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    185 views31 pages

    2016-1751 Amended Redacted

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    Martin Austermuhle
    Lottery

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    GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Office of the Inspector General kkk OIG INVESTIGATIONS UNIT REPORT OF INVESTIGATION (ROD) (2016-1751 Amended) Inspector General | SUBJECT(S), POSITION, AGENCY/ORGANIZATION Kaya Henderson, former Chancellor, District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) TYPE OF INVESTIGATION Administrative COMPLAINT During the course of a separate inquiry, the D.C. Office of the Inspector General (OIG) uncovered information suggesting that Kaya Henderson, then-Chancellor, D.C. Public Schools (DCPS), gave preferential treatment to a District government official, by circumventing DCPS regulations in order to place this District government official’s child at the DCPS school of t choosing, SCOPE In conducting this investigation, the OIG reviewed applicable law, regulations, and policies, information from DCPS, to include My School DC registration information and email exchanges. Finally, witnesses deemed relevant to this matter, as well as Chancellor Henderson, were interviewed by the OIG and investigators from the Board of Ethics and Government Accountability (BEGA). OIG investigators reviewed Chancellor Henderson’s emails from December 2014 to November 2015! and while investigating, we uncovered 10 instances where individuals corresponded with the Chancellor regarding placement outside the My School DC lottery process. The OIG requested that My School DC provide data’ for applicants identified during the course of this investigation, The review period covered the SY 2014-2015 My School DC lottery process, which was relevant to the alleged misconduct, ® My School DC officials maintain My School DC lottery applications and the results ofthe lottery process. 717 14 Stet, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005 (202) 727-2840 Report of Investigation: 2016-1751 — Amended Subject’s Name: Kaya Henderson Page 2 of 31 In general, D.C. law requires students to attend school between the ages of 5 and 18, which corresponds to kindergarten through grade 12.’ DCPS students attend specific schools based on where the student's parent or guardian lives. Pre-determined school assignments are called either an in-boundary school or feeder school.“ In some instances, a student’s parent or guardian may desire that a student attend a school that is, not an in-boundary or feeder school. Title 5 of the D.C. Municipal Regulations (DCMR), Section E2106, codifies the process for parents/ guardians to seek out-of-boundary transfers.” The section states, in part: 2106.2 An adult student, an emancipated student, or a minor student's parent or guardian may apply for an out-of- boundary transfer for any of the following reasons: (a) ‘The student’s sibling currently attends the requested school; (b) The student resides within a reasonable walking, distance of the requested school as determined in accordance with § 2106.3; or © The adult student or minor student's parent or guardian prefers the requested school to his or her designated in-boundary schoo! ee 2106.5 In reviewing the request for out of boundary transfers, the Chancellor shall verify stated reasons for the request and fairly administer a lottery held in DCPS headquarters, giving preferences to students in accordance with the reasons for their transfer requests in the same order as those reasons appear in § 2106.2. *D.C. Code § 38-202 (Lexis current through Dec. 7, 2016). “jd, § 38-221. A foeder schoo! is one that a student has aright co attend based on a stacent’s current school. This assignment only happens during the years a student moves from elementary to middle school, or from middle to high school. An in-boundary school is one that a student has the right o attend based on where the students arent/guardian lives. DCPS Enrollment and Lottery Handbook, Ver. 1.0 (Feb. 2015), at 5. ‘An out-oF- boundary school is one other than a student's in-boundary school or feeder pattem school, DCPS Engollment and Lottery Handbook, Ver. 1.0 (Feb. 2015), at 5, Report of Investigation: 2016-1751 ~ Amended Subject’s Name: Kaya Henderson Page 3 of 31 2106.6 The Chancellor, and only the Chancellor, is authorized to grant a discretionary transfer and set the duration of the approval of the transfer when the Chancellor determines that the transfer would be in the best interests of the student, and that the transfer would promote the overall interests of the school system, To implement the lottery process described in Section E2106.5 of the DCMR, DCPS uses the My School DC lottery