December 17, 2007 - 7:30pm
Attendance
Board members in attendance: Tom Nida, Chair; Anthony Colón Vice-Chair; Dr. Dora Marcus; Brian Jones; Will Marshall; Karl Jentoft; and Jo Baker, Ex-Officio and Secretary
Board members excused: Lawrence Patrick, III
The board meeting was called to order at 7:33p.m.by Mr. Tom Nida.
Comments from Public Officials
Elected Officials Present: None
Approval of Agenda
Agenda was approved.
Approval of October Minutes
The November 19, 2007 meeting minutes were approved.
Schools Committee
Proposal to Issue Board Action for Late Audited Financial Reports
Mr. Jeremy Williams reported that to date, the four schools; Eagle Academy PCS, Nia Community PCS, LAMB PCS and Next Step PCS have submitted their FY07 audited financials and board action is no longer necessary.
Proposal to Lift Notices of Concern for Delinquent OLAMS Reporting
Ms. Ino Okoawo reported that to date, the following schools have met the condition of entering attendance into OLAMS; ALTA PCS, Barbara Jordan PCS, Capital City PCS, City Lights PCS, Hope Community PCS, Ideal PCS, Maya Angelou PCS, MEI Futures PCS, Nia Community PCS, Roots PCS and Tri-Community PCS. The board is requested to lift the Notice of Concern to these schools.
A motion was made by Mr. Anthony Colón to lift the Notice of Concern to the 11 charter schools who have now met OLAMS requirements. The motion was seconded by Dr. Dora Marcus and carried unanimously.
Proposal to Approve Accountability Plan
Friendship PCS - Southeast Campus
School Representation Present: Ms. Kimberly Campbell, Executive Director; Ms. Michelle Pierre-Farid, Principal
Ms. Monique Miller stated that five campuses received full approval on December 19, 2007 and conditional approval was granted for the Friendship South East Elementary campus. Full approval would be granted upon establishment of baseline data for South Easts annual and five year targets in the 2005-2006 school year. Ms. Miller noted the South East Elementary campus has met the baselines and have addressed areas of concern last year in the PDRs and therefore, request full approval from the board.
Mr. Anthony Colinquired about the viability of the school. Ms. Kimberly Campbell pointed out that the school has retained a significant number of its staff and is getting positive results such as increased enrollment by expanding and renovating the existing site. Ms. Michelle Pierre-Farid, a newly hired Principal affirmed the improvement of their academic program and parent satisfaction increased by 72%. She informed the board that school and community enrichment is a priority in the schools transformation. A motion was made by Dr. Dora Marcus to fully approve Friendship South Easts Elementary campus accountability plan. The motion was seconded by Mr. Karl Jentoft and carried unanimously.
Proposal to Approve Accountability Plan
Tree of Life Community Public Charter School
School Representation Present: Ms. Patricia Williams-Ofori, Executive Director
Mr. Corey Carter reported that Tree of Lifes accountability plan included 7 academic targets and 6 non-academic targets. The academic targets reflect goals on the D.C. CAS, and the Gates Mcinitie across all grade levels based on portfolio rubrics. The non-academic targets included attendance, school climate, parental involvement, and teacher quality.
A motion was made by Mr. Karl Jentoft to fully approve Tree of Lifes accountability plan. The motion was seconded by Dr. Dora Marcus. Ms. Josephine Baker questioned how, after entering the new space two years ago, the space supported the execution of the program. Also, what is the affect of the influx of new students and retaining of students? Ms. Patricia Williams-Ofori explained that the new and permanent facility would provide academic and social stability. Mr. Karl Jentoft asked if the targets of the D.C. CAS, AYP scores and benchmarks were consistent or a realistic goal regarding NCLB. Ms. Williams-Ofori indicated that after school sessions are held to provide intervention, supplementary services and tutoring for the students and Saturday classes are held for 2nd year students. Ms. Josephine inquired about the benefit of the extra class schedules. Ms. Williams-Ofori commented that it would provide relaxed settings for teachers and offer intense intervention for improvement.
