News Releases
PCSB Application Decisions and Accountability
For Immediate Release: June 18, 2008
Contact: Nona Richardson 202/328-2670
Washington, D.C. - During its June 16th meeting, the D.C. Public Charter School Board (PCSB) approved two charter applications, one to open seven campuses this fall, and another to open one campus in fall 2009. The board also sanctioned one school for low performance, removed another from probation, approved three schools to move to new locations, approved E-rate plans for three schools, and approved school contracts over $25,000.
Center City Public Charter School 's application to convert seven Catholic schools to secular public charter schools was fully approved to open in September. Board members cited the strength of the application, the reputation of the schools for excellence, and the fact that they have buildings, teachers, staff, and students already in place, as reasons for approval. Board chair Tom Nida noted the historical significance of the decision, stating, "This is the first of its kind - a wholesale conversion of parochial schools to charter, and a conversion of successful schools rather than failing schools." National Collegiate Preparatory PCS, a high school program, was conditionally approved to open in fall 2009. The remaining seven applications were denied. All school applicants underwent a comprehensive process that included submission of an extensive application, a technical review by expert panels, interviews of founders and principals, and a public hearing. The approved groups will be given instructions for moving forward, and the denied groups will receive extensive feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of their proposals.
Board members voted to issue a Notice of Concern to Academy for Learning Through the Arts PCS (ALTA) for academic deficiencies. ALTA is currently in its third year operation, and serves students in Pre-K through sixth grade. Members of the school's Board of Trustees informed the PCSB that they had made substantial changes in the school's leadership, were reducing expenses, and making needed adjustments to move the school in a positive direction. PCSB member Karl Jentoft warned the school's leaders that they must beginning implementing their turnaround plan this summer to avoid further sanctions, which could include revocation.
Board members voted to lift the Notice of Probation they had issued to City Light PCS during the PCSB's April meeting. The PCSB had issued the Notice of Probation for deficiencies in its special education services to students. The school was given 30 days to develop a comprehensive plan to address the deficiencies identified by PCSB staff and external reviewers. During the June meeting, staff indicated that the school's leaders had begun implementing a plan that had been approved by PCSB staff in May.
Other decisions included the usual reading of approved school contracts with values over $25,000; approval of E-rate technology plans for Thurgood Marshall Academy , Mary McLeod Bethune and Maya Angelou public charter schools; and, approval of new locations for ALTA PCS, Capital City PCS, and KIPP DC 's KEY, AIM and LEAP campuses.
This fall the PCSB will oversee 63 public charter schools serving more than 22,000 students citywide.
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