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DC PCSB will hold a special meeting on Mon, June 29 (recscheduled from earlier this week) to vote on final approval for 5 new charter schools slated to open next year.
PCSB Staff recommends the Board approve them all.
PCSB Staff recommends the Board approve them all.
5 schools are: Sojourner Truth (would be only public Montessori school mid/high school), Social Justice PCS (expeditionary learning focused on activism), I Dream PCS (PK3-5), Girls Global Academy (IB school, would be only all girls public high school)& Capital Village(grades 5-8)
PCSB has required all schools to submit contingency plans to detail how to remain financially viable if student enrollment does not meet projections-ALL are currently underenrolled, from 10 - 49 students under. Being underenrolled by that many could drastically impact finances.
As far as financial viability, all schools report receiving either "credit enhancement from OSSE" or private grants or a mix. Education Forward is chipping in at least $255k; New Schools Venture Fund is giving $525k; and CityBridge $400k for facilities costs.
4 out of the 5 schools' contingency budgets for underenrollment scenarios contemplate a "reimagining" of key personnel roles-read: they're cutting planned positions and staff will take on two or more roles to save money.
Personally, I just don't think it makes sense to open up so many new seats at a time when no one knows what next yr will look like. Plus that's a lot of $$$ resources going to brand new, unproven schools when there are many existing schools needing $$$ for PPE and digital equity.
those little charts up there are mine that I compiled, but if you're interested in looking at all the meeting materials for Monday, you can find them here: https://www.livebinders.com/b/2677346?utm_source=WEDNESDAY+BULLETIN&utm_campaign=b9de6fc614-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_12_14_COPY_64&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_57ce31c35d-b9de6fc614-180615753
