The School District of Philadelphia Board of Education Public Meeting Minutes March 3, 2022 A special public meeting of the Board of Education was held in a hybrid format on March 3, 2022. The special meeting was convened at 4:02 p.m., by Joyce Wilkerson, President. President Wilkerson acknowledged March as Women’s History Month and reminded everyone that closing arguments for the Fair Funding triail are scheduled for March 10, 2022. She also shared that students, parents, school staff and education supporters will gather at 3 p.m. at City Hall to rally in support of fair funding on March 15, 2022. Leticia Egea-Hinton, Vice President, made announcements concerning recording, copyright, participation in, and viewing of the meeting. Roll Call, Minutes, Announcements Lynn Rauch, General Counsel, announced that the Board of Education met in executive session on March 3, 2022, to discuss privileged, confidential, personnel, and quasi-judicial charter matters.
She also stated that notice of this special meeting was published in the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Daily News on Friday, February 18, 2022. Ms. Rauch conducted Roll Call. Members Present: Ms. Danzy (remotely), Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Fix Lopez, Dr. McColgan (remotely), Ms. Salley, Mr. Streater, Ms. Thompson (remotely), President Wilkerson – 8 Attending: William R. Hite, Jr., Ed.D., Superintendent Presentation President Wilkerson invited Peng Chao, Interim Chief of the Charter Schools Office, to provide a presentation on the new charter applications. Mr. Chao’s presentation included: ● Overview of the new charter application process – Timeline of Application Release, Information Sessions, Due Dates for Letters of Intent and Applications, Public Hearings, Closure of Public Comment Window, and Board Action ● New Charter Application Summary – Three total applications (one K-8, and two high schools)
● Submitted Applications – ASPIRA Bilingual, Finance, and Technology Charter High School; ASPIRA Eugenio Maria de Hostos Preparatory Charter School; Philadelphia Entrepreneurial Development Academy Charter High School ● What the Charter Schools Office looks for in an application – Academics, Organizational Capacity, Community Engagement, Finance, Facilities, and Existing Operator (if applicable)
● Overview of each new charter application – Mission, Management Company, Location, Enrollment Preferences, and Key Findings Public Testimony, Registered Students and General Speakers Public Testimony, Registered Students and General Speakers Ms. Rauch provided the applicable provisions of the speakers’ policy for the meeting. No students registered to speak at this evening’s meeting. The following individuals spoke: Lynda Rubin, community member, urged the Board to deny the proposed applications submitted by ASPIRA and the financial impact that charter schools have on District schools. Lisa Haver, community member, expressed concerns over current salary and compensation for some charter school CEOs in Philadelphia, and highlighted why she believes the Board should deny the applications for new charter schools on the agenda. Symbol Lai, community member/Children’s First, expressed concerns regarding the importance of high
quality schools and expressed opposition to the application for ASPIRA Bilingual Business, Finance and Technology Charter High School and Philadelphia Entrepreneurial Development Academy Charter High School. Consideration of Action Items President Wilkerson stated that each Action Item will be presented separately for consideration and vote by the Board. The following Action Items were presented for formal action:
Item No. 1. Application for New Charter School: ASPIRA Bilingual Business, Finance and Technology Charter High School The vote on the motion to deny the new charter application and adopt the adjudication for ASPIRA Bilingual Business, Finance and Technology Charter High School was: Yes: Ms. Danzy, Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Fix Lopez, Dr. McColgan, Ms. Salley, Mr. Streater, Ms. Thompson, President Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 2. Application for New Charter School: ASPIRA Eugenio Maria De Hostos Preparatory Charter School The vote on the motion to deny the new charter application and adopt the adjudication for ASPIRA Eugenio Maria de Hostos Preparatory Charter School was: Yes: Ms. Danzy, Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Fix Lopez, Dr. McColgan, Ms. Salley, Mr. Streater, Ms. Thompson, President Wilkerson – 8 No: 0
Item No. 3. Application for New Charter School: Philadelphia Entrepreneurial Development Academy Charter High School The vote on the motion to deny the new charter application and adopt the adjudication for Philadelphia Entrepreneurial Development Academy Charter High School was: Yes: Ms. Danzy, Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Fix Lopez, Dr. McColgan, Ms. Salley, Mr. Streater, Ms. Thompson, President Wilkerson – 8 No: 0 Adjournment President Wilkerson announced that the Board will be holding its next regularly scheduled Action Meeting on March 24, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. On motion, the meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m Joyce S. Wilkerson President, Board of Education William R. Hite, Jr., Ed.D. Superintendent