Meeting of the Board of Regents | September 2009

THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

 

TO:
FROM:	Johanna Duncan-Poitier
SUBJECT:	Charter Schools: Proposed Fourth Renewal Charter for The Ark Community Charter School
DATE:	September 1, 2009
STRATEGIC GOAL:	Goals 1 and 2
AUTHORIZATION(S):

 

SUMMARY

 

Issues for Decision

 

Should the Regents approve the staff’s recommendation concerning the proposed fourth renewal to the charter for The Ark Community Charter School (Troy)? 

 

Background Information

 

We received a request on July 2, 2009 from the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York (“SUNY”) to approve and issue a fourth renewal charter for The Ark Community Charter School (“the School”).  The School was initially granted a five-year charter by the Board of Regents in March 2001, and a renewal was granted in February, 2006 for a term up through and including July 31, 2006.  Additionally, the School was issued a short term renewal in May 2006 for a term up through and including June 30, 2008, and a second short term renewal in October 2008 for a term up through and including July 31, 2009.  The School currently serves 180 students in grades K-6, and with this renewal, enrollment will increase to 220 students.

 

On October 6, 2008, the Troy City School District (“the District”) held the required public hearing on this proposed fourth renewal charter. There were no comments from the public or the district.

 

A general concern raised by staff was the inability to ascertain what aspects of the School’s educational program had changed, if any, since the school’s first, second and third renewals.

 

Staff recommend that the Board of Regents return the proposed fourth renewal charter to SUNY.

                             

Recommendation

 

VOTED:  That the Board of Regents returns the proposed fourth renewal charter of The Ark Community Charter School to the Trustees of the State University of New York for reconsideration, and with the following comments and recommendations: That (a) the proposed fourth renewal charter be resubmitted to the Regents for consideration after information regarding all provisions of the school’s proposed fourth renewal charter (including its educational program) that have been changed, if any, since its second and third renewal charter be provided, and  (b) a curriculum that addresses and is aligned with all 28 New York State Learning Standards and a core curricula at each grade level be provided. In addition, it is also recommended that the proposed bylaw provision purportedly authorizing the school to make loans be removed.   

 

Timetable for Implementation

 

The Regents action for The Ark Community Charter School is effective immediately.

 

New York State Education Department

 

Summary of Charter School Renewal Information

 

Summary of Applicant Information

 

 

 

 

Address:   762 River Street, Troy, NY 12180

 

Board of Trustees President:  Steven Axelrod, Chairperson

 

Requested Renewal Period:  August 1, 2009- July 31, 2014

 

District of Location: Troy                                         

 

Charter Entity:  SUNY Trustees

 

Institutional Partner(s): None

 

Management Partner(s):  None

 

Grades Served per Year:    K – 6                                              

 

Projected Enrollment per Year:  220

 

 

Renewal Application Highlights

 

Evidence of Educational Soundness/ Attainment of Educational Objectives

• The Ark Community Charter School (“the School”) has shown an increase in the percent of students scoring at Levels 3 and 4 on the State English Language Arts (“ELA”) Assessments. In 2005-2006, 30 percent of students scored proficient in ELA. In 2006-07, 39 percent of students scored proficient in ELA.  In 2007-08, 60 percent of students scored proficient in ELA.
• The School has shown an increase in the percent of students scoring at Levels 3 and 4 on the State Math Assessments. In 2005-2006, 40 percent of the students scored proficient on the Math. In 2006-07, 70 percent of the students scored proficient in Math. In 2007-08, 90 percent of the students scored proficient in Math.
• The School provided a curriculum which addresses grade 4 ELA, math, science and social studies.  It did not provide a curriculum which addresses all subject areas at all grade levels.
• The School’s schedule does not provide for instruction in health; family and consumer science; career development and occupational studies; and technology at any grade level. 
• The School’s schedule does not provide for instruction in science and social studies prior to grade three. 

 

Evidence of Fiscal Soundness/Projected Fiscal Impact

• The School has a positive fund balance and positive cash flow.
• The School’s proposed bylaws permit the School to lend money.

 

Projected* Fiscal Impact of the Ark Community Charter School

2009-10 to 2013-14

 

School Year	Number of Students	Projected Impact
2009-2010	220	.031
2010-2011	220	.031
2011-2012	220	.032
2012-2013	220	.032
2013-2014	220	.033

 

* Assumes a 3 percent annual increase in the District’s budget from the base of $94,723,673 in 2009-2010; and a 4.5 percent annual increase in the average expense per pupil per year from the 2009-20010 rate of $13,360.

 

 

Projected* Fiscal Impact of All Charter Schools in Troy

2009-10 to 2013-14

 

School	09-10	10-11	11-12	12-13	13-14
Ark Community CS	.031	.031	.032	.032	.033
Troy North Troy Preparatory CS	.011	.022	.033	.044	.045
Total Projected Impact	.042	.053	.065	.076	.078

 

 

Evidence of Parent and Student Satisfaction and Community Support

• A parent representative with full voting rights served on the Board of Trustees for the past two years, keeping other board members aware of parent concerns as decisions were made.
• There were no comments resulting from the October 6, 2008 public hearing.
• The School has met enrollment targets and maintains a waitlist.