program. My School DC runs a single, random lottery to determine placement for new students at all participating schools. The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education (DME) oversees the My School DC lottery in collaboration with DCPS, the Public Charter School Board (PCSB), and participating charter schools. Families that wish to gain access to an out-of-boundary school must apply through the My School DC lottery program. ‘The lottery gives families the opportunity to apply for available seats in early childhood programs for 3- and 4-year olds, out-of-boundary DCPS schools in grades K-12, DCPS selective high schools, as well as participating charter schools. DCPS assigns lottery preferences to students in an effort to match students with schools in their neighborhoods and keep siblings together. DCPS extends the following preferences to Jottery applicants who meet certain criteria: a) sibling preference; b) proximity preference; and ) parent preference. While families can apply and rank up to 12 schools, the lottery will match students with no more than 1 school. On April 1 of each year, families are notified by email that lottery results are available, The three possible outcomes for students are: 1. matched with the school ranked first, and not waitlisted at any other ranked school; 2, matched with a school not ranked first, and waitlisted at all schools ranked higher than the matched school; or 3. not matched with any school, and waitlisted at all ranked schools. Waitlists reflect the order by which students would be enrolled through the lottery, if more seats were available, Ifa space becomes available at one of the schools where a child is waitlisted, and he or she is next on the waitlist, then the schoo] contacts the family and extends a waitlist offer. It is common for applicants to move up the waillist throughout the spring and summer. Waitlists remain active until the conclusion of the school year. If a family has already enrolled a child at a school and the child is offered a space off the waitlist ata different school, the parent/guardian may choose to withdraw the child from the current school and enroll the child at the new school. When a parent/guardian accepts the waitlist offer, the child is removed from the ‘waitlist for that school as well as all others ranked below it.° © DCPS My School DC Lottery and Entollment Policy Handbook, Ver. 1 (Feb. 23, 2015), at App. C. Report of Investigation: 2016-1751 - Amended Subject’s Name: Kaya Henderson Page 4 of 31 Post-lottery applicants are added automatically to the bottom of schools” waitlists in the order they are received and below applicants who applied and were waitlisted through the lottery. The ‘only exception to post-lottery applicant placement at the bottom of the waitlist is applicants that qualify for a preference (such as in-boundary, sibling, ef.) For example, an applicant with an in- boundary preference will secure placement ahead of an out-ofboundary applicant on the waitlist regardless of when they applied. During the time period relevant to this investigation, DCPS used the following chart to illustrate its waitlist order for non-dual language schools and programs:* Figure 1: Waitlist Order for Non-Dual Language Schools and Programs (K-12) 1 Round 4: In boundery (18) with a sbting ented Roun 2:18 with» albing enrolled Post-Lottery: 18 witn 2 sibling enrolled Round A: 18 spplieant wath + clingeaceepted Round 2: applicant with a sibling aceapted Postnttery: in applicant with a sbling-aceepted ‘RoUnG A IB applicant (with no bg) Round 2: IB oppicant (with no siting) 9. Bosttettery:18 applicant [wth no stg) 10. Round 1: Gxt af boundary }008) applicant with 2 sling enrolled 14, Round 2: 008 applicant with s sibling enrolled 22, Post Lottery: G08 applicant with a sing enrolled 1. Round 1: O08 applicant with cibing secepted 114, Round 7: 008 appheant with 9 sibling eecepted 15. Posttottery: 668 applicane wth 3 sibling accapred 16. Roundl ls Drovimity Preference 47, Round 2: Proximity reference AB. Post-Lottery Proximity Preference 15. Round 1008 spplieant fuith ne sibing) 20. Round 2: 008 applicant fith no sting) 21, Post-Lotterys O08 applicant [with no solng) To enroll in a lottery-matched school, a family must submit required enrollment forms and verify D.C. residency by the lottery enrollment deadline, After the lottery enrollment deadline, schools are not obligated to enroll lottery-matched students and will offer remaining seats to students on. their waitlist.” “ hgp:tiwww.myschoolde-org/tagl tags ® DCPS My School DC Lottery and Enrollment Policy Handbook, Ver. 1 (Feb. 23, 2015), at App. C. ° Td, at 12. Report of Investigation: 2016-1751 — Amended Subject’s Name: Kaya Henderson Page 5 of 31 In 2015, during the time