Great Bay eLearning Charter School Minutes

March 3, 2005 – 4:00 PM

Great Bay eLearning Charter School

 

 

PRESENT:       Roy Morrisette, Lucy Cushman, Kent Chamberlin, Linda Henderson, Ben Hillyard,

                        Peter Stackhouse, Steve Kossakoski, Arthur Hanson and Tony Baldasaro

 

ABSENT:         Tom Wisbey

 

1.   CALL TO ORDER: Chair Morrisette called the meeting to order at 4:01 PM.  The Superintendent asked to speak to a couple of issues prior to the agenda.  Explained that Linda Henderson, who had not yet arrived, was appointed as a trustee due to her membership on the ERCSD Board and since she will no longer be on the board, would ask the trustees’ thoughts on Linda staying as a community trustee, noting that Linda is interested in remaining on the board.  Motion by Kent Chamberlin, seconded by Peter Stackhouse and unanimously voted with no further discussion to appoint Linda Henderson as a trustee from the community.      

1.1  Introductions

1.2 Nomination of Trustee

      1.21 Schedule of Interviews: Superintendent explained that two parent trustee applications were received and passed out copies to everyone.  It was decided to schedule interviews with these two individuals and the trustees for April 7^th at 5:00 PM.  Sally will contact the applicants.  By consensus, it was determined that all the trustees will be part of the Interview Committee.

 

2.  NON-PUBLIC SESSION: None at this time.

 

3.   APPROVAL OF MINUTES

3.1  January 13, 2005: Motion by Peter Stackhouse, seconded by Lucy Cushman and unanimously voted to accept the January 13, 2005 minutes as presented.

 

4.   VISITORS: None

 

5.   BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL

5.1  Financial Report – Nathan Lunney, Treasurer: Superintendent Hanson reported that is unable to be at the meeting due to illness in his family.  He explained that the financial report has not changed a great since last month since the school is still operating under the grant money from the state.  Nathan will be at the April meeting.  

 

6.   GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE: None

7.   SUPERINTENDENT'S/ADMINISTRATION’S REPORT        

7.1  Enrollment Report – Steve: Steve thanked Tony and the entire staff for all their hard work.  The enrollment is down by two students, explaining that it was apparent pretty early on that the fit was not good, but felt the two students did stay long enough to give the school a fair shot.  Their transition back to the EHS worked out well.  Discussed the current space and if it comfortably accommodates the current 48 students and whether or not additional students could be added to this space.  Also discussed, if Tony could change layout, what would he like to do.     

7.2  Opening of School – Steve/Tony: Staff is realizing the differences in the traditional classroom and this project based school and how there are no bells to break-up their day.  The question of whom at the school is keeping an eye on the staff and this new continual teaching environment to ensure there are not burn-out concerns and that staff gets breaks when needed.  Superintendent noted that he and Steve are asking Tony to please keep them apprised of how the staff is doing and if there are problems or issues developing, that everyone can be aware of what is going on.  Will keep the trustees updated of there are any major needs that should be addressed. Tony announced that there are two PEA teachers who are interested in assisting with the Spanish program at the school on a once a week basis. 

7.3  Recruitment of Students for 2005 – 2006: Tony reported on meeting with the teams at CMS for next year’s potential students, sharing application packets, schedule for upcoming open houses and dialoging with the students.  Last night Tony was at the EHS 8^th grade open house; have a charter school open house tonight and one next Wednesday, March 9th and by the end of March should have all our applications for next year.  Peter noted that it he feels, given Tony’s input on how different and intense for the staff the teaching environment is at the charter school, we need to be very careful that we do not expand too fast.  It was explained that we are already committed to fifty additional students for next year, but we could change the charter for the following year if it was needed.           

 

8.   EMPLOYEES

8.1  Nomination of professional staff: None at this time.  Discussion followed that the original staffing plan was to add 50 students for next year and two additional teachers.  Posting will be for the needed teachers after the additional 50 new students are in place.

8.2  Support Position Hiring: None.

9.   BOARD REPORTS/ POLICY

9.1  Review of Policies – First Reading: The following policies will be brought back to trustees in April for a second/final reading: BCA-R – School Board Member Ethics; EBCB – Fire Drills; EBCC – Bomb Threats; GBA – Equal Opportunity Employment; GBEC – Drug Free Workplace; JOA – Educational Field Trips; IJOC – Volunteers; JHB – Truancy; JHB-R – Truancy; JKD – Student Suspension; and JKE – Long Term Suspension or Expulsion,

     

10.  CURRICULUM: Tony gave a presentation of how the curriculum is delivered on-line: log in as “test student” with “password” as password  (apps/gbecs.org/moodle).  Can then go to “test student” then “password” then “constitution”.  Testing will be done through their portfolios and expectations and all charter schools students will also be taking the NWEA assessments.

 

11.  BUILDING AND GROUNDS: None

 

12.  PUPIL RELATED MATTERS: None

 

13.  OLD BUSINESS: None

14.  NEW BUSINESS

14.1 Next Trustees Meeting – April 7, 2005

 

15.   ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Lucy Cushman, second by Linda Henderson and unanimously voted to adjourn at 5:02 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Sally S. Boyd, Secretary