PCSD

We’re thrilled to announce that our COO, Kahlmus Eatman, has been accepted into the prestigious Pahara Institute Fellowship!

As a Pahara Fellow, Kahlmus joins a distinguished cohort of leaders committed to advancing educational equity and enhancing public education. The Pahara Fellowship is a one-year, cohort-based program that identifies exceptional leaders in the educational excellence and equity movement, facilitates their dynamic growth, and strengthens their collective efforts to dramatically improve public education, especially those serving low-income children and communities. The Fellowship provides an invaluable opportunity for educational leaders to collaborate, learn from each other, and address the challenges facing public education, all with the aim of creating better outcomes for students and families.

Learn more about the Pahara Fellowship and the cohort.

PCSD is participating in two sessions at the CCSA Conference in Long Beach.

EDUCATION SESSIONS

Facilities: Finding the Right Place, and Building the Right Space
March 19, 2024 | 11:15 am – 12:30 pm

Long Beach Convention Center, Room 202A

This lively, interactive session will prepare school leaders to effectively navigate the requirements encountered on the road to finding, securing and developing school facilities. Zoning, permitting, and occupancy requirements, environmental regulations, and design choices and constraints impact the development process. Learn about existing regulations, recent developments, and statewide trends as you build your facilities strategy. We will consider stick-built vs. modular, cost-saving design features, pandemic considerations when selecting a site, PLAs, CUPs, and more. This panel is ideal for those looking for next-level content.

Presenters:

• Mary Grace Houlihan, Project Director, Northern California, Pacific Charter School Development (Moderator)
• John Lemmo, Partner/Attorney, Young, Minney & Corr, LLP
• Patrick Ontiveros, General Counsel & Director of Facilities, Magnolia Public Schools
• Richard Berliner, Principal, Berliner Architects

District/Charter Leases – Can’t We All Just Get Along?
March 19, 2024 | 3:25 pm – 4:40 pm

Long Beach Convention Center, Room 202B

Understand what to consider when negotiating a long-term ground lease with your local school district. How do I bring the school district to the table and get the best terms? What do I need to include in the lease to build what I need, finance the project, and meet all legal requirements? What should I avoid? Hear from veterans about KIPP, Envision, and Ed for Change projects among others. Join us for a lively discussion and find out!

Presenters:

• Jennifer Afdahl Rice, Executive Director, Northern California, Pacific Charter School Development
• Adam Kaye, Director Real Estate, KIPP Public Schools Northern California
• Monique Daviss, Executive Director, El Sol Science and Arts Academy
• Sele Nadel-Hayes, Chief Operating Officer, Envision Schools

We are thrilled to announce a major milestone for PCSD as we have secured four grants totaling a substantial $13.5 million from the George W. Brackenridge Foundation, Charter School Growth Fund, The City Fund, and Ewing Halsell Foundation. These funds are earmarked to drive our expansion efforts in the vibrant educational landscape of Texas, specifically targeting charter schools in San Antonio and Houston.

The infusion of $13.5 million will play a pivotal role in advancing our mission to dismantle systemic inequality in education by expanding opportunities for students in under-resourced communities. We are dedicated to creating innovative and sustainable facility solutions that meet the unique needs of charter schools, fostering long-term educational impact.

Our commitment to fostering educational choice and addressing racial and educational inequity is reflected in this expansion initiative. By strategically focusing on Houston and San Antonio, we aim to make a meaningful impact on the lives of students in these diverse communities.

We invite our community, partners, and supporters to share in the excitement of this significant achievement. The grants secured not only signify financial support but also a vote of confidence in our mission to create a positive and lasting impact on education in Texas.

Stay tuned for further updates as we embark on this exciting journey to expand educational opportunities and dismantle barriers to success in Houston and San Antonio.

Together, we continue to build a brighter future for students in under-resourced communities.

Demolition has officially kicked off at the future home of Bay Area Technology School (BayTech) in the vibrant Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland!

BayTech, a public charter school dedicated to serving grades 6-12, is gearing up for a monumental leap forward as it embarks on the journey to establish its permanent campus.

With roots tracing back to 2004, BayTech has been on a mission to provide quality education to the Oakland community. Currently serving 339 students, the school has faced the challenges of multiple locations over the years. But now, the tide is turning as BayTech takes a major step towards stability and growth.

The project site, once home to the historic Palace Theater, boasts a rich history dating back to the 1920s. From vaudeville acts to movie screenings and even serving as a church space, the Palace Theater has seen it all. Now, it’s undergoing a remarkable transformation into a state-of-the-art educational facility!

To learn more about the purchase of this historic building, check out this article from The Mercury News (March 15, 2023): Historic Oakland theater and church will become tech charter school

Come celebrate with us as we mark 20 years of making a difference! We’ve built and invested in over 120 charter school facilities across California, Washington, and Texas. Join PCSD and ExEd at our annual event during the California Charter School Conference. Swing by Ficklewood Ciderworks on Tuesday, March 19, and let’s toast to two decades of impact!

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