Great Bay eLearning Charter School Minutes
May 17, 2007, 2007 – 4:30 PM
Great Bay eLearning Charter School
PRESENT: Roy Morrisette, Lucy Cushman, Linda Henderson, Patty
Lovejoy, Kent Chamberlin,
Anne Sloan and Ben Hillyard
ABSENT: Sara Baer-Sinnott, Bill Perkins
ADMINISTRATION: Arthur Hanson, Steve Kossakoski, Nathan Lunney, Cheryl
McDonough and
Peter Stackhouse and George McKenney
1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Morrisette called the meeting to order at 4:39 PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
1.1 Introductions
2. NON-PUBLIC SESSION
3. APPOINTMENT OF NEW TRUSTEE: None at this time.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
4.1 February 22, 2007: Motion by Patty Lovejoy, seconded by Anne Sloan and unanimously voted with no discussion to adopt the February 22, 2007 minutes as presented.
5. VISITORS: None
6. BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL
6.1 Financial Report – Nathan Lunney, Treasurer: Nathan Lunney reviewed the Revenue and Expense Report for Quarter Ending 3/31/07 (see Attachment #1 pdf) and Budget Worksheet 2006-2007 (see Attachment #2 pdf); discussed how reports are being shared with DOE; Ben Hillyard arrived 4:49 PM.
7. GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE: None
8. SUPERINTENDENT'S/ADMINISTRATION’S REPORT
8.1 Enrollment - Steve Kossakoski
8.1.1 Enrollment Report/New Staff: Discussion on increasing enrollment beyond the capacity of current staffing; if trustees wanted to cap the enrollment numbers for 2007-2008 and the possible scenarios; trustees agreed to review the enrollment at the end of the first quarter 2007-2008. Handout from Peter and Cheryl on Fund Raising and Student Recruitment and Application Process (see Attachment #3 pdf); Trustees agreed to a June 21st at 4:30 PM trustees meeting and GBeCS administration will report on school’s final enrollment figures for next year. Nathan left at 5:41 PM. With regards to out-of-district enrollment affecting special education – a sending school has to send the necessary funds to meet the SPED needs of their student at GBeCS; looking to bundle the SAU SPED student needs with the out-of-district SPED students needs.
8.1.2 Proposed Admissions Criteria: Without coming forward with something in writing, Peter noted they have a very clear understanding of the type of student that will be successful at GBeCS; we are a school preparing students for post secondary school and if not interested in preparing yourself for that opportunity, this is not the place for you and that philosophy has acted well as a filter when looking at potential attendees. All juniors took PSAT (in house) and believe most juniors signed up for June 2nd SAT’s; plan to really personalize college application process for each senior; will help with application or registration costs if needed as have budgeted appropriately.
8.2 Principals Report – Cheryl McDonough/Peter Stackhouse
8.2.1 School activities: Peter reviewed activities at school; their fundraising efforts are using the
money they raise for in-school initiatives. Thank you to Veronica Brooks-Sigler for the Barnes and Noble fundraiser which was very successful. Discussed their course scheduling philosophy of giving younger students a more “core” based curriculum and as they get older, they become more independent with the individualized learning plans which students have a lot of involvement in setting up with their teachers. George McKenney spoke on behalf of staff thanking Ms. McDonough and Mr. Stackhouse who have worked quite well as a team and form a tremendous partnership that has been very supportive of the staff which is very appreciated by the GBeCS staff. George also referenced many professional periodical sources that second the philosophy of this school regarding students who need to be challenged in the non-traditional manner. He also complimented Kristi Johnston the lead teacher for her efforts should both administrators be absent. Peter noted that this whole year, the school has only had to use a substitute teacher twice since the staff works extremely hard to cover all staff absences in-house. Patty updated the board on the Coop Communications Survey that included GBeCS, since consistently the smaller schools showed much more positive feedback from staff on communications, etc. View school newsletter pdf.
8.2.2 Curriculum Update: Peter noted they will be posting results of PSAT and NHEIAP results from last year’s grade 10; will be viewing the NWEA fall to spring results also.
9. EMPLOYEES
10. BOARD REPORTS/ POLICY
10.1Review of Policies – Motion by Lucy Cushman, seconded by Patty Lovejoy and unanimously board voted with no discussion to approve the following policies: BEDG – Minutes; BIA – New Board Member Orientation; GBEB – Staff Conduct; GBEBB – Employee-Student Relations; JICDD – Student Discipline; and JKAA – Physical Restraint. IKF – Graduation. Discussion on IKF – Graduation that the policy fits with state requirements. Peter and Cheryl discussed how they review transfer students in determining their placement in school: administration assessed their transcripts and skills and places appropriately; they work with them in areas where they are lacking courses; and assess them in various ways. Policy will have a second reading at the June meeting.
11. BUILDING AND GROUNDS: Superintendent reported that Dick Wendell’s crew along with some outside people are working on GBeCS spaces at TLC and getting the administrative offices completed first so will have a place to start moving their files, furniture over. The June 21st meeting will be held at new SPDC located at the Tuck Learning Campus (old EHS Library space).
12. PUPIL RELATED MATTERS: None
13. OLD BUSINESS: Possible community service requirement for future seniors was discussed with thought that required community service is kind of an oxymoron when it is “community” yet it is a requirement; would like it to be reflected on transcript per Peter; noted that as a school, they have agreed all advisories would do some sort of community service. No action taken.
14. NEW BUSINESS – Superintendent announced that he and Steve Kossakoski appeared before the State Board of Education and they approved a Virtual Charter School that will be open to all students in state and will begin in January 2008. Each class will have 2 sessions of 25 students and only use certified teachers; will rent space in TLC; can access from your home; begun with state start-up money like with charter schools; cost is pro-rated out of adequacy funds; SAU students will not have any advantage as it will be on a first come first serve basis for all NH students and a lottery comes into effect after the 50 applicants.
15. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Lucy Cushman, seconded by Patty Lovejoy and unanimously board voted with no discussion to adjourn at 6:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sally Boyd, Secretary