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SFUSD accepts voluntary closure of Metropolitan Arts and Technology Charter School; staff to report on student placements
Summary
The board accepted Envision Education Incorporated's voluntary closure of Metropolitan Arts and Technology Charter School effective Aug. 1, 2013 and directed the superintendent to notify the California Department of Education; staff said about 80 of roughly 120 students are expected to transfer to City Arts and Tech and will provide a placement report.
The San Francisco Unified School District board formally introduced and accepted a recommendation to accept the voluntary closure of Metropolitan Arts and Technology Charter School, operated by Envision Education Incorporated, effective Aug. 1, 2013.
Deputy/board staff read the superintendent's proposal (1308-13 SP2), noting the district approved the charter originally in 2005 and renewed it in 2011, and that Envision informed the district on July 25, 2013 that it would cease operations and voluntarily surrender the charter. Staff recommended the board accept the closure, terminate the charter effective Aug. 1, 2013, notify the California Department of Education by Aug. 23 and direct the superintendent to ensure closure wind-up obligations under Education Code sections 47605 and 47607.
When asked about the students, staff said Envision had met with families in May, provided SFUSD enrollment applications and turned them over to the district enrollment and placement center to assist with school placement. Staff said about 120 students were enrolled when the school closed and that approximately 80 of them were expected to transfer to City Arts and Tech; staff agreed to provide the board a report detailing final placements for the remaining students.
Commissioners discussed whether the students were disadvantaged in the placement process because the closure occurred during the spring-transfer timeline. Staff clarified that the families were assisted but were placed into the standard enrollment process and, as one commissioner noted, "these students are at a disadvantage" because they did not participate in first-round placements; board members asked staff to report back on outcomes for all students.
The board moved to introduce the resolution and recorded unanimous support for the suspension of rules and initial formal introduction; the board directed staff to notify CDE and to follow statutory closure procedures.