relevant to this investigation, the My School DC lottery received 44,153 applications across PK3 — 12 grade levels for Schoo! Year 2015-2016. Of these applicants, 16,456 were waitlisted; of those, 15,208 were waitlisted without a preference (i.c., in-boundary preference, sibling, preference, or proximity preference). ALLEGATIO] In that Kaya Henderson, then-Chancellor of DCPS,'' from April 2015 to August 2015, failed to act impartially and gave preferential treatment to certain District government officials and members of the public when granting discretionary out-of- boundary school transfers, outside the My Schoo! DC lottery requirements, to wit: SE DCMR § 2106.6, in violation of DPM § 1800.3 ). SE DCMR §2106.6 states: The Chancellor, and only the Chancellor, is authorized to grant a discretionary transfer and set the duration of the approval of the transfer when the Chancellor determines that the transfer would be in the best interests of the student, and that the transfer would promote the overall interests of the school system. DPM § 1800.3 (h) states: Employees shall act impartially and not give preferential treatment to ‘any private organization or individual. FINDINGS OF FACT RELATED TO THE ALLE! JON OIG investigators identified 10 instances in which Chancellor Henderson considered requests for out-of-boundary transfers in a manner inconsistent with the My School DC lottery process. These requests were identified based on emails reviewed for the period between December 2014 and November 2015.'* The following sections are grouped to present facts related to her decision on the 10 requests for out-of-boundary transfers. For the purposes of this ROI, other than the former Chancellor ae former Chief Operating Officer, DCPS, names have been omitted to protect the minor children and individuals not accused of wrongdoing, © My School DC, “DCPS link to SY1S-16 waitlist data and seats made available in lottery”, available at tp: www anyschoolde.org/resources/data, lat visited Jan. 23, 2017. ‘Kaya Henderson served as Chancellor of DCPS from November 2010 to September 2016. " Pffeotive April 28, 2014, per the E-DPM Transmittal Sheet Number 216. © The O1G did not determine what discretionary transfers may have occurred outside of the scope of this, investigation, Report of Investigation: 2016-1751 — Amended Subject’s Name: Kaya Henderson Page 6 of 31 District Official A EOM Executive Branch Appointment — Request Approved Application/Lottery Process: District Official A applied through the My School DC lottery on February 2, 2015, and was subsequently waitlisted at all selected schools. Based on the My School DC lottery application, District Official A’s child did not meet either the sibling or the proximity criteria for an out-of boundary placement. According to the DCPS Enrollment Boundary Information System (EBIS), District Official A’s in-boundary schoo! was[i Elementary School District Official A ranked Watkins Elementary School (Watkins) as number three. In July 2015, District Official A’s child was offered a space at Watkins but did not enroll. District Official A ranked Capitol Hill Montessori School at Logan (CHM@L) as number six. District Official A’s child enrolled at CHM@L in August 2015. In December 2015, when the My School DC application process closed, District Official A’s child was still on the CHM@L. waitlist at number 25. According to the My School DC Lottery and Enrollment Policy Handbook, CHM@L (DCPS' only citywide Montessori school) requires new students entering grades 1-7 to have previous, continuous Montessori experience.'* The O1G found no evidence the child previously attended a Montessori school District Official A ranked Inspired Teaching Demonstration Public Charter School as number 2. In September 2015, District Official A’s child was offered a space but did not enroll. On August 13, 2015, Chancellor Henderson authorized a discretionary transfer to allow District Official A’s child to attend CHM@L. Email Correspondence: OIG investigators identified several emails between District Official A and Chancellor Henderson al CHM@L: On August 13, 2015, at 2:35 PM, Chancellor Henderson emailed I=, former DCPS Chief Operating Officer.'