Notes from the school board meeting re: charter school
What follows is the raw unedited version of the notes I took at the 4.30pm School Board meeting. The purpose of the meeting was for the Review Committee (sometimes abbreviated as RC) to present their recommendation on the Patrick Henry Initiative (PHI). The short of it is: the Review Committee decided that they still had […]
What follows is the raw unedited version of the notes I took at the 4.30pm School Board meeting. The purpose of the meeting was for the Review Committee (sometimes abbreviated as RC) to present their recommendation on the Patrick Henry Initiative (PHI).
The short of it is: the Review Committee decided that they still had some concerns about PHI, most notably where does the money come from. At the end of the meeting the School Board voted to have another meeting on the 15th at 5pm. They will meet with some representatives from PHI and get some answers to outstanding questions. This meeting will be open to the public.
AREAS OF CONCERN
(these were the RC’s five core areas of concern –Ed.)
- Cirriculum
- enrolment
- accountability
- special education
- budget
RECCOMENDS
- A “process” of discussion
- At the end of the process the review comittee will delivery a recomendation
QUESTIONS FOR THE REVIEW COMMITTEE
DAWSON
Suppose equipment breaks, who pays for it? Especially if they replace with “green” or “new equipment.”
It hasn’t been discussed.
500,000 of grant money has been cited in the budget. Where do these grants come from?
No specific commitments have been made on any of those.
Why are the 3rd grader science pass rates so low?
Based on the minimum currently.
Is it legal to throw a child out of public school if their parents don’t volunteer? Aka what happens if parents don’t volunteer.
I don’t know. (Attorney)
ESL will be taught be volunteers?
I don’t know, but there have been instances of other volunteers working for schools
Do they have to follow public procurement laws?
Yes
Is it advisable for the PHI board to participate in the hiring of teachers? Aka board vs. principle
Yes it allows PHI board to participate in hiring of teachers
Can a child use NCLB to get in?
?
Discussed any way of evaluation success of the program?
Review committee is “very concerned” about the accountability. RC also would like to know what kind of reports the SB would like.
If children have certain disabilities they may not be able to serve them, is that discriminating?
Another question of the RC. “Providing equal access.”
Do “continuing usage regulation” apply since there has been a lapse
We don’t know.
Is it true that RPS pays everyone but the custodian?
RPS is going to process all of the payroll, the custodians are contractors so they won’t be handled in the same place. Some employers that fulfill special needs might be part time, where does their money come from.
BRAXTON
Is the “time of negotiation” proposed to take place before the next meeting (the vote).
Since it is “unchartered territory” they just don’t know, but they want to do a thorough job.
Can there be more talk / planning after the vote (assuming positive vote)? Aka the board’s vote would be more an approval of the concept of the idea.
Talked a lot about how *if* it was approved etc etc.
When the school opens and “200 new faces” show up does that increase the funds coming to RPS?
Yes, but the money goes directly to PHI. In the agreement it says PHI gets the state and local share. If the school pulls students from other places it lowers funding for other schools. Also for “services” PHI is asking for in-kind donations from RPS. This raises the per-pupil cost at RPS in general, but not at PHI.
Tax credits. Could they do something “like maggie walker” to take advantage of federal tax credits?
Yes.
WOLF
How much it costs it Norrel as “Norrell” and how much does it cost to run “Norrell” as “Patrick Henry”
Generally, the financial picture is murky and uncertain. The operating costs of Patrick Henry previously would be comparable, however the personnel costs would not be.
“Spellings” mentioned federal money for charter schools, where was it in the application?
Yes it exist. The process of obtaining it is unclear.
What would be the fundamental difference between Community High / Governor School / CCP and PHI?
It is a program and they are totally bound by the politics/fucntions of RPS. Total governance belongs to RPS in the above examples.
Can we see a copy of the agreement with Community High?
(good idea) They are going to look for it. Braxton thought it was a good idea too.
Can we do a provisional approval?
possibly, but the application is the foundation for the contract. So the application needs to be good.
How does CCP differ from PHI?
