April 27, 2016
DearWorld Communications Charter School Community:
Many of you may know that World Communications Charter School has had several challenges in the past. And yet, since 1998, when World Communications started, the school has overcome those challenges. Last summer we brought on a new administrative team, led by Principal Alexis Greaves, and have made substantial strides in school climate and culture, curriculum and programs, and in the way we handle our affairs.We are proud of what we have accomplished this year under difficult circumstances.
As part of an agreement mandated by the Charter Schools Office (CSO) of the School Reform Commission in August 2015, the Board of Directors of World Communications Charter Schoolagreed that it would seek an external school management organization to operate the school starting in the new academic year 2016 – 17. If WCCS did not select a school operator, the Charter Schools Office would move to terminate the school’s charter in 2016, a year before it was due to mature (June 30, 2017).
We went through an exhaustive process which led to selecting American Paradigm Schools as the new potential school operator. We submitted our recommendation to the CSO on October 23, 2015 and from the agreement with the CSO, we were supposed to get a response from the CSO within 14 days of our submission. However, the CSO not give us a “go-ahead” until late January 2016 (in verbal form), which significantly impaired us in planning for a smooth transition. We were poised to work closely with APS to develop plans for 2016 – 17 and to seek renewal of our charter for the next several years. Unfortunately, and disappointingly, the APS proposalwas quite different from what was originally proposed, which would have led to thecomplete turnover of the WCCS board of directors, the administration, and the staff; no input by the WCCS team on hiring; loss of control over funding; and likely the loss of control over the facility. Moreover, the chief executive officer of APS abruptly left their organization, which meant that we were very unclear – and still are – about who will lead that organization. We felt that without an established academic leader, the exact reason why APS wasselected in the first place, the direction of the partnershipwas now uncertain. During the entire time period, we heard nothing directly from the APS board of directors. The WCCS board felt that the proposed terms would not be beneficial to the WCCS students, and we worked to negotiate with APS. APS refused to negotiate, which left WCCS in a very difficult position.
We presented our dilemma to the Charter Schools Office, but they have determined that since we did not reach an accord with APS, they will proceed to recommend revocation of the charter, effective June 30, 2016. We feel that there were several flaws in the process including the lack of documentation from the CSO on what areas WCCS needed to improve and the CSO’s late responses to our recommendations. Although WCCS met all of its obligations, we feel that the Charter Schools Office should review its process and give WCCS more opportunity to work towards a better result than closure.
Ms. Victoria Rivers, our Board President, will be presenting our case to the School Reform Commission on Thursday, April 28. We are not sure if the SRC will grant any leeway, and we are not sure if the SRC will hear our concerns about a flawed process, or the uncertainties around APS’ leadership. We have asked that the Charter Schools Office allow us to pursue the renewal of the charter in 2017, but so far, they have denied us that option.
It is entirely possible that WCCS will no longer operate as a charter school as of June 30, 2016.We should know the final determination of the school’s future within the next several days. If in fact we are slated to close, we will be notifying every parent and student about enrollmentand placement options. At this juncture, we do not have a clear picture of how this process will unfold. We will take all necessary steps to ensure that student records and transcripts are delivered to the receiving school, and that student credits are appropriately administered so that no student is adversely effected by this drastic change. We will also work with WCCS teachers and staff to support them throughout this process.
Without a doubt, this notification is disheartening and unsettling. We have worked hard to turn WCCS around, and there is more work to do, but we feel that we have been on the right track. We need your support, and if you can attend the SRC meeting on April 28, we would love to have your presence there. We want you to express your concerns about the process.Even if you cannot attend, we would like to have you write emails and make phone calls to:
Charter Schools Office
440 N. Broad Street, 1st Floor, Suite 102
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Phone: 215-400-4090
Executive Director
(215) 400-4090
/ Peng Chao
Program Manager, Turnarounds and Operations
(215) 400-6336
and to the School Reform Commission:
Marjorie Neff
Chairperson
School Reform Commission
440 North Broad Street, Suite 101
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Phone: 215-400-4010
We appeal to you to voice your opinions about the future of World Communications Charter School. We know that the odds may be against us, but we believe in our school, and are willing to press forward. We hope that you will join with us to seek a better outcome!
Respectfully,
The Board of Directors
World Communications Charter School
President, Victoria A. Mosley Rivers
Treasurer, Randy Barnes
Secretary, Elizabeth Klaproth
Member, Deborah Singleton
Member, StephanieLerner
Member, William Hubbard