February 26, 2007 - 7:30 PM
Attendance
Board members in attendance: Tom Nida, Chair; Anthony Colón, Vice-Chair, Will Marshall, Lawrence Patrick III, Ariana Quiñones-Miranda and Jo Baker, Ex-Officio and Secretary
The board meeting was called to order at 7:31p.m.
Approval of Agenda
Agenda was approved.
Approval of January Meeting Minutes
January meeting minutes were approved.
Schools Committee
Proposal to Issue Notice of Concern
Hope Community PCS
School representatives present: None
Mr. Jeremy Williams gave the background of the School Reform Act of 1996 in conjunction with the PCSB's policy. Mr. Williams noted for the record that as of February 20, 2007, Hope Community Public Charter School has failed to submit their Fiscal Year 2006 Audited Financial Statement Report, as well as other pertinent financial documents required to get fiscal standing.
Mr. Williams advised that staff is recommending the issuance of a Notice of Concern requiring all outstanding financial statements and/or reports be submitted by March 16, 2007 to avoid further Board action. Discussion was lead by Mr. Colón regarding the seriousness of the notice and concern over having no school representation to provide any rationale or comments on the issue. Ms. Josephine Baker noted that the schools were informed of the deadlines for financial reporting and therefore, requests should be observed.
Mr. Lawrence Patrick recommended the Board approve the Issuance of the Notice of Concern to Hope Community PCS, and depending on their response in the next 30 days; further action such as Notice of Probation or Deficiency may be enforced. Tom also recommended that if Hope Community PCS submits their financial audit statement by March 16, 2007, the Notice of Concern still be maintained and further monitoring be done to assure that the reports are routinely submitted on a timely basis. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously agreed by all.
Enrollment Increase Request
AppleTree Early Learning PCS
School representatives present: Mr. Jack McCarthy, Chairman and Mr. Russ Williams, Executive Director
Mr. Corey Carter reported that AppleTree Early Learning PCS proposes to increase their enrollment to 180 students to be housed at two locations; 14th and Girard Street, NW and at 4265-4th Street, SE.
Mr. Jack McCarthy stated that they have one Memorandum of Understanding with Washington Heights, SE, as well as a Letter of Intent for the Girard Street location.
Mr. Patrick motioned to conditionally approve the AppleTree Early Learning PCS' enrollment increase, and requested clarification of acquisition of facilities in a timeline suitable for enrollment. The motion was seconded by Mr. Colon.
Several members of the audience interrupted to call a question to the Board and Mr. Nida advised that there would be no comment during this meeting and discussion would be heard from the audience at the end of this meeting.
Mr. Nida advised the school would need to provide evidence of recruitment efforts and neighborhood outreach.
Mr. Nida called for a vote of the enrollment increase subject to the conditions stated; the motion passed unanimously.
Enrollment Increase Request
D.C. Preparatory Academy PCS
School representatives present: None
Carolyn Trice presented the school's request to add an additional 50 students increasing their enrollment from 250 to 300. Ms. Baker stated that one of the main advantages of the increase is that it would allow the school to better utilize the space available in the facility.
Mr. Tony Colón motioned to approve the increase. Mr. Patrick seconded the motion. All board members voted to approve the motion.
Mr. Colón voiced his concern regarding DC Prep having no representation in attendance at the meeting to defend their position, comment or answer questions regarding decisions on policy issues that could significantly affect the school. Mr. Patrick was also inclined to support the concern as it relates to personnel decisions.
Enrollment Increase Request
Eagle Academy PCS
School representatives present: None
Mr. Nida noted for the record that that no one was in attendance for Eagle Academy. Ms. Jackie Scott-English reported that Eagle Academy is proposing to increase their student enrollment by 32 students for the 2007-2008 school term. Mr. Patrick made the motion that the request be approved and Ms. Ariana Quiñones-Miranda seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously carried by the Board.
Approval of Five-Year Enrollment Ceilings
Howard Road Academy PCS
School representatives present: None
Ms. Scott-English explained that Howard Road PCS is requesting 50 additional 8th grade students to provide a comprehensive middle school program.
A motion was made by Mr.Patrick that the proposed five year maximum enrollment ceiling be approved and the motion was seconded by Ms. Quiñones-Miranda. All were in favor and the motion was carried unanimously. Mr. Colón mentioned again whether or not a policy should be instituted that representatives from the school be present.
KIPP DC PCS
School representatives present: None
Ms. Scott-English gave an overview of the five year performance review requirement and charter agreement. The motion was made by Mr.Patrick to approve the proposed five year maximum enrollment ceilings for the 2006-2011 school years. The motion was seconded by Ms.Quiñones-Miranda.
Further discussion was presented by Ms. Baker regarding the enrollment levels. She advised that the extended time between school years 2006-2011 would need to be re-evaluated. Mr. Nida piggybacked that before increasing the enrollment ceiling again, KIPP would need to come to the Board again for discussion.
Mr. Colón asked for deferment of the enrollment ceiling and Mr. Nida recommended this agenda item be tabled and brought back for discussion. Mr. Nida advised that board representation from KIPP attend the next scheduled meeting on March 19, 2007.
Thurgood Marshall Academy PCS
School representatives present: None
Ms. Scott-English reported that Thurgood Marshall Academy is not requesting an increase in enrollment ceilings for the next five years rather they are requesting a continuance of its maximum enrollment of 400 students. The motion was made by Mr. Patrick to approve the proposed maximum enrollment ceiling and seconded by Ms. Quiñones-Miranda. It was unanimously carried by the Board.
Preliminary Charter Review
Tri-Community PCS
School representatives present: Dr. Delore President, Board Member
Mr. Carter stated the background of the PCSB's monitoring process and requirements that must be met to complete the Fifth Year Review Framework and stated that any school not meeting the criteria of performance standard is in jeopardy of charter revocation. He further stated that the PCSB has established a policy to notify schools in jeopardy of their status and place them on a Charter Warning list in the fifth year of operation which is the recommendation for Tri-Community.
Mr. Carter stated that Tri-Community opened in the Fall 2002 and has experienced several challenges such as four leaders in five years; difficulty in replacing Board members and financial hardship as a direct result of declining enrollment over the past two years. Based on an analysis of their accountability plan, Tri-Community met the academic and the organizational performance standards of fiscal management; however, they did not meet the non-academic standards. In addition, they did not meet the organizational performance standard in the area of governance.
PCSB staff will draft a Memorandum of Understanding to be executed between the school and the Board for consideration at the next Board meeting scheduled for March 19, 2007.
Mr. Nida extended an invitation for Dr. President and the entire Tri-Community Board, including new board members, to attend the next Board meeting. He advised Dr. President that there must be significant improvement by next year, if not before, by Tri-Community or the school could go from charter warning to charter revocation.
Technology Committee
Thurgood Marshall Academy PCS Technology Plan
Jeremy opened up discussion regarding the Thurgood Marshall Technology plan. Mr. Patrick voted that the plan be approved. The vote was agreed upon by all and unanimously carried.
School Representation
School Representation at Board Meetings
Mr. Colón made a motion to have school representatives present for any board action. The motion was seconded by Mr. Patrick and unanimously carried.
The meeting adjourned at 8:40pm.