Bridges Public Charter School

“Form 990 is prepared by the outside accountant in collaboration with the school's director, and the draft return is provided to the board treasurer and finance committee for review. The approved draft is then reviewed by the full board, and they are given a period of time to comment or raise concerns prior to submitting the return for filing.”

“The board is educated about the expectation of compliance with the conflict of interest policy. In addition, board members are asked to sign an annual agreement that honors the school policy to disclose any conflict of interests. Furthermore, there is a conflict of interest policy in the school's financial management guidelines that school staff who manage funds must review. Monitoring and enforcement is done by annual review of expectations regarding conflict of interest and written signature of conflict of interest documents stating that they are aware the disclosure on any conflict must be immediately stated and that they cannot vote on any matters that are or could possibly be a conflict of interest.”

“The salary for the director of the school is set with board approval, and salary level was made by looking at a salary survey/data for charter schools in dc. The compensation for the school's head of school was reviewed as part of the annual budget and voted on by the board of trustees.”

“The school makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available to the public upon request. Its governing documents and financial statements are also filed with the district of columbia public charter school board.”

“To provide an exemplary, individualized early childhood and elementary educational program that includes students with special needs. Our developmentally appropriate, student and family-centered educational approach nurtures students to expand their developmental skills, in order to build a foundation for lifelong learning.”

“Bridges public charter school (the charter school) was established to provide preschool education to students with and without special needs in the district of columbia. The charter school was incorporated under the laws of the district of columbia in august 2003. The school was granted a 15-year charter to operate as a public charter school in the district of columbia under the dc public school reform act of 1995. The school program opened in august of 2005. In march 2012, the charter school was granted approval by the dc public charter school board to expand into an elementary school program, to serve grades pre-k through fifth. The charter school reached grade level capacity in the 2017-2018 school year with fifth grade. During november 2015, the charter schools legal name was changed from bridges charter school to bridges public charter school. Bridges charter was renewed by the dc public charter school board for an additional 15 years on november 18, 2019 to operate as a public charter school in the district of columbia under the dc public school reform act of 1995. Bridges public charter school is unique in the dc education landscape serving a higher percentage of students with special needs in one school building than all but one other charter school in dc (st. Coletta). Bridges provides a continuum of inclusive learning environments and high-level special education classrooms. The school student population has been consistent since opening to students in 2005: 36% students with special needs, 40+% english language learners and 50%-65% students who qualify for free or reduced lunch (low-income). The charter schools activities are funded primarily by the district of columbias per pupil allocation formula, supplemented with federal funds allocated to the state education agency to be distributed to schools for staff development, special education services, and other eligible expenses.”