Dr. Dora Marcus advised that the school would need to measure the impact according to the accountability plan and trace students improved scoring and performance. The motion to fully approve Tree of Lifes accountability plan was carried unanimously.
Request to Operate in a New Location
Ideal Academy Public Charter School
School Representation Present: Mr. George Rutherford, Principal
Ms. Susan Miller stated that the school is requesting to relocate its two campuses at 100 Peabody Street, NW and 4650 Benning Road, SE to its permanent facility at 6130 North Capitol Street, NW, Washington, D.C. Ms. Miller reported that the school has submitted all necessary documents to satisfy the requirements for relocation.
There was no public comment and a motion was made by Brian Jones and seconded by Dr. Dora Marcus to approve the request of Ideal Public Charter School to relocate to its permanent facility at 6130 North Capitol Street, NW. The motion was approved with all in favor except Mr. Tom Nida, who recused himself from the vote. Prior to the opening of the new facility, PCSB staff will conduct a Pre-Opening Visit to document the sites readiness.
Proposal to Issue Notice of Concern Delinquent Board Minutes
Washington Latin Public Charter School
School Representation Present: Mr. Scott Mayberry, Secretary, Board of Governors
Ms. Susan Miller noted that the Board of Governors had been notified by the PCSB that all outstanding minutes or a letter stating that the minutes could not be located and certified by signature of the Boards secretary must be submitted no later than December 17, 2007. Based on their failure to submit the required documents, the school is a candidate for issuance of a notice of concern. Ms. Miller informed the PCSB that Mr. Scott Mayberry submitted a certified statement regarding outstanding minutes. Mr. Tom Nida advised the Board of Governors to have more interaction with the parents. Mr. Nida stated he had received several letters and positive meetings with parents, and their main concern was to have written communications and open lines of communications with the Washington Latins Board of Governors.
Mr. Nida also inquired about the condition of the current facility regarding the sprinkler system and overcrowding of students in the current space. Ms. Josephine Baker asked how instructional programs are facilitated and supported. Mr. Scott Mayberry responded that several changes have been made to the utilization of the space with the addition of partitions. There have also been changes in faculty and administration.
Mr. Karl Jentoft asked Mr. Scott Mayberry to explain the recruitment efforts of staff due to resignations during this turmoil. Mr. Tony Colón questioned what significant action the Board of Governors is taking to rectify the current situation. Discussion was held regarding the composition of their Board of Governors and their governance and leadership issues. Mr. Scott Mayberry updated the PCSB on corrective actions taken to resolve their governance and leadership affairs. He stated that the Headmaster, Mr. T. R. Alhstrom was no longer in an operational position except for Emeritus and is being retained to help rebuild the legacy and other effective areas of his expertise. Mr. Mayberry further stated that the board is stabilizing by accepting nominations for Board of Governors candidates and making personnel changes. He reported the Board of Governors has retained an Interim Headmaster and is now composed of 5 members and their charter allows up to 15 members. Their goal is to have new leadership and composition of 10 members by the end of this school year.
Substantial changes have been made to their By-laws, nominations and review committee, and Board of Visitors. Mr. Mayberry informed the PCSB that moving forward (an agreement with staff to rejoin the school) to assist in providing needed services to the school is in place. Discussion was held regarding student recruitment and the need to notify the Academic Director and other pertinent leadership of the school of the Headmasters resignation from the Board of Governors and his role in the school. Also clarification is requested by PCSB of Board correspondence and issues being endorsed and signed by the Board of Governors. Mr. Karl Jentoft informed Mr. Scott Mayberry that the law requires that all communications referring to Washington Latin school must identify themselves as Washington Latin Public Charter School.
