May 18, 2009 – 7:35 P.M.
Attendance
Board members in attendance: Mr. Tom Nida, Chair; Mr. Brian Jones, Vice Chair, Dr. Dora Marcus; Mr. Will Marshall; Dr. Darren Woodruff; Mr. John “Skip” McKoy; Mr. Don Soifer; and Ms. Josephine Baker,
Ex-Officio and Secretary
The board meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M. by Mr. Tom Nida.
Mr. Nida stated that the first section of the board meeting was a Public Hearing for the below listed charter schools to present their rationale for their charter amendments; D.C. Bilingual Public Charter School, Eagle Academy Public Charter School, and Washington, Math, Science and Technology Public Charter School. The hearing commenced and was transcribed by Beta Court Reporting. The hearing was adjourned at 8:50 PM by Mr. Tom Nida.
The D.C. Public Charter School Board’s Public meeting reconvened at 8:58 PM.
Acknowledgement of Elected Officials
Mr. Thomas Nida called for any elected officials to stand and be recognized. None were present.
Approval of Agenda
Mr. Thomas Nida presented the proposed agenda for the May 18, 2009 meeting and requested that the Enrollment Ceiling Increase Proposals be tabled until the June 15, 2009 meeting for the following Public Charter Schools (PCS): Carlos Rosario PCS, Education Strengthens Families PCS, IDEA PCS, Next Step PCS, Thurgood Marshall PCS, Bridges PCS, Hope Community PCS, E. L. Haynes PCS, and Howard Road Academy PCS. Mr. Will Marshall moved that the agenda be approved as modified and Dr. Dora Marcus seconded the motion. The agenda was approved by all members present.
Approval of April 20, 2009 Meeting Minutes
Mr. Thomas Nida presented the April 20, 2009 meeting minutes for approval. Mr. Nida requested that the minutes be modified to reflect the Options PCS Proposal to reference attendance only and not truancy. Mr. Don Soifer moved that the minutes be approved as modified and Dr. Dora Marcus seconded the motion. The minutes were unanimously accepted as modified by all members present.
Contracts Reviewed
Mr. Thomas Nida gave a recap of the contracts over $25,000, which were reviewed by the Finance Committee.
Mr. John “Skip” McKoy moved that the report be accepted and Dr. Dora Marcus seconded the motion. The report was accepted as presented by all members present.
SCHOOLS COMMITTEE
Request to Relinquish Charter
Barbara Jordan Public Charter School (PCS)
School Representation Present: Mr. Leo Pickett, Board Member; Mr. Ernest Myers, Board Member; Dr. Barbara Tobermann, Executive Director; Mr. H.L. Walker, Treasurer
PCSB staff member Dr. Robert Mayo reported that the Barbara Jordan PCS has experienced significant declines in enrollment and related funding over the last four years. Dr. Mayo further stated that these diminishing resources have had a negative effect on the quality of the school’s academic and student support programs.
Dr. Mayo indicated that based on the above the Board of Trustees of the Barbara Jordan Public Charter School voted on May 8, 2009 to voluntarily relinquish its charter due to the declining enrollment. The school is requesting that the D. C. Public Charter School Board immediately accept the surrender of the charter and move on with its established closing procedures.
Board members commented on the need to ensure an orderly closing and that the Public Charter School Board and the staff will work closely with the school. Mr. Brian Jones moved to accept the voluntary surrender of the charter for the Barbara Jordan Public Charter School PCS and move ahead with closing logistics. Dr. Dora Marcus seconded the motion, and the motion passed with all Board members voting in favor.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:07 PM.