The SB retains the services of CCP, but it still must submit to the mighty authority of the SB. Charter schools do not submit to the SB
KIM BRIDGES
Do the parental contracts increase segregation
The parental contracts do not increase segregation. This was a hilarious conversation — wouldn’t it be awful of the first charter school increased segregation? Like wtf!?
The school is open enrollment after family/staff members are admitted, right?
True. Lottery, waiting list, etc.
Who pays special needs, etc, etc.
Unclear.
Do anyof the historic tax credits (to rennovate the building) exist?
They don’t think so
What are the actual numbers for staffing?
It is in the appendix. rtfa.
Are RPS teachers trained in multisensory things?
Yes.
WILSON
Since the staff’s children get preference is that going to be kosher with the federal grants?
That is a RC question.
What about transportation?
Not included in the budget.
They are requiring surpuls equipment, does any exist? Does anyone wnat it?
No one knows, they need to do an inventory
If a child has special needs or transfers away, what happens to the money? Does it get reallocated?
rtfa, depends — typically at the end of the school year. There isn’t a cost of returning them back to the RPS.
To whom do parents/employees they appeal?
rtfa.
WOLF
Takes issues with that ridiculous segregation comment. “We already have a segregated school system.” OMG A GAVEL WAS BANGED.
WEST
The charter school has to do 100% of the work but receives less than 100% funds. Where does it come from and how can that exist.
Private funds, grants, etc. There are also several components that are missing and provided to PHI by RPS in-kind.
Is the combination of grants and private money enough?
yes. Do have some questions about where the money is coming from.
MIMMS
What is the amount of parental involvement required? What happens when the parent can’t be involved but the child is willing?
There are a variety of ways/people to be involved.
Something something something
CARR
When the application comes forth it isn’t going to be in contract form?
almost.
BRIDGES
Are you proposing the that RC continue to meet and develop the proposal?
BRAXTON
It seems like we are running out of time, wouldn’t want to rush things only want to judge something on its merits.
(QUESTION: who caused the whole thing to run behind schedule, or who devised and impractical schedule? –Ed)
SMITH
Is our policy to vote on the recommendation of the committee? What would be the point of listening to the PHI people?
Thursday May 15th 5pm — 6pm => to discuss with the PHI some other questions.
(The board then took a vote on whether to have another meeting to discuss, directly with the PHI folks, the charter school, the results of the vote are below –Ed.)
- dawson y
- bridges y
- carr y
- mimms n
- smith n
- west y
- wilson n
- wolf y
- braxton y
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Ross Catrow
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Notice: Comments that are not conducive to an interesting and thoughtful conversation may be removed at the editor’s discretion.
If something is incredibly cryptic please let me know; I can try to expound.
Really appreciate you supplying those notes to those who couldn’t attend.
I just have to say that if they would have allowed a dialogue between PHI reps and SB before now, and read the entire application and the 36 pg response to RC’s add’l concerns, they could have answered a lot of their questions. In the April 21 meeting they suggested a working session w/ PHI reps and RC, but then changed their minds. The May 15 meeting is a step in the right direction.
I also appreciate these unedited notes!
I’ve seen ideas for charter schools and alternative schools come and go. What I’d like to see is a success!
Thanks for the news. Real news.
Yeah that is why I said “rtfa” a bunch of times. “Read the Effing Article.” While it was clear that the some of the SB hadn’t read any of the documents at times it seemed like even the RC hadn’t read the documents.
And what is with Mimms? I’m not 100% sure she knew what they were voting on at the end of the meeting. It continually amazes me that politicians are just regular people.
Thanks for the notes! In my opinion, crying “segregation” is a weak and ignorant argument against the charter school. It is unfortunate (and self-sabotaging) that some automatically assume the term “charter school” means “elite, gifted, white”. PHCI school presents a wonderful opportunity for children of all races and income levels and the charter cannot state that more clearly than it does.
If this School Board vote goes along black/white lines it will put the Richmond City Public School System back decades. The only positive would be that this problem will be EXPOSED for the public of Richmond to see. I applaud Carol Wolfe for pointing out the truth about Richmond City Public Schools. You have to name a problem to change it. Way to go Carol!
