June 18, 2007 - 7:30 p.m.
Attendance
Board Members in attendance: Tom Nida, Chair; Anthony Colón, Vice Chair; Dora Marcus; Will Marshall; Lawrence Patrick, III; and Josephine Baker, Ex-Officio and Secretary
The board meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Mr. Tom Nida.
Acknowledgement of Public Officials
Mr. Nida acknowledged elected officials. There were none present.
Approval of Agenda
Mr. Nida informed the audience of the slight rearrangement of the agenda items to include the addition of Hospitality High PCS. The agenda was then approved.
Approval of April and May Meeting Minutes
The minutes were approved as read.
Schools Committee
Hospitality High PCS
School representatives present: None
Mr. Tom Nida voiced his concern regarding the school's charter status due to their failure to fully submit required documentation to the PCSB and their reversed decision to continue to be a Charter School. In particular, he stated there had been no final agreements regarding their move into Roosevelt Senior High School.
Mr. Nida commented that in focusing on the students and their immediate need to be situated in a facility and the fact that Hospitality High's principal resigned presented a crucial position for the viability of Hospitality High. Mr. Nida proposed that Hospitality High PCS be placed on Probationary status. He further added that Hospitality High will need to submit all supporting and required documentation before the next PCSB meeting or there is a potential for revocation of their charter.
Mr. Lawrence Patrick moved that Hospitality High be placed on Probation. Dr. Dora Marcus and Mr. Anthony Colón seconded the motion and it was carried unanimously. Mr. Nida requested that immediate communication be sent to Hospitality High explaining the PCSB's decision and action.
Early Childhood Academy PCS - Request to Lift Notice of Probation
School representatives present: Ms. Diane Trister-Dodge, Interim Chair; Mr. John Alexander; and Mr. Dennis Sawyers
Mr. Corey Carter reported that Early Childhood Academy satisfied all conditions. Mr. Nida commented on the effectiveness of the governing Board. Dr. Dora Marcus made the motion to lift the Notice of Probation. Mr. Will Marshall seconded and the motion was carried unanimously.
Arts and Technology Academy PCS - Charter Amendment Request
School representatives present: Ms. Shirley Richardson
Ms. Carolyn Trice reported that after review of ATA's curriculum plan there was a need to change their curriculum format. The school is proposing to change their math curriculum from Saxon Math to Everyday Math. Mr. Anthony Colón motioned to accept the change in curriculum. Dr. Dora Marcus seconded the motion and it was carried unanimously.
E. L. Haynes PCS - Charter Amendment Request
School representatives present: Ms. Jennie Niles, Principal
Ms. Carolyn Trice reported that E. L. Haynes requested to change the math curriculum from Investigations to Everyday Math. Dr. Dora Marcus made the motion to accept the change in curriculum. Mr. Anthony Colón seconded the motion and it was carried unanimously.
Decisions on 2007 Charter School Applications
Mr. Tom Nida stated for clarification that the meeting was not a public hearing and explained the protocol for the application decisions. Mr. Nida noted for the audience that the process had been refined from previous years eliminating the First Stage Clearance.
Mr.Nida gave a breakdown of the decision process by Board members as follows: 1) approval, 2) approval with conditions, and 3) denial. He explained that a motion would be made and afterwards, the Board would engage in brief discussion. A vote would be made on each decision and in conclusion, a final vote. He added that staff would provide a complete debriefing and further communication in writing to the applicants. Mr. Nida further commented that some applicants that might be denied might be near approval readiness, but not fully ready. He suggested that those applicants give serious consideration to the feedback and reapply in 2008.
Washington Academy of Excellence - Application Review
Mr. Will Marshall made the motion for denial. Dr. Dora Marcus seconded the motion. Discussion was held regarding both governance and budget being deficient. Mr. Lawrence Patrick voiced his concern regarding the lack of a mission of single sex curriculum. Ms. Josephine Baker commented on the lack of clearly defined academic programs. The motion for denial passed with all in favor.
Achievement Preparatory Academy - Application Review
Mr. Anthony Colón motioned for approval with conditions. Mr. Lawrence Patrick seconded the motion. Mr. Patrick pointed out the school's potential as it was based on the Roxbury prep model. Ms. Josephine Baker commented regarding the model being used for curriculum development and their strong leadership. The motion for approval with conditions passed with all in favor.
Thea Bowman Preparatory Academy - Application Review
Mr. Lawrence Patrick motioned for approval with conditions. Mr. Will Marshall seconded the motion. Discussion was held and Mr. Patrick and Dr. Dora Marcus both agreed that a curriculum framework is needed to assure a viable full curriculum is in place. Mr. Tom Nida expressed his concern with the volume of responsibilities to be carried out by the Principal. He advised the school to consider hiring additional administrative staff and a curriculum specialist.
Ms. Josephine Baker suggested the school revise their finances to include additional leadership and instructional roles. The motion for approval with conditions passed with four votes in favor, and one opposed (Mr. Tom Nida).
Paul Robeson-Shirley Horn School of the Performing and Visual Arts - Application Review
Dr. Dora Marcus motioned for denial. Mr. Anthony Colón seconded the motion. Dr. Marcus stated that the educational plan was not strong and cohesive enough and that the application did not measure student performance or assure accountability. Mr. Colón voiced his concern regarding not enough founding members with needed expertise and the need to address incorrect budget items. Mr. Lawrence Patrick and Ms. Josephine Baker agreed their application was strong on vision and demand, although it lacked a clear integration of arts and academics. The motion for denial passed with all in favor.
Citygate Multicultural Academy - Application Review
Mr. Lawrence Patrick motioned for denial. Dr. Dora Marcus seconded the motion.
Mr. Patrick commented that the school's vision was strong but there is a lack of confidence in their ability to execute the operation. He pointed out that the accountability plan was insufficient and the connection to the community was not evident. Dr. Dora Marcus agreed there was no link between the accountability plan and the multicultural emphasis. Ms. Josephine Baker commented that a multicultural integration would be difficult to establish without strong accountability and community involvement. The motion for denial passed with four votes in favor, and one opposed (Mr. Anthony Colón).
Mission College - Application Review
Mr. Anthony Colón motioned for denial. Mr. Will Marshall seconded the motion.
Dr. Dora Marcus stated that the 30-day enrollment period to reach the 340-projected enrollment was still a question of feasibility. Ms. Josephine Baker indicated there was no strong connection between the assessment and curriculum.
Mr. Lawrence Patrick stated he was inclined to support approval with conditions pending correction of structural problems. The motion for denial passed with four votes in favor, and one opposed (Mr. Lawrence Patrick).
Washington Yu Ying - Application Review
Dr. Dora Marcus motioned for conditional approval. Mr. Lawrence Patrick seconded the motion. Dr. Marcus stated that the academic goals are clear. Ms. Josephine Baker commented on the concept of the immersion program. Mr. Patrick further stated that the conditional approval will include issues pertaining to the business and operational plan.
Mr. Will Marshall commented that in order to sustained the school, they will need to address attrition. The vote passed with all in favor.
Colin Powell International - Application Review
Mr. Anthony Colón moved to approved with conditions and Mr. Lawrence Patrick seconded the motion. Dr. Dora Marcus noted the need for the school to develop a strong Board. Ms. Josephine Baker commented that the school would need to tweak the Core Knowledge model. Mr. Lawrence Patrick mentioned that additional resources are needed in the allocation of the budget to allow for training. Mr. Colón stated he was impressed with their involvement in parental engagement.
Mr. Tom Nida voiced his concern regarding the issue of governance in terms of how strong the board manages the leadership roles.
Mr. Will Marshall stated that he was not impressed with the global aspect and there was no concrete connection as it relates to their mission. Dr. Dora Marcus commented that the global awareness concept would need to be incorporated into the accountability plan. She further stated there will be continued review by the PCSB to determine if such targets are in place. The vote passed with four in favor, and one opposed (Mr. Tom Nida).
Delight Academy - Application Review
Mr. Anthony Colón made the motion for denial. Mr. Lawrence Patrick seconded the motion. Mr. Patrick stated that the application was lacking in its plans to target the special education population, its instructional approach and business plan. The vote was passed with all in favor.
