The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
Charter Schools - Report on Conditions for KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School
This memorandum provides a report on conditions for KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School (KIPP Lynn). On March 14, 2014, I informed the Board that I had imposed three conditions on the charter of KIPP Lynn. The conditions pertained to compliance and governance issues that surfaced during the school's 2014 renewal process. I recommend that the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (Board) remove the conditions placed on KIPP Lynn's charter because the school has met all of the conditions imposed. A motion is attached to this memorandum.
| KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of Charter | Commonwealth | Location | Lynn |
| Regional or Non-Regional? | Non-Regional | Districts in Region | N/A |
| Year Opened | 2004 | Year(s) Renewed | 2009, 2014 |
| Maximum Enrollment | 850 | Current Enrollment | 722 |
| Chartered Grade Span | 5-12 | Current Grade Span | 5-12 |
| Students on Waitlist | 509 | Current Age of School | 11 years |
| Mission: KIPP Academy Lynn will create an environment where the students of Lynn will develop the academic skills, intellectual habits, and character traits necessary to maintain their potential in high school, college, and in life. | |||
Below is a summary of the school's progress toward meeting the three conditions imposed on the school. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department) will maintain oversight of implementation of these requirements through the routine accountability procedures conducted at all charter schools.
Condition 1: By the close of business on May 1, 2014, KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School will submit to the Department, at charterschools@doe.mass.edu or 75 Pleasant St., Malden, MA, 02148, a minor amendment request to modify the school's hours and annual schedule.
Status: Met
Originally chartered to provide students with 220 school days a year, over the course of KIPP Lynn's past charter term, the school decreased the number of school days without submitting required amendment requests. On February 12, 2014, the board of trustees of KIPP Lynn submitted a request to alter its school day and year. The school now offers 185 days with a daily schedule that provides daily extended learning time. I approved this amendment request on April 18, 2014.
Condition 2: By August 30, 2014, all members of the Board of Trustees of KIPP Lynn will complete the series of six web trainings on the Open Meeting Law offered by the Office of the Attorney General. All board members will sign an certificate stating that they have received, read, and viewed the following materials: the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §§ 18-25; regulations promulgated by the Attorney General under G.L. c. 30A, § 25; and educational materials available from the Attorney General explaining the Open Meeting Law and its requirements.
Status: Met
On May 6, 2014, KIPP Lynn submitted signed certificates from each board member stating that they had received, read, and viewed the required materials as of April 16, 2014. KIPP Lynn also confirmed that all board members had completed the six web trainings on the Open Meeting Law. The school now includes this information in its orientation materials for new board members.
Condition 3: By September 15, 2014, all teachers who have responsibility for the delivery of English as a Second Language instruction will be licensed as required by state law.
Status: Met
On August 20, 2014, KIPP Lynn notified the Department that the three teachers responsible for the delivery of English as a Second Language instruction are now licensed, and four additional teachers have sought preliminary licensure for future service. The Educator Licensure and Recruitment system (ELAR) confirms that the three teachers responsible for the delivery of English as a Second Language are licensed.
If you have any questions regarding this recommendation or require additional information, please contact Cliff Chuang, Associate Commissioner (781-338-3222); Jeff Wulfson, Deputy Commissioner (781-338-6500); or me.
Attachment: