May 19, 2008 – 8:30 p.m.
Attendance
Board members in attendance: Mr. Tom Nida, Chair; Mr. Anthony Colón, Vice Chair; Dr. Dora Marcus; Mr. Brian Jones, Mr. Will Marshall, Mr. Karl Jentoft, and Ms. Josephine Baker, Ex-Officio and Secretary.
Board members excused; Mr. Lawrence Patrick, III.
The April 21, 2008 minutes were approved.
Acknowledgement of Public Officials -No public officials were present at the meeting.
The agenda was approved for the board meeting.
Contracts Reviewed of $25,000 or More
Mr. Tom Nida presented for the record an overall review of school contracts. Ms. Josephine Baker made one correction; change of Washington Latin PCS’s address to 16th Street N.W. The board accepted the report as corrected. Mr. Karl Jentoft recused himself from the vote for Potomac Lighthouse PCS.
Mission and Vision Statement Proposal
Ms. Nona Richardson gave background of previous retreat and management meetings regarding the proposed revision to the D.C. Public Charter School Board’s mission statement. Board members were asked to approve the organization’s revised mission and vision statement to read:
The Board's mission is to provide quality public school options for DC students, families, and communities through:
The Board's vision is to lead the transformation of public education in DC, and serve as a national role model for charter school authorizing and accountability.
The motion was made by Dr. Dora Marcus to adopt the revised mission and vision statement. Mr. Will Marshall seconded the motion. The motion was carried unanimously.
Schools Committee
Proposal to Curtail High School Program
Options PCS
School Representation Present: Ms. Donna Montgomery, Executive Director, Mr. Darin Chase, Chief Operating Officer, and Mr. Glen Swanson, Chief Academic Officer
Mr. Carolyn Trice reported that as a part of the monitoring and accountability process, Options Public Charter School was designated in need of restructuring due to a five year analysis of the school’s performance on the state assessment findings of the review.
Ms. Trice stated that in August 2007, the PCSB approved Options PCS’s charter amendment request to serve students through grades 5-12. She indicated that based on the findings presented in PCSB’s monitoring and oversight activities and the school’s high risk designation, the approved charter amendment request should be modified in accordance to established sanctions within the restructuring policy. The Education Committee is recommending that due to Options PCS’s NCLB status, the school cease enrollment of any additional students in its high school program and to postpone implementing its vocational education program that was to begin in 2008-2009. The school would be allowed to operate a modified version of its high school program which focuses on current students only (students currently enrolled in the 8th and 9th grade).
Ms. Donna Montgomery reported that their board attended several meetings to set direction regarding curriculum, instructional program, and the high school program to improve the school’s performance. Discussion was held regarding pending items relating to the transitioning from a board of education school to a charter school. The board also discussed the leadership perspective in terms of Options’ educational and curriculum program and the level of improvement necessary for the school to be successful. Ms. Carolyn Trice stated that she will be participating in the technical assistance role and active in the teacher-to-teacher initiative.
The motion was made by Mr. Anthony Colón to approve the modified version of the high school program with improvement shown within a year or less. Mr. Karl Jentoft seconded the motion. The motion was carried unanimously.
Request to Operate in a New Location
Early Childhood Academy PCS
School Representation Present: Ms. Wendy Edwards, Executive Director, Mr. Thann Ingraham, Vice Principal
Ms. Carolyn Trice reported that to accommodate Early Childhood Academy’s increase in enrollment, for the 2008-09 school year, the school is requesting permission to utilize the Walter Washington Community Center, located one block from the school’s main campus at 4309 9th St SE, to house their two preschool classes and some administrative offices. The main campus at the Johenning Community Center, located at 4025 9th St. SE, will house grades Pre K through two, as well as the principal, vice-principal, and main offices of the school.
Dr. Dora Marcus asked the total capacity of the students at the Walter Washington Community Center. Ms. Edwards stated that the enrollment capacity is 154 students. Mr. Karl Jentoft questioned the administration component of the secondary campus. Ms. Edwards noted that the administration will consist of a Principal and Vice-Principal. The board explained that before granting full approval to this request, the school needs to provide a full contract package to the PCSB for review. Prior to the opening of the second campus, PCSB staff will conduct a Pre-Opening Visit to document the site’s readiness.
Dr. Dora Marcus motioned that conditional approval be granted to the school to operate in a new location and the motion was seconded by Mr. Karl Jentoft. The motion carried unanimously.
Request to Operate in a New Location
Potomac Lighthouse PCS
School Representation Present: Ms. Rosalyn Rice-Harris, Principal, Matt Bachand, Chair, Al Dubin, Chief Operating Officer and Facility Management, Melissa Burt, Secretary of the Board
Dr. Jackie Boddie noted that in March 2008, Potomac Lighthouse Public Charter School requested approval to re-locate its campus from 1600 Taylor Street, N.E. to a permanent site at 4401 8th Street, NE. Dr. Boddie indicated that this request is being made because of the yearly addition of a grade, resulting in an annual increase in enrollment. Additional space is required as the program expands. Potomac Lighthouse PCS will share the building with another charter school for the first three years to occupy the entire space. In year four, their Board plans to purchase the school and have Potomac Lighthouse PCS as the sole occupant of the building.
She also reported that Potomac Lighthouse PCS has forwarded the lease and all supporting paperwork to the PCSB.
Discussion was held regarding the aspects of the management company versus the relationship with Potomac Lighthouse and facility management. The suggestion was made that the school appropriate their monies more efficiently and review various ways to offer more services.
