Agenda Item
b. Charter Renewal Petition Approval: Leadership Preparatory Academy (LPA)
Summary: Presented by: Ms. Shakina M. Champion, Director of School Innovation, Division of Community Empowerment, Innovation and Partnership
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb Board of Education approve the charter renewal petition of Leadership Preparatory Academy for five (5) years.
Why: Commendations from the Petition Review Committee
Stakeholder focus groups conducted by the petition review committee indicate that parents/guardians, students, and teachers/staff are actively involved with the school through school governance, curriculum development, and the implementation of strategic initiatives.
LPA has an operating cash reserve of over $3,071,114. The school has maintained operating reserves of 257 days cash on hand.
Governing board members collectively have the capacity to implement the programming of Leadership Preparatory. (Governing Board Capacity Interview)
Despite LPA’s relatively small size, teacher retention, attendance rate, and reported satisfaction have remained high throughout the current charter term. (Teacher/Staff Focus Group)
Community Need/Support and Governance
LPA amended its bylaws in 2019 as part of its comprehensive strategic plan to require a break in services for certain governing board officers.
LPA’s current Facility Plan Update includes research on environmental spaces that are most suitable for relocation and continued growth of the school. (Response to Initial Memo, Exhibit 29)
Academic Plan
While the Leadership Framework has been aligned with the GSE (Georgia Standards of Excellence) ELA standards, during classroom observations the petition review committee did not observe evidence of implementation of that alignment in the curriculum or with other course standards. (LPA Focus Walks, Spring 2022)
The petition states that LPA intentionally reduced its school size and capacity at the start of its current charter term to ensure a clear and sustainable future. Per the petitioner, prior to the decision to restrict growth, the trajectory of LPA’s student population growth would have strained school staff, space, and resources. (LPA Renewal Petition, pg. 28 fig. 9)
Financial/Operational Plans
At the end of FY21, LPA’s budgeted revenues exceeded actual revenues by $258,712. Actual expenditures were higher than budgeted expenditures by $916,725 due mainly to the school’s overall operating costs being higher than budgeted.
The school’s investment in capital assets for its governmental type activities as of June 30, 2021, amounts to $255,773. This investment in capital assets includes furniture, fixtures, and equipment.
The School does not have any longterm debt for its governmental type activities as of June 30, 2021. LPA does not carry any longterm debt, which helps the school maintain fluidity and adapt to the changing needs of the school. Because of its lack of debt obligations, LPA’s current ratio was 11.01 and its Debt to Asset Ratio was 8.45 at the close of FY21. (LPA Audited Financial Statement Report, 2021)
Although most of LPA’s funding is QBE revenue, LPA conducts fundraising programs to supplement its activities.
Details: The recommendation of the Petition Review Committee is based on evaluation of the written petition (narrative and exhibits), independent due diligence (which includes data analysis, stakeholder focus groups, and site visits), and the governing board capacity interview.
Financial impact: The five-year financial impact of the Leadership Preparatory Academy charter renewal is estimated to be $15,270,850.
Contact: Ms. Shakina M. Champion, Director of School Innovation, Division of Community Empowerment, Innovation and Partnership , 678.676.1200
Effective: July 1, 2023
Status: General Counsel Approval Not Required.
Charter School Renewal Final Petition Evaluation Rubric
School Name: Leadership Preparatory Academy
Date: August 26, 2022
The Petition Review Committee will use the following criteria to rate the petition. Within each category, specific
criteria define the expectations for a response that meets expectations. Reviewers will reach consensus when rating
responses by applying the following guidance:
Rating Characteristics
Meets the Standard The response reflects a thorough understanding of key issues. It addresses
the topic with specific and accurate information that shows thorough
preparation; presents a clear, realistic picture of how the school operates
and expects to operate; and inspires confidence in the applicant’s capacity
to carry out its plans effectively.
Partially Meets the Standard The response meets the criteria in some respects but lacks detail and/or
requires additional information in one or more areas.
Below the Standard The response is wholly undeveloped, demonstrates lack of preparation,
and/or is unsuited to the mission of the authorizer.
Far Below the Standard The response is significantly incomplete, raises substantial concerns about
the viability of the plan and/or the applicant’s ability to carry it out.
Recommendations from the Petition Review Committee will be based on evaluation of the written petition
(narrative and attachments), independent due diligence, and the governing board capacity interview. In addition to
meeting the criteria that are specific to that section, each part of the petition should align with the overall mission
and vision, educational program, and organizational and financial performance/plans.