* Chancellor Henderson states: [District Official A’s child,] ... going into thellil grade, dicin’t get into any Is through the lottery (emphasis supplied). [District Official A] is panoving a. private school to demonstrate support of DCPS. Is there all grade slot available at Capitol Hill Montessori? Dx My School DC Lottery and Enroliment Policy Handbook, Ver. 1 (Feb, 1, 2015), at 16. [served as the Chief Operating Officer at DCPS from around July 2015 to August 2016. He left the District government in August 2016. Report of Investigation: 2016-1751 — Amended Subjects Name: Kaya Henderson Page 7 of 31 At3:13 PM EE eptice: Let me go cheek. ‘Then, at 7:25 PM that day EEE emailed District Official A, copying Chancellor Henderson, and stating: Lam pleased to let you know that there is a space at Capitol Hill Montessori at Logan for [District Official A’s child}. [have included [CHM@L Principal] so that you can connect with him and his team to get (District Official A’s child] enrolled and ready for MM grade. Please let me know if I can help in any way. AU7:29 PM, District Official A responded to EEE and Chancellor Henderson: ‘Thank you so much! [District Official A’s child] and I are ineredibly excited about this upcoming school year at Capitol Hill Montessori, {School principal], 1 have been raving about you and [District Official A’s child} can’t wait to meet you. ‘Thank you, everyone! We could not be more grateful, Best, OIG Interviews: OIG and Board of Ethics and Government Accountability investigators interviewed three individuals familiar with the circumstances underlying District Official A’s child attending CHM@L — a confidential source (CS), IEEE, and Chancellor Henderson. CS explained to investigators the application and enroliment process for the My School DC lottery. According to CS, placements are made at CHM@L through the My School DC lottery process or are chosen from the resulting waitlist. CS stated CHM@L historically has a waitlist of over 1,000 applicants and rarely has an opening at the lower grades. According to the source, there were no available) grade slots at the time District Official A’s child was placed at CHM@L. However, the CS believed placements could be made at CHM@L at the principal’s request, the Chancellor’s discretion, or through an email from the Mayor. CS believes that “special” children, the children of city officials, did not have to go through any process to be enrolled at the school. Investigators interviewed] regarding his involvement with the enrollment process for DCPS students. According to| students attempting to gain admission to an out-of- boundary school must enroll in the My School DC lottery process. In the lottery process, students are accepted into the school of their choice or are placed on a waitlist for the schools identified in their My School DC lottery application, Lottery results become available in March or April. IEEE explained that according, to the rules, DCPS is supposed to take the first Report of Investigation: 2016-1751 — Amended Subject’s Name: Kaya Henderson Page 8 of 31 child on the waitlist when a spot opens at a school. [EE believed there was one exception to this rule, the “Chancellor’s Prerogative,” where the Chancellor can place a child, outside the lottery, in any DCPS school. ac the Chancellor makes these placements less than 10 times per year, for reasons such as political appointees, military families living on base in the District, or serious matters (e.g., bullying), {stated that in November 2010, Chancellor Henderson made a discretionary transfer for his child who was waitlisted at a DCPS school. MERI s10(c0 the Chancellor made a discretionary placement for District Official A. [I HBB cvised that Chancellor Henderson sent him an email stating that District Official A’s child needed to get enrolled into a DCPS school. EEE said he worked with his staff and identified a placement at CHM@L. According to IEE, CHM@L was not an overcrowded school; however, it had a large waitlist, In her interview, Chancellor Henderson stated she lobbied District Official A to take District Official A’s child out of private school and place the child into a DCPS school. Chancellor Henderson stated that when officials have their children in DCPS schools, it shows trust in the DCPS system, where there is a crisis of confidence, When “leaders” send their children to DCPS schools instead of private schools, it makes DCPS a viable option for others. When asked by investigators of her decision, Chancellor Henderson stated that District Official A was paying a lot for private school,'* and added the child allegedly made the statement to District Official A, "Lwish I could be a snake so T could shed this black skin and be white." Chancellor Henderson said District Official A wanted to move the child to a school where the child would not have that feeling, and Chancellor Henderson felt she could help by placing the child at CHM@L. {OM Executive Branch Appointment — Request Approved Application/Lottery Process: District Official B registered 2 children in the My School DC lottery on March 2, 2015; however, they did not enroll in their matched schools within the required timeframe as outlined in the My School DC Lottery and Enrollment Policy Handbook.'” On July 16, 2015, Chancellor Henderson authorized a discretionary transfer