Great Bay eLearning Charter School Minutes

June 21, 2007 – 4:30 PM

Seacoast Professional Development Center

 

 

PRESENT: Roy Morrisette, Lucy Cushman, Linda Henderson, Patty Lovejoy, Kent Chamberlin,
                        Ben Hillyard and Bill Perkins

 

ABSENT: Sara Baer-Sinnott and Anne Sloan

 

ADMINISTRATION: Arthur Hanson, Steve Kossakoski, Nathan Lunney, Cheryl McDonough and
                                    Peter Stackhouse

 

 

1.   CALL TO ORDER: Chair Morrisette called the meeting to order at 4:35 PM.

1.1  Introductions: None at this time.

 

2.   NON-PUBLIC SESSION: None

 

3.   APPOINTMENT OF NEW TRUSTEE: None at this time.

 

4.   APPROVAL OF MINUTES

3.1  May 17, 2007: Motion by Lucy Cushman, seconded by Linda Henderson and unanimously voted to accept the May 17, 2007 minutes as presented.

 

4.   VISITORS: None

 

5.   BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL: Superintendent reported that once Nathan has the revenue projections, he and Nathan will meet with Cheryl and Peter during the summer to establish a budget that will be brought forward to the trustees at their August meeting.

 

6.   GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE: None at this time.

7.   SUPERINTENDENT'S/ADMINISTRATION’S REPORT 

7.1  Enrollment Report – Peter reported that the school finished the year with 75 students and have accepted 27 students for next year.  Currently they have four pending applications and there are seventeen (17) additional students they are gathering information on for possible applications to the school.  Discussion followed on the possibility that if the Cocheco Arts and Technology Academy charter school in Barrington had to close due to lack of funding, if GBeCS could accept one of their students from Kittery, Maine.  Steve will look into whether or not the GBeCS charter allows out of state students.  About nineteen (19) incoming 9^th graders are expected and once  they receive 120 students, applications will be closed.

7.1.1 Regular Ed Staffing: Cheryl noted that they will have 6.4 full time staff in fall; Eric Feldborg from EHS is joining staff to teach Science; currently looking for part-time Spanish teacher and Hannah Pasquale will go from 20% to 60% time in fall to teach Art and Humanities.

7.1.2 Special Education Staffing: Peter noted he and Pat Dowey are in process of trying to determine how to staff the school in fall for SPED students and are talking with Seacoast Learning Collaborative about possibly using their services.  Pat has been in touch with SPED students coming to GBeCS to discuss with their sending schools that a) students were accepted; and b) that the sending school is responsible for cost of SPED services.

Superintendent would recommend the board approve the following positions: full time Science position for Eric Feldborg who is currently at EHS and would like to transfer; a 60 % position for Hannah Pasquale in Art and Humanities (was a 40% position); and a 40% teaching position and 60% instructional aide for George MacMahon, a retired IBM executive that worked last year as an aide at the school.  Motion by Patty Lovejoy, seconded by Kent Chamberlin and unanimously approved with no further discussion to give the superintendent the ability to hire for GBeCS over the summer.  Motion by Patty Lovejoy, seconded by Kent Chamberlin to move George MacMahon from an instructional aide to a 40% teaching position and 60% instructional aide and Hannah Pasquale from a 20% position to a 60% position in Art and Humanities.  Discussion that George will become a first year teacher under the EEA contract and only one half of charter school staff must be certified.  Hannah Pasquale is certified.  With no further discussion, Chair Morrisette called for a vote: unanimous.    Superintendent would recommend the transfer of Eric Feldborg from EHS to GBeCS.  Motion by Lucy Cushman, seconded by Linda Henderson and unanimously voted to transfer Eric Feldborg from EHS to GBeCS.

     

7.2Principals Report – Cheryl McDonough/Peter Stackhouse:

            7.2.1 End of Year Activities: Cheryl reported on very successful prom and field day.

7.2.2 GBeCS Move: Peter gave update on move from Annex to TLC, noting it went very well with students assisting as they were able to take ownership of their new rooms.  Many students do not do well with change and this eased the transition for them.

 

Linda expressed her concern that GBeCS is not represented on the Superintendent Search Committee and the importance on having a voice for our charter students for the new superintendent search.  She noted that all the other SAU 16 school districts have representation on the search committee.  Consensus by trustees to have Chair Morrisette send a letter to Anne Marie Chesno, Chair of the Superintendent Search Committee requesting GBeCS, at a minimum, is a part of the final interview committee.  Ben stated he would be willing to represent the trustees.

 

8.   EMPLOYEES: None at this time.

 

9.   BOARD REPORTS/ POLICY

9.1  Review of Policies – Second Reading: Motion by Lucy Cushman, seconded by Patty Lovejoy and unanimously voted to adopt Policy IKF – Graduation as written (view pdf).  Cheryl discussed how they are working with next year’s seniors regarding graduation requirements and their ceremony.

 

10.  BUILDING AND GROUNDS: None at this time.

 

11.  PUPIL RELATED MATTERS: None at this time.

 

12.  OLD BUSINESS: None at this time.

 

13.  NEW BUSINESS: None at this time

     

14.   ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Lucy Cushman, seconded by Ben Hillyard and unanimously voted to adjourn at 5:16 PM.  Sally will send out the date of the August meeting when she sends the minutes to everyone via email.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sally Boyd, Secretary