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

 

TO:	EMSC-VESID Committee
FROM:	James A. Kadamus
SUBJECT:	Revisions to Existing Charter School Charters
DATE:	May 11, 2005
STRATEGIC GOAL:	Goals 1 and 2
AUTHORIZATION(S):

 

 

Executive Summary

 

Issue for Decision

 

            Should the Regents accept the staff recommendations on the proposed amendments to the charters of the four charter schools identified below?

 

Reason for Consideration

 

            Required by State statute, Education Law 2852(7).

 

Proposed Handling

 

            This question will come before the EMSC-VESID Committee on May 16, 2005 for action.  It will then come before the full Board for final action on May 17, 2005.

 

Procedural History

 

            The charter for the Enterprise Charter School (“ECS”) was issued in 2003.  The School was initially authorized by the Buffalo Board of Education.  The charter for the City Collegiate Charter School (CCCS) was issued in April 2005.  The School was initially authorized by the New York City Chancellor.  The charter for the Family Academy Charter School (FACS) was initially authorized by the SUNY Board of Trustees and was approved by the Board of Regents on September 13, 2002.  The charter for the Sisulu Children’s Academy-Harlem Charter Public School (Sisulu) was initially authorized by the SUNY Board of Trustees and was approved by the Board of Regents on August 9, 1999.

 

Background Information

 

(1)       Enterprise Charter School, is located in Buffalo and currently serves 460 students in grades K-9.  The proposed revision to the existing charter was submitted to the Department at such a time that does not allow for a full review and receipt of revisions within the required 60-day time period.  The Regents must act within that time period or the amendment becomes effective via operation of law.

 

(2)       The City Collegiate Charter School is located in New York City.  It will serve 75 fifth graders in the 2005-2006 school year and is managed by Uncommon Schools, Inc.  The proposed revision to the charter to change the School's name will more accurately represent the local community in which the school will be located.

 

(3)               Family Academy Charter School is located in New York City.  The School's Board of Trustees is seeking to “replace itself" due to a reluctance to implement the proposed educational program.  The Board of Trustees is, therefore, seeking to invite new membership to develop a new educational program for the School.  As a result, the School would delay commencing instruction by one year.  The SUNY Board of Trustees has endorsed this extension.

 

(4)               Sisulu Children’s Academy-Harlem Charter Public School is located in New York City, currently serves 225 students in grades K-1 and 4-5 and is managed by Victory Schools, Inc.  The School is seeking to change its name to the Sisulu-Walker Charter School of Harlem.

 

Recommendation

 

VOTED:  That the Board of Regents (1) approve the recommendation to amend the charter of the City Collegiate Charter School, New York City, to allow the School to change its name to Williamsburg Collegiate Charter School; (2) return the proposed amendment to the charter of the Enterprise Charter School to the Buffalo Board of Education so that the appropriate modifications can be made prior to its re-submission; (3) approve the recommendation to amend the charter of the Family Academy Charter School, New York City, to allow it to delay by one year the date of commencement of instruction; and (4) approve the recommendation to amend the charter of the Sisulu Children’s Academy-Harlem Charter Public School, New York City, to allow the School to change its name to the Sisulu-Walker Charter School of Harlem.

 

Timetable for Implementation

 

The Regents action will become effective on May 7, 2005.