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 First Renewal Charter for Bronx Lighthouse Charter School
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DATE: |
April 14, 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 recommendations concerning the proposed first renewal charter for Bronx Lighthouse Charter School (New York City)?
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 to review, in accordance with the standards set forth in Education Law §2852(2), proposed charters, renewal charters and revisions to charters and renewal charters that have been approved and submitted by other charter entities. The Board of Regents may either approve and issue a charter, renewal charter and/or revision as proposed by the charter entity, or return the same to the charter entity for reconsideration with written comments and recommendations.
With regard to proposed renewal charters, the Board of Regents must act on a proposed renewal charters submitted by the Chancellor of the city school district of the city of New York (“the Chancellor”) or other school district within 90 days of its submission or the proposed renewal charter will be deemed to have been approved and issued by operation of law at the expiration of that period.
If the Board of Regents chooses to return the proposed renewal charter to the Chancellor or school district, as the chartering entity, with comments and recommendations, the Chancellor or the school district must reconsider the proposed renewal charter, taking into consideration the comments and recommendations of the Board of Regents. The Chancellor or the school district may resubmit the proposed renewal charter to the Board of Regents without modification, resubmit the proposed renewal charter with modifications agreed to by the applicant in writing, or abandon the proposed renewal charter.
If the Chancellor or the school district resubmits a proposed renewal charter to the Board of Regents, the Board of Regents may, within 90 days of resubmission, either approve or again return the proposed renewal charter to the Chancellor or to the school district for modification. There is no limit to the number of times the Board of Regents can return a resubmitted proposed renewal charter to the Chancellor or to a school district. However, upon expiration of the existing charter, the Board of Regents may pursue revocation of that charter.
Background Information
We received a request from the Chancellor to approve and issue a renewal charter for Bronx Lighthouse Charter School (BLCS or “the School”) for a term to commence on May 18, 2009 and run through May 17, 2014. The Chancellor approved a five-year renewal period because BLCS has demonstrated substantial academic progress, sound leadership, sound fiscal health and strong parental support. The Chancellor noted that the School received an “A” rating from the New York City Department of Education on its 2007-2008 Progress Report Card. The Chancellor found that BLCS has met the requirements of the Charter Schools Act and applicable law, and recommends that the School be renewed for five years.
An initial five-year charter was granted by the Board of Regents on May 18, 2004.
Recommendation
VOTED: That the Board of Regents approves and issues the first renewal charter of the Bronx Lighthouse Charter School as proposed by the Chancellor of the city school district of the City of New York, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including May 17, 2014.
Reasons for Recommendation
(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; and (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.
Timetable for Implementation
The Regents action for the renewal of the Bronx Lighthouse Charter School’s charter will become effective on May 18, 2009.
New York State Education Department
Summary of Charter School Renewal Information
Summary of Applicant Information
Name of Proposed Renewed Charter School: Bronx Lighthouse Charter School (BLCS or “the School”)
Address: 1001 Intervale Avenue, Bronx, NY 10459
Board of Trustees President: Reed Talada
Renewal Period: May 18, 2009 – May 17, 2014
District of Location: New York City Community School District 12, The Bronx
Charter Entity: Chancellor of the city school district of the City of New York
Institutional Partner(s): Lighthouse Academies, Inc.
Management Partner(s): N/A
Grades Served per Year: K-7 (K-11)
Projected Enrollment per Year: 418 (594)
Renewal Application Highlights
Evidence of Educational Soundness/ Attainment of Educational Objectives
- The student achievement results are shown for BLCS in Tables 1 through 3.
- The School made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) from 2004-2008. The School was deemed in ‘Good Standing” under the New York State (NYS) Accountability system during the same period.
- The School is aligned with all NYS Learning Standards.
- In 2007-2008, the School had a Performance Index (PI) of 156 on the Grade 3-8 NYS assessment in English Language Arts (ELA).
- In 2007-2008, the School had a PI of 191 on the Grade 3-8 State assessment in math.
- In 2007-2008, the School-wide average was 60 percent at Levels 3 and 4 on the NYS ELA exam and 92 at Level 3 and 4 in mathematics. Notably, 100 percent of third graders scored at Levels 3 and 4 on the NYS math exam.
- In 2007-2008, the School met its Absolute Goal that all third and fourth graders who began in Kindergarten will demonstrate proficiency on the State math exam.
- In 2007-2008, the School met its Absolute Goal that after two consecutive years of City and State math testing, students will meet or exceed the performance level, defined by New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) as 75 percent, for high performing schools.
