by Lisa Haver, Deborah Grill, Lynda Rubin, Ilene Poses
At its August 17 action meeting, the Board of Education will vote on the renewals of nineteen charter schools. After just one brief presentation by the Board’s Charter Schools Office at the June meeting, Board President Reginald Streater announced Board recommendations for fourteen of the19-school cohort, directing CSO Director Peng Chao to negotiate renewal contracts with the operators of those schools. Thus, without any Board vote or any public hearing, the Board decided in effect to renew most of the charter schools, despite the fact that only one had met standards in all three major categories. Streater made no recommendation for the remaining five, all of which had received a “Does Not Meet” rating in at least one category.
Should the Board vote to renew all nineteen, the district would be spending approximately $470 million over the next five years. Of that, approximately $20 million will be spent on CEO salary and compensation. Review of the CSO renewal evaluations shows that:
- 13 did not rate “Meets” in Academics
- Board recommending renewal for 8 of the schools rate below “Meets” in Academics
- 5 of the 19 schools have been operating under expired agreements
- 3 of the 4 schools in their first term rate “Does Not Meet” in academics
- 9 of the 19 are well below authorized enrollment
Several schools in the cohort were cited for failure to provide necessary legal clearances for personnel. This citation in previous years has not stopped the Board from voting to renew. Neither have citations for barriers to enrollment and lack of due process for students facing disciplinary action including expulsion stopped the Board from renewing, sometimes attaching non-enforceable conditions.
Salary and compensation for the CEOs of this cohort totals $3, 962, 115; over five years at the same rate over $15 million. The board of Math Civics Science paid CEO Veronica Joyner over $350,000 in 2020 even though the school had failed to meet academic and other standards for over ten years.
Because the Board of Education refuses to hold public hearings on charter renewals, members of the community have no opportunity to be heard on the substandard performance and bloated administrative compensation before the Board rubber-stamps another 5-year renewal.
Antonio Pantoja
Recommendation: Renewal with conditions
- Academic: Meets (CSO evaluation shows “Does Not Meet” in 3 of 4 subjects in 2021-22)
- Organization: Approaches
- Finances: Meets
Management Network: Aspira
K-8, opened in 2008
Location: Hunting Park, 19140
School leader: Sandra Gonzalez, salary/compensation (per 2021 IRS 990) $217, 409
Enrollment: 699 (authorized 700)
Current Term: Pantoja is in the 2022-23 renewal cohort, but its last executed charter agreement was effective July 2013 to June 2018. Aspira did not agree to conditions in last charter agreement proposed by the district and refused to sign.
PSSA Proficiency: Decreases in all subjects except Math.
Personnel clearances: “CSO reviewed 20 personnel files: 12 of 20 files did not contain evidence of valid PA Criminal Background Checks; 12 of 20 files did not contain evidence of valid PA Child Abuse History Clearances; 13 of 20 files did not contain evidence of valid FBI Federal Background Checks; 6 of 20 personnel files did not contain Act 168 Documentation.”
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990: Principal Sandra Gonzalez $217, 409. Aspira of Pennsylvania officers: CEO Alfredo Calderone $217,655; COO Thomas Darden $307, 530; Controller Xin Yi $307, 530; Senior Director of Special Services Katherine McKinley $153, 666; Senior Director of Support Services Yemele Ayala $147, 531; Chief of Education Support Services Andrea Gonzalez-Kirwin $225, 666; Principal Paula Schroeder $136, 272.
Teacher tenure: 5.39 years (SDP average 13.6 years)
Projected cost for 5-year renewal: $28, 517, 675.
Christopher Columbus
Recommendation: None
- Academic: Meets Standard
- Finances: Meets Standard
- Organization: Does Not Meet Standard
Does Not Meet standard for personnel child protection clearances.
Management Network: None
Opened: 1999
Grades K-8; enrollment 883 students (of authorized 900). Enrollment has fallen in recent years.
Two locations in South Philadelphia: 916 Christian Street,19147 (K-4); 1242 South 13th Street, 19147 (5-8).
Admission: Citywide
Demographics: 48% white; 7% Black; 14% Asian; 11% Multi-Racial/Other.
Economically Disadvantaged: 52% (District 76%)
Current Term: School is in the 2022-23 renewal cohort, but the last signed and executed charter agreement was effective July 1, 2013. Recommendation w conditions had been recommended in 2018; school refused to accept conditions and did not sign.