Pingback: Hills and Heights » PH/School Board roundup - Richmond, Virginia
Just out of curiosity, who does get an automatic slot at the school if it opens? I understand that the children of the teachers and staff get a spot. What about PHCI board members? Anyone else?
To clarify, no one gets an automatic slot. There will be a lottery process if number of applicants exceed open slots.
I wanted to reiterate who voted NO on whether or not to continue the discussion between RPS and PHCI. Supporters should direct thier email efforts to these members, specifically pointing out that the Patrick Henry Charter School strives to be THE school that represents the diversity of Richmond.
See Notes Below:
(The board then took a vote on whether to have another meeting to discuss, directly with the PHI folks, the charter school, the results of the vote are below –Ed.)
Mimms= NO (Dist.8: Blackewell, Broadrock, SummerHill, OakGrove)
Smith= NO (Dist 6: Overby-Sheppard, Martin Luther King Jr)
Wilson= NO (Dist 9: Francis, Redd, Greene, Jones, Reid)
West = Yes
Wolf = Yes
Braxton = Yes
Dawson = Yes
Bridges = Yes
Carr = Yes
Go to http://www.richmond.k12.va.us/schoolboardnew/index.htm and scroll over the map to see the individual school board members and to obtain a direct link to their email addresses.
I am deeply appreciative of the posted notes. Though the RC seemed to deviate a bit much, I am really proud of the PHI group’s efforts to persevere. Keeping optimistic!
Lisa Dawson is clueless. She had no idea the state standards for science were so low. Fortunately the Charter plans to surpass state standards unlike many Richmond Public Schools(some haven’t even met the low standards of learning). Lisa asks if it is legal to toss out children from the Charter school…well we know that this practice is legal in the RPS. I’ve heard that Lisa participated in removing several out-of-zone students from Albert Hill for behavioral reasons. It is not uncommon for out-of-zone students to be ask to leave a school, or worse, chased out. At one RPS elementary school, the principal even chased out the in-zone families. And how about the extremely high suspension rates in RPS, legal under the Zero Tolerance displine policy? Lisa also brought up the subject of double dipping…I have some possible examples of that occuring right now in RPS…more on that later.
Kimberly Bridges has no business asking if the parental involvement/admissions process would increase segregation. Her family attends Munford, the whitest and richest elementary school in the city. The megazone lines keep some of the most impoverished districts, i.e. the east end, from enrolling in the city’s wealthiest and best schools. Wolf thank you for pointing out the awful segregation in RPS.
Overall, it is looking good for the Charter. I can see five “yes” votes from the School Board. It was good to see Braxton taking this PHI seriously and, hopefully, leaning towards having this Charter application approved.
and be sure to make your concerns be known with a level of civility that is indicative of the merit of your argument…
To clarify, no one gets an automatic slot. There will be a lottery process if number of applicants exceed open slots.
According to what I’m reading in the notes, there ARE automatic slots [added emphasis mine]:
My question, again, is “does anyone else get in without going through the lottery, besides the children of those employed at the school?”
No one gets an automatic slot, period. There will be a lottery process if number of applicants exceed open slots. The notes as captured above were correct – however, the RC and SB had it wrong. The 36 page response to the RC’s dated April 29 clearly states the admission/ lottery process. The original application did include a request for slots for children of board/staff, (which would have been maybe 8-10 slots) but with the revision, this was removed.
Just to clarify. Originally the proposal allowed folks who were proposing/founding the school and fighting for it first dibs to get in.
That was one of the things that the RC took issue with. When PHSI found out that it is in fact illegal for anyone to have priority gettin in, they changed that. So now, with the revisions, ALL students will enter via lottery. Hopefully if there is a high demand they can create more slots (to a certain extent.)
Okay-thanks for the clarification.