Evidence of Standard Rating
• The petitioner demonstrates a deep, realistic, and authentic Meets
understanding of the “who” (targeted population), the “how” the Standard
(education model), and the “why” (educational philosophy). Partially Meets
• The petitioner describes how members of the community have
the Standard
been involved in the design and will continue to be involved in
the implementation of the school. Below
• The community engagement to date and plan for moving the Standard
forward incorporate diverse stakeholders, touchpoints, and
tactics, which are well-suited to reach the school’s target
Community
population.
Support & Need • The petitioner understands the unique characteristics of
DeKalb County’s educational landscape and is aware of its
communities’ needs, assets, and strengths. Far Below
• The petitioner demonstrates an understanding of the the Standard
economic, political, historical, and social contexts of the
community it seeks to serve.
• The petitioner demonstrates that the school will continue to
have the necessary community support to carry out its
proposed program, especially with regard to building and
sustaining community partnerships.
Review Committee’s Comments or Concerns:
- The petitioner’s response to the initial memo states that over the next charter term, the facility plan
includes the relocation of Leadership Preparatory Academy (LPA) to a facility which can or will
accommodate its continued growth. A new facility will allow the administration and teachers to
adequately serve diverse stakeholders in DeKalb County who may not wish to partner with a school that
is in an existing church building.
- In its response to the initial memo, the petitioner indicated that it does not currently have a capital
fundraising campaign.
Evidence of Standard Rating
• The Board collectively has the capacity to implement all Meets
aspects of the education program and is, therefore, able to the Standard
meet the needs of the target student population and those not Partially Meets
in the target population but likely to enroll.
School Governance the Standard
• The governance structure creates a forum for parent, teacher,
and community input and the strategies for communicating Below
Board priorities and decisions include all stakeholders. the Standard
• The Board clearly articulates both its policies and a decision-
making process for determining when and how to adjust its
Far Below
plans based on feedback.
the Standard
• Governing Board reflects the sociodemographic diversity of the
community served by the charter school.
Review Committee’s Comments or Concerns:
- Governing board members collectively have the capacity to oversee the programming of Leadership
Preparatory Academy.
- The governing board should remain committed to the development of each member and increase
opportunities for committee participation. Per the petitioner, the Finance Committee meets twice a
year. Specialized board committees that meet at least bimonthly are recommended.
Evidence of Standard Rating
• The petitioner addresses student subgroups individually,
recognizing and planning for the diverse needs of diverse Meets the Standard
students.
• The application describes mechanisms and/or strategies that
ensure equitable access to the curriculum for all students,
including students with disabilities (SWDs) and English Partially Meets
Language Learners (ELLs). the Standard
• Embedded in the instructional methods and resources are
concrete strategies and materials to support SWDs, ELLs, and
Academic academically struggling students.
Performance/ Below
• The petition describes a student behavior management system
Plan that is likely to result in a low rate of out-of-school suspensions the Standard
and expulsions, is not overly punitive, and distinguishes
between outcomes that are automatic versus those that are
discretionary.
• The petitioner has planned for all contingencies, including
different rates of SWDs, ELLs, and academically struggling
Far Below
students, different disabilities, different levels of need, and
how the school will adjust its programs and processes the Standard
accordingly.
• Vision for school culture or ethos that will promote high
expectations, a positive academic environment and intellectual
and social development for all students, including those with
special needs, English Language Learners, and students who
struggle academically.
• The Board has demonstrated understanding of federal, state,
and local laws, regulations, and policies to appropriately
identify, serve, and report data for all subgroups of students.
Review Committee’s Comments or Concerns:
− The petition states that LPA intentionally reduced its school size and capacity at the start of its current
charter term to ensure a clear and sustainable future. Prior to the decision to restrict growth, the
trajectory of LPA’s student population growth would have strained school staff, space, and resources.
Once LPA restructures it’s administrative organization and improves staffing, it is recommended that
LPA consider incrementally move toward the enrollment projected in the charter petition.
− Regular instructional focus walks by DCSD are recommended for the first year of the new charter term
considering the school’s current performance on the GMAS. While the Leadership Framework has been
aligned with the GSE ELA standards, during classroom observations the petition review committee did
not observe evidence of implementation of that alignment in the curriculum or with other course
standards. Regular instructional focus walks would allow monitoring of this alignment.
Evidence of Standard Rating
• The budget is balanced, error free, and based on realistic Meets
expectations for income and expenditures. the Standard
• The financial plan demonstrates a clear understanding of the Partially Meets
statutory funding formula, private funding opportunities, and
the Standard
all applicable federal funds.
• The budget reflects all necessary outlays outlined in the Below
Academic Plan, including personnel, technological resources, the Standard
facilities, curricular resources, and mission-specific
expenditures.
• If the budget includes substantial private fundraising revenue,
the application details a strong fundraising plan and the Board
includes a member or advisor with significant fundraising
expertise.