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990: CEO/Principal Edward Poznek $274,460.
Projected cost for 5-year renewal: $17, 272, 875.
Note: Christopher Columbus charter has submitted an amendment to its charter to allow the school to build an annex. The CSO has recommended that the Board approve this request. Enrollment increase was not specified.
Deep Roots
Renewal: No Recommendation
- Academics: Does Not Meet
- Finances: Meets
- Organization: Approaches
Management Network: None
Opened in 2018
Grades K-5; enrollment 285 (of authorized 540; decreased every year in this term; authorized enrollment never met.)
Location: Kensington/Harrowgate: 3556 Frankford Avenue, 19134
Grades K-5
School Leader: CEO/Principal Lucilla Perry
PSSA Academic Proficiency 2021-22: Did Not Meet for ELA, Math or Science
Average Teacher Tenure: 2.13 years (SDP 13.6)
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990: School Leader Logan Blyler (2018-19 through 2021-22) $157,538; CEO Ashley McGrath $129,203.
Projected cost of 5-year renewal: $10, 033, 625.
Jacquelyn Y Kelley Discovery Charter School
Recommend: 5-year renewal with conditions
- Academic: Approaches
- Organizational: Approaches
- Finances: Meets
Opened: 2003Grades: K-8; enrollment 631( authorized 620)
Admission: Citywide
Location: 4700 Parkside Avenue, 19131
Current CEO: Sharlynne Cloud
ELL enrollment: 8% (SDP 15%)
PSSA proficiency: below SDP in Math and Science.
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990: Principal Maria Snipe (2018-19 through 2021-22) $90,100; CEO Tonia Elmore $199,848; Director of Student Services Ashley Phillips $144,066
Personnel child protection clearances: Does Not Meet Standard. Of the 20 personnel files reviewed by CSO: 11 have no PA criminal background check and no required PA child abuse history; 12 have no FBI background check; 4 have no Act 168 clearance.
Projected cost of 5-year renewal: $19, 334, 959.
Eugenio Maria De Hostos
Recommendation: 5 years with Conditions
- Academic: Meets
- Financial: Meets
- Organization: Approaches
Opened 1998
Management Network: Aspira
Grades: K-8
Location: 6301 N. 2nd Street, 19120, Olney
Enrollment 510 (authorized 440)
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990: Principal Alberto Caonabo $197,327. Salary/compensation Aspira Inc. of PA: CEO Alfredo Calderone $217,655; COO Thomas Darden $307, 530; Controller Xin Yi $307, 530; Senior Director of Special Services Katherine McKinley $153, 666; Senior Director of Support Services Yemele Ayala $147, 531; Chief of Education Support Services Andrea Gonzalez-Kirwin $225, 666;
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990: Principal Alberto Caonabo $197,327. Salary/compensation Aspira Inc. of PA: CEO Alfredo Calderone $217,655; COO Thomas Darden $307, 530; Controller Xin Yi $307, 530; Senior Director of Special Services Katherine McKinley $153, 666; Senior Director of Support Services Yemele Ayala $147, 531; Chief of Education Support Services Andrea Gonzalez-Kirwin $225, 666;
Average teacher tenure: 5.29 years (SDP 13.6)
Projected cost of 5-year renewal: $19, 123, 115.
Friere
Recommend: 5-year renewal
- Academic: HS, Approaches; K-8, Meets
- Organization: Approaches
- Financial: Meets
Management: Freire Foundation
Opened: 1999
2 locations: Grades 5-8 at 1026 Market Street, 19107; grades 9-12 at 2027 Chestnut Street, 19103
School Leader: Christopher Moore 2022-23
Enrollment 947 (authorized enrollment 1000). Enrollment has declined from a high of 1020 in 2019-20.
ELL enrollment 2% (SDP 15%)
Teacher tenure average: 5.14 years ( district average 13.6)
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990: CEO Chris Zagacki $207, 073;
H S Principal Chris Moore $180, 630.
Projected cost for 5 year renewal: $34,575, 505.
