Mike Fedewa, Chairman, CSAC

JoAnne Woodard

Alfred Bryant

John Crowder

John Geil

Ben Currin

Kate Alice Dunaway

Kathryn Meyers

Tony Cozart

Roger Gerber

Sandy Carmany

Arlene Ferren

Randy Dow

Laura Crumpler

Otho Tucker, Director, Office of Charter Schools

Jennifer Bennett, Director, School Business

O’Linda Williams, Admin.Assist., Office of Charter Schools

Jackie W. Jenkins, Consultant, Office of Charter Schools

Carl Pridgen, Consultant, Office of Charter Schools

Linda Ivy, Accounting Specialist, Compliance/Auditing/Policy

Gene Burton, Accounting Specialist, Compliance/Auditing/Policy

Brenda Kearse , Consultant, Exceptional Children

Ms. Jennifer Bennett, Director, School Business reported that the year-end audits are due at the end of October and all but a few schools have audit contracts in place. These schools have been placed on Financial Cautionary Status, as these schools are not demonstrating due diligence regarding their financial responsibility.

Ms. Bennett also reported that the School Business staff is still reviewing school budgets. Staff members have concerns regarding the budgets submitted by several schools. The staff will wait on final ADM headcount and the state budget to get some perspective on how the state budget will affect the charter school budgets.

One school, Rowan Academy is on Financial Probationary Status as of September 6, 2002. The school has yet to submit a balanced budget and still have significant unresolved financial concerns. Ms. Bennett did report that school is educationally sound and is current on all IRS payments.

She recognized the accomplishment of East Winston Academy for obtaining from the IRS a letter of compromise forgiving the debt until the school is in a position to repay it. The school also has sound internal controls in place to monitor the finances of the schools. East Winston Academy will be removed from it current financial warning status effective September 20, 2002.

Ms. Bennett recognized Dillard Academy for the attention given to resolving its financial concerns. The school hired Acadia/Northstar to manage its fiscal matters. The schools ADM continues to climb and the school is making timely payments to the IRS. Dillard Academy has seen a significant cut in debt and is maintaining compliance with the payment plan established with the IRS. Dillard Academy will be removed from its current financial warning status effective September 20, 2002.

Both East Winston Primary School and Dillard Academy were in approved in 1998 and are on a one year delay renewal status.

Ms. Bennett reported that Carter Community School; also on a one year delay is in good financial standing. Wayne Technical Academy still has unresolved student accounting issues. School Business is waiting for documents requested in August that regarding the attendance and student enrollment information. The enrollment is over 65 but the ADM may be less than 65. With that, Ms. Bennett expressed concerns about the school’s funding level.

Dr. Otho Tucker presented an overview of the 2001-02 ABCs results. He reported that more schools than ever before have composites above the 90^th, 80^th, 70^th, and 60^th percent. Six of the twenty-five Most Improved K-8 Schools are charter schools. Those schools are: Francine Delany New School for Children, East Winston Primary School, MAST School, Gaston College Prep, Quest Academy, and Dillard Academy.

Kennedy Charter is one of the 10 Most Improved High Schools. This is a school that serves an alternative population.

Other test data presented included the recognition of Metrolina Regional Scholars for having a composite score of 100% and Gaston College Prep, a first year charter school for its recognition as a School of Excellence with a composite of over 90% and high growth.

ABCs Interviews:

Provisions Academy

Provisions Academy approved in 1999 serves students in grades 6-12. The school is located in Lee County. The school is now under the leadership of Ms. Sadie Jordan, the school’s third director. The school is in the process of applying for a five-year renewal.

Representing Provisions Academy were Ms. Sadie Jordan, Principal, Mr. Halford Fore, Board Chair, and Mr. William Preddy, Board Member. Ms. Jordan reported that the school serves a highly at-risk student population. She presented reasons why students attend Provisions Academy which include the following:

(1) the need for a smaller learning environment (2) the need for more time on task, (3) the need to escape negative peer pressure, (4) low motivation, (5) court adjudication and (6) attention given to major Special Education needs.

Ms. Jordan reported that Provisions works with each student to develop an individual educational plan based upon the student’s aptitude upon enrolling.

Ms. Jordan presented the school’s Implementation Plan that included an identification of the problems and solutions for addressing the problems. One of the problems addressed during the presentation was the lack of a s stable school site and certified teachers.