Ross, thanks for attending and taking such good notes. I think what might help the PHI initiative is to contact some state level folks fluent in charter school talk in order to make their case more solid. There are a bunch of folks around this state who would love to see a charter school in Richmond including two state school board members that I can think of. It would also probably help them to consider pushing opening dates back. If it is worth doing it is worth doing right.
RPS could use some diversity in its approach to providing quality schooling.
Thanks Hills and Heights and you are welcomed.
SB member, Wilson, need not be concerned with transportation. Here I’ve given an example of a school where minority parents drive their kids to and from school daily: http://hillsandheights.net/news/2008/05/01/the-voice-takes-on-the-patrick-henry-charter-school/.
Common sense mom, I would say focus the pressure on the SB members who said yes to more discussion. All we need is five votes and there will always be, like the Bush administration, those that could care less about public opinion. At the same time email all board members.
Gray – You are right. We need to play to our strengths and focus on the (many) positives. This is about moving forward with a new vision for our children! I believe we can get 5 members of School Board to endorse our efforts.
I just want to clarify that my question centered on the national research on parental involvement requirements and their influence on enrollment. I asked the question of the charter school proponent on the review committee due to the research that popped up on a google search I did of “parental involvement requirements” as part of my review of the Patrick Henry proposal. The findings showed some indication of such a requirement reducing minority, low-income, and single parent participation in a school with such a requirment. I shared this reseaerch with both the review committee member and the PHI leadership after the meeting because I wanted them to have same findings for their review as well. The “she has no business asking” response illustrates part of what’s tough about any public discussion of issues that people care deeply about–to become informed about the benefits and drawbacks of any public policy takes asking questions.
The parental involvement requirement may be an area worth another look, it may not be. But it certainly deserves an informed discussion based on research into what has happened in schools where it’s been applied, don’t you think?
And–for what it’s worth, I have one child at Munford, which is my neighborhood school, and one child at Albert Hill, which is my neighborhood middle school. Next year both will be at Hill. (Yes, we have a fun year ahead with two middle schoolers in the same house.) Here are the racial demographics at each according to schoolmatters.com.
Munford – Asian/Pacific Islander 2.1%, Black 19.6%, Hispanic 2.5%, White 74.4%
Hill – Black 77.6%, White 20.6%
I’m not sure how that ethnicity breakdown impacts my school board duties, but I’m happy to share any aspect of my family’s public school involvement. I’m the product of a diverse public school, and I believe that diversity is one of the huge benefits of public education.
I also believe that as a school board representative, I have a responsibility to do my homework before I come to any meeting, to gather relevant information to weigh the issues, and to make an informed decision. I think that, with the considerable work that has gone into this proposal, it deserves thorough and thoughtful consideration and that’s what I’ll continue to give it through the rest of the process–Kim Bridges, 1st District school board representative
Kim Bridges, Sorry I spoke out of frustration but for families living outside of the high ranking school zones and megazones, life is real tough. We’re always worrying and scrambling for a slot in a halfway decent school. I really do not understand the logic of the mega-zone lines and when you look at them you can see that some areas are given a number of choices where as some are left with zero. You should stand with me at school outside the privileged mega-zone and see the worried look on mothers’ faces as they talk about their only options for middle school. They know there are only a couple good ones and that they are last on the list to get in. A good education is for many the only hope of escaping poverty.
And Kim Bridges, thank you for pointing out that it is your “business” to look at the research, facts, and to ask important questions. I was wrong. And yes, your job is tough and it does deserve a “thorough and thoughtful consideration.” Thank you for taking your job seriously.
I want to clarify something right here and now. Pretty much every single question that has been asked of the PHI can or has been answered. However, we all would not be in this position of appearing seemingly uninformed, or unclear, if it were not for the dysfunctional process that charter school applicants must go through. Adding to the difficulty is the lack of communication due to perceived rules in Section H of school board by-laws. Rules that have now been re-interpreted as “guidelines”, by both the school boards lawyer and ours.
Had PHI been able to sit down at the table with the school board members prior to the upcoming meeting on 5/15, I am absoltuley confident that most all questions would be answered to the members satisfaction. Then, and only then, they could vote with a full and clear understanding of what the school can truly be.