KIPP DuBois 2022-23
Recommendation: 5-year renewal with conditions
- Academic: Approaches
- Organization: Does Not Meet
- Financial: Meets
Management Network: KIPP
Opened: 2015
Location: 5070 Parkside Avenue, 19131, Parkside
Grades 9-12
Enrollment 501 (of authorized 520)
Current school leader: Courtney Moragne
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990: School leader Melissa Poorman (2018-19 through 2021-22) $148,981
Admission: Citywide
Average teacher Tenure: 3.68 yrs (SDP 13.6)
Projected cost of 5-year renewal: $20, 585, 430.
KIPP North Philadelphia
Recommend: None
- Academic: Does Not Meet
- Financial: Approaches
- Organization: Approaches
Management Network: KIPP
Opened: 2018
Grades K-5; Enrollment 599 (of authorized 860)
Location: North Philadelphia, 2539 N. 16th Street., 19132
PSSA proficiency rates below SDP in ELA, Math and Science.
Chronic absentee rates well above both SDP and similar schools for all years in this term.
CSO reports that this school did not serve any ELL students during this term.
Personnel: “During the CSO’s review, 20 personnel files were reviewed. 6 of 20 personnel files did not contain evidence of valid, continuous PA Criminal Background Checks. 7 of 20 personnel files did not contain evidence of valid, continuous PA Child Abuse History Clearances. 10 of 20 personnel files did not contain evidence of valid, continuous FBI Federal Background Checks. 8 of 20 personnel files did not contain Act 168 Documentation.”
Financial: “Significant Deficiency: A significant number of check transactions and voided check transactions were processed through the School’s disbursement platform but not recorded in the School’s general ledger.”
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990: School Leader Ben Speicher $199,141.
Projected cost of 5-year renewal: $20, 715, 790.
Maritime Academy
Recommend: 5-year Renewal with conditions
- Academic: K-8 Approaches; 9-12 Approaches
- Financial: Approaches
- Organization: Approaches
Opened: 2003
Two locations: Elementary at 2275 Bridge Street, 19137, Frankford; High School at 2700 E. Huntingdon Street, 19125, Harrowgate
School Leaders: Peter Saunders, Matthew Wilson
Enrollment 837 (authorized enrollment 820)
Economically Disadvantaged 2022-23: 20% (SDP District Schools 76%)
Students with disabilities 8% (SDP 16%)
Average teacher tenure: 4.52 years (district 13.6)
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990: CEO Eugene Mattioni $183, 971.
Projected cost for 5 year renewal $27,747,180.
Hardy Williams
Recommend: 5-year renewal
- Academics: Meets
- Organization: Approaches
- Financial: Meets
Location: 5400 Warrington Avenue, 19143, Wynnefield
Opened in 1999
Taken over by Mastery 2012
Grades K-12
Enrollment 1194 (authorized 1170)
ELL enrollment 5% (SDP 15%). CSO report: “33% of English Learners (1 of 3) were not identified as being English Learners within 30 days of enrollment at the start or 14 days of enrollment during the school year.”
School leaders 2022-23: LaQuanda Jackson; Justin Meltzer
PSSA proficiency rates below both SDP and similar schools in ELA, Math and Science.
Administration salary and compensation per 2021 IRS 990: Principal LaQuanda Jackson $226, 823; Principal Naeemah Seward $215, 128; Math teacher Attiya Toney $173, 577; Asst. Principal of Operations Nicholar Sieg $160, 981; College Advisor Tonya Haynes $159, 505; Apprentice School Leader of Instruction Valda Dodson $145, 288; Asst. Principal of Instruction Justin Meltzer $142, 572.
Projected cost of 5-year renewal: $44, 104, 755.
Mastery Pastorius (Renaissance charter)
Recommendation: 5-year renewal
- Academic: Approaches
- Financial: Meets
- Organization: Approaches
Taken over by Mastery as Renaissance charter 2013
Address: 5650 Sprague Street, 19138, East Germantown
School Leader: Ashley Anderson
Grades: K-8
Enrollment 658 (authorized enrollment 650)
Teacher tenure average: 5.92 years (13.6 district)
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990: Principal Eric Langston $173, 619; Asst. Principal Tiffany Weaver $159, 800; Asst. Principal Vonetta Bogs $149, 532
Projected cost for 5-year renewal $23,585,215.
