D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10, r. 10-A1204
The public charter schools provide another choice for District families with school age children. Of the more than 50 charter schools within the District, several have waiting lists with hundreds of students. 1204.1
The appeal of these schools stems from several sources: they are free, their
curriculum is set by an independent board of trustees, and they often specialize in particular subject areas such as math, science, or performing arts. The public charter schools are funded by a per pupil allowance that helps them acquire and renovate space. They are approved and monitored by the District of Columbia Public Charter School Board.
Although the Public Charter Schools operate in a wide range of facilities, their preference is usually to occupy former public schools due to the functionality of the space. This makes it essential to have clear policies on the use of surplus DCPS space. DCPS has expanded its traditional planning focus to include planning for those charter schools that indicate the need for additional space. 1204.3
Since 2002, the District of Columbia government has made several changes to the laws governing DCPS' relationship with the public charter schools. The city has modified its Code on "Public School Facilities Governing the Reuse of Surplus School Space" by designating charter schools as having "right of first offer" for the use of excess space. In 2004, the Board of Education adopted guidelines for identifying parts of DCPS school buildings that could be considered "excess to DCPS needs" and therefore suitable for use by Public Charter Schools. It also adopted guidelines for selecting public charter schools for co-location in DCPS facilities or on DCPS sites. 1204.4
The former Board of Education also adopted general principles acknowledging the role of charter schools in meeting the diverse needs of the city's population and emphasizing the importance of safe and secure neighborhood public school facilities, regardless of who operates them. These principles laid the groundwork for co-location standards and detailed procedures for accommodating public charter schools within DCPS buildings. For instance, the standards allow charters to lease floors in underutilized school buildings where certain conditions are met (such as a separate entrance and adequate visitor parking). While co-location may accommodate some of the demand for space, it is likely that space may be needed in non-school buildings as well.
Policy EDU-1.2.1: Planning For Public Charter Schools
Incorporate the needs of the Public Charter Schools in public school facility planning. 1204.6
Support efforts to co-locate Charter Schools within DCPS facilities. Ensure that parking, traffic, noise, and other impacts associated with increased enrollment and space utilization are addressed when co-location occurs.
Policy EDU-1.2.3: Locating Public Charter Schools
Require that neighborhood impacts are addressed when a Public Charter or DCPS school locates in a non-school facility, such as a vacant commercial or industrial building. 1204.8
The provisions of Title 10, Part A of the DCMR accessible through this web interface are codification of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. As such, they do not represent the organic provisions adopted by the Council of the District of Columbia. The official version of the District Elements only appears as a hard copy volume of Title 10, Part A published pursuant to section 9 a of the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1994, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1 -301.66)) . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions accessible through this site and the provisions contained in the published version of Title 10, Part A, the provisions contained in the published version govern. A copy of the published District Elements is available www.planning.dc.gov.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10, r. 10-A1204