September 17, 2007 - 7:30 p.m.
Attendance
Board members in attendance: Tom Nida, Chair; Anthony Colón, Vice-Chair; Dora Marcus; Will Marshall; Karl Jentoft; Brian Jones and Jo Baker, Ex-Officio and Secretary
Board members excused: Lawrence Patrick, III
The board meeting was called to order at 7:37p.m. by Mr. Tom Nida.
Comments from Public Officials
Elected Officials Present: None
Approval of Agenda
Agenda was approved.
Approval of August Meeting Minutes
August 8, and August 20, 2007 meeting minutes were approved.
Contracts Reviewed
Mr. Tom Nida reported on contracts reviewed over $25,000.00. Mr. Will Marshall made the motion to accept the report as read and the motion was seconded by Dr. Dora Marcus. The motion was approved excluding
Mr. Karl Jentoft who recused himself on the Capital City Public Charter School's vote.
Guiding Principles for Quality Growth and Sustainability
Ms. Tamara Lumpkin reported the findings of the task force and presented the recommendations and work plan of the task force to the board regarding the Guiding Principles for Quality Growth and Sustainability. The Guiding Principles include six initiatives identified by the focus groups as areas that can promote a quality and sustainable charter school environment. Ms. Lumpkin stated that the purpose of the principles is to inculcate practices that will lead to a quality charter school market in DC. Once approved, an action plan will be developed for implementation of the principles.
The motion was made by Dr. Dora Marcus to adopt the Guiding Principles and the motion was seconded by Mr. Brian Jones. Mr. Tom Nida and Mr. Karl Jentoft noted that the principles will need to be communicated to the charter schools.
Schools Committee
Request to Approve Accountability Plan
LAYC Youthbuild PCS
School representative present: Andrea Henson, Principal and Patricia Bravo, Executive Director.
Mr. Corey Carter reported that Youthbuild is proposing an accountability plan for the 2005-2010 school years. The plan includes academic targets based on the GED assessment, internal assessments related to English Language Learners in addition to reading and math growth. Non-academic targets include attendance, a community service target, construction competencies and job training/placement.
Mr. Nida requested a motion for the conditional approval of the accountability plan pending full approval upon verification of 2006-2007 data and further development of strategies to achieve stated goals. Dr. Dora Marcus made the motion of conditional approval. The motion was seconded by Mr. Karl Jentoft and unanimously agreed upon.
Further discussion was held regarding strategies to improve overall attendance. Ms. Andrea Henson explained the attendance ratio and barriers encountered due to the students circumstances. Ms. Henson indicated that these issues are being addressed through retention, home visits, mentoring programs and calls to parents.
Mr. Anthony Colón suggested the school look into providing onsite childcare.
Dr. Dora Marcus and Mr. Anthony Colón questioned whether the school's practical skills were designed to assist students in acquiring their GED and future success. Ms. Patricia Bravo stated that test data is compiled based on literacy and math criteria. Mr. Karl Jentoft advised that the school might re-examine their goals to meet the student population. Ms. Andrea Henson pointed out that the school will develop strategies such as increased awareness of college, financial aid and developing pathways to assist in a viable future for the students.
Proposal to Issue Board Action for Late Annual Report
ALTA PCS
School representative present: None
Ms. Tamara Lumpkin reported that to date, ALTA PCS failed to report its previous years' performance due by the deadline of September 1, 2007. As this report is the basis for compliance and performance reviews, a Notice of Concern is warranted.
Based on its failure to submit a timely annual report, the motion was made by Mr. Karl Jentoft to issue a Notice of Concern to ALTA PCS and to require submission of their annual report no later than Friday, September 28, 2007. Failure to comply with this condition may result in further action by the PCSB. The motion was seconded by Dr.
Dora Marcus and unanimously agreed upon.
Proposal to Issue Board Action for Late Graduation Requirements
Young America Works
School representative present: None
Mr. Corey Carter explained that the charter schools are required to submit revised graduation requirements to the PCSB by July 15, 2207. Mr. Carter reported that to date, Young America Works PCS has failed to submit their revised graduation requirements, which could impede the ability of staff to verify compliance. Based on their delay to submit timely graduation requirements, the motion was made by Mr. Will Marshall to issue a Notice of Concern to Young America Works PCS and to require submission of their graduation requirements no later than Friday, September 28, 2007. Failure to comply with this condition may result in further action by the PCSB. The motion was seconded by Mr. Karl Jentoft and unanimously agreed upon.
Proposal to Issue Board Action for Late Graduation Requirements
SEED PCS
School representative present: None
Mr. Corey Carter explained that the charter schools are required to submit revised graduation requirements to the PCSB by July 15, 2207. Mr. Carter reported that to date, SEED PCS has failed to submit their revised graduation requirements which could impede the ability of staff to verify compliance. Based on their delay to submit timely graduation requirements, the motion was made by Mr. Will Marshall to issue a Notice of Concern to SEED PCS and to require submission of their graduation requirements no later than Friday, September 28, 2007. Failure to comply with this condition may result in further action by the PCSB. The motion was seconded by Mr. Karl Jentoft and unanimously agreed upon.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:32pm.