Financial • The identified facility will meet the needs of the education
Performance/ program, and there are effective measures to ensure the
Plan health and safety of students.
• The facilities financing plan is based on realistic market
expectations and includes contingencies in the case that the
preferred financing method is unavailable. Far Below
• The applicant has established protocols to ensure strong the Standard
financial performance, compliance with generally accepted
accounting principles (GAAP) and major federal fund
requirements.
• Financial policies are comprehensive and likely to prevent
fraud, including clear job responsibilities of the staff and board
members who direct or execute financial transactions; strong
financial and accounting procedures and internal controls;
clear, robust policies for managing actual or perceived conflicts
of interest; direct Board oversight of procurement contracts;
and in-depth reviews of budgets, actuals, forecasts, and
external financial audits.
Review Committee’s Comments or Concerns:
- Leadership Preparatory Academy’s financial performance meets all standards.
- The school has a thoroughly developed financial plan that is aligned with the school’s mission and
program. Leadership Preparatory Academy has over six months of unrestricted days cash in financial
reserves.
- The budget is balanced and based upon realistic expectations for income and expenditures.
Evidence of Standard Rating
• The Board has, collectively, expert professional knowledge and
requisite skills in all areas needed to open a successful public Meets
charter school, including organizational, financial, legal, real the Standard
estate/facilities, start-up, and other operational capabilities
along with extensive, recent, and relevant teaching/school
leadership experience with a population similar to that the Partially Meets
school plans to serve. Experience with ELLs, SWDs, and/or the Standard
economically-disadvantaged students is evident. Below
• The Board has identified the school leader(s) or the skills and the Standard
experiences necessary for the leaders who will operate the
school.
• The applicant has a thorough and accurate plan for how the
Organizational
school will meet its expected growth trajectory.
Performance/ Plan • Staff recruitment and retention plans are likely to attract and
retain the quality and specific expertise needed to support the
school’s academic program.
• The PD plan is broad, covering all necessary areas to prepare
teachers to fulfill the school’s goal, including offering Far Below
consistently high-quality instruction, as well as flexible enough the Standard
to respond to teacher/PD needs as they develop throughout
the school year.
• The PD plan specifically addresses any supports the student
population may require.
• The charter school’s faculty, staff, and students reflect the
sociodemographic diversity of the community served by the
school.
Review Committee’s Comments or Concerns:
- The LPA governing board explained that it implements a Chief Executive Officer, Chief Academic Officer,
and Chief Financial Officer structure to ensure the school administration addresses all academic,
financial, and operational needs to exceed legal, contractual, and performance expectations. The CAO
serves as the lead for the school’s academic and learning support operations for all students.
- The resume for a CFO was included in the petition and the Governing Board stated in the Governing
Board Capacity Interview that this individual meets the legal and contractual requirements for a charter
school CFO.
- The organizational chart submitted with the response to the initial memo divided the duties of the CEO
and the CAO to ensure that the CAO was solely focused on student academic performance . However, a
lack of staffing especially in classified and executive positions has not allowed the CAO to function solely
in this role. According to the response to the initial memo, the CEO position remains vacant as the school
is examining the tasks and functions of each position.
- The petition review committee recommends that the Governing Board assess the need for additional
executive administrative support, ensuring that the CAO’s position is primarily focused on student and
teacher performance.
Minimum Evidence of Standard Rating
Requirements • Applicant met all submission deadlines and requirements.
• The essential elements of the mission, philosophy, and school Meets the Standard
program are infused in each element of the application.
• Petitioner presented evidence to support the program design
and sufficiently responded to clarifying questions and/or
evidence that challenged or refuted elements of the proposed Partially Meets
program. Standard
• Petition includes specific examples of waivers or flexibility
needed to accomplish the school’s goals.
Below the Standard
Far Below
the Standard
Review Committee’s Comments or Concerns:
- The petitioner met all submission deadlines and requirements.
- The petitioner presented evidence to support the program design and responded sufficiently to the
clarifying questions.
Overall Assessment/Final Evaluation
Meets Partially Meets the Below Far Below
the Standard Standard the Standard the Standard
Written Petition
X
Evaluation
Governing
Board Capacity Interview X
Evaluation
X
Final Evaluation
Meets the Standard - The petition may be recommended for approval without any further action on the part of the
applicant.
Partially Meets Standard - Additional supplemental information and/or clarification is required before a
recommendation to approve or deny the charter can be made to the DeKalb Board of Education (DBOE).
Below the Standard - The petition requires substantial and material revisions before a recommendation to approve
or deny the charter can be made.
Far Below Standard - Petition is irreparably flawed and will be recommended for denial.