- In 2007-2008, the School met its Absolute Goal that students, from all ethnic and gender groups, will perform at comparably high achievement levels on the NYC and State exams as well as on the Scholastic Aptitude Test.
- In 2007-2008, the School increased its math performance for grades 4 and 5 over its 2006-2007 math proficiency levels.
- The School outperformed CSD 12 in math and ELA for grades 3, 4 and 5 on the 2007-2008 Grades 3-8 NYS math and ELA assessments.
- The School achieved a PI of 161 in science, surpassing the State standard performance objective benchmark of 100.
- In 2007-2008, on the NYS Grade 4 Science assessment, the School outperformed the district’s students at Levels 3 and 4 with a 66 percent proficiency compared to 60 percent proficiency for CSD 12.
- In 2007-2008, the School did not outperform CSD 12 at levels 3 and 4 on the NYS Grade 5 Social Studies assessment, scoring at 50 percent proficiency compared to the District’s 68 percent.
- The School currently serves 374 students in grades K-6. (See Table 4.)
- In 2007-2008, the School’s student body was comprised of 59 percent Hispanic and 41 percent Black students, 11 percent students with disabilities, eight percent limited English proficient students. Eighty-three percent qualified for free/reduced lunch.
- The School has met its enrollment requirement for each year of its charter.
- The School has an enrollment of approximately 42 special education students or 11 percent of its student population.
- The School has an enrollment of approximately 30 English language learners or eight percent of its student population.
- The BLCS principal has been with the School since 2006.
- The student attendance rate for 2007-2008 was 94 percent.
- The teacher attrition rate for 2007-2008 was 26 percent, up from 18 percent in 2006-2007. The principal requested that several teachers not return for 2008-2009.
- BLCS proposes a full enrollment of 594 students in Year Five of the proposed renewal. (See Table 5.)
Evidence of Fiscal Soundness/Projected Fiscal Impact
- The School is located in a leased, non-NYCDOE facility.
- For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, BLCS total assets were $4,097,417 and total liabilities were $3,576,164.
- The School showed a positive change in net assets for 2006-2007 and 2007-2008. (See Table 6.)
- Cash flow projections for Fiscal Year 2009 to Fiscal Year 2013 show no deficits.
- The largest expense lines revolve around staff salaries, benefits, service contracts and textbooks.
- The School engages in nominal fundraising and is currently exploring the opportunity to expand its efforts in this area.
- The potential fiscal impact upon the District is represented below. Please note that these projections are based upon several assumptions, which may or may not occur: that all existing charter schools will also exist in the next five years and serve the same grade levels as they do now; that the charter schools will be able to meet their projected maximum enrollment; that all students will come from New York City and no other districts; that all students will attend every day for a 1.0 FTE; that the District’s budget will increase at the projected rate; that the per pupil payment will increase (and not decrease); and that the per pupil payment will increase at the projected rate.
Projected Fiscal Impact of the
Bronx Lighthouse Charter School
(New York City – CSD 12, The Bronx)
2009-2010 through 2013-2014
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School Year |
Number of Students |
Projected Payment* |
Projected Impact |
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2009-2010 |
418 |
$5,031,630 |
0.0236 |
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2010-2011 |
462 |
$5,811,532 |
0.0264 |
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2011-2012 |
506 |
$6,651,437 |
0.0294 |
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2012-2013 |
550 |
$7,555,165 |
0.0324 |
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2013-2014 |
594 |
$8,526,759 |
0.0355 |
*Assumes a 3 percent annual increase in the District’s budget from the base of $20.12 billion in 2007-2008; and a 4.5 percent annual increase in the average expense per pupil per year from the 2007-2008 rate of $11,023.
Evidence of Parent and Student Satisfaction and Community Support
- A public hearing to solicit comments from the community in connection with the charter school’s proposed renewal was conducted by the New York City Department of Education on January 22, 2009. Six positive comments in support of the School were made by parents, five of which were written.
- Ninety percent of parents surveyed expressed satisfaction with the School in 2007-2008. The participation rate was 58 percent.
- BLCS has maintained a relatively low student attrition rate: 8.4 percent in 2007-2008, compared to 9 percent in 2006-2007.
Summary of Charter Entity’s Findings and Recommendations
NYCDOE approved the School’s renewal application for five years. According to the 2007-2008 NYCDOE’s Progress Report, BLCS received an “A” letter grade, which placed it in the 98 percentile of all elementary schools, citywide. NYCDOE reported that the School has made consistent and meaningful progress towards meeting its outcome measures and goals. BLCS was identified as an academically successful school, especially in the areas of ELA and math. The School has been successful in outperforming CSD 12 in ELA and math State assessments. In particular, grade 3 students scored at the 100 percent proficiency level in mathematics in 2007-2008. NYCDOE is optimistic that the School will continue to build a solid foundation for students to achieve at high levels.