Chairman Mike Fedewa reminded Ms. Jordan and school representatives of the SBE’s strong stance regarding charter schools that are low performing for three consecutive years.. He advised the school to submit documentation that would present a compelling case to the SBE that would be helpful as they contemplate the action to be taken regarding the school.

After the presentation, members of the Committee sought clarification regarding the alternative school status option for charter schools. John Geil shared that it is his recollection that the during a previous discussion concerning alternative schools status of charter schools ,the statues nor SBE Policy allowed for the creation of any type of alternative school status for charter schools. He requested clarification from the SBE regarding its position on alternative school status for charter schools.

Kathryn Meyers indicated that she could support Provisions begin identified as an alternative schools with the same standards afforded to traditional public schools with such status.

Chairman Fedewa reminded the presenters that the Committee would take action in October regarding the recommendation it will forward to the SBE concerning the school’s low performing status.

Laurinburg Homework Center, located in Scotland County, serves students in grades 9-11. The school was approved in 1999 and is currently eligible to apply for its five-year renewal. The school is also under the leadership of its fourth director, Ms. Anne Cureton.

Representing Laurinburg Homework Center were Mr. J.D. Willis, Board Chair, Ms. Anne Cureton, School Director. Mr. Willis began with a review of the original intent of the school which is to serve at-risk students and those that scored Level 1 & 2 on the state ABCs end-of-grade, end-of-course test in grades 8-12. Mr. Willis noted that the school has maintained sound financial standing over its three years of operation.

Ms. Cureton’s presentation included a discussion of five points: (1) demographics, (2) contributors to current school status, (3) performance/areas of growth, (4) staff development, and (5) strategies for academic improvement.

In the discussion of contributors to low performance status, Ms. Cureton identified the following: (1) high student turnover, (2) administrative/leadership changes, (3) organizational structure, and (4) teacher inexperience and turnover.

School representatives identified and discussed the following six strategies for academic improvement: (1) one-on-one instruction and after school remediation/enrichment (2) staff development (3) extended learning opportunities (4) summer school remediation (5) compacted curriculum, and (6) instructional tutors.

Chairman Fedewa asked school representatives if the alternative school model was clearly identified would the school consider opting for this status. Mr. Willis and Ms. Cureton both affirmed that the school would choose that option.

Chairman Fedewa reminded the Committee that the schools present were invited to present the results of the required corrective action plan that addressed the deficiency for which the school was out of compliance and thus not recommended for a five year renewal.

Representing Carter Community were: Becky Sterling, Principal, Fred Johnson, FREE Board, LaMont Rogers, 3^rd grade teacher, Donna Price, Parent, Lisa Yamoaka, Curriculum Specialists and a legion of parents and Carter Community Staff.

Ms. Becky Sterling, Principal, Carter Community School began the presentation with an overview of the demographics of the school. The school approved in 1998 in an inclusionary charter school serving 170 students in grades K-9 where 85% of the students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Ms. Sterling reviewed the Corrective Action Plan the school developed and implemented along with the status of each action undertaken to address the schools ABCs low performing status. Ms. Sterling highlighted professional development opportunities planned with nationally recognized professionals, which include Dr. Mairam Leaiva, UNC-Charlotte, Project MaThink, Mike Williams, Principal’s Executive Program Coach, Core Knowledge Foundation, and Dr.Perry Goode, New Horizons.

Ms. Lisa Yamoaka presented statistical data to that showed the academic growth realized at Carter Community School. The data presented showed a significant increase in student performance after the end-of-grade retest. Other measures the school is taking to address student achievement include the school-wide staff development with reading as its central focus, planners for increased school/home communication, accelerated reader program, Orton-Gillingham phonics intervention training and summer school intervention.

Mr. Lamont Rogers addressed the parent satisfaction aspects of the school’s Improvement Plan. According to the data presented by Mr. Rogers, the survey of parents of students in grades 1-4 showed that over 70% of the parents surveyed were pleased with the school.

Donna Price, parent of two students at the school discussed her reasons for enrolling her children in the school further adding that she is pleased with the overall progress her children have made since being enrolled at Carter Community School.

Randy Dow sought clarification on the purpose of the retest and how those scores are used and questioned how those scores are used if they are not considered. Attorney Dow requested that the school shows what the composite scores would be if the retest scores were considered in making a case for considering those scores.

Tony Cozart explained that students in the 3^rd, 5^th, and 8^th grade are in the gateway grades and are required to meet statewide standards before promotion to the next grade.

Ms. Kate Alice Dunaway requested that the school show the yearly composite scores in reading and math each year by grade levels.

Chairman Fedewa reminded the school of the SBE’s policy regarding low performing schools for 2 consecutive years. With this being the school’s third year, it must show compelling reasons why the State Board of Education should deviate from it’s policy regarding low performing schools.

Sugar Creek Charter School, located in Mecklenburg County serves over 600 students in grades K-8. The school is in its third year of operation as the school was granted a planning year in 1998.

Representing Sugar Creek Charter School were Bobby Lowry, Board Chair, Cheryl Ellis, Director, and Bruce Major, Assistant Director/School Psychologist. Present also were Dr. Anita Ware, PEP Coach, and parents of Sugar Creek Charter School students.

Mr. Lowry explained that the school was no longer with a management organization but the board has taken on a more hands-on approach to governing schools.

Ms. Cheryl Ellis began the presentation with an overview of the demographics of Sugar Creek Charter Schools noting the following statistics:

99% members of an ethnic minority group; 82% qualify for free/reduced lunch; 78% live in a single parent home or with someone other than a biological parent; 21% of the parents non high school graduates; 17% of the students are identified as exceptional and 6% qualify for county behavioral health services.

The percentage of students qualifying for county behavioral health services are so significant that the Office of County Health Services placed a full time specialist in the charter school to serve just the students at Sugar Creek Charter School. Additionally, 4 students are in partial hospital, 2 on the waiting list and 2 in the referral process.

Ms. Ellis described the school’s process for evaluating students and designing the instructional program that fits that child’s needs. Each student is given a placement test upon enrollment in the school and taught at the level of contact mastery, not the grade level or level commensurate with his/her chronological age.

Ms. Ellis presented data that shows that the students that have remained at the school overtime have made growth when extracted from the overall composite score. She shared with the Committee the assistance received from Dr. Anita Ware, the school’s PEP coach provided by the Office of Charter Schools one being the development of a school-wide staff development plan.

Mr. Bruce Major, Assistant Director/School Psychologist talked about school climate and the efforts of the staff of Sugar Creek Charter School to provide the social and educational atmosphere conducive to holistic development. Mr. Major also shared the efforts of the school to improve parental involvement in all aspects of their children’s development.

East Winston Primary School is a K-4 school serving over 130 students in Winston Salem/Forsyth. The school is among the state’s 25 Most Improved K-8 Schools as measured by the ABCs of Public Education with a performance composite of 76.8 and the school is also identified as making high growth.

Representing the school were Mr. Jimmy Bohnam –Executive Director and Ms. Judy Parker, Director of Finance. Mr. Bohnam extended thanks to the East Winston Primary Board of Directors, Department of Public Instruction Staff and the Charter School Advisory Committee for their support. He also acknowledged the support received from Mr. Steve Wrenn, the schools PEP coach.

Mr. Bohnam shared with the Committee comments from Mr. Wrenn’s summary report. These comments included the fact that Mr. Wrenn acknowledged the schools increased enrollment, expanded grade offerings, strong parent volunteers support and community involvement.

Mr. Bohnam presented a summary of the school’s corrective actions that contributed to the high growth in student performance. He shared that the school took advantage of the released form of the EOG test and development individual and class profile sheets based on the item analysis from the test results. Using these profiles, the staff used multi-age grouping as well strategies as well as development individual skill activities to be used by parent volunteers and teachers to help students increase academic proficiency.

Ms. Jennifer Bennett added that the school had a tremendous debt at one time and that debt issue is not relevant at this time. The school received a letter of compromise from the IRS forgiving it of that debt until it was able to pay.

Mr. Ben Currin complimented the school on the tremendous turnaround it had made under the current administration.

Mr. John Geil wanted confirmation that the letter of compromise was official in that it was not on IRS letterhead. Ms. Bennett responded that she have personally contacted the IRS to confirm the authenticity of the letter and found the letter to be official.

Chairman Fedewa reminded the school that the SBE would act upon the Committee’s recommendation in November.

New Century Charter School located in Orange County serves students in grades 9-12. Dr. Scott is the school’s fourth director.

Representing the school were, Mr. Jeffrey Phillips, Board Chair, Dr. Elizabeth Scott, Director and Ms. Rhonda Clements, EC Teacher.

