Great Bay eLearning Charter School Trustees Meeting Minutes
October 19, 2006 – 4:30 PM
Great Bay eLearning Charter School
Present: Roy Morrisette, Lucy Cushman, Kent Chamberlin and Ben Hillyard
Absent: Linda Henderson, Sara Baer-Sinnott, Tom Wisbey, Patty Lovejoy and Bill Perkins
Administration:
Arthur Hanson, Steve Kossakoski, Nathan
Lunney, Peter Stackhouse, Shawn Bodi
and Kristi Johnston
Visitor: Anne Sloan, Stratham – parent.
1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Morrisette called the meeting to order at 4:37 PM noting there is not a quorum present. Pledge of Allegiance followed.
1.1 Introductions:
2. NON-PUBLIC SESSION: None at this time.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
3.1 August 24, 2006: To be brought forward at December meeting – no action taken.
4. VISITORS: No comments.
5. BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL
5.1 Financial Report – Nathan Lunney, Treasurer: Handed out the 10/19/06 Budget Worksheet (see Attachment #1 pdf) and discussed. Ben Hillyard arrived at 4:42 PM.
5.2 Tuition payments from DOE – Update: Nathan reported that we are in the process of establishing a separate distinct set of books for the charter school. Kent expressed concern that the trustees eventually be presented financial information in such a format that they could genuinely appreciate and monitor the financial affairs of the school. Nathan noted with the one set of books the picture will be clearer. Legislation notes a charter school can “barter” as an example of the ambiguity of accounting involved. Nathan also explained that quarterly state reporting will help provide oversight at both the state and trustees’ level, plus the trustees will soon be asked to review and sign monthly manifests at their meetings as an additional set of oversight. With regard to next year’s monies, research still being done by our auditors and the state with regard to having an irrevocable trust fund. Kent Chamberlin would like minutes to reflect that we had this discussion that the trustees do not have clear guidance from the state regarding financial reporting for charter schools. Nathan will provide a quarterly financial statement which the Department of Ed will receive from us and at year end we will publish the same year financial report as we do for public schools and this will be another set of eyes. Nathan explained how the DOE Trust Fund will be paid out the $3,598 monies per student per year to the charter school. Discussion followed on whether or not a deputy treasurer needed to be appointed for the school. No decision made.
5.3 Open Enrollment: Superintendent opened up the discussion that given our current enrollment (see Attachment #2 pdf); we may be in a position to accept outside enrollment and would like feedback from the trustees. Steve commented that you would need to be careful that open enrollment is not perceived as being subsidized by the cooperative. The cooperative and the grant monies are both funding the school and we have the capacity to fund additional students that would not require additional staff or additional monies from the taxpayers. Discussion if cooperative students would have preferred enrollment over out-of-district students and would that be a problem. Superintendent replied he will speak with the Commissioner about enrollment preference. Trustees were in agreement for superintendent to look into possible open enrollment and come back to them with more details and feedback from state on preferential enrollment for cooperative students. Comment was made that the open enrollment may not be on-going, but once an out-of-district student is accepted, the student would be allowed to complete his schooling. Discussion continued that advertising the charter school in our schools would occur earlier than for outside districts. Peter noted he would be careful that we first define the level of student/staff ratio the trustees felt was appropriate for the school and secondly, that outside application process needs to ensure that we attract qualified applicants who would contribute positively to the learning environment. Superintendent added that the trustees need to first receive input from Peter, Cheryl and the staff regarding what enrollment numbers they consider as being the “tipping point” that would require us to hire additional staff. We set a limit this year for 90 students and currently have 17 openings now. Steve reminded the trustees that as they will see in his enrollment report, in the past, as the year progressed, the enrollment increased and we may see that occur this year as well. Kent noted he would like to hear from the staff on this.
6. GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE: None at this time.
7. SUPERINTENDENT'S/ADMINISTRATION’S REPORT
7.1 Enrollment - Steve
7.1.1 Enrollment Report: Peter explained that five students had committed to come to the school from CMS, but never showed up and have also had five students withdraw from the school. Believes couple went to EHS, one looking at alternative placement and unsure about the other students. The school was not a good fit for them. Lucy asked about sophomore class being the only class that has increased in size. Peter explained that this report is not a “hard and fast” breakdown of 10th and 11th grade students because the charter school does not move students to the next grade until they have proven proficiency. Ben expressed his concern with the school currently showing an enrollment of four in the freshman class as it questions the continuum of the charter school. Feedback was that the new high school may have attracted charter students because it is such a great facility.
7.1.2 2007-08 registration process discussion: see agenda item 5.3. Trustees will vote on whether or not to open the enrollment at the next meeting. Suggestion to have next trustees meeting December 7th so Peter could begin the application process, with input from the state, and this would give the school seven weeks to advertise before the start of the second semester. Kristi left meeting at 5:18 PM.
7.2 Principals Report – Cheryl McDonough/Peter Stackhouse
7.2.1 School activities: Peter handed out information on recent school activities (see Attachment #3 pdf) and discussed. Shawn, on Kristi’s behalf, reported on the NH Math League team meet attended by the twelve GBeCS students, their semi-formal fundraiser last Friday, students’, his social studies students he took to PEA to visit their Mosque and reviewed other on-going history projects. Peter passed out and shared the Preamble to the Great Bay eLearning Charter School: “In the spirit of cooperation, We the GBeCS community, in order to preserve justice for all GBeCianS, insure a safe environment for students and staff, uphold equality among students and teachers, and to foster student choice in both academics and extra-curricular activities, establish and will enforce this Constitution”. Peter noted they have not given the NWEA test as waiting for network issues to stabilize and will be giving 11th grade NECAP pilot second week in November.
7.2.2 Curriculum update: GBeCS does have AP English and AP History courses occurring and Peter handed out three different projects the students are working on in grades 9, 10 and 11 (see Attachments #4, 5, 6 pdfs).
8. EMPLOYEES
8.1 Nomination/Resignation of Professional Staff/Trustee: None at this time.
9. BOARD REPORTS/ POLICY:
9.1 Review of Policies – Due to a lack of a quorum, the second reading/approval of these policies will come forward at the December meeting: AA - School District Legal Status; EHB-R - Records Retention Schedule; IC - School Year; IC - School Calendar; IKE - Promotion and Retention of Students; JFABD - Admission of Homeless Students; JH-R3 GBeCS Absences and Excuses – Rules; and KEC – Public Complaints About the Curriculum or Instructional Materials.
10. BUILDING AND GROUNDS: Superintendent reported that we are currently preparing for the move. Steve reported that we can pre-purchase equipment with grant monies that end in June 2007.
11. PUPIL RELATED MATTERS: None at this time.
12. OLD BUSINESS: Discussion of whether or not need a new trustee from higher education and a possible parent trustee. No action taken.
13. NEW BUSINESS: None
14. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Kent Chamberlin, seconded by Ben Hillyard and unanimously voted to adjourn at 5:43 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sally Boyd, Secretary