The DC Public Charter School Board (PCSB) is scheduled to hold a hearing this month regarding the future operations of Options Public Charter School.
In October, 2013 the D.C. Office of the Attorney General filed a complaint alleging that three former school executives diverted millions of dollars meant for students at Options to their own for-profit businesses. That same month, a D.C. Superior Court Judge appointed Joshua Kern as the Receiver to oversee Options. A month after his appointment Mr. Kern reported that the school was operating with a significant budgetary shortfall for the 2013-2014 school year and that he and his team were working on a way to keep Options open beyond June 2014.
On December 16, 2013, the PCSB voted to begin proceedings to revoke Options’ charter in response to “a pattern of fiscal mismanagement.” However, on February 19, 2014, at the request of Mr. Kern and others who have argued that children with special needs currently attending Options would be best served if Options is allowed to remain open under new management, the PCSB postponed its decision to close Options pending a public hearing to discuss the matter. After the hearing, the PCSB will have 30 days to vote and make its final decision. Below is information for the hearing. Parents of children enrolled at Options PCS are encouraged to review the following document for more information and guidance: FAQ for Parents – Options PCS
Date: April 23rd
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Carlos Rosario Public Charter School (1100 Harvard Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009)
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