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The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education

Update on Charter Actions in 2009-2010

To:Members of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
From:Mitchell D. Chester, Ed.D., Commissioner
Date:February 17, 2010


This memorandum provides you with an update on the actions taken on charter school matters since July 1, 2009, including those that were delegated to me at the September 2009 meeting of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education when the Board voted to authorize me to act on its behalf in "(a) granting charter renewals that do not involve conditions or probation; and (b) approving charter amendments that do not involve changes in grade span, maximum enrollment, or districts served." I have reported to you on a monthly basis on all such approvals and have provided the required notifications in advance of these actions, allowing you time to request that an item be placed on the agenda for Board discussion and action.

Since July 1, 2009, the Board has voted on amended charter school regulations, approved ten major charter amendments, voted on the renewal of two charter schools, voted to revoke a charter, and voted to remove conditions on one charter school. In February, the Board will act on one additional charter renewal. Charter actions that I have acted on include nine minor amendments, three loan approvals, and sixteen charter renewals, including the seven currently scheduled for my approval in February.

MonthItemDetail
JulyCommissioner Action 
 Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter SchoolMinor amendment request
 
AugustCommissioner action 
 Holyoke Community Charter SchoolMinor amendment request
 
SeptemberBoard action 
 Authorization to Commissioner on Certain Charter School Matters
 Charter School RegulationsDiscussion and vote to seek public comment.
 
 Commissioner action 
 SABIS International Charter SchoolMinor amendment request
 Health Careers Academy Horace Mann Charter SchoolMinor amendment request
 Innovation Academy Charter SchoolLoan approval
 
OctoberCommissioner action 
 Four Rivers Charter Public SchoolMinor amendment request
 Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter SchoolLoan approval
 
NovemberBoard action 
 Amesbury Academy Charter Public SchoolMajor amendment request
 Martin Luther King, Jr., Charter School of Excellence Major amendment request
 Mystic Valley Regional Charter SchoolMajor amendment request
 Prospect Hill Academy Charter SchoolMajor amendment request
 Sturgis Charter Public SchoolMajor amendment request
 Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter Public SchoolMajor amendment request
 Boston Preparatory Charter Public SchoolMajor amendment request
 Codman Academy Charter Public SchoolMajor amendment request
 Edward W. Brooke Charter SchoolMajor amendment request
 
 Commissioner action 
 Marblehead Community Charter SchoolMinor amendment request
 KIPP Academy Lynn Charter SchoolMinor amendment request
 Prospect Hill Academy Charter SchoolLoan approval
 
DecemberBoard action 
 Charter School RegulationsVote after public comment period
 Boston Renaissance Charter Public SchoolRenewal with extension of probation
 Benjamin Banneker Charter Public SchoolConditions met. Vote to remove from probation.
 
 KIPP Academy Lynn Charter SchoolMajor amendment request
 
 Commissioner Action 
 Atlantis Charter SchoolCharter renewal
 Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public SchoolCharter renewal
 Community Day Charter Public SchoolCharter renewal
 Neighborhood House Charter SchoolCharter renewal
 
 Codman Academy Charter SchoolMinor amendment request
 
JanuaryBoard action 
 Robert M. Hughes Academy Charter SchoolVote to revoke charter
 Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter SchoolCharter renewal
 
 Commissioner action 
 Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter SchoolCharter renewal
 Community Charter School of CambridgeCharter renewal
 Holyoke Community Charter SchoolCharter renewal
 Lawrence Family Development Charter SchoolCharter renewal
 South Shore Charter Public SchoolCharter renewal
 
FebruaryProposed Board action 
 Lowell Community Charter Public SchoolCharter renewal/non-renewal
 
 New Charter School(s) (if any)Charter granting vote
 
 Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter SchoolMajor amendment request
 
 Commissioner Action 
 Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter SchoolCharter renewal
 City On A Hill Charter Public SchoolCharter renewal
 Hilltown Cooperative Charter Public SchoolCharter renewal
 Marblehead Community Charter Public SchoolCharter renewal
 Francis W. Parker Charter Essential SchoolCharter renewal
 MATCH Charter Public SchoolCharter renewal
 SABIS International Charter SchoolCharter renewal
 
 Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School of ExcellenceMinor amendment request

If you have questions or require additional information, please contact Jeff Wulfson, Associate Commissioner, at 781 338-6500; Mary Street, Director of Charter Schools, at 781 338-3200; or me.