September 21, 2009 – 7:40 P.M.
Attendance
Board members in attendance: Mr. Tom Nida, Chair; Mr. Brian Jones, Vice-Chair, Mr. Will Marshall;
Mr. John “Skip” McKoy; Mr. Don Soifer; Dr. Darren Woodruff; Ms. Sara Mead and Mrs. Josephine Baker, Ex-Officio and Secretary
Mr. Tom Nida called the Board meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.
Acknowledgement of Elected Officials
Mr. Tom Nida invited elected officials to stand and be acknowledged. There were none present.
Approval of Agenda
Mr. Tom Nida reported that the agenda item regarding the Technology Plan for Hospitality Public Charter School is deferred pending further information and changes needed to the technology plan. Mr. Nida announced that a successor to replace Dr. Dora Marcus was named and sworn in today by the Mayor’s order. Dr. Darren Woodruff moved that the agenda be approved as modified and Mr. John “Skip” McCoy seconded the motion. The agenda was accepted as modified by all Board members.
Approval of August 17, 2009 Meeting Minutes
Mr. Tom Nida presented the August 17, 2009 meeting minutes for approval. Mr. Will Marshall moved that the minutes be approved and Mr. Brian Jones seconded the motion. The minutes were approved by all Board members.
Contracts Reviewed
Mr. Tom Nida reported on contracts reviewed over $25,000.00 which were approved by the Finance Committee. Mr. Don Soifer made the motion to accept the report. The motion was seconded by Mr. Brian Jones. The report was accepted by all Board members.
SCHOOLS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
Approval of PCSB Policy – Table of Rewards & Consequences
Ms. Lumpkin presented the proposed PSCB policy statement concerning the “Table of Rewards and Consequences” to the Board for approval. Mr. John “Skip” McKoy asked if there would be any financial rewards. Ms. Lumpkin stated that all rewards are considered, although resources have not been identified for financial rewards. Mr. Thomas Nida mentioned that this being the first year to implement this project, the PCSB will consider the technical elements at the same time recognizing high-performing schools and provide evidence of rewards. Mr. Will Marshall congratulated the staff on the new PMF and stated that the framework replaces the past “one size fits all” accountability scale with a graduated system. Mr. Marshall commented that the new approach will increase the levels of oversight in a more sophisticated way to manage PCSB’s performance of schools, require less central regulations, and free up staff time for those schools that require extensive attention. There was discussion about poor and quality outcomes of school performance and the possibility of the need for the PCSB staff to modify the process to ensure a high-performing system.
Mr. John “Skip” McKoy moved that the Board adopt the proposed Performance Management Framework (PMF) - “Table of Rewards and Consequences”. Mr. Will Marshall seconded the motion and the motion was passed by all Board members.
Proposal to Issue Notice of Concerns – Compliance Issues
PCSB staff member Ms. Monique Miller stated that the PCSB launched its new accountability system, the Performance Management Framework September 1, 2009 with the implementation of a content management plan called the Authorizer’s Oversight Information System (AOIS). She mentioned the purpose of the AOIS application and noted that in the past, the PCSB conducted annual on-site Compliance Reviews for every school/campus that extended from early October through late December. Ms. Miller explained that as a part of the non-academic piece of the Performance Management Framework, schools are now required to upload in AOIS thirteen (13) documents that address thirty (30) compliance indicators.
Ms. Monique Miller provided a list of required documents for review during the “Initial Screen” process and stated that the School Performance Team has conducted the Initial Screen of the above documents for timely submission, accuracy, and completion, and identified schools that failed the Performance Management Framework’s non-academic Compliance Initial Screen with a score of seventy to ninety-nine percent.
Ms. Miller reported that the proposal is for the Board to issue a Notice of Concern for these schools. There was discussion about the identified schools to receive the Notice of Concern. Dr. Darren Woodruff suggested that a survey be conducted and follow-up with schools to get feedback. Mr. Will Marshall made the motion to approve the PCSB policy, “Table of Rewards and Consequences”. Mr. Brian Jones seconded the motion and the motion was passed by all Board members present.
Ms. Monique Miller reported that the PCBS will conduct the Triage review with the identified schools to address outstanding compliance issues by October 12th and that if all outstanding concerns are successfully resolved, the PCSB will lift the Notice of Concern against the school at the November board meeting. She stated that compliance issues that remain unresolved after triage would cause the school to be a candidate for a Deep Dive Compliance Review and a Notice of Deficiency.
