State of Note Jersey Pru D. Mureny Denaro Eo cate Gnvenar PO in 0 SHELA Y, Ouver “Tent NI O80 LaMont 0, Resets, EDD, February 3, 2020 Jennifer O°Callaghan, President Board of Trustees Elysian Charter School of Hoboken 1460 Garden Street Hoboken, New Jersey 07030 Dear Ms. O'Callaghan: On November 20, 2019, the New Jereey Department of Education (Department) received an amendment request from Elysian Charter School of Hoboken (Elysian) t0 increase enrollment from 288 students to 312 students beginning in 2020-2021. This charter amendment ‘was sought pursuant to NJA.C. 6A:11-2.6, which allows a charter school to submit to the ‘Commissioner a request to amend its charter at any time during the charter term, ‘The Department has evaluated this request by reviewing Elysian's academic, operational, and fiscal standing based on the criteria outlined in the Office of Charter and Renaissance Schools’ Performance Framework. The Department's evaluation also included a review of any public comment received in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A: -2.6(¢), demand for an increase in Elysian’s enrollment, and consideration ofthe fiscal impacton the district of residence Based on the review outlined below, I am denying Elysian's amendment request, ‘Academic Performance ‘The Department utilizes the Academic section of the Performance Framework, which consists of three academic performance frameworks, t evaluate the relative success ofthe elementary, middle and high school programs offered by charter schools. Academie performance is assessed by tested grade span, with Grades 3-5 representing the elementary program, Grades 6-8 the middle school program and Grades 9-12 the high school program. Each academic performance framework consists of four categories of metrics: Student Growth (oF Graduation Rate for igh school programs), Achievement, Leading Indicators, and losing Gaps. Each metric is worth a pumber of points, andthe percent of total points eared determines the Tier Rank for each program, Tier Rank | programs are considered high performing, Tier Rank 2 middle performing, and Tier Rank 3 low performing. Following are the results for Elysian:Ms. Jennifer O'Callaghan Page 2 February 3, 2020 Ter rn 5 Grades | Grades Gndes | Grades Grades | Grades 68 68 63 ‘eine bythe pect of autkns ened ech eed span. Preliminary assessment results from 2018-2019 suggest that Elysian continues o maintain performance consistent witha high-performing charer school. Fiscal Performance ‘The Department relies on the financial section of the Performance Framework to assess financial viability based on measures of near-term financial health, longer term finansial sustainability, and fiscal-related compliance. Review of the fiseal standing of Elysian indicates, that the school met standard on most rated measures inthe Fiscal Performance Framework, apa. from not meeting standard for the cash flow ratio. Based on review, Elysian is fiscally sound: however, there are substantial concems regarding the sustainability for the sending district of Hoboken. Through the Department's comprehensive review, the Department considers the fiscal Impact on sending districts. There are currently 1,024 seats allocated to charter schools who have Identified Hoboken as a district of residence within their charter. I recognize that not all the allocated seats will be filled by students who reside in Hoboken, however, according to the October 15, 2019 enrollment count, 805 students from Hoboken are attending a charter school Considering the number of available charter seats already approved, Hoboken’s obligation to charter enrollment suggests significant saturation Organizational Performance Similar to academic and financial performance, the Department uses the Organizational section of the Performance Framework to review whether Elysian as {demonstrated the organizational capacity to sustein the amendment request. Elysian’s amendment request describes the current performance management, and strategic plans for expansion. Review of Elysian's request suggest that there would be no significant impact to the organizational performance of Elysian especially considering the size ofthe request Public Comment/Dem: Review of annual report submissions suggest that Elysian maintains a robust \wallist. In accordance with N.J.A.C. 6:11-2.6(¢), the Department received public comment from Hoboken Public Schoo! District opposing the amendment requestMs. Jennifer O'Callaghan Page 3 Febroary 3,2020 ‘The following chart confirms the charter school's approved maximum enrollment forthe approved disrit of residence of Hoboken [ Giade Span [2015-3000 ——Tawp6 ane 1 (current enrollment) | 132 H | 2 3 | 2 x 2 Te 2 x 2 3 32 3 32 re 2 = 288 28 | acknowledge that the landscape of Hoboken schools and enrollment is subject 0 change and encourage Elysian to consider submitting a future expansion request pending any ‘changes tothe fiscal impact ofthe district. Please accept my best wishes as you continue to Serve the students of New Jersey and provide a quality public school option for families. imon?O. Repollet, Ba.D. Commissioner LORUIBISG! o:4ecubiyAnendnens950 Amendment Syn hae eho eka Anda Kellie LeDet Kevin Dehmer Julie Bunt Nicole Kane Melissa Pearce Christine Johnson