Great Bay eLearning Charter School Minutes

May 18, 2006 – 4:30 PM

Great Bay eLearning Charter School

 

PRESENT:      Kent Chamberlin, Lucy Cushman, Linda Henderson, Sara Baer-Sinnott,
 Peter Stackhouse, Ben Hillyard, Tom Wisbey and Cheryl McDonough

 

ABSENT:        Roy Morrisette

 

ADMINISTRATION:  Arthur Hanson, Steve Kossakoski and Cheryl McDonough

 

 

1.   CALL TO ORDER:  Vice Chair Lucy at 4:35 PM called the meeting to order followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 

1.1  Introductions

 

2.  NON-PUBLIC SESSION: None at this time

 

3.   APPROVAL OF MINUTES

3.1  March 16, 2006: On a motion by Tom Wisbey, seconded by Linda Henderson and unanimously voted to accept the minutes of March 16, 2006 as presented.

 

4.   VISITORS: None

 

5.   BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL

5.1  Financial Report – Nathan Lunney, Treasurer: Superintendent presented financial information presented by Nathan Lunney who was attending a state ASBO meeting.

5.2  Senate Bill 76 Status – Nathan and Steve Kossakoski: Steve and Skip discussed HB 76 that would require the state to pay education aid directly to all charter schools instead of through the local sending district.  This aid would come from the state Education Trust Fund and would not specifically reduce the aid received by the local sending district.  It was reported that if this bill is successful, the charter school would collect beginning the school year 2006-2007 approximately $360,000 from the Education Trust Fund.  The biggest long-term concern is the sustainability of GBeCS beyond 2006-2007.  Education aid from the state and the remainder of the start-up funds will allow the school to continue to operate without any financial difficulties through this period of time.  After discussion, it was decided that there will be a trustees meeting on June 12, 2006 dedicated to the finances of the school.  Nathan will give a school funding overview at the beginning of the June 12th meeting, not only for regular school funding, but for charter schools also.

 

6.   GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE: None

7.   SUPERINTENDENT'S/ADMINISTRATION’S REPORT 

7.1  Enrollment – Steve:  

      7.1.1. Enrollment Report: Steve issued the enrollment report (see Attachment #1).

      7.1.2. 06-07 Registration: Steve also reported on registration (see Attachment #1).

      7.1.3. 06-07 Enrollment Cap – Action: Steve suggested that we cap the enrollment at 100 students for the next year for several reasons: in order to keep the numbers reasonable as the charter school is still designing curriculum and we really only have additional funding for one more full time teacher.  Several trustees expressed concern regarding the limited numbers of freshmen that will be attending next year even though we only have a limited number of applicants.  The sentiment seemed to be that we should not have additional upper class students coming in, but should reserve those spots for 9th grade students.  On a motion by Sara Baer-Sinnott, seconded by Kent Chamberlin and unanimously voted with no further discussion to cap the enrollment at 100 students for school year 2006-2007 and revisit this decision around December 2007.

7.2  Teaching Principal Report – Cheryl McDonough: Teaching Principal McDonough reported on Teeny Topia, the persuasive speech competition, field trip to Mystic Connecticut, a picnic at Stratham Hill Park, students that attend night school and Saturday school, new relationship they have developed with the Exeter Department of Public Works, and discussed some summer activities such as math team, mock trial team, reading club, etc.

Ben asked about the mental health of the students and whether counseling services are available and Cheryl mentioned that the students have access to the high school counselors but feel the advisory system at the charter school is a key to the student’s success.

7.4  Student Representatives Report – No report

7.5  NWEA Report – Cheryl: Cheryl reported on the recent testing that has taken place at the school.

 

8.   EMPLOYEES

8.1  Nomination/Resignation of Professional Staff/Trustee: Motion by Linda Henderson, seconded by Kent Chamberlin and unanimously voted with no discussion to move Sara Baer-Sinnott as a parent trustee to a community trustee.  Motion by Linda Henderson, seconded by Sara Baer-Sinnott and unanimously voted with no discussion to appoint Patty Lovejoy as a trustee representing ERCSD.  On a motion by Sara-Baer-Sinnott, seconded by Ben Hillyard and unanimously voted with no further discussion to hire a full time English teacher.

 

9.   BOARD REPORTS/ POLICY

9.1  Review of Policies: The board had a first reading on the following policies: DJE – Bidding Requirements; DJF – Local Purchasing;       DJG – Vendor Relations; EBBC-R – Standing Nurses Orders;    EBCA – Emergency Plans; EBCA-R – Emergency Plans Checklist; EBCB-R – Fire Drills in Educational Occupancies; ECAB – Program Access at Public Events; JJF – Student Activities fund Management; SAU 16 Proposed Wellness, Nutrition and Activity Policy; and EEAJ – Video and Audio Recording on the School Buses.

 9.2 Appointment of ERCSD Board Member to Trustees – Skip: see agenda item 8.1

 

10.  CURRICULUM: No action

     

11.  BUILDING AND GROUNDS: No action

 

12.  PUPIL RELATED MATTERS: No action

 

13.  OLD BUSINESS: No action

14.  NEW BUSINESS: No action

 

15.  ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Ben Hillyard, seconded by Linda Henderson and unanimously voted to adjourn at 5:42 PM.  Next meeting will be June 8, 2006 at 4:30 PM.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Arthur L. Hanson

Superintendent