Washington, D.C. — The DC Public Charter School Board (PCSB) will hold an informal public hearing on the 15-year renewal petition from Arts and Technology Academy Public Charter School (“ATA PCS”) on Wednesday, December 18 at 6 p.m. at the school, located at 5300 Blaine Street NE. The hearing is open to the public.
Every DC charter school executes and operates under a charter agreement with a term of 15 years. If a school wants to continue operating beyond these 15 years, it is required by the School Reform Act (“SRA”) to submit an application to the DC Public Charter School Board (“PCSB”) to renew its charter for another 15-year term. In turn, PCSB is required by the School Reform Act (“SRA”) to not renew a school’s charter if it finds that the school:
Has committed a material violation of applicable laws (including special education laws) or the terms, conditions, standards, or procedures of its charter;
Failed to meet its goals and student academic achievement expectations.
ATA PCS opened in 1999 under the authority of PCSB and currently has 624 students in grades PK3 to 5. After reviewing the renewal application submitted by ATA PCS, as well as the school’s record established by PCSB, PCSB staff has determined that ATA PCS has not met its goals and student academic achievement applications, and as such, does not meet the standard for charter renewal. Based on that, PCSB staff recommends that ATA PCS renewal petition be denied, that the school’s charter be non-renewed and the school close at the end of the 2013-14 school year.
ATA PCS will present testimony to the PCSB Board (“Board”) at the hearing concerning the proposed revocation. There will be a question and answer session between the Board and ATA. There will then be public comment. During that time individuals may present up to two minutes of oral testimony. Individuals may also submit written comments to the Board to be placed in the record.
Anyone wishing to testify at this hearing should contact PCSB at 202-328-2660 or email Isoken Igodan, [email protected] by noon on Wednesday December 18.
To learn more about the 15-year charter renewal process, click here.
About PCSB: The DC Public Charter School Board (PCSB) is setting a national model for creating quality public school options through its rigorous review of new charter applications and effective oversight of charter school performance that is leading the transformation of public education in Washington, DC. PCSB oversees 60 public charter schools on 109 campuses serving nearly 37,000 students living in every ward of the city. Learn more at dcpcsb.org.