amended graduation requirement guidelines.  Mr. Carter stated that Maya Angelou PCS has submitted its amended graduation requirements and is requesting Board approval.  There was discussion about the required Carnegie units and total credits.  Following discussion, Mr. John “Skip” McKoy moved to approve Maya Angelou Public Charter Schools’ amended graduation requirements.  Mr. Don Soifer seconded the motion and the motion passed by all Board members present.

Proposal to Issue Board Action – Attendance and Truancy 3rd Qtr
Young America Works (YAW) Public Charter School (PSC)
School Representation Present:  Ms. Brenda Williams, Founder and Executive Director; Mr. Ronald Bragg, Truancy Officer; Mr. Dwayne Jones, Principal; Ms. Nadine Evans, Director of Admissions
PCSB staff member Dr. Robert Mayo recapped that Young America Works PCS’s has previously received Notices of Concern and Deficiencies for this academic year concerning attendance and truancy.  Dr. Mayo noted that according to the DCPCSB Academic Year 2008-2009 third quarter (March, April, and May), Young America Works PCS falls below the following required thresholds with an attendance rate of seventy-five percent and a truancy rate seventy-one percent.  There was discussion surrounding the school’s Board of Trustees taking action to show improvement and implementing a comprehensive plan to address the issues concerning attendance and truancy.  Mr. Dwayne Jones indicated that the school is conducting home visits which will be in full force starting in the fall.  Mr. Jones also noted that contact between leadership at YAW PCS and the PCSB is in process to obtain advice on improving the process for handling of attendance and truancy issues. 

Following discussion, Mr. Will Marshall proposed that the existing Notice of Deficiency for delinquent financial reporting for YAW PCS be amended to include a Notice of Probation for attendance and truancy for failure to establish and maintain the required attendance rates for three consecutive quarters. 

Following further discussion the Board requested that the leadership of Young America Works PCS work with Dr. Robert Mayo in putting in place effective solutions to increase attendance and resolve reporting problems before the school is considered to be placed on Charter Warning.  In the interim, the Board stated that a one-on-one meeting with the Board and Young America Works Board of Trustees be scheduled prior to the next public Board meeting to give Young America Works PCS, pending further data analysis, an opportunity to present a comprehensive plan for addressing and improving attendance and truancy related to issues identified with its academic curriculum.  The Board deferred further action until the July 20, 2009 public Board meeting.
 
Proposal to Issue Board Action – Attendance and Truancy 3rd Qtr
Options Public Charter School (PCS)
School Representation Present:  Dr. Donna Montgomery, Executive Director; Mr. Glenn Swanson, Chief Administrative Officer; Ms. Lataniya Adams, Registrar; Ms. Shirley Renfrow, Vice Principal
PCSB staff member Dr. Robert Mayo noted that according to the DCPCSB Academic Year 2008-2009 third quarter (March, April, and May), Options PCS falls slightly below the required thresholds with attendance eight-four percent and that the proposal is to issue a Notice of Deficiency.  Dr. Donna Montgomery stated that Options is experiencing internal reporting problems and found discrepancies between the stated attendance percentage and those used in the internal processes.  Dr. Montgomery also stated that the school is reporting data on an academic instead of a fiscal calendar year. 

Dr. Montgomery further indicated that the attendance issue is being addressed by comparing the audited data to the schools’ attendance data collected from the lunch sign-in sheets.  Mr. John “Skip” McKoy questioned the relevancy and accuracy of taking attendance count from the lunch period sign-in sheet in terms of students not showing up for classes and related inadequate educational experiences.  There was discussion about the integrity and accuracy of the data reported and the time of statistical collection of the data.  Mr. McKoy voiced his concern that this system may not capture the data correctly or calculating attendance from the lunch roster may not be the best approach.  Following discussion, the Board agreed to defer any action on the Notice of Deficiency until the July 20, 2009 public Board meeting.

Proposal to Issue Board Action – Attendance and Truancy 3rd Quarter
KAMIT Public Charter School (PCS)
School Representation Present:  Ms. M. Saugktakhu Richey, Principal
PCSB staff member Jeremy Williams noted that according to the DCPCSB academic year 2008-2009 third quarter (March, April, and May), KAMIT PCS falls slightly below the required thresholds with attendance eighty-four percent and truancy thirty-five percent and that the proposal is to issue a Notice of Concern for failing to establish and maintain required attendance and truancy rates.  There was discussion surrounding the school’s Board of Trustees taking action to show improvement and implementing a comprehensive plan to address the issues concerning attendance and truancy.  Mr. John “Skip” McKoy moved that the Board issue the Notice of Concern to KAMIT PCS and that its school leadership and Board members, extended to the school one month, respond to the issues working with the PCSB staff.

Public Comment
Mr. Will Marshall opened the floor for public comment.  Mrs. Lisa Dearwood, parent of students at SAIL Public Charter School voiced her concern of dissatisfaction with the school regarding special needs students and diversity in the school.  Mrs. Dearwood provided written testimony as information and consideration to the Board members of the PCSB.  Mr. Will Marshall and the entire Board members present thanked Mrs. Dearwood for her comments.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:55 P.M.