[WardFive] Fwd: NEWS RELEASE: John H. McKoy Elected Chairperson of the DC Public Charter School Board

Begin forwarded message:

From: <AWilliams@dcpcsb.org>
Date: February 27, 2013, 5:02:10 PM EST
Subject: NEWS RELEASE: John H. McKoy Elected Chairperson of the DC Public Charter School Board

NEWS RELEASE

3333 14^th Street, N.W., Suite 210

                                                                                      Washington, DC  20010

                                                                                                             Phone: 202-328-2660

                                                                      www.dcpcsb.org

 

For Immediate Release:  February 27, 2013

Contact: Audrey Williams 202-328-2748

awilliams@dcpcsb.org

 

John H. McKoy Elected Chairperson of the DC Public Charter School Board

Outgoing Chairperson Brian W. Jones steps down as term ends

 

Washington, D.C. — John H. "Skip" McKoy was elected Chairperson of the DC Public Charter School Board at its monthly meeting February 25. McKoy, who has served on the Board since 2008, most recently as the vice-chair, succeeds Brian W. Jones, who is completing his sixth year of board service. The Board also voted member Darren Woodruff, Ph.D., as the new vice-chair.

 

McKoy has extensive experience working on issues affecting DC youth both in the public and private sector. He is Director of Programmatic Initiatives at Fight for Children, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the number of children who enter school ready to learn and the number of urban youth in Washington, DC who are prepared for post-secondary education and careers.  He managed community development projects along the Anacostia River as Executive Vice President of the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation. He has also served in several executive capacities at Lockheed Martin IMS and DC Agenda, and as Director of the District's City Planning Department.

 

McKoy said he will focus on making the work of the Board more transparent and engaging so that DC families are aware of the Board's focus on performance and creating more high-quality school options. "I want to make sure the public participates in our meetings, and can even watch them on TV. It's also important for the public to have access to charter school data and that the Board continue a two-way conversation with parents about school quality. But most of all, I want to make sure that the Board's work gives parents a balance of options of great schools from which to choose," McKoy said.

 

Mayor Vincent C. Gray said: "I look forward to Skip's leadership of the Board and working with him and other members of PCSB to ensure access to high-quality schools in every neighborhood."

 

McKoy succeeds Brian W. Jones, who in his three years as chairperson, oversaw more quality charter growth and the transition to a new executive director, Scott Pearson.

 

"It's a bittersweet moment for me as it has been one of the greatest honors to serve on this Board," Jones said.  "I have served with an extraordinary staff and an extraordinary board and I leave knowing the organization is in capable hands."

 

Dr. Woodruff has served on the Board since 2008 and as chair of the schools committee helped shepherd the development of the Performance Management Framework.  He is a principal research analyst at the American Institutes for Research, where he is responsible for research, technical assistance and evaluation activities across a range of educational topics including supports for at risk youth, special education, and comprehensive school reform.

 

The Public Charter School Board is made up of seven voting members who are appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the DC Council. The Board currently has two vacancies.

 

About PCSB: The DC Public Charter School Board (PCSB) is setting a national model for creating quality public school options through its rigorous review of new charter applications and effective oversight of charter school performance that is leading the transformation of public education in Washington, DC. PCSB currently oversees 57 public charter schools on 102 campuses serving 34,673 students living in every ward of the city. Learn more at www.dcpcsb.org.

 

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