Meeting of the Board of Regents | April 2009
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THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234 |
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TO: |
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FROM: |
Johanna Duncan-Poitier |
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SUBJECT: |
Charter Schools: Proposed Second Renewal Charter for the Pinnacle Charter School
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DATE: |
April 16, 2009 |
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STRATEGIC GOAL: |
Goals 1 and 2 |
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AUTHORIZATION(S): |
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SUMMARY
Issue for Decision
Should the Regents approve the staff’s recommendation concerning the proposed second renewal charter for the Pinnacle Charter School (Buffalo)?
Reason(s) for Consideration
Required by State statute, Education Law §2852.
Proposed Handling
This question will come before the EMSC Committee in April 2009 for action. It will then come before the full Board for final action in April 2009.
Procedural History
The New York Charter Schools Act of 1998 requires the Board of Regents (“Board”) to review applications for both new charter schools and the renewal of existing charter schools that are submitted to it in accordance with the standards set forth in subdivision two of New York State Education Law §2852. After review, the Board may either (a) approve an application and issue a charter or a renewal charter for a term of up to five years, or (b) deny the application.
In addition, New York Education Law §2852(7) provides that revisions of charter school charters shall be made only upon approval of the charter entity and the Board of Regents in accordance with the provisions of the law applicable to the issuance of charters themselves. With respect to charter schools directly chartered by the Board, it may either approve a proposed revision or deny it. If the BOR denies the renewal application, the charter school may no longer provide instruction or operate the school at the end of its current charter. The applicant must be given appropriate due process. Subsequent to denying a renewal application, the existing provisional charter is revoked or dissolved.
Background Information
We received an application from the Board of Trustees of the Pinnacle Charter School of (“the School”), a Board of Regents authorized charter school located in Buffalo, for a second renewal of its charter. The Buffalo Board of Education held the required public hearing on this proposed second renewal charter on January 14, 2009. There were no comments made by or received from the public.
The Board of Regents granted the School its initial charter on January 15, 2003. The School opened for instruction in August 2003 serving a maximum of 165 students in grades K-3. A first renewal was granted by the Board of Regents in December 2007 for a term up through and including June 30, 2009. The School currently serves 520 students in grades K-8. The School requests a second renewal term to commence on July 1, 2009 and run up through and including June 30, 2014.
Recommendation
VOTED: That the Board of Regents approves the renewal application of the Pinnacle Charter School, that a second renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2012.
Reasons for Recommendations
(1) The charter school meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations; (2) the charter school has demonstrated the ability to operate in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) approving the proposed renewal is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of section twenty-eight hundred fifty of Article 56 of the Education Law; and (4) approving the proposed renewal will have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school.
Timetable for Implementation
The Regents action for the Pinnacle Charter School will become effective on July 1, 2009.
New York State Education Department
Summary of Charter School Renewal Information
Summary of Applicant Information
Name of Proposed Renewed Charter School: Pinnacle Charter School
Address: 115 Ash Street, Buffalo, New York 14204
Board of Trustees President: Dennis Horrigan
Requested Renewal Period: July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2014
District of Location: Buffalo City School District
Charter Entity: Board of Regents
Institutional Partner(s): None
Management Partner(s): None
Grades Served per Year: K-8
Projected Enrollment per Year: 2009-10 540
- 560
- 560
- 560
- 560
Renewal Application Highlights
Evidence of Educational Soundness/Attainment of Educational Objectives
- For the Pinnacle Charter School’s (“the School”) performance on State assessments, see Attachment 1.
- The School has not yet been able to meet its student achievement goal of having at least 75 percent of all grade 3-8 students (who have attended the School for at least three years) score at or above Level 3 on all State assessments, but it has made substantial progress. Of the six student cohort groups, three (grade 5 2008 three-year cohort, grade 4 2008 three-year cohort, and the grade 3 2008 three-year cohort) did meet this goal in math.
- In comparison with its district of location, the Buffalo City Schools (“the District”), the School had a substantially greater percent of its three-year student cohort score at or above Level 3 on the ELA assessments in grades 3, 4, 7, and 8. In math, the School had a substantially greater number of students score at or above level 3 in grades 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8.
- Longitudinal data show a substantial increase in the percent of students scoring at or above level 3 on the State English Language Arts (“ELA”) assessment from 2004-05 to 2007-08, from grade 4 to grade 7 (i.e., 19 percent in 2004-05 in grade 4 to 42 percent in 2007-08 for the same group of students in grade 7). Likewise, in 2005-06, five percent of the grade 6 students scored at or above Level 3, while 55 percent of these same students so scored in 2007-08, in grade 8.
- The School outperformed the District in grade 8 ELA, in 2007-08.
