Agenda Item
a. International Community School (ICS) Charter Contract Amendment – FY2024 Enrollment Increase
Summary: Presented by: Ms. Kina M. Champion, Director of School Innovation, Division of Community Empowerment, Innovation and Partnerships
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb Board of Education approve the amendment of International Community School’s (ICS) charter school contract to increase the maximum enrollment of ICS from 450 to 475 effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.
Why: The mission of International Community School is to educate refugees, immigrants, and local children and to provide a rigorous and holistic education in an intentionally diverse community of mutual learners. The school, located in the Former Medlock Elementary School at 2418 Wood Trail Lane, Decatur, Georgia, serves grades K-5. The charter school’s current contract ends June 30, 2024. Paragraph 3 of the current contract includes the following language: “The Charter School’s total enrollment shall not exceed 450 during the term of the charter unless, after reaching 450, the Charter School requests review by the Local Board and the [Georgia] Department [of Education].”
Details: Each year, the District accepts applications from existing charter school governing boards applying for renewal of their charter contracts. On January 5, 2023, the governing board of International Community School (ICS) submitted a letter of intent to submit a renewal petition. Included with the letter of intent was a written request to increase the maximum enrollment of ICS effective July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024.
Historically, ICS has experienced declines in enrollment of 4th and 5th grade students due to families transferring to schools with K-8 models. In response, the school added an additional kindergarten classroom in SY22-23. Per the governing board, the school’s intention was to allow this class to matriculate while staying within the current contract maximum enrollment of 450 students until charter renewal. ICS has identified improvements in the academic program and extensive support for the physical and social-emotional wellbeing of students and families as the root cause of record enrollment in all grades. For the first time in the school’s history, 4th grade is full with a waitlist and 5th grade is 90% full. ICS projects need at least 460 seats during SY23-24 to accommodate returning students.
Financial impact: The one-year financial impact of the increase in enrollment for FY24 is estimated to be $310,775. Because federal program allocations are calculated using the previous year’s October FTE, the potential financial impact on Federal Programs will not be known until FY25. The charter school currently receives allocations for Title I, Title II, and Title IV. The District provides in-kind services (as outlined in Appendix C - Option A of the contract) for Title III and IDEA.
Contact: Kina M. Champion, Director of School Innovation, Division of Community Empowerment, Innovation and Partnerships, 678.676.0718
Effective: July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024
Status: Approved by General Counsel
CHARTER AMENDMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL
AMENDMENT NUMBER _#2_
The State Board of Education (“State Board”), DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
(“Local Board”), and INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL, INC. (“Petitioner”)
(collectively referred to as “the parties”) agree to amend the Charter School Contract for
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL (“Charter Contract”). This amendment, which
shall become effective upon the last signature, shall be referred to as “Amendment #_2_.”
WHEREAS, the aforementioned parties entered into the Charter Contract for the operation of
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL beginning on or about July 1, 2019; and
WHEREAS, the Charter Contract was previously amended on or about July 1, 2022; and
WHEREAS, the Local Board approved by a majority vote to amend the charter school contract
to increase the maximum enrollment of INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL from 450
to 475 effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration for the promises made herein, the parties mutually agree
to amend the Charter Contract as follows:
Paragraph 3 of the Charter Contract is hereby amended as follows:
Grade Range and Enrollment. The Charter School shall serve grades K-5. The Charter School’s
total enrollment shall not exceed 475 during the term of the charter unless after reaching 475 the
Charter School requests review by the Local Board and the Department. If the Local Board and
the Department determine that the charter school has met all compliance requirements and
charter contract goals based on the most recent year of academic data available, the Charter
School’s total enrollment may expand by an increment of no more than 15% annually, subject to
annual review by the Local Board and the Department.
Except as amended herein, the Charter Contract and all previous amendments are unaffected and
shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with its terms. If there is a conflict between
this amendment and the Charter Contract or any earlier amendment, the terms of this amendment
will prevail.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties state and affirm that they are duly authorized to bind the
respected entities designated below as of the day and year indicated.
_________________________________________ _________________
Chairperson, STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION (Date)
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL Amendment #_2_
_________________________________________ _________________
Diijon B. DaCoasta, Sr., Chairperson, (Date)
DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
_________________________________________ _________________
Governing Board Chair, (Date)
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL, INC.
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL Amendment #_2_