Mastery Prep
No Recommendation
- Academic: Does Not Meet
- Financial: Meets
- Organization: Meets
Management: Mastery
Opened: 2018
Address: 1801 W. Pike Street, 19140, Hunting Park
Grades: K-6
Admission: Citywide
Enrollment: 544 (authorized 588)
ELL enrollment: 2% (SDP 15%)
Academics: PSSA proficiency rates below SDP in both ELA and Math.
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990: School Leader Eugene Haith (2021-22 to 2022-23) $142,490; School Leader Raymond Fields Jr. (2018-19 to 2020-21) $151,738; Asst. Principal of Instruction Rachel Mattson: $120,444
Teacher Tenure: 4.57 years (district: 13.6)
Projected cost of 5-year renewal $16, 768, 045.
Mathamatics, Civics and d Science
Recommended: None
- Academics K-8: Does not meet standard
- Academics HS: Does not meet standard
- Organization: Does not meet standard
- Financial: Approaches standard
Location: 447 N. Broad St. Spring Garden, 19123
Grades 1-12, enrollment: 908 (authorized enrollment 1160)
Opened 1999
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990: CEO Veronica Joyner $350, 114.
MCS renewed in 2019 despite “Does Not Meet” in all categories; renewed in 2013 despite failing to meet standards in all categories.
MCS has complied with only 5 of the 19 conditions they agreed to in their 2019 renewal agreement, many dealing with English learners and barriers to enrollment.
K-8 PSSA proficiency: below performance in both district and charter categories in all subjects in all years tested.
HS Keystone proficiency: below performance in both district and similar school categories in all subjects in all years tested.
HS Keystone proficiency: below performance in both district and similar school categories in all subjects in all years tested.
Ratings: 0 of 10 points for enrollment, special education and English learners.
ELL enrollment 1% (SDP 15%); students with disabilities 8% (SDP 16%)
CSO renewal evaluation cited several barriers to enrollment.
CSO renewal evaluation cited several barriers to enrollment.
Projected cost of 5-year renewal: $25, 290, 050.
MaST I
Recommendation: 5-year renewal
- Academic: Meets
- Organization: Meets
- Financial: Meets
Loccation: 1800 East Byberry Road, 19116, Somerton
Opened 1999
Grades K-12, Enrollment 1477 (Authorized 1400)
Demographics: Black students 13% (SDP average 45% Black); White students 66% (SDP 15%); English learners 5% (SDP 15%)
Several barriers to enrollment cited in CSO report.
Average teacher retention: 6.6 (SDP 13.7)
Salary/compensation per 2022 IRS: CEO John Swoyer III, $469, 083; Principal Phyllis Santiago: $198, 448; Head of Curriculum Alison Marino: $206, 187; Head of School Operations Matthew Ehrlich: $190, 572; Chief Schools Officer Scott Balara: $198, 572; Head of Talent Angela Koenig-Romano: $198, 731
Projected cost of 5-year renewal: $46, 161, 860.
Pan American
Recommend: 5-year renewal
- Academic: Approaches
- Organization: Meets
- Financial: Meets
Management Network: Congresso
Opened: 2008
Fairhill 19133
Grades: K-8
2022-23 Enrollment: 749 (authorized enrollment 750)
Current Term: The school is in the 2022-23 renewal cohort, but their last executed charter agreement ended June 30, 2018. Pan American did not sign the next agreement for the term July 1, 2018 to present because they refused to comply with proposed conditions.
PSSA: Scored below district schools in all categories of PSSA in all years tested in this term.
Suspension rates for all students above the District rate.
Average Teacher Tenure: 4.06 years ( District average 13.6)
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990: CEO Dr. Dorothy Russotto $250,314; Director of Analytics & Accountability $157, 738; Principal Yolanda Cooper $199, 171; Director of Strategic Initiatives Evaleen DeMarco $171, 503; Director of Student Services Joshua Fineberg $193, 705; Special Ed Coordinator Jennifer McNeil $191, 117.
Projected cost of 5-year renewal: $28, 653, 300.
