Great Bay eLearning Charter School Minutes

November 17, 2005 – 4:30 PM

Great Bay eLearning Charter School

 

PRESENT:   Lucy Cushman, Roy Morrisette, Linda Henderson, Sara Baer-Sinnott, Peter Stackhouse, Ben Hillyard, Tom Wisbey, Kent Chamberlin and Andrew Weeks

 

ABSENT:        Cheryl McDonough and Nathan Lunney

 

ADMINISTRATION: Arthur L. Hanson and Steve Kossakoski

 

OTHERS:        Kristianne Johnston, Shawn Bodi, Jess Boyd, and George McKenney

 

 

1.   CALL TO ORDER: In the Chair’s absence, Vice Chair Lucy Cushman called the meeting to order at 4:30 PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

1.1  Introductions: Everyone introduced themselves.  Roy Morrisette arrived.

 

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

 

3.   APPROVAL OF MINUTES

3.1  June 2, 2005: Motion by Tom Wisbey, second by Linda Henderson with no discussion and unanimously voted to approve the minutes of June 2, 2005.

3.2 September 1, 2005:  Motion by Kent Chamberlin, seconded by Linda Henderson with no discussion and unanimously voted to approve the minutes of September 1, 2005.

 

4.   VISITORS: None

 

5.   BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL

5.1  Financial Report – Nathan Lunney, Treasurer:  In Nathan’s absence, Steve reported that the budget is still status quo as we are still spending from the grant monies received.

5.2 Grant Money for 2005-2006 – Nathan: Steve explained that he and the Superintendent applied to the state to have modification made to the original charter school grant to include grades 11^th and 12^th.  They were required to meet with the board of education on their modifications to the grant and while they were there, asked for another $300,000, which they hope to receive.  Steve noted that the state has approved all previous funding due GBeCS.

 

6.   GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE: Nothing at this time.

 

7.   SUPERINTENDENT'S/ADMINISTRATION’S REPORT:

• Not on the agenda, but superintendent shared that two weeks ago we had a visit at SAU and GBeCS by Commissioner of Education Lyonel Tracy and State School Board member Fred Bramante who were here to discuss charter school issues along with school portfolios.  Additionally, the superintendent from Greenland, Dr. George Cushing accompanied them.  GBeCS had 8-12 students present who told their story of being at the school and left a terrific impression on the visitors who continue to talk about the charter school statewide.  Andrew Weeks arrived at 4:51 PM.
• Second piece left off the agenda, is the proposed 2006-07 calendar that mirrors the calendar of SAU 16 and those schools that attend SST.  The trustees do not have to have the same calendar as everyone else, but works well for in-service activity participation and bussing issues.  Motion by Linda Henderson, seconded by Sara Baer- Sinnott and with no further discussion unanimously voted to adopt the proposed GBeCS 2006-2007 calendar (see Attachment #1).

 

7.1  Enrollment Report – Steve: Kristy reported that the school currently has 72 students – one freshman and one sophomore have been added and one student may be returning to the high school.  She explained that students can transfer at any point back to the high school, just like you would transfer from any school district. 

7.2  Committee to Discuss Foundation Money – Steve: January 19, 2007 will be the end of our three year grant funds and obviously there are expenses here that will need to be covered.  Now is a good time to begin approaching local business, foundations, etc., seeking foundation monies.  Trustees would be a good place to look for individuals interested in being on a subcommittee to begin this process.  Please email Steve or Skip of your interest to be a part of this process and someone would get back to you on dates to begin meetings.  Steve has access to some databases with sources of how to begin looking for monies to support the school.  Would hope Cooperative would continue to cover salaries, but are looking for supplies, equipment, etc.  The suggestion was made that since we will be looking at large sums of money and that this could be on-going initiative, that we look into possibly getting a professional fundraiser to help us.   

7.3  Teaching Principal/Teaching Staff Report – Cheryl McDonough:

·         Since Cheryl is away on a business trip, Kristy is reporting in her absence.  Kristy reviewed course work currently in place; handed out a technology page from Judy Graham; shared that the school is using Moodle (on-line homework, assignments, etc.) more and more and encouraging students to utilize it and will be training the parents how to use Moodle at the next parents’ meeting; handed out information on what has been done in the health class; career exploration; community outreach initiatives and shared details on a huge student exhibition that will culminate on January 25^th with an exhibition night.  Kristy also shared that students are planning to have a float for the Exeter Christmas parade and would like at some point to discuss a school mascot.

