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Board holds public hearing on renewal of Washington Middle College charter; renewal recommended for five years
Summary
At a public hearing the board heard support from parents and staff for Washington Middle College High School. Staff described the charter renewal process under Education Code 47605 and recommended a five‑year renewal based on the school's middle‑performing state designation and material updates to the petition.
The board opened a public hearing March 27 on the petition to renew the charter for Washington Middle College High School, the district's dependent charter that partners with Sacramento City College.
Bill Schruetz of DWK, the district's charter counsel, reviewed the renewal process and said the charter falls in the state's "middle performing" category, which generally supports a five‑year renewal term unless the board finds specific academic failings. He noted that pandemic disruptions changed dashboard measures and that the charter had been granted an extended term after 2017. "The charter petition seeks renewal through June 30, 2030," Schruetz said.
Only one public commenter, parent Mark Lane, spoke during the hearing and offered strong support: "Washington Middle College High School transforms lives and opens doors for students," he said, citing college credit opportunities and the program's mission to serve underrepresented students.
Board members asked questions about how state performance designations and the Inc.ucst (independent recognition) awards differ; staff clarified that Incust awards use different metrics and that Washington Middle College's local recognitions do not change its state designation on the dashboard. The board closed the public hearing and staff said renewal would return for an action item at a subsequent meeting, with the staff recommendation to approve a five‑year renewal running July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2030.
No renewal vote was held March 27; the hearing was the public‑comment step required by the charter renewal process under Education Code 47605 and AB 1505 guidance.