Compliance Initial Screen Results – Notice of Deficiency
PCSB staff member Ms. Monique Miller stated that the PCSB launched its new accountability system, the Performance Management Framework September 1, 2009 with the implementation of a content management plan called the Authorizer’s Oversight Information System (AOIS). She mentioned the purpose of the AOIS application and noted that in the past, the PCSB conducted annual on-site Compliance Reviews for every school/campus that extended from early October through late December. Ms. Miller explained that as a part of the non-academic piece of the Performance Management Framework, schools are now required to upload in AOIS thirteen (13) documents that address thirty (30) compliance indicators.
Ms. Monique Miller provided a list of required documents for review during the “Initial Screen” process and stated that the School Performance Team has conducted the Initial Screen of the above documents for timely submission, accuracy, and completion, and identified schools that failed the Performance Management Framework’s non-academic Compliance Initial Screen with a score of sixty-nine percent or below.
Ms. Monique Miller reported that compliance issues that remain unresolved after triage would cause the school to be a candidate for a Deep Dive Compliance Review and a Notice of Deficiency. Ms. Miller reported that the proposal is for the Board to issue a Notice of Deficiency for these schools. There was discussion about the identified schools to receive the Notice of Deficiency and Ms. Tamara Lumpkin pointed out the schools have been very well versed regarding the document submission.
Mr. Will Marshall moved that the schools on the list be issued a Notice of Deficiency for failure to provide the required documents related to the compliance review. Mr. Brian Jones seconded the motion and the motion was passed by all Board members.
Request to Operate in a New Location
Carlos Rosario Public Charter School
School Representation Present: Mr. Jay Castano
PCSB staff member Dr. Jackie Boddie reported that the Carlos Rosario Public Charter School, due to delays in the renovation project at 1100 Harvard Street, NW, is seeking to temporarily operate at the National Baptist Church at 1501 Columbia Road, NW, until the completion of the renovation. Dr. Boddie informed the Board that the Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner sent a letter that waived the thirty day notice and giving their support. There was discussion about the lease options for the temporary space.
Mrs. Josephine Baker voiced the concern about the space accommodating capacity enrollment increases.
Dr. Darren Woodruff asked the length of time for use of the temporary space. Mr. Jay Castano stated the space could be used for a minimum of one year with the option to buy and a maximum of two years.
Dr. Darren Woodruff moved that Carlos Rosario’s request to temporarily operate at 1501 Columbia Road, N.W. be approved and Mr. John “Skip” McKoy seconded the motion. Dr. Jackie Boddie stated that a preopening visit will be conducted to document the site’s readiness.
Request to Operate in a New Location
Washington Latin Public Charter School
School Representation Present: Ms. Martha Cutts, Head of School, Mr. Tom Goss, Assistant Head of Operations
PCSB staff member Dr. Jackie Boddie reported that Washington Latin Public Charter School is requesting permission to temporarily relocate the eighth grade classrooms from the new campus at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church at 4715 16th Street NW to the Northwest Community Church at 4100-16th St. NW while awaiting building permits for the mobile units on the Upshur campus. Dr. Boddie noted that the school has secured a temporary Certificate of Occupancy for the new space that is valid from September 9, 2009 until December 4, 2009 and the mobile units should definitely be ready with the estimated delivery date of October 29, 2009. Dr. Boddie added that the Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner sent a written letter waiving the thirty day notice and giving their support.
Mr. Will Marshall moved that Washington Latin Public Charter School’s request to temporarily relocate the eighth grade classrooms to the Northwest Community Church at 4100-16th Street, N.W. be approved and
Dr. Darren Woodruff seconded the motion. The motion was passed by all Board members present.
Public Comment
Ms. Jessica Wodatch from Two Rivers Public Charter School voiced her concern about the document submission deadlines and the amount of documents required using the new process. Ms. Wodatch stated that the timing, with the school opening for the school year was challenging. There was discussion about the concerns and the Board will take into account, depending on the requirements, staggering the deadlines. Also, the Board will also consider as it continue to move along, as needed, tweaking the process. The Board welcomed the feedback from Ms. Wodatch.
Gina Dennis, Esquire, representing KAMIT PCS commented that she did not have information of the conditions on the Board’s vote on August 17, 2009 regarding Capital City Public Charter School’s request to operate in a new location. Esquire Dennis also requested a copy of the list of the schools that are scheduled to receive a Notice of Concern.
Mr. Nida informed Esquire Dennis that the information is public information and to get in touch with the staff to get the requested information. The Board thanked Esquire Dennis for her time.
Adjournment
Mr. Tom Nida adjourned the meeting at 9:25 p.m.