to allow District Official B's child to attend Murch Elementary School (Murch). Email Correspondence: OIG investigators identi District Official B’s child in DCPS schools: jed several emails related {0 the placement of "© For SY 2014-2015, the tuition forthe private school mentioned in the interview, was over $30,000 per year er the Juno 2016, District of Columbia Goverament Employee Listing, District Official A's salary was over $150,000, Information about D.C. Employee salary information is available from: https:/idchr.de.gov/sites/defauld/filesde/sites/dche/publicationattachments‘public body employee information jun 15 Opdr "DCPS My School DC Lottery and Enrollment Policy Handbook, Ver. 1 (Feb. 1, 2015), at 13. Report of Investigation: 2016-1751 — Amended Subject’s Name: Kaya Henderson Page 9 of 31 On July 16, 2015, at 1:15 PM, EE wrote to District Official B, stating: T wanted to follow up with you about your child [ ] enrolling at Murch in I grade, T have communicated with Principal [] to let him know that [District Official B’s child] will be enrolling. [have included [the schoo! principal] here so that your family can connect with him and get the enrollment process started. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do to help facilitate this process for you and your family. On August 20, 2015, at 9:01 AM, {EEE copying Chancellor Henderson, wrote to District Official B, stating: Tunderstand there is an issue that has come up with enrolling your child at Murch. As Thave been told, we need to verify residency to finalize the process. Can you please give me a call so that we can get this addressed before the start of school. At 2:48 PM, District Official B responded (of az. ‘Thank you for helping to make sure we have all of our paperwork in order for school. Do we have teacher assignments and school supply requiremnets yet? ating: [District Official B] At 2:53 PM, MEE sponds to District Official B stating: The principal should reach out today. OIG Interviews: OIG investigators interviewed IEEMand Chancellor Henderson regarding the placement of District Official B’s child. [EEE stated Chancellor Henderson used her discretion for District Official B and placed District Official B’s child at Murch, Chancellor Henderson stated District Official B was moving into a particular neighborhood in the District and asked for recommendations. Chancellor Henderson suggested District Official B look at two particular schools and determine which would best meet their child’s needs; advising that she would place the child at whatever school District Official B chose. When asked why she used her discretion for District Official B, Chancellor Henderson stated she has given discretion to a lot of government officials, commenting that in “these jobs (referring to positions in the District of Columbia government), we do not necessarily get paid as much as we should, and people are working a lot.” When Chancellor Henderson granted a discretionary transfer for District Official B, District Official B was making well over $150,000 per year. ‘Chancellor Henderson was making approximately $300,000 per year. Chancellor Henderson Report of Investigation: 2016-1751 — Amended, Subject’s Name: Kaya Henderson Page 10 of 31 stated if she could help these government officials feel safe about where their children attend school, then she should extend that courtesy. According to Chancellor Henderson, many District agency directors requested discretionary placements (Henderson identified three specific directors), and she denied those requests. District Official C— DCPS School Principal - Request Approved Application/Lottery Process: Disirict Official C registered through My School DC lottery on June 18, 2015, and selected Schoo! Without Walls (SWW). The student was placed 12" on the waiilist and extended an offer on June 22, 2015. On August 5, 2015, at 3:12 PM, District Official C amended the My School DC application to eliminate SWW, replacing it with Subsequently, District Official C’s child was placed on th Jwaitlist at number 204. District Official C’s child enrolled at I for SY 2015- 2016, and in December 2015, when the My Schoo! DC application, a. closed, the student was still being considered for placement and was ranked 187 on! waitlist because My School DC was not advised of District Official C’s child enrollment at ‘On August 3, 2015, Chancellor Henderson authorized a discretionary transfer to allow District Official C’s child to attend Email Correspondence: OIG investigators identified several emails related to the placement of District Official C's child in DCPS schools: On July 22, 2015, at 11:22 AM, District Official C emailed Chancellor Henderson, stating: I’m sorry to bother you with a seemingly small matter, but