Tighter Control Of Charters Is Urged

INTERACTIVE

Explore and Filter Schools

Use this map to learn about every charter school in The District.

» LAUNCH INTERACTIVE

The Public Charter School Board issued a statement yesterday pledging to reexamine its policies and make changes as needed:

"As volunteers, D.C. Public Charter School Board members work hard to do what they believe is right and in the best interest of D.C. students and families," board spokeswoman Nona Richardson said. "They make decisions in a principled way, responding based on the facts and circumstances presented to them. In light of points raised about possible conflicts of interest, the PCSB is reviewing its current conflict of interest policies and applicable D.C. law and will implement whatever changes are necessary and appropriate."

The charter board also has come under the scrutiny of the D.C. office of the inspector general, which recently issued an audit report concluding that the board has failed for years to give the required notification to elected neighborhood officials before voting on matters such as allowing a charter to move into a neighborhood. "As a result," the audit said, "the Commissioners did not get the opportunity to voice their concerns."

Last night, during a sometimes-contentious regular public meeting of the charter board, several parents and advisory neighborhood commissioners called on board members to step down after hearing the reports of their complex business ties.

Steve Lowe, who had opposed the move of two charter schools into a United Bank-funded building in his Brady Hall neighborhood, asked Nida: "Will you resign before we have to press the mayor?"

Nida declined to answer that question but noted that he has recused himself from several votes in which he felt he had a conflict of interest.

Staff writers David S. Fallis, James V. Grimaldi and Theola Labbé-DeBose contributed to this report.