NYCDOE also credited the BLCS for improving the School’s environment by establishing and consistently enforcing clear behavioral expectations.
NYCDOE’s Renewal Report mentioned that the School’s Board of Trustees possess a diverse expertise and is committed to meeting the goals, as outlined in the charter, by exploring strategies to find solutions that will benefit the student body and the community it serves.
The School also received praise for its fiscal health and in the handling of its finances which was deemed to be “highly efficient and stable.” According to the June 30, 2008 audit reports, the School had over $1 million in liquid assets and maintains good internal controls, in collaboration with Lighthouse Academies Inc., its management partner.
Overall, the School has witnessed a steady increase in the number of students who test proficient on the NYS assessments, continues to experience full enrollment with an ample waiting list, high levels of parent satisfaction and a balanced budget.
Attachment 1
Table 1*
2007-2008
Grades 3-8 State ELA and Math Assessments
Percent of BLCS Students at Levels 1 – 4
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3-5 ELA |
3-5 Math |
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%L1 |
%L2 |
%L3 |
%L4 |
Proficiency |
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%L1 |
%L2 |
%L3 |
%L4 |
Proficiency |
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Grade 3 |
0 |
39 |
52 |
9 |
61 |
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0 |
0 |
73 |
27 |
100 |
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Grade 4 |
11 |
34 |
52 |
2 |
54 |
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2 |
16 |
71 |
11 |
82 |
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Grade 5 |
0 |
35 |
63 |
2 |
65 |
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0 |
7 |
82 |
11 |
93 |
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* Due to statistical rounding, percentages may not equal 100.
Table 2
2006-2007
Grades 3-8 State ELA and Math Assessments
Percent of BLCS Students at Levels 1 – 4
|
3-5 ELA |
3-5 Math |
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%L1 |
%L2 |
%L3 |
%L4 |
Proficiency |
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%L1 |
%L2 |
%L3 |
%L4 |
Proficiency |
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Grade 4 |
7 |
16 |
73 |
5 |
78 |
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7 |
16 |
73 |
5 |
78 |
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Grade 5 |
9 |
39 |
46 |
7 |
52 |
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9 |
39 |
46 |
7 |
52 |
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Table 3
2007-2008
Grades 3-8 State ELA and Math Assessments
Percent of BLCS and CSD 12 Students at Proficiency Level
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% Proficient in ELA |
% Proficient in Math |
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Grade |
BLCS |
CSD 12 |
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Grade |
BLCS |
CSD12 |
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3 |
61 |
45 |
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3 |
100 |
70 |
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4 |
54 |
44 |
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4 |
82 |
52 |
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5 |
65 |
52 |
|
5 |
93 |
65 |
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Table 4
Current Enrollment
Bronx Lighthouse Charter School
2008-2009
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GRADE |
2008-09 |
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K |
44 |
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1 |
44 |
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2 |
88 |
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3 |
66 |
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4 |
44 |
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5 |
44 |
|
6 |
44 |
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Total |
374 |
Table 5
Projected Enrollment
Bronx Lighthouse Charter School
2009-2010 through 2013-2014
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GRADE |
2009-10 |
2010-11 |
2011-12 |
2012-13 |
2013-14 |
|
K |
44 |
44 |
44 |
44 |
44 |
|
1 |
44 |
44 |
44 |
44 |
44 |
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2 |
44 |
44 |
44 |
44 |
44 |
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3 |
88 |
44 |
44 |
44 |
44 |
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4 |
66 |
88 |
44 |
44 |
44 |
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5 |
44 |
66 |
88 |
44 |
44 |
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6 |
44 |
44 |
66 |
88 |
44 |
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7 |
44 |
44 |
44 |
66 |
88 |
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8 |
|
44 |
44 |
44 |
66 |
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9 |
|
|
44 |
44 |
44 |
|
10 |
|
|
|
44 |
44 |
|
11 |
|
|
|
|
44 |
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Total |
418 |
462 |
506 |
550 |
594 |
Table 6
Bronx Lighthouse Charter School
Change in Net Assets for 2004-2005 through 2007-2008*
|
Year |
Change in Net Assets |
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2004-05 |
$27,872 |
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2005-06 |
$233,829 |
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2006-07 |
$28, 524 |
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2007-08 |
$521,253 |
*Source: Audited Financial Statements provided as a part of each Annual Report.