May 21, 2007 - 8:40 p.m.
Attendance
Board members in attendance: Tom Nida, Chair; Anthony Colón, Vice-Chair; Dora Marcus; Lawrence Patrick, III; Will Marshall; and Jo Baker, Ex-Officio and Secretary.
The board meeting was called to order at 8:40 p.m. by Mr. Tom Nida.
Comments from Public Officials
Mr. Nida gave acknowledgement to elected officials. There was no public comment.
Approval of Agenda
Agenda was approved.
Approval of April Meeting Minutes
April meeting minutes were not discussed.
Contracts Reviewed
Mr. Tom Nida reported on contracts reviewed over $25,000.00 and the Board accepted the report as read.
Schools Committee
D.C. Preparatory Academy PCS
School representatives present: Ms. Emily Lawson
Ms. Carolyn Trice stated that D.C. Preparatory Academy PCS (D. C. Prep) is requesting approval to operate an additional campus. She reported that D.C. Prep has submitted the required documentation to sustain the operation of an elementary school campus during the 2007-2008 school year; therefore, the school meets the Board's requirements to operate an additional campus.
Ms. Emily Lawson affirmed that two thirds of the staff has been hired and renovations will be completed in August, 2007. She also indicated that their program design is in place and they are in the process of contacting the parents of enrolled students.
Mr. Tom Nida commented that how well the new campus ties nto the existing campus will necessitate a great amount of management of curriculum, orientation of the school to parents and coordinating of pick-up and drop-off locations.
Mr. Lawrence Patrick made a motion to approve D.C. Preparatory Academy PCS's proposal to operate a new facility. The motion was seconded and unanimously carried.
Hope Community PCS
School representatives present: Mr. James Kemp, Chairman of Board of Trustees; Mr. George Sanker, Principal; Mr. Curtis Jefferson, Trustee (parent representative); Nikeya Wilson, Extended Day Director
Mr. Corey Carter reported that Hope Community PCS's Notice of Concern had been lifted due to their satisfying academic and financial requirements. Mr. Carter stated that Hope Community PCS is requesting to operate in an additional location, 6200 Kansas Avenue, NE.
Mr. George Sanker indicated there are three key components that will drive and shape the economic future of the additional site; 1) increase of registered and enrolled students; 2) sharing of resources and 3) staff development.
Mr. Curtis Jefferson gave his support of the additional location citing the school's progress and the impact of the social community.
Mr. Tom Nida questioned Hope Community PCS's decrease in enrollment projections in their first year. Mr. Kemp stated that Hope Community has a partnership with Imagine Schools, Hope Community's operating company, which will change their status from profit to non-profit and by school year 2008-2009 their would be no deficit , only accumulative school profits.
Mr. Tom Nida requested a copy of the current lease and management agreement along with feedback regarding their commitments and basis for merging with Imagine Schools. He recommended that Hope Community PCS consider a flexible lease for the new space to include payment for utilized space and flexible payment options. Mr. Nida further advised Hope Community PCS to have purchase options separate from the lease and management agreement.
Ms. Josephine Baker asked if there is an increase in deficit would the deficit be covered by Imagine or would the deficit be absorbed by Hope Community PCS. Mr. Tony Colón responded that with the increase in enrollment, the second year deficit should be wiped out in school year 2008-2009.
Mr. Lawrence Patrick inquired about what plans or marketing mechanisms are in place to increase enrollment with consideration of next year's competition. Mr. George Sanker indicated that various marketing alternatives were in place such as: open houses; word-of-mouth; monthly meetings planned according to ages and zip codes; working directly with existing and new parents; school tours twice a month and distribution of pre-enrollment forms and registration packets.
Dr. Dora Marcus voiced her concern that previous projected enrollment figures were not matched by actual enrollment.
Mr. Tom Nida recommended that the discussion and any decision be tabled at this time. He reiterated that Hope Community PCS must provide the lease agreement and management agreement with Imagine Schools on Tuesday night, May 22, 2007 following the public hearing. Mr. Nida explained that the Board will reserve the right to review the documents and table or make a decision.
The meeting adjourned at 9:35pm.