Alas, that will happen, but it will be down to the wire, and that is highly unfortunate. I personally take offense to the appearance that very key and vital aspects of the application, such as curriculum and budget are being talked about as if at this stage in the game they are still somehow half baked. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our budget is solid, and well thought out, and our curriculum is markedly different from RPS at the elementary level, and we think our biggest strength. As for other areas, some are simply stuck in a chicken or egg scenario, as they will be determined by the make up of the student body, once enrolled.
Unlike the school administration, all of our meetings are open to the public, and always have been. We are an open book. Come to a meeting, or call or email anytime. The application is exceptional, and even received praise from the charter advocate on the school boards review committee, for its originality and ground up production.
All we want at this point is to answer the school boards question and get to the vote. If they vote “yes”, fantastic. Another chapter in Richmond history can begin. If they vote “no”, we will go back to the drawing board and the school board can begin the process of addressing thier constituents as to why they did not give this a go.
If you support the initiative to open the first charter school in Richmond, and only the 4th in Virginia, please come for the vote on May 19th.
Since this is still a free country and people supposedly are free to speak their minds, I want to make something perfectly clear. I took issue with my colleague from the First District using “research and studies” to pose a question in a manner that albeit “innocent,” still suggested that the PHSI effort was likely to increase segregation in our city.
I realize it may shock the sensibilities of some members of the School Board to learn that more than 50 years after Brown vs. Board of Education, the City of Richmond still has a segregated school system. The only difference that 50 years seem to have made is that we now have “de facto” as opposed to “de jure” segregation.
To suggest that the PHSI effort “might” increase segregation and asking the PHSI families what they will do to address this concern, impugns the integrity and intelligence of the people bringing this proposal forward.
I ask that one and all visit the “SchoolMatters” website and compare Mary Munford Elementary and Woodville Elementary School. The data available on that website illustrates the reality far more powerfully than any words I can command.
Woodville has 627 students and the student population is 99.7 per cent Black.
Mary Munford has 515 students and the number of Black students enrolled there comprise only 19.6 per cent of the student population.
Before anyone dares to ask the PHSI families again what they are going to do to avoid increasing segregation in Richmond, I would like to know what sitting board members have done — or will do — to alleviate the racial and economic segregation that continues to exist in our city schools.
Kim Bridges, please help alleviate racial and economic segregation in RPS. Start by erasing mega-zone lines. There should only be in-zone and then as space allows, citywide open enrollment by lottery. For example, a student from Fulton Hill should be given the same opportunity as a student living in Woodland Heights to enter the lottery for Mary Munford. This might also encourage people to just become more involved in their district schools and that too would increase diversity.
I am from a rural area of Virginia where it is not race but socioeconomic class that determines where a child attends school. My husband and I looked at housing within the Mary Mumford school zone and found we could not afford to buy there and it was the same for Fox. It is unfortunate that a phenomenon that is caused by socioeconomic class is being called racial segregation. Has anyone looked at the income levels of the families whose children attend Mumford and Fox, and compared them to the income levels of the Blackwell families? That tells the true story.
The Patrick Henry Charter School Initiative is seeking to create a school that breaks the socioeconomic boundary lines. Looking at the demographics in the area surrounding the Patrick Henry School, it is obvious that the school will be very diverse in race and socioeconomic levels. And that is EXACTLY what the PHCI folks want.
While segregation (whether it’s racial or socioeconomic driven)is important to discuss, I urge everyone to direct your energy toward discussing EDUCATION. The Patrick Henry Charter School is about EDUCATION, a unique opportunity for the children of Richmond. This is a gift to RPS and it’s being scruitized for the WRONG REASONS. Talk about looking a gift horse in the mouth!
The PHCI board members and supporters have only the best intentions for the children of Richmond. It is time to drop the cynical, skeptical assumptions that there is some ulterior motive here. Stop punishing the PHCI folks for the sins of others. This is an honest group with only the best intentions. Racism will never leave Richmond if it’s leaders refuse to believe that it CAN leave.
