APRIL 26, 2018 a Public Meeting of the School Reform Commission
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THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA MEETING OF THE SCHOOL REFORM COMMISSION APRIL 26, 2018 A public meeting of the School Reform Commission was held on April 26, 2018 in the Auditorium of the School District of Philadelphia Education Center, 440 North Broad Street. The meeting was convened at 4:35 p.m. by Chair Richman. Lee Whack, Deputy Chief of Communications, stated that at every School Reform Commission meeting, a representative from the Deaf-Hearing Communication Center is here to provide sign language interpretation of the proceedings. He also stated that representatives from the Office of Family and Community Engagement are stationed in the lobby to help with interpretation services. Mr. Whack stated that the proceedings of this SRC meeting are being streamed live on the Internet at www.philasd.org/live and can be seen on PSTV’s Comcast Channel 52 and Verizon Fios Channel 20. He stated that the proceedings are also being recorded by The School District of Philadelphia and that the School District’s recordings are protected by the Copyright Laws of the United States and may not be used in any manner without the express written consent of The School District. Mr. Whack stated that by participating in tonight’s meeting, members of the public acknowledge that the School District may use its recordings for any purpose without obtaining permission or paying any compensation. Lynn Rauch, General Counsel, stated that the School Reform Commission met in Executive Session prior to the start of today’s meeting to discuss quasi-judicial proceedings, and privileged or confidential matters. Members present: Ms. Burns, Mr. Green (arrived at 6:09 p.m.), Ms. Neff, Chair Richman – 4 Members absent: 0 Chair Richman stated that there will be two staff presentations at tonight’s meeting on the proposed charter actions on the agenda; Resolution SRC-3 which is the proposed nonrenewal recommendation of Eastern University Academy Charter School, and Resolution SRC- 4, the revised application submitted by Franklin Towne Charter Middle School. Chair Richman stated that pursuant to the charter school law, the SRC must vote on the revised application at tonight’s meeting. Chair Richman made an announcement regarding Policies. She stated that under the leadership of former Commissioners Chris McGinley and Joyce Wilkerson, the SRC had established a Policy Committee to review and make recommendations of Board policies to the entire SRC. She stated that the Policy Committee held 11 meetings and recommended 120 policies to the SRC for approval. She stated that with the recent changes among Commissioners, the SRC will not hold Policy Committee meetings for the remainder of the school year. Chair Richman stated that the SRC has requested that Dr. Hite and his staff bring forward the following six policies for public review at the May 17, 2018 Action Meeting: § Policy 101 School Improvement § Policy 209.2 Diabetes Management § Policy 218 Student Conduct and Discipline § Policy 233 Suspension and Expulsion § Policy 707 Use of School Facilities § Policy 711 Use of School District Vehicles She stated that this request is being made to allow sufficient time for staff to be trained on the implications of these policies prior to their implementation in the new school year. Chair Richman stated that these policies will be posted with materials of the May 17, 2018 meeting. No formal action will be taken on these policies until June 21, 2018. 1 The minutes of the following School Reform Commission meetings were presented for approval: March 15, 2018 and March 22, 2018. Commissioner Green introduced a motion to table the approval of the minutes until the next meeting of the School Reform Commission. By motion, the vote on the minutes were tabled until the May 17, 2018 meeting of the School Reform Commission. William R. Hite, Jr, Superintendent provided remarks. Dr. Hite stated that he and Mayor Kenney announced the expansion of the School District of Philadelphia’s Maintenance Apprenticeship Program. He stated that this initiative gives our Career and Technical Education graduates the opportunity to put their skills to use right out of school, while also allowing the District to build a sustainable workforce of highly-needed, trained employees. He stated that the program is already very popular and the District will be tripling its incoming Apprentice Class when it expands to 18 new Apprentices next year. Those selected into the four-year program will complete on-the- job training and classroom instruction so that they are guaranteed employment with the District when they finish the program. We are expecting to expand program options next year to include H.V.A.C. and steamfitting, in addition to the current tracks of electrical and plumbing. He stated that Interested candidates can visit jobs.philasd.org/apprenticeship-opportunities to apply. Dr. Hite stated that earlier this week the District also celebrated its 3-million-dollar investment