March 17, 2008 — 7:30pm
Attendance
Board members in attendance: Tom Nida, Chair; Anthony Colon, Vice Chair; Dr. Dora Marcus; Brian Jones,
Will Marshall, Karl Jentoft, and Josephine Baker, Ex-Officio and Secretary.
Board members excused; Lawrence Patrick, III.
The February 25, 2008 minutes were approved.
Acknowledgement of Public Officials
No public officials were present at the meeting.
Approval of the Agenda
The agenda was approved for the board meeting.
Finance Committee
Contracts Reviewed of $25,000 or More
Mr. Tom Nida presented for the record an overall review of school contracts. Mr. Karl Jentoft motioned to approve the report. Dr. Dora Marcus seconded the motion and it was carried unanimously.
Schools Committee
PCSB Acceptance of Tri-Community Public Charter School’s Relinquishment of Charter
Tri-Community PCS
School Representation Present: Ms. Delore President, Board Member; Mr. Omar Gobourne, Consultant; Dr. JoAnn Franklin, Princzpal
Mr. Corey Carter gave background regarding the vote of Tri-Community’s Board of Trustees to relinquish their charter effective at the end of school year 2007-08. Upon recommendation from the Schools Committee, Dr. Dora Marcus made the motion to accept the surrender of Tri-Community’s charter and the motion was seconded by Mr. Will Marshall.
Discussion was held regarding the decision being irrevocable and the commencement of closure procedures. Ms. Josephine Baker stated that a community forum will need to be scheduled to inform parents and staff of the decision and their options for the fall term. Following discussion, the motion was voted on and carried unanimously.
Proposal to Issue a Notice of Probation
Young America Works PCS
School Representation Present: Ms. Brenda Williams, Founder and Executive Director; Mr. Fredrick Douglas, Attorney/Board Member; Mr. Doug McKenzie, Board Member, Mr. Melvin Lipscomb, Accountant
Mr. Jeremy Williams reported that as of March 10, 2008, the FY2 006 Audited Financial Report has not been received by the D.C. Public Charter School Board and that the school has retained services of a financial auditor to assist in providing the report. Mr. Williams further stated that the FY2007 Audited Financial Report also remains outstanding.
Following board discussion regarding the school’s financial reporting status, Mr. Will Marshall made the motion that a Notice of Probation be issued requiring the school to submit unqualified audits for FY06 no later than April 18, 2008 and FY07 no later than May 9, 2008 to avoid further action. The PCSB also requested submission of an accurate progress report of the school’s financial status and cash flow within the next 3 weeks. The motion was seconded by Mr. Karl Jentoft and carried unanimously.
Request to Increase Enrollment Ceiling
AppleTree Early Learning PCS
School Representation Present: Mr. Russ Williams, Executive Director and Co-Founder.
Mr. Jeremy Williams reported that AppleTree is proposing to increase their enrollment ceiling for the 2008-09 school year from 180-252 pending development of additional classrooms at a facility in Southeast D.C. Mr. Russ Williams gave an account of the problems associated with obtaining a permit and stated that the school has secured a permit.
Dr. Dora Marcus questioned what assurances where in place to extend the capacity of the school. Mr. Russ Williams stated that the school is reassigning more realistic timelines and partnering with another site in Amidon. Mr. Karl Jentoft asked if the facility accommodated enough space for the enrollment increase. Mr.Russ Williams noted that the facility did have adequate space for the additional capacity. The Schools Committee, based on the established criteria and enrollment trends, recommended that AppleTree PCS be granted approval. Mr. Will Marshall made the motion to approve the enrollment ceiling increase for the 2008-09 school year from 180 to 252. Dr. Dora Marcus seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Request to Increase Enrollment Ceiling
Eagle Academy PCS
School Representation Present: None
The increase in enrollment ceiling request for Eagle Academy PCS was tabled until the April 2008 board meeting.
Request to Increase Enrollment Ceiling
LAMB PCS
School Representation Present: Ms. Diane Cottman, Executive Director; Mr. Rocio Inclain, Board Member; Mr. Art Hoene, Board Member
Mr. Jeremy Williams reported that LAMB PCS’s enrollment is currently 122 students, which is above their enrollment cap by 18 students. The school has exemplified solid enrollment performance as well as extensive waiting lists and based on this is requesting an increase to its maximum enrollment cap 200 students for this current school year and to remain constant through SY2O1 1-12. The Schools Committee recommended that LAMB PCS be granted approval of its enrollment ceiling increase request based on the established criteria and enrollment trend. Mr. Anthony Colon made the motion to approve the enrollment ceiling increase and the motion was seconded by Dr. Dora Marcus. The motion was carried unanimously.
Request to Increase Enrollment Ceiling
Elsie Whitlow Stokes PCS
School Representation Present: Ms. Linda Moore, Executive Director
Ms. Carolyn Trice reported that Elsie Whitlow Stokes is requesting an enrollment ceiling increase. The program will add pre-school and pre-kindergarten for 40 three and four year old children increasing their enrollment projection to 350 students. The Schools Committee recommended full approval of Elsie Whitlow Stokes PCS’s request. Dr. Dora Marcus made the motion for full approval and the motion was seconded by Mr. Will Marshall. The motion was carried unanimously.
Request to Increase Enrollment Ceiling
E. L. Haynes PCS
School Representation Present: Ms. Jennie Niles, Executive Director
Mr. Jeremy Williams reported that E. L. Haynes PCS is proposing an enrollment increase of their current ceiling to allow for multi-year thresholds starting with 2008-09 increase of ceiling from 368-384 students and increasing each year thereafter until 5Y20 13-14. Following further discussion regarding the school’s enrollment trends and good standing, Mr. Will Marshall made the motion to approve the school’s enrollment ceiling increase request through SY2013-l4. Mr. Brian Jones seconded the motion. The motion was voted and approved. (Mr. Karl Jentoft recused himself from the vote).
Request to Approve Enrollment Ceiling Increase
William E. Doar, Jr. PCS
School Representation Present: Mr. Mark Lerner, Chair; Ms. Mary Robbins, Arts Director and Co-Founder;Dr. Mia McKinney, Special Education Coordinator
Mr. Corey Carter reported that in response to the impending closure of Tri-Community Public Charter
School’s closure in June 2008, William E. Doar, Jr. PCS is requesting an enrollment increase. Mr. Carter stated that the school is in good standing and has submitted a letter of intent for the Tri-Community PCS facility.
Dr. Dora Marcus made the motion based on the recommendation of the Schools Committee, that conditional approval be granted pending the executed lease for a facility. The motion was seconded by Mr. Brian Jones and the vote carried unanimously.
Request to Approve Accountability Plan
E. L. Haynes PCS
School Representation Present: Ms. Jennie Niles, Principal
Ms. Carolyn Trice reported that E. L. Haynes PCS requested approval of its revised accountability plan, which includes the state assessment, as well as several assessments in reading, writing, and math. The plan also includes language acquisition assessments. The non-academic standards include goals and targets related to attendance, learning environment, parent involvement, and student satisfaction. The school now uses national averages instead of gain scores. The Schools Committee, based on baseline data and satisfactory targets, recommended full approval of the school’s revised accountability plan. Mr. Will Marshall made the motion to grant full approval and Mr. Karl Jentoft seconded the motion. The motion was carried unanimously.
Request to Approve Accountability Plan
Arts & Technology PCS
School Representation Present: Mr. Errick Greene, Board Chair
Ms. Carolyn Trice reported that the Arts and Technology PCS requested approval of a revised accountability plan that integrates the individual assessments used to measure performance in the visual arts, music, dance, and drama into a single assessment for fine arts. The Schools Committee recommended full approval of the school’s 2004-2005 through 2008-2009 revised accountability plan. Dr. Dora Marcus made the motion to grant full approval, and Mr. Will Marshall seconded the motion. The motion was carried unanimously
Request to Approve Accountability Plan
Meridian PCS
School Representation Present: Mr. Calvin Hooks, Curriculum Coordinator
Ms. Carolyn Trice reported that the Meridian PCS requested approval of its revised accountability plan that includes academic targets based on the state assessment, internal assessments, and English Language Learner goals. Non-academic targets include parent and teacher satisfaction, discipline, character development and attendance. The Schools Committee recommended full approval of the school’s revised accountability plan. Ms. Dora Marcus made the motion to grant full approval, and Mr. Will Marshall seconded the motion. The motion was carried unanimously.