Stop assuming the worst! Start seeing a school with no boundaries! It can be a reality in Richmond.
Common Sense Mom,
I believe that the supporters of the Patrick Henry Charter School Initiative truly do have only the best of intentions for the children of Richmond — which is why I so immediately took issue with the remark from one of my colleagues.
As you note in your posting, we live in a city that has some very distinct socio-economic boundaries. The leaders of this School Board and the citizens of our city have the opportunity to help Richmond move beyond the socio-economic and racial boundaries, beyond the fears that have for so long crippled efforts for revitalizing our city and region.
The willingness of all — all socio-economic and racial backgrounds, government entities and the business community — to assist Richmond’s public schools, can serve as a catalyst to help Richmond unite and begin to make some much needed progress in race relations.
The clinging to past pain has maddeningly reined back this city’s slow walk into the future and is a barrier to efforts in both the black and white communities to do what is necessary to revitalize Richmond.
As the former capital of the Confederacy and birthplace of Massive Resistance against desegregation, Richmond struggles even now to overcome those twin legacies.
The policy of Massive Resistance, coupled with the myriad social problems borne of both de jure and de facto segregation, have been barriers to efforts in both the black and white communities to do what is necessary to revitalize Richmond, to make Richmond a place where people move and STAY to raise their families.
I have great faith that by working together, as Senator Obama has said, “we can move beyond some of our old racial wounds, and that in fact we have no choice if we are to continue on the path of a more perfect union.”
Common Sense Mom, to compare the economic make up of schools, go to http://www.richmond.k12.va.us/indexnew/sub/statistics/statistics.cfm and read through the free and reduce lunch stats at each school. That will give you a good idea of where most of the wealthy attend school and how dirt poor most schools are. Another thing to consider is how the poor schools lack the wonderful afterschool programs such as dance, drama, poetry, Acelerated Reader programs, etc that exist at Munford and Fox because they are funded by a monied and well-manned PTA. RPS should pay for these programs instead of wasting and losing money like the recent Audit Report revealed. Those millions could have funded afterschool programs for years.
Gray –
That website is very telling. The schools that had the fewest number of students enrolled in the reduced/free lunch program also had the highest SOL scores and lowest truancy rates. They also scored higher safety ratings.
Maybe that’s why some people are against it…
Common Sense Mom,
You can see why Richmond needs a school like the Patrick Henry Charter, a school with a true economic diversity. Enrolling a child in an all poor school is like putting him behind the starting line in a track race by a few miles. RPS really needs to do something about the economic segregation…atleast help fund art programs and technology in the poorer schools.
Yesterday evening George Braxton said the vote would be held as planned on May 19 (6pm meeting). If you support the charter initiative please come out on Monday and show your support. The application has been posted on our website, http://www.patrickhenrycharter.org. The story in the paper this morning by Zachary Reid did not fairly present the content of the meeting. For some reason Mr. Reid continues to ignore the strength of our budget, our curriculum, our high level of grassroots support from the community, our strong desire to make this school the most diverse in the city – diverse economically, racially, ethnically and in every other way. In fact, Ms. Wolf suggested last night that we seek to have members of the African American community, perhaps representatives from NAACP, Richmond Crusade for Voters, to serve on our board. We all expressed our strong, strong agreement with this. In fact, we continue to reach out to these organizations to address any concerns they may have, and welcome a dialogue. Mr. Reid apparently did not hear this. Also, the NAACP is holding a press conference at the school at 10am to oppose the charter school initiative. We will continue to reach out to them to have a meeting to discuss their concerns and find a solution.
Again, if you support the initiative, please call/email any and all members of the school board, and come to the May 19 6pm meeting at city hall, 17th floor.
That is nuts, when is the NAACP thing?
I didn’t get a paper until 10:30 so I missed the announcement of the press conference, but it’s probably a good thing I wasn’t there. Evidently the opposition to the charter school couldn’t argue their way using reason, so they’ve moved on to paranoia:
T-D story link
Can’t argue with crazy, now, can we?