COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
The John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, nw
Washington, D.C. 20004
Statement of Introduction
Board of Trustees Training Amendment Act of 2024
December 2
, 2024
Tod
ay, I am proud to introduce the Board of Trustees Training Amendment Act of 2024 , along with
Councilmembers Janeese Lewis George and Anita
Bonds. This legislation w ould require the Public
Charter School Board (PCSB), in coordinatio
n with th e Office of the State Su perintendent of
Education (OSSE), to offer a n
o-cost training pro gram for newly elected or appointed members of a
public charter school’s Bo
ard of Trustees. This training must be co mpleted within 90 days of a
member’s election or appointment, repeated annually, and
include critical topics such as instruction
and
academic prog rams, personnel managemen t, fiscal management, o perations, governance, an d any
relevant
changes to federal and District laws and regulations.
Effective governance is essential to the success and sustainability
of charter schools. In th e District,
g
overnance lapses—particularly in financial managemen t—have jeopardized the stability of sch ools,
leading to
closures and significant disruptions in stu dents' education. These disruptions not only
displace students but also create lo
ng-term instability, impacting their academic progress and well-
b
eing. Such failures undermin e public trust and prevent schools from providing co nsistent, h igh-
quality learning environments. This legislation addresses these challenges b
y requiring
co
mprehensive training for all new and returning board members, equ ipping them with the tools an d
k
nowledge necessary to uphold their fiduciary responsibilities and promote effective governance
practices.
Several jurisdictions have recognized the need for stronger charter
school governance by requiring
board member training. Flo
rida mandates training within 90 days of charter ap proval, covering b est
p
ractices, co mpliance with public records laws, an d state regulations on finance, facilities, and
operation
s. Nevada requires board memb ers to sign affidavits affirming their understanding of roles
and
responsibilities, while New Jersey man dates legal training for new board members and an nual
governance train
ing for all members. These examples underscore the importance of equipping charter
b
oards with the tools needed for effective oversight—a step the District should take with this
legislatio
n.
I loo
k forward to working with my Council colleagues to ensure charter school boards in the District
are equipped with th
e training and resources needed to govern effectively, maintain financial
accountability, and deliver quality
education.
Christina Henderson Committee Member
Councilmember, At-Large Hospital and Health Equity
Chairperson, Committee on Health Judiciary and Public Safety
Transportation and the Environment ______________________________ ______________________________ 1
Councilmember Janeese Lewis George Councilmember Christina Henderson 2
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______________________________ 6
Councilmember Anita Bonds 7
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A BILL 13
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 18
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To amend the District of Columbia School Reform Act of 1995 to require members of a Board of 22
Trustees of a public charter school to complete training programs on best practices for 23
school board governance. 24
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 26
act may be cited as the “Board of Trustees Training Amendment Act of 2024”. 27
Sec. 2. Section 2214 of the District of Columbia School Reform Act of 1995, approved 28
April 26, 1996 (110 Stat. 1321-107; D.C. Official Code § 38-1802.14.), is amended by adding a 29
new subsection (k) to read as follows: 30
“(k) School governance mandatory training. – Beginning in School Year 2025-2026, 31
the Public Charter School Board shall, in coordination with the Office of the State 32
Superintendent, offer a no-cost training program for newly elected or appointed members of a 33
Board of Trustees of a public charter school. This training shall be completed within 90 days of a 34
member's election or appointment and repeated annually . The training shall include, at a 35
minimum, the following; 36 “(1) Instruction and academic programs; 37
“(2) Personnel; 38
“(3) Fiscal Management; 39
“(4) Operations; 40
“(5) Governance; 41
“(6) Responsibilities under Federal and District law and regulation; and 42
“(7) Any relevant changes to Federal and District law and regulation.”. 43
Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement. 44
The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal 45
impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, 46
approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a). 47
Sec. 4. Effective date. 48
This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the 49
Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), and a 30-day period of congressional review 50
as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 51
24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)). 52