News Releases

Accountability Key Issue at January Board Meeting
PCSB Accepts School’s Intent to Close; Considers Revocation; Places Schools in Charter Warning; Rescinds Charter Approval

For Immediate Release: January 29, 2008
Contact: Nona Richardson 202-328-2670

Washington, D.C. - The D.C. Public Charter School Board's (PCSB) January 28, 2008 meeting was dominated by board discussions and decisions about charter school accountability. The PCSB accepted Washington Academy 's request to relinquish its charter; voted to consider Tri-Community for revocation; placed D.C. Preparatory Academy and Maya Angelou PCS in charter warning status; and rescinded its conditional approval of Colin Powell International's charter application. While board members debated the merits and challenges of the charter schools under review, they emphasized the need to remain objective, consistent, and maintain their high standards for D.C. students.

Washington Academy was authorized by the D.C. Board of Education in January 2005, and serves 254 students in preschool through 6th grade in Southeast Washington . The PCSB assumed oversight responsibility for Washington Academy in June 2007, as part of Mayor Adrian Fenty's education reform legislation. PCSB staff began reviewing all of the schools previously authorized by the D.C. Board of Education at the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year, and discovered the patterns of financial mismanagement at Washington Academy early in the process. Analysis of the school's audit and monthly financial reports disclosed substantial net asset deficits and unpaid payroll taxes. PCSB staff expressed concern about the school's financial ability to complete the 2007-2008 school year. During the December board meeting, board members voted to begin the revocation process. Rather than undergo the process, Washington Academy 's Board of Trustees submitted a letter stating their intention to relinquish the school's charter, and to cease operations February 29, 2008. Board chair Tom Nida stated, "The Board will accept this decision with the understanding that it is final and irrevocable."

The D.C. Public Charter School Board will host a community forum at Washington Academy's Pennsylvania Avenue campus on Friday, February 1, 2008, to talk with parents about the decision, and share with them their educational options for the remainder of the school year. "The children should be in a new school setting, or under new management in the same building before the school closes," said Mr. Nida. Click here for information on the Washington Academy Public Charter School Community Forum.

Each January, PCSB members consider the performance results of schools that have undergone the high stakes charter review, which takes place every five years. Board members look at each school's cumulative progress towards its accountability plan goals, and decide if the school should be granted an additional five year continuance, or if the school should be considered for revocation. A preliminary charter review is conducted after four years of operation to give the schools a warning if their cumulative progress is not on track for continuation, and gives them feedback to make the needed improvements in time for the charter review.

Tri-Community PCS had undergone the preliminary charter review during the 2006-2007 school year, and had been placed in charter warning status. Board members agreed that the substantial progress needed for continuance had not taken place, and voted unanimously to consider revoking the school's charter. The school will have the option of a public hearing, to make its case to continue. If Tri-Community exercises its right to a hearing, the board may vote as early as March whether the school will operate an additional five years, or will close at the end of the current school year.

Four schools underwent the preliminary charter review this year. During the board meeting, staff members told the Board that Friendship Public Charter Schools, and The SEED Public Charter School were not candidates for charter warning status, as they had met many of their targets and were on pace for continuation in the charter review process. Board members had extensive conversations with school leaders from D.C. Preparatory Academy and Maya Angelou, before voting to place them in charter warning status. Board members acknowledged the quality and value of their programs, and expressed confidence that they would make the needed adjustments to be granted continuance in next year's fifth year review.

Board members voted unanimously to rescind the conditional approved they had granted Colin Powell International in June 2007. Staff reported to the board that the applicants had not met the conditions, or addressed concerns about the proposed curriculum, budget, and the overall cohesiveness of the application.

The D.C. Public Charter School Board currently oversees 56 public charter schools on 82 campuses, serving more than 22,000 students in every ward of the city.