Neighbors Go On Record about Proposed University High Charter School

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Things are heating up as the monthly meeting of the DC Charter School Board (DCCSB) approaches. The proposal by the University High Public Charter School (UHPCS) will be discussed, and members of the public will speak during the comment period, which is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 16th. The comment session will begin promptly at 7pm and there are only 20 minutes open for comment, with each of the ten speakers limited to two minutes, so don’t be late. See the details here.

Local neighbors are signing a petition in preparation for the hearings to give voice to their disapproval and show support for those who will represent the disapproval of University High’s proposal to open a high school targeted for at-risk youth in the space formerly occupied by the International Graduate University (IGU). WTOP reporter Mark Segraves, who lives near the proposed site, says various groups have gathered over 300 signatures and anticipate collecting up to 500 by Tuesday. He has agreed to represent neighbors’ vote against the proposal at the hearing, and has collected more than 100 signatures from community members who say he can represent their concerns and disapproval. The petition can be signed at 1241 E Street SE.

Different groups, including a large contingent from the Capitol Hill Cluster School, are circulating petitions, all with similar voices expressing concern about the proposal, concerns about proposed security measures, the track record of the National Graduate University (who would rent campus space to the charter school) and the proposed use of the playing field at Watkins for activities. Not small among their concerns is that there are five shared board members between the UHCS and IGU and that IGU is loaning the school $275,000 at 0% interest for start up fees. There’s also the heavily disputed fact that representatives from the school say they’re aligned with the DC Community College but ANC 6B vice chairman Kenan Jarboe said at last night’s ANC 6B meeting that the college denies it.

At last night’s meeting, ANC 6B votedagainst the charter school, and also against any provisional charter school options on the property as well.  Parents from Watkins school sent out a robo call last night to all  DCPS Cluster School parents asking them to oppose the charter and sign the petition against it.

Meisha Goodhue of the 500 block of 13th Street SE has followed development regarding the school since last fall. She was one of the first people to call for community meetings about the subject , and since then has built a list of 70 neighbors who have asked to be kept in the loop via email and meetings. Detailing concerns raised regarding staffing, leadership and curriculum in the school’s application, she said “We fear the (school) will not meet educational standards. …in essence, the community fears the UHPCS situation will harm students. That harm extends to Watkins Elementary students who will have opportunities taken away from them, as well as any potential UHPCS students who will be deprived of a proper education. We are not against charter schools, but fear that the IGU/UHPCS administration is not equipped to lead such a school.”

Segraves warns that the charter board often errs on the side of giving charter proposals benefit of the doubt, and approve provisional charters rather than reserving public funds and board support until is the proposal and action plans for schools are solid and fully approved. Lawyers associated with the group of volunteers he’s working with have “FOIA”-ed  (Freedom of Information Act) the documentation about prior charter rejections in an effort to see what constitutes a basis for rejection.

He says he’s concerned because individuals involved with IGU have a habit of circumventing normal government process and slipping in the back door through political connections.  He also says the proposal is not so much a proposal that will benefit students of the city, but a desperate effort by the administrators of IGU and associates to save the school’s tax exempt 501c3 status and essential identify an income source for the campus behind the 14th Street Safeway.  Segraves is hopeful the concerted effort will be effective; “I have yet to meet one person not employed by IGU who has spoken in favor of the school,” Seagraves said.

The board’s decision, based on data collected over the last six weeks, will be announced April 19th.

The ANC6B’s Southeast Capitol Hill Planning and Zoning Committee had a good dose of  drama last week regarding the recently exposed “apparent” plagiarism on the school’s charter application, and was well documented by the Voice of the Hill.