Mr. Keith Rostat, Chair, Board of Visitors commented that the governing board was not communicating with the parents. Based on comments from Mr. Rostat, Mr. Tom Nida and Mr. Anthony Colón voiced their concern for the degree of failure of communication between the Board of Governors, Board of Visitors and the parents. Mr. Tom Nida requested that a progress report be submitted on a monthly basis of all changes regarding board members, board of visitors, leadership, staff, facilities, and parent concerns. Mr. Nida also requested going forward, the Board of Governors to submit timely minutes.
A motion was made to defer any action at this time to determine the Board of Governors progress until January and a decision will be made based upon the report of their progress.
Introduction of Acting Ombudsman for Public Schools
Mr. Tom Nida introduced the newly elected Acting Ombudsman for Public Schools, Ms. Tonya Vidal Kinlow and that the PCSB is looking forward to having a good working relationship with her. Ms. Tonya Vidal Kinlow noted that her role will be to interact with both public and charter schools in working with the student population, support for the PCSB Board, State Board and Public School Board. Ms. Kinlow will also track trends and consistent school issues and present recommendations to the school boards. She indicated reports on a monthly basis will be submitted to the Mayor and Council. Dr. Dora Marcus commented that tracking positive trends should be part of the larger segment to set a balanced projection.
Proposal to Rescind Application Approval
Colin L. Powell International Public Charter School
School Representation Present: Ms. Lena Bradley, Board Chair; Ms. Averette Amhoon Parker, Vice Chair; Ms. Patricia Petty-Morse, Secretary
Ms. Tamara Lumpkin reported that the revised application submitted by the Colin L. Powell International PCS on September 17, 2007 failed to address the conditions and weaknesses outlined by the PCSB and were unable to ensure that the school could satisfy the identified conditions and weaknesses after several more attempts were made by Colin L. Powell International.
Ms. Lena Bradley read a statement on behalf of all the board members regarding their significant improvement, student development, global awareness and regular board meetings. Ms. Bradley reported that the school will rely on the Core Knowledge and European Model approach. She stated that their board is requesting that the PCSB reserve judgment for 30 days.
Discussion was held regarding the core weaknesses, the context of the entire document and specific questions which were not addressed in the application. Some of the main concerns were budget, curriculum, professional development, global awareness, program development and overall the governance. Further discussion was held regarding deficiencies noted in the educational design and program.
Following a lengthy deliberation of the schools situation and two tied votes, a decision by the board was tabled until the January 28, 2008 meeting. Ms. Tamara Lumpkin will outline the existing areas of concerns and submit to the Colin L. Powell International PCS in order to satisfy the conditional approval of the application.
Proposal to Revoke the Charter of Washington Academy Public Charter School
School Representation Present: Ms. Nellie Cureton, Chair; Ms. Valerie Commissong, Executive Director
Mr. Jeremy Williams gave results of a detailed review of Washington Academys Public Charter School FY07 annual audit and first quarterly statements. Mr. Williams identified three circumstances upon which an eligible chartering authority a proposal for revocation can be offered for financial reasons. If the authority determines that the school engages in; 1) a pattern of non-adherence to generally accepted accounting principles; 2) a pattern of fiscal mismanagement; or 3) is no longer economically viable.
Discussion was held regarding the uncertainty surrounding the schools current and long-term financial position including payroll tax liability. Further discussion was held regarding the recent reconstitution of the schools governing board which included an attorney and CPA.
Mr. Tom Nida explained that the D.C. Public Charter School Board could vote to revoke the charter or the school also has the option to relinquish its charter, which would end the revocation process. Following further discussion regarding the leadership of the schools board and its oversight, unsettled financial obligations, tax liability and their deficit, Ms. Valerie Commissiong stated that Washington Academy should relinquish its charter. Following discussion, the PCSB approved a proposal to revoke the charter; the school still has the option to relinquish its charter. Mr. Nida informed the school leaders that they would receive a letter outlining the cause for revocation and have ten (10) days to respond to the letter.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:25p.m.