Special by Design - Application Review
Mr. Will Marshall made the motion for denial. Mr. Lawrence Patrick seconded the motion. Mr. Marshall stated that although the application addresses the need for special and regular education students to be educated in an inclusive environment, it does not meet the basic qualifications for establishing a school; (1) key leadership personnel is not identified; (2) the school has not obtained non-profit status; and (3) no curriculum has been identified. Mr. Lawrence Patrick also noted that the budget section had major omissions including rent for Year One and budgetary line items for several of the proposed school's programs. The vote for denial passed with all in favor.
W.O.R.K. Academy - Application Review
Mr. Lawrence Patrick made the motion for denial. Mr. Anthony Colón seconded the motion. Mr. Patrick stated that the educational plan and was weak. Ms. Josephine Baker commented that the vocational curriculum was not developed in order to be a viable program. She also stated that the assessments were not aligned with their goals. The vote for denial passed with all in favor.
Imagine Southeast - Application Review
Dr. Dora Marcus motioned to approve with conditions. Mr. Lawrence Patrick seconded the motion. Ms. Josephine Baker commented that there is a strong curriculum leader. Dr. Dora Marcus voiced the strong need for character education and high quality literacy programs in Ward 8. Ms. Josephine Baker stated the need for the principal to have autonomy at the site level. Ms. Josephine Baker asked the Board to take into consideration where the schools are located. Mr. Tom Nida expressed his concern with facilities problems connected to the neighboring community. The vote for approval with conditions passed with four in favor, and one opposed (Mr. Tom Nida).
Excel Academy - Application Review
Dr. Dora Marcus motioned for approval with conditions. Mr. Anthony Colón seconded the motion. Mr. Lawrence Patrick pointed out that the proposed school has a strong and diverse Board, although he is concerned with the salary range for teachers and instructional staff not being up to salary scale standards.
Dr. Dora Marcus stated she was pleased to see Excel Academy and commended their diligence for coming back for their second time. Mr. Will Marshall also commented on the strong representation of the Board. Ms. Josephine Baker noted that the recruitment plan is somewhat general and the proposed school must take into account the population. The motion passed with all in favor.
Mr. Tom Nida stated that all applicants approved with conditions must satisfy all conditions in the timeframe set forth by the PCSB.
Tri-Community PCS - Status Report on SY 2007-08 Progress
School representatives present: Dr. Delore President, Board Member and Mr. Omar Goodbourne, school consultant Mr. Corey Carter, PCSB staff member reported that a Memo of Understanding had been executed between Tri-Community and the PCSB to outline areas in need of improvement in accordance with next year's charter review.
Mr. Carter explained that a report had been submitted on May 31, 2007 to the PCSB updating the enrollment plan and their revised budget to support operations and implementation of their academic program.
Dr. Delore President stated that the Board has addressed and met the requirements in four areas; enrollment, budget, leadership and staffing. Mr. Tom Nida stated that going forward, communications regarding the school's progress will be under review. Mr. Omar Goodbourne specified that he will be active with the Board to assure continuity.
Mr. Goodbourne informed the Board that the enrollment figure is now at 138 and a waiting list will be executed when enrollment reaches 150. Mr. Nida and Mr. Anthony Colón expressed their appreciation for their dedication and responsiveness.
Friendship PCS - Approval of Technology Plan
Dr. Dora Marcus reported that the Technology Plan had been reviewed by Mr. Lawrence Patrick and Ms. Ino Okoawo, staff member, and agreed that the plan was fundamentally sound and the within acceptable budget limits. Dr. Marcus made the motion that the Technology Plan be approved and the motion was seconded by Mr. Lawrence Patrick and Mr. Anthony Colón. All were in favor of the motion and it passed unanimously.
Mr. Patrick asked that in the future, specifically when votes and/or decisions are being made, that representation from the Board of Trustees be present.
Contracts Reviewed
Mr. Tom Nida reported on contracts reviewed over $25,000.00. Mr. Anthony Colón moved that the report be accepted as read and Mr. Lawrence Patrick seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00p.m.