M E M O R A N D U M


							May 11, 2010

TO:		Members of the Board of Trustees

FROM:	Pedro A. Noguera, Charter Schools Committee
		
SUBJECT:	Federal Grants to Charter Schools

        I recommend that the Board of Trustees adopt the following resolution:

Resolved that the Federal Charter Schools Program (CSP) grants of the types and to the entities identified below, in the amounts specified, be, and hereby are, approved with such conditions and restrictions as the Charter Schools Institute deems necessary and appropriate:

* Brooklyn Dreams Charter School (Brooklyn), $600,000, for planning and implementation activities over a 27-month program period; 

* Explore Excel Charter School (Brooklyn), $600,000, for planning and implementation activities over a 36-month program period;

* Brighter Choice Charter Middle School for Boys (Albany), $600,000, for planning and implementation activities over a 27-month program period;

* Brighter Choice Charter Middle School for Girls (Albany), $599,998, for planning and implementation activities over a 27-month program period;

* Harlem Success Academy Charter School 5 (Manhattan), $488,266, for planning and implementation activities over a 27-month program period;

* Bronx Success Academy Charter School 1 (Bronx), $488,266, for planning and implementation activities over a 27-month program period;



* Icahn Charter School 5 (Bronx), $532,651, for planning and implementation activities over a 36-month program period;

* New World Preparatory Charter School (Staten Island), $599,157, for planning and implementation activities over a 27-month program period;

* East New York Collegiate Charter School (Brooklyn), $600,000, for planning and implementation activities over a 27-month program period;

* Crown Heights Collegiate Charter School (Brooklyn), $600,000, for planning and implementation activities over a 27-month program period;

* New Hope Academy Charter School (Brooklyn), $599,953, for planning and implementation activities over a 27-month program period;

* Boys Preparatory Charter School (Bronx), $515,867, for planning and implementation activities over a 36-month program period; and

* EHTP Pact Charter School (Manhattan), $530,550, for planning and implementation activities over a 36-month program period.


Background

	Pursuant to the grant program previously reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees on April 25, 2000 (Resolution 00-64), the Charter Schools Institute (the �Institute�) has reviewed and recommends the above awards of federal funds under the U.S. Department of Education�s Charter Schools Program.  The recommended planning and implementation grant awards would underwrite a variety of costs associated with the planning and start-up of the identified charter schools including provisions for assessment, accountability, curriculum development and professional development, as well as the purchase of computers and other instructional supplies and equipment.    Copies of the grant proposals are on file in the Albany office of the Institute. 

	Should the Board of Trustees adopt this resolution, the Institute, working with the State University of New York, will be given the authority to enter into contracts with the grantees that set forth conditions under which grant monies are to be disbursed including, where appropriate, submission of work plans and other supporting documentation.

Board Resolution	-2-	May 11, 2010

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