- Longitudinal data also show a substantial increase in the percent of students scoring at or above Level 3 of the State mathematics assessment from 2005-06 to 2007-08, from grade 5 to grade 7 (i.e., 20 percent in 2005-06 in grade 5 to 53 percent in 2007-08 for the same group of students in grade 7). Likewise, in 2005-06, 25 percent of the grade 6 students scored at or above Level 3, while 53 percent of these same students so scored in 2006-07 in grade 7, and 47 percent so scored in 2007-08, in grade 8.
- The School outperformed the District in 2006-07 in both grade 6 and grade 7 math, and in 2007-08 in both grade 7 and grade 8 math.
- There also has been a significant decrease in the percent of students scoring at Level 1 on State assessments. In 2007-08, no students scored at Level 1 on the grades 6-8 ELA assessments.
- Thus, student assessment results are showing a positive trend.
- The Board of Trustees has made it a priority to ensure all students reach State standards, including responsive academic intervention services and other prevention programs.
- The recent addition of the Harcourt Reading Program will enable the School to identify and address individual student weaknesses; this has also led to further integration of differentiated instruction and analyzing daily multiple assessments and observations.
- There is a high level of staff retention.
- The use of data by teachers provides immediate feedback to inform instruction.
- Students “loop” with their teachers in a two-year cycle, which helps with relationship building and adds to the overall feeling that the School is a “family.”
- The School operates on a year-round trimester system, with month-long breaks in between. This lessens the amount of time of “down time” in the instructional year.
- The School leadership provides sound management and instructional oversight.
Evidence of Fiscal Soundness/Projected Fiscal Impact
- The Board has provided effective financial oversight and the School is fiscally sound as a result.
- The School has maintained appropriate internal controls and procedures.
- Audits by an outside firm have been satisfactory.
- Projected fiscal impact on the district of location is shown below.
Projected* Fiscal Impact Of All Charter Schools In Buffalo 2009-10 Through 2013-14
School |
2009-10 |
2010-11 |
2011-12 |
2012-13 |
2013-14 |
Aloma D. Johnson Fruit Belt Community CS |
0.30 |
0.39 |
0.39 |
0.40 |
0.40 |
Buffalo Academy of Science CS |
0.57 |
0.58 |
0.59 |
0.60 |
0.60 |
Buffalo United CS |
0.89 |
0.90 |
0.91 |
0.93 |
0.94 |
CS for Applied Technologies** |
1.90 |
1.90 |
1.90 |
1.95 |
1.98 |
COMMUNITY CS |
0.44 |
0.44 |
0.45 |
0.46 |
0.47 |
Elmwood Village CS |
0.22 |
0.23 |
0.23 |
0.23 |
0.23 |
Enterprise CS |
0.50 |
0.52 |
0.53 |
0.54 |
0.54 |
King Center CS |
0.13 |
0.13 |
0.14 |
0.14 |
0.14 |
Oracle CS |
0.46 |
0.46 |
0.47 |
0.48 |
0.48 |
Pinnacle CS |
0.61 |
0.62 |
0.63 |
0.64 |
0.64 |
South Buffalo CS |
0.79 |
0.80 |
0.81 |
0.82 |
0.83 |
Tapestry CS |
0.52 |
0.61 |
0.66 |
0.67 |
0.68 |
Western NY Maritime CS |
0.41 |
0.42 |
0.42 |
0.43 |
0.44 |
Westminster Community CS |
0.70 |
0.71 |
0.72 |
0.73 |
0.74 |
Total Projected Impact |
8.44 |
8.71 |
8.85 |
9.02 |
9.11 |
*Assumes a 3.0 percent annual increase in the district’s budget and a 4.5 percent annual increase in the average expense per pupil. Projections are subject to fluctuation in actual enrollments, FTE enrollments, AOE, and district budgets. Further assumes all students will come from the district of location, and that all other charter schools will still be in operation from 2009-10 forward.
** Located within Kenmore-Tonawanda CSD but receives approximately 85 percent of its student enrollment from Buffalo. Impact is therefore calculated upon 85 percent of its anticipated enrollment.
Evidence of Parental and Student Satisfaction and Community Support
- Parents report high levels of satisfaction with all facets of School life. The School met its goal of having at least 80 percent report a “satisfactory” level with the School based on the annual parent satisfaction questionnaire. The 2008 survey showed that 90 percent of parents state that they feel welcome in the School, and 93 percent responded that the School has an excellent learning environment.
- Parents report open and ongoing communication with School leaders. Each teacher has a School-issued cell phone and the number is shared with parents to foster increased communication.
- Parents may also communicate with teachers via e-mail and in person daily, at drop-off and pick-up times.
- The student perception survey given to students in Spring 2008 showed that all students feel respected and safe at the School, and 83 percent indicated that they have a lot of friends at the School.
- There is a strong enrollment history and there are waiting lists.
- A hearing on the proposed renewal was held by the Buffalo City School District on January 14, 2009. Members of the Buffalo Board of Education asked question concerning the length of the school year, the trimester arrangement and its effects upon State ELA exams, the percent of students with disabilities enrolled at the School, the ethnic breakdown of students and staff, and to which high schools students go upon leaving the School after grade 8. The questions were all answered to the satisfaction of the Buffalo Board of Education. There were no objections to the proposed renewal of this charter from the community or the District.
Attachment 1
Pinnacle Charter School
Performance on New York State Assessments
ELA
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Charter School/ District of Location |
Grade 3
L1 L2 L3 L4 |
Grade 4
L1 L2 L3 L4 |
Grade 5
L1 L2 L3 L4 |
Grade 6
L1 L2 L3 L4 |
Grade 7
L1 L2 L3 L4 |
Grade 8
L1 L2 L3 L4 |
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2004-05 Pinnacle Charter School Buffalo CSD |
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32 50 16 3
17 44 33 6 |
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2005-06 Pinnacle Charter School Buffalo CSD |
41 36 21 2
25 38 36 2 |
24 57 16 3
27 35 35 3 |
20 60 20 0
22 43 31 3 |
25 70 5 0
21 48 29 2 |
25 63 13 0
24 50 25 2 |
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2006-07 Pinnacle Charter School Buffalo CSD |
12 45 41 2
26 39 34 2 |
21 49 30 0
22 39 38 2 |
13 60 28 0
16 46 37 2 |
3 69 29 0
7 58 33 2 |
0 71 29 0
18 55 26 1 |
6 65 29 0
12 55 32 2 |
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2007-08 Pinnacle Charter School Buffalo CSD |
9 53 39 0
13 41 43 4 |
12 37 52 0
21 37 40 2 |
5 51 44 0
5 42 51 2 |
0 65 35 0
4 52 43 1 |
0 58 42 0
6 50 43 1 |
0 45 55 0
13 59 27 1 |
Percentages of students performing at Levels 1-4 are rounded to nearest whole number.
MATH
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Charter School/ District of Location |
Grade 3
L1 L2 L3 L4 |
Grade 4
L1 L2 L3 L4 |
Grade 5
L1 L2 L3 L4 |
Grade 6
L1 L2 L3 L4 |
Grade 7
L1 L2 L3 L4 |
Grade 8
L1 L2 L3 L4 |
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2004-05 Pinnacle Charter School Buffalo CSD |
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8 33 57 3
7 26 51 16 |
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2005-06 Pinnacle Charter School Buffalo CSD |
31 34 32 3
29 31 37 3 |
11 39 47 3
23 30 42 6 |
44 36 17 3
40 32 24 3 |
35 40 25 0
38 35 25 3 |
59 18 24 0
35 43 20 2 |
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2006-07 Pinnacle Charter School Buffalo CSD |
10 33 52 5
24 33 40 3 |
20 36 39 5
23 33 39 6 |
8 55 38 0
25 37 34 4 |
18 38 44 0
27 35 34 4 |
0 47 53 0
22 49 26 3 |
38 38 25 0
27 47 24 1 |
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2007-08 Pinnacle Charter School Buffalo CSD |
2 29 66 3
9 25 60 6 |
2 22 58 18
18 29 46 7 |
3 25 63 8
17 33 44 6 |
8 51 41 0
18 33 42 7 |
6 41 50 3
11 39 43 7 |
5 47 47 0
22 45 31 2 |
Percentages of students performing at Levels 1-4 are rounded to the nearest whole number.
Attachment 2
Pinnacle Charter School
Enrollment Plan
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GRADE |
2009-10 Projected Enrollment |
2010-14 Projected Enrollment |
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Kindergarten |
60 |
60 |
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Kindergarten/First |
20 |
20 |
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First |
60 |
60 |
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Second |
60 |
60 |
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Third |
60 |
60 |
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Fourth |
60 |
60 |
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Fifth |
60 |
60 |
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Sixth |
60 |
60 |
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Seventh |
60 |
60 |
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Eighth |
40 |
60 |
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TOTAL |
540 |
560 |
Attachment 3
Pinnacle Charter School
Change in Net Assets 2003-2004 through 2007-2008*
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Fiscal Year |
Change in Net Assets |
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2003-2004 |
$291,261 |
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2004-2005 |
$376,989 |
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2005-2006 |
$166,050 |
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2006-2007 |
$93,683 |
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2007-2008 |
($140,342)** |
*Source: Audited Financial Statements provided as a part of each Annual Report.
** A downward change in net assets does not necessarily imply a deficit. It may be due to increased expenditures and/or decreased revenues.