Ms. Josephine Baker voiced her concern regarding the schools relationship with the neighborhood community. Mr. Thomas Nida commented on issues of neighborhood opposition regarding the school locating at the site such as zoning, building codes and meeting the requirements for the Certificate of Occupancy.
Mr. Tony Colón motioned that the request be approved contingent on the Certificate of Occupancy and the motion was seconded by Mr. Will Marshall and Dr. Dora Marcus. The motion carried with a vote of 5 to 0. (Mr. Tom Nida and Mr. Karl Jentoft recused themselves from the vote).
Request to Operate in a New Location
E. L. Haynes PCS
School Representation Present: Ms. Patrice Griffin, Director of Operations
Ms. Carolyn Trice stated that E. L. Haynes is requesting permission to move from both of their current campuses to their new building at 3600 Georgia Avenue the last week in June. They would like to start their Summer Intersession in the new building on June 30 and the 2008-2009 school year on Monday, August 4, 2008. The new facility will house their Pre K through 8th grade program and will have two classrooms for each grade level; rooms for music, art, science; a gymnasium; a Pre K playground; a cafeteria and administrative offices. Prior to the opening of the new facility, PCSB staff will conduct a Pre-Opening Visit to document the site’s readiness.
Ms. Griffin reported that documentation had been completed for construction.
Dr. Dora Marcus made the motion to grant approval for the school to operate in a new location and the motion was seconded by Mr. Will Marshall. The motion was carried by a 5 to 0 vote. Mr. Karl Jentoft recused himself from the vote.
Request to Operate in a New Location
City Collegiate PCS
School Representation Present: Mr. Tony Cavanna, Board Chair and Mr. Mark Reford, Head of School
Ms. Susan Miller reported that City Collegiate PCS’s Board of Trustees has requested permission to relocate the school to a new facility at 2001 S Street, NW in July 2008. The school obtained approval from the PCSB for the lease to the new facility in the fall of 2007. The space will be available for occupancy in July 2008. The school has submitted all necessary documents to satisfy the requirements for relocation
Ms. Josephine Baker questioned the rationale of moving 7th and 8th grades and the connection with moving the 6th grade next year. Mr. Karl Jentoft asked about the schools recruitment effort for the new space. Mr. Mark Reford stated the school plans to enroll 100 students next year.
The motion was made by Mr. Anthony Colón to grant the request to operate in a new location and the motion was seconded by Mr. Karl Jentoft. The motion carried unanimously.
Request to Operate in a New Location
Washington Latin PCS
School Representation Present: Mr. Casey Carter, Vice Chair, Mr. Tom Goss, Assistant Head of Operations
Ms. Susan Miller stated that the DCRA denied the certificate of occupancy request for the Sikh Center because the size of the lot on which the Sikh Center sits does not meet the minimum space/capacity allowable for schools. The Board of Governors committee then moved forward in seeking a second site and has identified the former Upper School campus of the British School, located at 4715 16th Street, NW. The facility was formally the home of the British School of Washington, LLC and therefore is properly configured for Washington Latin’s use into the future. The space will be available for occupancy in August 2008. The school has submitted all necessary documents to satisfy the requirements for relocation and is requesting relocation to a second campus located in the former British School of Washington at 4715 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC. Ms. Susan Miller noted that prior to the opening of the new facility; the PCSB staff will conduct a Pre-Opening Visit to document the site’s readiness.
Mr. Tom Goss stated that the school is reviewing numerous options to identify new location and a solution to lower costs and at this time they have no fully developed plan. Mr. Nida commented that he noticed the communication gap between the board and the leadership has improved and now the school should focus on the school’s academic performance.
Dr. Dora Marcus made the motion that the request to operate in a new location be approved and the motion was seconded by Mr. Will Marshall. The motion carried unanimously.
Request to Operate in a New Location and Enrollment Projection Increase
Community Academy PCS
School Representation: No Board or Staff Present Present: Mr. Kent Amos, Management Company Head and School Founder
Ms. Monique Miller stated that Mr. Kent Amos submitted correspondence on April 25, 2008 to request to begin PreK-5th grade operations at the old Armstrong School. The purchase of Armstrong began prior to CAPCS being transitioned to the DCPCSB (via a $25 million DC Revenue Bond). CAPCS officials have submitted related required documentation to the DCPCSB as it became available. In order to accommodate the target number of students (300), CAPCS is requesting an adjustment to their ’08-’09 projections from to 1,500 students, which amounts to an increase of 380 students.
Discussion was held regarding occupancy plans for the 300 students and space requirements according to the Certificate of Occupancy. Further discussion was held regarding pre-college curriculum. Mr. Anthony Colón motioned approval of the projected enrollment increase to accommodate the additional 380 students for the 2008-2009 school year. Dr. Dora Marcus seconded the motion and the motion was carried unanimously.
In addition, Ms. Monique Miller stated that Mr. Kent Amos, submitted correspondence on April 25, 2008 requesting permission from the DCPCSB to a) expand their virtual learning program with K12 and b) co-locate in 3-4 DCPS facilities. Ms. Monique Miller identified a number of concerns and issues regarding the virtual learning program to the board.
Mr. Thomas Nida stated for future reference, board representation and participation is mandatory at any D. C. Public Charter School Board meeting when a school is placed on the agenda. He also commented that any action will be deferred as it would be premature to make a decision without CAPCS’s Board representation. Further, the PCSB would need the school to answer questions about its virtual learning program. Mr. Tom Nida tabled the discussion pending the upcoming meeting with the entire board on Thursday, May 22, 2008.
Public Comment - There was no public comment.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:20p.m.