In Attendance:

• Principal: Sah Brown
• LSAT Chair: Melody Molinoff (Parent)
• Parent Members: Hillary DeNigro (PTSO Liaison), Debbie Bocian, Elizabeth Mettler, and Edward Dieterle; Heather Powers (2025-26 LSAT Parent Member)
• Jackson-Reed Faculty and Staff Members: Ramona (Tina) Singletary-Robertson and Patrick Cassidy

Key Discussion Points

1. Budget Update

Discussion:

• Confirmation that there has been no change to the submitted budget
• The Mayor has submitted a budget to the council for review
• Discussion about Congressional funding issues affecting DC schools (approximately $600 million in question)
• The Mayor may be moving forward with an alternative approach, potentially accessing around $400 million through a 2009 rule

Action Items:

• None specified

2. Hardy-Jackson Reed Sibling Preference Issue

Discussion:

• Approximately 20 families with children at both Hardy and Jackson Reed were informed in April that their children would no longer have sibling preference for Jackson Reed
• These families would need to split their children between Jackson Reed and MacArthur
• Parents have been advocating for this decision to be changed and have approached various officials, including the DME’s office and Council members
• The Principal confirmed meetings with Cinthia Ruiz (Chief of Integrity) about this issue
• DCPS has proposed that siblings apply through the lottery process, where they would be prioritized
• The LSAT expressed concerns that:
  • This contradicts the prior policy established by the community working group
  • The change was not communicated during enrollment projection reviews
  • The boundary study never referenced Hardy
  • The lottery process would leave families in limbo until spring
  • This affects only about 20 students over two years (current 6th and 7th graders)

Action Items:

• The LSAT will draft a support letter to be sent to Cinthia Ruiz, Patrick Ashley, and others
• The PTSO may also draft a separate support letter
• Recommendation that affected families consult with legal counsel

3. Mobile Phone Usage Policy

Discussion:

• LSAT reviewed survey results about mobile phone usage at the school
  • Report
  • Presentation summarizing the report
• Approximately 30 families have contacted LSAT wanting additional engagement on this topic
• Central DCPS is developing a policy that may require a full ban on phones during school hours (9:00 AM to 3:30 PM)
• Draft language may allow phones to be stored in students’ backpacks
• Concerns were raised about:
  • Enforcement challenges
  • Different classroom practices are currently in place
  • Security of phones if collected centrally
  • Parents wanting to contact their children
  • Student engagement and learning without phones
  • School size (1,700+ students) makes implementation more difficult than at smaller schools
• Discussion of potential solutions, including:
  • Parental controls on phones
  • Phone charging stations in classrooms
  • Storage solutions (Yonder pouches, zip-lock bags with student numbers)

Action Items:

• The principal will share survey results with staff and faculty
• The school will organize listening sessions before the end of the school year
• Mr. Sorrell (Director of School Culture) will continue engaging with student focus groups
• An additional community engagement opportunity will be announced
• Policy expectations to be communicated before school returns in the fall

4. LSAT Elections

Discussion:

• WTU (Washington Teachers Union) building elections starting tomorrow
• LSAT elections – Ed and Heather have responded to the call, with two additional parents expressing interest following the PTSO meeting

Action Items:

• Need to follow up with interested parents to finalize LSAT membership
• Ensure LSAT is registered properly with DCPS using the secure email system