Philadelphia Academy
Recommendation: 5-year renewal with conditions
- Academic Success: Meets Standard (K-8); Approaches Standard (9-12)
- Organization: Approaches Standard
- Financial: Meets Standard
Two locations: K-8 at 11000 Roosevelt Boulevard, 19116; 9-12 at 1700 Tomlinson Road, 19116
Opened 1999
Enrollment: 1100 (authorized 1124)
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990: CEO Anna Marie Siegmann: 990: $177,119; Special Education Coordinator Cathy Adams $105, 272; HS Principal Megan Simmons $123, 712; K-8 Principal Rita Brody $129, 919; Asst. Principal Christopher Boyle $102, 473; Asst. Principal Angela Pazdunkiewicz $105, 935; Asst. Principal Douglas Robinson $108, 757; Special Education Jeneen Vendetti $96, 621.
Current Term: The school is in the 2022-23 renewal cohort, but their last executed charter agreement ended June 2013. Philadelphia Academy refused to sign both the 2013-2018 agreement and the 2013-23 agreement because they did not agree to the district’s proposed conditions.
Demographics: 64% White, 10% Black, 8% Asian, 11% Hispanic/Latino, 6% Multiracial/other; Economically Disadvantaged: 43%; Students with Disabilities: 22%
English Learners: 6% (SDP 15%)
Barriers to enrollment: application did not require proof of age or residency; did not differentiate between required and requested documents; required a physical for enrollment for certain grades which is not allowed by PA Department of Education; enrollment materials were dated for incorrect review year.
Board Governance: Sunshine Act violations due to non-compliant use of executive session; statements of financial interest not included in 2 of 3 years of current term, failure to provide board by-laws needed for review.
Background: Philadelphia Academy rents its building from Philadelphia Academy Community Development Corporation whose president and treasurer are also president and treasurer of the school’s board. Another member of the corporation is also a member of the school’s board. In 2009, Philadelphia Academy founder Brien N. Gardiner and former CEO Kevin M. O’Shea came under federal investigation for financial mismanagement, nepotism and conflicts of interest. Gardner committed suicide. O’Shea was sentenced to 37 months in prison for mail fraud, theft from a federally funded program, and filing a false tax return.
Projected cost of 5-year renewal $41, 808, 285.
Universal Alcorn (Renaissance charter)
Recommendation: 5-year renewal
- Academic: Meets
- Organization: Meets
- Financial: Approaches
Location: 3200 Dickinson Street, Point Breeze, 19146
Opened: 2013: Taken over as Renaissance charter by Universal
Grades K-8
Enrollment: 466 ( of 620 authorized enrollment); down from 597 in 2018-19 (22% less in last term)
Attendance: students attending 95% of days decreased 21% in the last 4 years; chronic absenteeism almost doubled from 19% to 37%.
Financial 2020: CSO reports that some checks were still being signed by the former CFO through August, 2019; “The former CFO was placed on administrative leave in May of 2019 and should not have been considered an authorized signer with the ability to continue signing checks.” Universal Companies has been involved in several corruption cases in recent years.
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990: School leader Aaron Starke $163,270; Universal Companies Executive VP Penny Nixon $230,900
Teacher tenure average: 5 years (district average 13.6 years)
Projected cost of 5-year renewal: $15, 726, 740.
Universal Institute
Recommendation: 5-year without conditions (despite not meeting standards in any category)
- Academic: Approaches
- Organization: Approaches
- Financial: Approaches
Two locations: 801 South 15th Street (K-4); 1415 Catherine St., 19146 (5-8)
Opened in 1999
Grades K-8; citywide admission
Enrollment: 631 (of authorized 705)
ELL enrollment 6% (SDP15%)
Attendance: 2012-22 below SDP and charters in 95+ and chronic absenteeism (47%)
Teacher tenure: 6 years (SDP 13.7)
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990: Executive VP Universal Companies Penny Nixon $230,900; Principal Jeffrey Williams $149,654
Projected cost of 5-year renewal: $20, 577, 510.
Young Scholars
Recommendation: 5-year renewal with conditions
- Academic: Approaches
- Organization: Meets
- Financial: Meets
Location: 900 N. Marshall St., 19123, Northern Liberties
Opened in 1999
Grades 6-8; enrollment 266 (of authorized 300)
ELL enrollment: CSO evaluations from 2019 through 2022 report that this school “did not serve English Learners during the school year”.
PSSA Proficiency rates in ELA and Math below both SDP and similar schools.
Salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990: Executive Director John Amenda $186, 260; Principal Shakira Smith $123, 284
Projected cost of 5-year renewal: $9, 507, 359.
Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools 