The purpose and intent of this policy is to implement the Expanding Equitable Access to Schools Amendment Act of 2020, that seeks to give greater access to at risk students and their families to the schools they want to attend, and ensuring those schools are prepared to serve higher numbers of at risk students. Beginning in School Year SY 2022-23, DC public charter schools will offer an admission preference to students who are at risk, with prior approval from DC PCSB. The preferenceͪ shall remain in effect for five years and may be renewed an unlimited number of times, each time for an additional five-year period. This policy outlines the process and baseline criteria DC PCSB will use to approve schools to offer the equitable access preference, as well as the standards for renewing the preference. This policy also outlines how schools approved for the preference may seek approval from DC PCSB to discontinue the preference, should it choose.
The District of Columbia Public Charter School Board (DC PCSB) seeks proposals from independent certified public accountants or accounting firms to be selected for an Approved Auditor List (AAL). Pursuant to the DC School Reform Act (SRA), D.C. Code 38-1802.04(11)(B)(ix)(2001) as amended, each DC public charter school (PCS) is accountable for its use of public and private funding through an annual audit conducted in accordance with Generally Accepted Auditing Standards. The SRA further requires that each PCS’ annual financial audit be performed by an auditor on an approved list developed by a committee (the Auditor Review Committee) consisting of representatives from DC PCSB, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), and the District of Columbia Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO). As such, each PCS will be required to select an auditor from the AAL to fulfill its requirement of an annual financial compliance audit for fiscal year 2021.
Testimony of Dr. Michelle Walker-Davis Executive Director DC Public Charter School Board Public Hearing on Student Learning Loss: Widening the Achievement Gap During the COVID-19 Pandemic
When a parent or community member reaches out to the DC Public Charter School Board (DC PCSB) with a complaint against a school, the primary goal is to ensure that the school has (a) followed its complaint process in order to address the parent’s concern (See D.C. Code § 38- 1802.04(c)(13)); (b) is in compliance with its charter and charter agreement, and (c) has not violated any applicable laws.