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
DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION is the governing body of the
DEKALB COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT; and
WHEREAS, the DEKALB BOARD OF EDUCATION entered into a contract with the State
Board of Education on or about July 1, 2019 for the operation of INTERNATIONAL
COMMUNITY SCHOOL; and
WHEREAS, the DEKALB BOARD OF EDUCATION seeks 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, BE IT RESOLVED that the DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF
EDUCATION authorizes the amendment of its contract with the State Board of Education and
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL, INC. and hereby submits Amendment #_2_ and
this Resolution to the State Board of Education for final approval.
Adopted this 17th day of April 2023.
DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
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Diijon B. DaCosta, Sr., Chairperson
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Vasanne Tinsley, Interim Superintendent