Dr. Scott introduced members of the panel and the format for which the presentation would follow. Mr. Jeffrey Phillips recounted the schools history emphasizing the facility concerns beginning with its first location in a movie theater, then moving to the Sheraton Hotel ballroom to its first campus, an artists’ compound on Highway 54 west and now its current site at 1315-A New Hope Trace in Chapel Hill. Mr. Phillips also provided an overview of the growth of the school from 54 students in 1998 to its current enrollment of 114 students.

Dr. Scott shared information regarding the growth of the school in recent years. She stated that the school now has obtained a three-year lease in a new facility with ten classrooms. The administration team of the school has grown to include a director, dean, and business manager. Some of the other site amenities mentioned that contributes to the school’s ability to provide a high quality learning environment include a teacher work center, student commons area, computer room with 10 networked computers, art room, and a Special Education classroom.

Dr. Scott reviewed with the Committee the academic course offerings at the school and called special attention to some of the electives. She elaborated on the strategies the school has identified as being critical in ensuring success on the End-of-Course tests as well as other school-wide policies that have been enacted since her tenure at the school began in March 2002.

Dr. Scott presented a table showing the comparison of end-of-course scores for June 2001 and June 2002. She pointed out areas of greatest growth which included the 6% of students passing Algebra I in 2001 to 71% passing in 2002. Other courses noted were 45% passing English 1 in 2001 and 89% passing in 2002. Dr. Scott stated that the school was not pleased with the small increase in the number of students passing the US History exam with 17% in 2001 and 24% in 2002.

Ms. Rhonda Franklin highlighted the major plans the school has established focus on the continued growth of students with special needs. These plans include increased focus on study habits, note-taking, listening and organizational skills. The school also plans to implement alternative assessment/assignments for core and elective classes along with other identified strategies for continued growth of students with special needs.

Dr. Scott closed the presentation by expressing optimism about the status of the school. She also noted that the school is in sound financial standing.

Dillard Academy located in Wayne County serves students in grades K-3. Dillard Academy is identified as one of the 25 most improved K-8 schools and high progress with a performance composite score of 77.3 on the state’s ABCs end-of-grade tests. The school was placed on one-year delay renewal status due to financial noncompliance.

Representing Dillard Academy were Ms. Hilda Hicks, Director and Mr. John Stokes, President.

Ms. Hicks began the presentation by stating her purpose for being present which is to petition the Committee to recommend the school for a five-year renewal. Ms. Hicks shared with the Committee the corrective actions the school has taken in resolving the financial issues that impacted the school’s renewal status. The school has obtained an agreement with IRS, which will allow for monthly payments to satisfy the debt. The agreement calls for the school to pay $6,600 per month until the debt is paid. The school is presently current on all payments.

Ms. Hicks shared with the Committee the schools achievement as measured by the ABCs end-of-grade test. The school has been recognized as a school of high progress and among the state’s 25 most improved K-8 schools.

Jennifer Bennett reported that the school has turned its financial situation around. The school hired Acadia/Northstar in 2001 to handle its finances. The school has been diligent in making the IRS payments. The school is using local funds to pay this debt and not state and federal funds.

Wayne Technical Academy located in Wayne County serves students in grades 9-12. The school was placed on one-year renewal delay due to ABCs Accountability and Financial Noncompliance.

Representing the school were Mr.Jerome Shipman, Mr. Milas Kelly, other board members , students, and parents.

Mr. Shipman petitioned the CSAC to consider its renewal application for a full five year renewal. Mr. Shipman shared with the Committee a conversation he had with representatives from Wayne County Schools regarding the Wayne Technical Academy application. The Committee provided clarification to Mr. Shipman that the school was not exempt from the ABCs test.

Mr. Shipman outlined several strategies that school has undertaken to address its student performance concerns and attendance requirement. Several strategies were not fully implemented during the one-year delay. Mr. Shipman note that one strategy the school identified was to introduce preparatory courses to low performing students before enrolling these students in corresponding end-of-course test. According to Mr. Shipman, the school was not successful at fully implementing that strategy and plans to do more with this strategy this year.

Other strategies include expanding the school hours to include the 5^th and 6^th period on campus so that school staff can provide more help as needed and assigning disruptive students to 5 and 6^th period as a strategy to help students continue their education.

Ms. Jennifer Bennett informed the Committee that the School Business Division has not received the formal signing/signout policy for the school nor the attendance records that were due August 22, 2002. The school is on continued probationary status due to attendance issues.