could use your help and advice in navigating a potential situation... We completed the application process for [School Without} Walls . . . andl has been admitted. [District Official C's If) nowthinks J would like to go toll (for football, attention or accusations of favoritism. At this timelJis content to attend Walls but ated would be easier on us, with time and transportation. Would it be possible fori to attend b And if'so, could you help me navigate any potential backlash? Ifit is too much of ahassle, I will happily send ffto Walls. That is a great choice and I have no reservations at all about sendinglilthere . . After replying to District Official C on August 3" at 8:32 AM that she would “check on” the request, Chancellor Henderson forwarded District Official C’s initial email to a DCPS Report of Investigation: 2016-1751 — Amended Subject’s Name: Kaya Henderson Page LI of 31 official and [EJ (at 12:05 PIM), stating: See below. I’m inclined to grant it. Any reasons why I shouldn't? On August 3, 2015, at 1:15 PM, the DCPS official responded to Chancellor Henderson. and RI stating: ‘This came to my attention Saturday and I completely agree —Mshould be able to Pa aed The only downside is that we have been strict on who goes to due to them being over their enrollment.'* One student, the principal's WB shouldn't make this an issue. (Emphasis supplied.) AL 1:18 PM, Chancellor Henderson responded to the DCPS official, stating: Ok. HEB unless you see some reason why we shouldn't please go ahead and grant the enrollment request. Thanks, (On August 5, 2015, at 8:15 AM, Chancellor Henderson emailed District Official C, stating: I think we're all set. On August 5, 2015, at 8:16 AM, District Official C responded to Chancellor Henderson, stating: Many, many thanks, It will make my life just a little bit easier. 1 appreciate you! At8:18 AM, Chancellor Henderson replied to District Official C, stating ‘My job is to make your life a litle bit easier! Was in last week and thought about you. Hope this will be much better At 8:20 AM, District Official C responded to Chancellor Henderson, stating: It already has been better. ;-) Thanks Again, OIG Interviews: OIG investigators interviewed Chancellor Henderson regarding the placement of District Official C’s child. During SY 14-15, caf sudentsensoled. Data obtained from the DCPS SY 14-15 Enrollment ‘Audit, available at htpd/ eps de.20v/sites default ies de sites/éeps‘publicaon/atachments DCPS*s20S L4- 15620Enolliment?420Audit:xlsx. Last visited February 8, 2017. Report of Investigation: 2016-1751 — Amended Subject’s Name: Kaya Henderson Page 12 of 31 Chancellor Henderson stated the child of District Official C was accepted into SWW; however, Chancellor Henderson allowed District Official C’s child to attend i because there were a better selection of electives and more African-Americans ail than at SWW. Chancellor Henderson explained that when she first met District Official C, District Official C shared with Chancellor Henderson the reason wanted to move the child from current high school (outside of the District) was becauselJ was the a: at the sch Chancellor Henderson stated that if District Official C’ sf was “struggling as an] (ERB then the transfer made sense, and it freed up a slot at “the most sought after hool [in the city,] SWW.”'° Investigators showed Chancellor Henderson the emails between District Official C and asked whether District Official C’s request forllf child (o attend i football was a valid reason to exercise her discretionary authority. Chancellor fenderson claimed she did not recall the reason for District Official C’s request was for football, stating that itis a “no-no” to grant a discretionary placement request for athletic reasons. According to Chancellor Henderson, does not take out-of-boundary students because it is overcrowded, and District Official C's child was not on any waitlist becausclEs not a schoo] identified in the lottery. Chancellor Henderson stated that the only way a student could gain entry into is to go through a feeder-school or request the Chancellor use her discretion. Application/Lottery Process; District Official D submitted an application to My School DC lottery on August 5, 2015, and selected E.L, Haynes PCS and Washington Latin PCS, ranking them both as the top choice. Chancellor Henderson did not authorize a discretionary transfer for District Official D’s child to attend Murch. Email Correspondence: OIG investigators identified several emails related to the placement of District Official D's child at Murch: ‘On August 3, 2015, at 5:07 PM, District Official D emailed Chancellor Henderson, copying Chancellor Henderson's Assistant and Chief of Staff: ‘OIG reviow of the student demographics at SWW and for SY 2015-2016 