·         Shawn gave an update of what his students in Social Studies are doing, noting that the computers are all set upstairs and everything is fully functioning.

·         Jess reported on Science curriculum and that the freshman and sophomores are beginning to mesh well.

·         George discussed how integration of SPED services occur so seamlessly in this environment that GBeCS is totally accessible to all students and are seeing IEP’s changed dramatically in this environment since the support here is quite different.  The school currently has about a 30% population of SPED students.   Peter had to leave at 5:25 PM.

·         Kristy explained that in May 2006, we will have standardized testing and are waiting for software to come in to do NWEA testing.

·         Linda voiced the importance of have the students visits with various college campuses and Kristy explained that began doing that last year

 

7.4  Charter Revision Update – Skip: See agenda item 5.2.

 

8.   EMPLOYEES

8.1  Nomination/Resignation of Professional Staff: Superintendent advised the trustees that he had received the resignation of Liz Kane who was GBeCS secretary and found she preferred a more traditional environment.  The staff at GBeCS was allowed to interview for a new secretary with Steve sitting in on the final interview and they selected Chris Murray, sister of Judy Graham - our IT person.  He would recommend you accept the resignation of Liz Kane and nominate Chris Murray as secretary.  Motion by Sara Baer-Sinnot, seconded by Ben Hillyard and unanimously voted with no further discussion to accept the resignation of Liz Kane and the nomination of Chris Murray as the new secretary.

8.2  Staffing for 2006-2007 – Steve: Going forward would look at additional 40 students and would hope to add two more staff members as we did this year.  We will begin the teacher recruiting process in the spring and as before, we will advertise within the Cooperative and then outside accordingly.

 

9.   BOARD REPORTS/ POLICY

9.1  Superintendent asked if anyone had any questions of the board policies that were in September’s packet and are now being presented for approval.  There were no questions.  Motion by Lucy Cushman, seconded by Andrew Weeks and unanimously board voted with no further discussion to approve the following policies for adoption: DI – Fiscal Accounting and Reporting; DJ – Purchasing; EDC – Authorized Use of School Owned Materials;             GBEA – Staff Ethics and Employee Conflict of Interest; IGD – Curriculum Adoption; JLC – Student Health Services; JLCB – Immunization of Students; KH – Solicitations in Schools; KHB – Advertising in the Schools; and KI – Visitors in Schools.

     

10.  CURRICULUM: Steve reported that GBeCS was part of the application he made for the RUS (Rural Utilities Services) grant, which is for half a million dollars and deals with distance learning under USDA.  We believe we have received preliminary funding for this grant and are now waiting final notification.  With these funds, we will be able to provide more infrastructure equipment for school with more multi teleconferencing sites.

     

11.  BUILDING AND GROUNDS: Superintendent reported on status of GBeCS going to old high school and is looking to house the school in the 60’s wing (upstairs) where they can access the Hawk Walk for the science labs.  Cheryl has viewed these spaces and has looked at additional rooms for them to expand given the charter has added grades eleven and twelve.

 

12.  PUPIL RELATED MATTERS: Superintendent explained the “superintendent’s agreement” as outlined by the RSA and a request he has received from Superintendent Cushing in Greenland, who has a good student who does not want to go to school, but he feels would be a great fit at GBeCS.  The superintendent is looking for feedback from trustees about their thoughts on this tenth grader coming to GBeCS since we are not at capacity and this student is not taking away a spot from an existing student.  Discussion on who would pay for the student and if the sending school would pay, how much would that be.  Tom voiced his agreement of this initiative.  Discussion continued as viewing this not as a policy of this group, but to review such requests on a student-by-student basis.  Could also view this on a trial basis.  It was noted that if the student were a SPED student, the sending district would pay all the associated costs for SPED issues.  The question was asked if another student would overload the staff and Kristy sees 72-80 students working okay, but anything over 80 would really be a concern.   No motion is needed, just that superintendent informed the trustees.

 

13.  OLD BUSINESS: none

 

14.  NEW BUSINESS:

14.1 Schedule Trustees Meetings: The following trustee meeting dates were decided for the remainder of the year: January 19, 2006; March 16, 2006; May 18, 2006 and June to be decided.  Will continue to meet at 4:30 PM.

 

15. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Linda Henderson, seconded by Andrew Weeks and unanimously board voted with no discussion to adjourn at 5:57 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Sally Boyd, Secretary