in a new, upgraded athletic complex at Bartram High School. He stated that the renovation will include a new synthetic turf field; new goalposts; a scoreboard with a wireless P.A. system; grandstand improvements; and a new track and field surface and pit areas for high jump, pole vault and long jump. He stated that when the new complex opens in spring of 2019, it won’t only be open to Bartram students, it will also be open for use by elementary, middle and high school students in the area, in addition to neighbors and community members, so they can play and get some exercise, use the space for Field Day activities, and participate in games and athletic competitions. Dr. Hite stated that the School District’s GreenFutures Sustainability Program has earned yet another award, as the program received the Environmental Excellence Award from Governor Tom Wolf for our investments in schools around sustainability and conservation. He states that In just one year, the District has saved over one million plastic water bottles by installing nearly 800 hydration stations, implemented a student-led energy education program, completed a student summer solar installation program, constructed nine green schoolyards, and conducted indoor environmental quality assessments. Dr. Hite congratulated Danielle Floyd, Chief of Operations, and her team, who traveled to Harrisburg earlier this week to accept the award in person. Dr. Hite reminded everyone that next month from May 7th through the 11th, the District will celebrate Kindergarten Open House Week. This annual event provides a great opportunity for families of incoming kindergarteners to visit and get familiar with their neighborhood school. Parents and caregivers can also register their students for kindergarten, if they haven’t already. He stated that families should contact their neighborhood school for more information about Kindergarten Open House Week events. He stated that any child who will be 5 years old on or before September 1st, 2018 is eligible for kindergarten, so it is critical to make sure our students are registered as soon as possible! Families can visit philasd.org/kregistration for more information. Dr. Hite stated that the District’s 2018 National College Signing Day event is May 2nd at the Liacouras Center at Temple University. The keynote speaker will be former First Lady and education advocate Michelle Obama. Dr. Hite stated that College Signing Day celebrates high school seniors choosing to pursue higher education at a professional training program, a community college, a four-year college or university, or the military. He stated that the District is excited to welcome Mrs. Obama and her special guests, including Philadelphia’s own Questlove of the Roots, Nick Cannon, Kelly Rowland, Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, and members of the Philadelphia Eagles. The Office Depot Seniors of the month for April was presented to Destiny Hatten, Widener Memorial School, and Anthony Rivera, The U School. The Office Depot Teacher of the month for April was presented to Marcy Deco Menale, Rhawnhurst School. Chair Richman stated that on June 15, 2017 the SRC adopted a resolution to issue a Notice of Nonrenewal to Eastern University Academy Charter School. She stated that this notice of nonrenewal began the nonrenewal 2 process, which included conducting public hearings. Chair Richman stated that the hearing lasted 14 days and was held on October 9, 10, 11, 12, 23, and 31, November 6, 8, 15, and 20, and December 5, 7, 15, and 20, 2017. Chair Richman introduced Rudy Garcia, Esq., Hearing Officer, who provided a presentation on his findings and recommendation to the SRC. Mr. Garcia stated that he provided the School Reform Commission with a written summary and report, Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law. He provided a brief overview of the charter nonrenewal process and hearing, and a summary of his recommendation. Mr. Garcia stated that Eastern University Academy Charter School has failed to meet material requirements in its charter, failed to meet applicable requirements for student performance, and violated multiple provisions of law from which it has not been exempted, all of which are appropriate grounds for nonrenewal of Eastern’s charter. Mr. Garcia recommended that Eastern’s Charter not be renewed. DawnLynne Kacer, Executive Director, Charter Schools Office, provided a presentation on Franklin Towne Charter Middle School – New Charter Application Resubmission. Ms. Kacer provided an overview of Pennsylvania Charter School Law guidelines for reviewing new charter application, and processes for denied charter applications. Ms. Kacer also provided an overview of Franklin Towne Charter timeline of application submission and resubmission, the review process, and an overview of the proposed charter’s grade range at scale, total enrollment at scale, location, proposed opening year, targeted students, academic program, and management organization. *A complete copy of Ms. Kacer’s powerpoint presentation is o file with the minutes of the School Reform Commission.