indicate the schools were approximately 36% and 39% Black, respectively; and approximately 50% of students enrolled at MEE were out- Enrollment Audit, available at obtained from: Last visited February 3, 2017. For SY 2014-2015, 's enrolled. Data obtained from the DCPS SY 14-15 Enrollment Audit, available at baip:/deps. de. gov/stos! default ilesde/sites/deps/publication attachments/DCPS*%20SY14- 15% 20Enrollment¥2 iditaxlsx, Last visited February 8, 2017 Report of Investigation: 2016-1751 ~ Amended Subject’s Name: Kaya Henderson Page 13 of 3E Tam attaching a discretionary placement request [at Murch] for your review. If you have any questions or need additional information to deliberate this request please feel free to contact me, Thanks for your consideration, (On August 3, 2015, at 6:19 PM, Chancellor Henderson forwarded the email vo I See attached, New head of [District Agency]. Any reason why we can't accommodate this? For the record, before this year, I did ZERO discretionary placements in my entire time as Chancellor - ZERO. On August 4, 2015, at 5:57 AM [EEE responded to Chancellor Henderson: Twill cheek what the enrollment situation is. Given that filfis already in bounds at MEL suspect({fIB isl neighborhood school. Ido want to just ask you if you want to do this one given that it could tum into all the agencies directors feeling like they should have this right. On August 4, 2015, at 5:57 AM Chancellor Henderson responded: ‘That’s cool. [haven't done it for other agency directors and [am happy saying. we can’t make it work at Murch sol is the only option, Murch is super- crowded. On August 5, 2015, at 9:02 AM, Chancellor Henderson responded: [District Official D), Hooked into the situation and we have four different li grade classes at Murch. Each class currently has 24 students which is pressing the space that we have available at Murch, since it has not yet undergone a modernization Unfortunately, I’m not able to place your {EE at Murch. If you'd like, I'm happy to have one of my placement specialists contact you to help you explore other options, Please Jet me know how else we can be helpful. Sorry that we aren’t able to meet this particular request ‘On August 12, 2015, 10:35 AM, District Official D emailed Chancellor Henderson: I have spent the past week working with your staff to identify schools that will be a match for [] givenlllf academic background and our family’s recent transition to this new social environment. I hope that you will be able to respond favorably Report of Investigation: 2016-1751 — Amended Subject’s Name: Kaya Henderson Page 14 of 3E to this request ‘On August 12, 2015, 10:47 AM, Chancellor Henderson forwards District Official D’s mi Thoughts? I’m kind of disappointed that it’s the standard list of Ward 3 schools. LM Kid is so shy, why would you send to Lafayette? On August 12, 2015, at 3:58 PM, [EEE responded to Chancellor Henderson: So the class size range is from 22-25 except at Hearst where it is 18. You can either encourage Powell or offer Hearst. On August 13, 2015, at 3:16 PM, EEE emailed Chancellor Henderson: Did you decide what you are doing with [District Official D]? ‘On August 13, 2015, at 3:18 PM, Chancellor Henderson responded to EEE email: I spoke to [] about it last night and [] was pretty clear that we should go with, Powell. [] was going to communicate that (o [District Official D] and L told that we can as well. OIG Interviews: OIG investigators questioncd EEE regarding the placement of District Official D’s child. ERB stated the Chancellor turned down numerous people who requested the Chancellor's discretion, such as District Official D. According toll, the Chancellor received a “flood” of requests when the new administration began, but most often, the Chancellor denied these requests, District Official E ~DCPS Teacher — Request Denied Application/Lottery Process: District Official E submitted an application to My School DC lottery on January 29, 2015, and ranked) Jas the first choice. District Official E's child was ranked number 182 on the| wait Chancellor Henderson did not authorize a discretionary transfer for District Official E’s child to attend| Email Correspondence: O1G inves District Official Es child at| {tors identified several emails related to the placement of Report of Investigation: 2016-1751 — Amended ‘Subject?s Name: Kaya Henderson Page 15 of 31 On April 8, 2015, at 1:30 PM, the DCPS Teacher sent an email to Chancellor Henderson, opine cia: ‘This fal, my () will be cligibte for ond 1 would love to enroll at our school. Unfortunately, we are very far down the list on the lottery (#182) and it looks likelJwill not get in. 1 would like to ask you to use your Chancellor's pretence have ccs

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