Preliminary Charter Review
Cesar Chavez PCS
School Representation Present: Ms. Irasema Salicido, CEO and Founder; Mr. James Gibbon, Board Member;
Mr. Robert Rickenbrode, Chief Academic Officer; and Mr. David Robinson, Chief Operating Officer Mr. Corey Carter gave background of the PCSB monitoring process and that, based on an analysis of their accountability plan performance, the school did not meet the organizational performance standards in governance, compliance and fiscal management and is therefore, a candidate for Charter Warning.
Representation from the school addressed the challenges facing the school and the accelerated growth in adding multiple campuses. Ms. Irasema Salicido presented a graph illustrating academic progress in reading and math, percentage of gain data for the middle school and school improvement plans which increased academic improvement in seven out of 10 areas. Ms. Irasema Salicido commented that the separation of the two schools would assist in adding value and strength academic progress and requested the board to reconsider the Charter Warning status.
Mr. Tom Nida clarified the concept of a school being placed on charter warning status as an effort for the school to deal with the academic and financial issues, and progress. It is not intended to reflect mismanagement; it is the benchmark for measurement through the accountability plan. Discussion was held by the board regarding observations from the two schools indicating a downward decline in several areas and academic objectives and realistic goals aimed too high. Ms. Josephine Baker expressed her concern regarding suspensions and truancy being extremely high. Mr. David Robinson gave some measures the school will implement such as teacher training, putting into place indicators or standards that will detect problems sooner.
Dr. Dora Marcus made the motion to place Cesar Chavez PCS on Charter Warning status. The motion was seconded by Mr. Brian Jones. All members with the exception of Mr. Will Marshall, voted in favor of the motion. In accordance with the PCSB policy, a Memorandum of Understanding will be drafted to be executed between the school and the Board identifying the specific steps needed to improve the school’s performance.
Status of Washington Latin PCS
Ms. Susan Miller reported that Washington Latin PCS’s certificate of occupancy expired in February. The board agreed to send a letter to Washington Latin PCS to ask the board to present at the next meeting the status and course of action taken to secure a certificate of occupancy.
Clarification of Conversion Policy
Ms. Tamara Lumpkin reported that while the conversion guidelines for public, private or independent schools are clear, the School Reform Act, as amended, does not prescribe a timeframe for an applicant to begin operating as a public charter school. Historically, the PCSB placed all newly chartered schools on a fifteen-month pre-opening track. The fifteen-month window provides schools the necessary time to address any conditions identified in the application, recruit staff and students, and as needed, time to secure a suitable facility. In addition, the PCSB utilizes the time to conduct trainings (residency, OLAMS, financial, accountability plan development, etc.) so that schools may become fully cognizant of the Board’s expectation prior to opening. As well, the PCSB uses this period to adjust its internal capacities and structures to ensure that it will effectively oversee and provide meaningful support to each authorized charter school.
Ms. Tamara Lumpkin then outlined the preliminary standards that should be considered, such as if the school is currently operating, the school has a certificate of occupancy, and viable enrollment. This was followed by a preliminary discussion by the Board. The board requested to get further input other groups on financial and legal issues such as FOCUS, National Alliance of Public Charter Schools, and the National Association Charter School Authorizers, before refining the process. Ms. Josephine Baker added that a fully developed curriculum and timeline should also be in place upon conversion. Mr. Karl Jentoft noted that the conversion schools should follow higher standards for approval when dealing with such a complex issue. The board said the draft criteria could be shared with potential conversion applicants so that these considerations could be included in their application. The Board asked to revise the conversion policy for presentation at the April board meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30p.m.