River Valley Charter School
Minutes
Board of Trustees Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday June 5, 2024 at 7:00 PM
Location
River Valley Charter School. 2 Perry Way, Newburyport. Middle School Great Room
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the River Valley Charter School is to provide a rigorous academic program
based on the Montessori philosophy and rooted in the history, culture and ecology of the
Merrimack River Valley. Students will reach their full potential as scholars and become self-
reliant, productive members of society. They will be adept at critical thinking and creative
problem solving and will be fully prepared to succeed in future schools, careers and civic life.
Trustees Present
A. Fields, A. Ting, C. Getz, C. Martin (remote), C. Whitford, D. Herrera, E. Bradley, E. Rankin, M. Connerton, N. Durkee, T. Murdy
Trustees Absent
E. Simone
Trustees who arrived after the meeting opened
A. Ting
Ex Officio Members Present
J. Evans
Non Voting Members Present
J. Evans
Guests Present
KAREN KUSE, Karen Popken
I. Opening Items
A.
Welcome
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Record Attendance
D.
Board Expectations
E.
Public Comment
None
II. Montessori Minute
A.
Montessori Minute
Physics Fun For Everyone!
Condensed thumbnail of the material she presented at a National Conference in FL this past year with her co-teacher and another E1 teacher, Jane Noyes.
Some examples of topics discussed-- Matter in all forms, the atom, Sound and Electricity
Reviewed experiments/command cards and Montessori materials available to teach physics
III. Director Update
A.
Director's Report
B.
Grounds Project- Update
Reveal is TOMORROW 6 to 8pm
The childcare option will be Nell (KH teacher), not the originally proposed group.
Wetlands issues were raised again as we had some issues regarding parking and entrance redesign.
Two significant donations today-- JLE and a grandparent from Karen's school in SC, hoping this kicks off the community effort for fundraising effort. "Donations need to come from top down... ".
This project is looking most likely a phased roll-out project, more so than originally thought.
IV. Board Business
A.
Board Business Topics
The Executive Slate for next year needs to be voted on.
Committee assignments to be reviewed and dates for 2024 - 2025.
B.
Officer Slate Vote
Motion to elect the following executive slate-
Denise Herrera as chair, Albert Ting as vice chair, Chris Whitford as treasurer and Erin Bradley as secretary for the RCVS BOT for the 2024 - 2025 term.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| C. Whitford |
Aye
|
| E. Simone |
Absent
|
| A. Fields |
Aye
|
| M. Connerton |
Aye
|
| A. Ting |
Aye
|
| C. Martin |
Aye
|
| T. Murdy |
Aye
|
| E. Bradley |
Aye
|
| C. Getz |
Aye
|
| D. Herrera |
Aye
|
| N. Durkee |
Aye
|
| E. Rankin |
Aye
|
C.
Appointment of Assistant Secretary
Appointment by Chair in line with our by laws----- Anna Whitmore appointed as assistant secretary.
D.
FY 25 Calendar & Committee Assignments
V. Finance Committee
A.
Approve Minutes
B.
Finance Update
C.
Surplus Vote
D.
FY 25 Budget
VI. Committee on Trustees
A.
Approve Minutes
B.
CoT Update
New member orientation 8/24 and 8/25
The board retreat was a great morning all together-- impressed by everyone's participation and how enjoyable it was to gather and have meaningful experiences together.
Board Goals-- overwhelming themes came through from those who responded
1. Successfully onboarding New Interim Director
2. DASHBOARD
3. Better board time management
4. Continued Development Strategy-- continued giving, community engagement and education
5. Policy Organization
6. Create and track DEIJ for a fair org. within our governance
7. Dissemination of program
What commitments should the above goals live in?
1. EC
2. Each of the committed heads will take this on
3. COT
4. Development
5. EC
6. COT
7. Development
Homework each committee will create the wording of the goal and outline the metrics of obtaining the
VII. EC Committee Business
A.
Approve EC Minutes
VIII. Accountability Committee
A.
Approve Accountability Meeting Minutes
Did not meet quorum.
B.
Accountability Update
Conversation between DH and AT and Patrick Buckwalter--
Accountability needs to have examination of disaggregated data reflected in the minutes.
ND-- Has reviewed all the parents survey and will write a summary to share with the board at next meeting.
IX. Development Committee
A.
Approve Development minutes
B.
Development Update
Created a letter summarizing what efforts and achievements have been accomplished.
Laminated in from of us, explained by DH to KK, consensus by BOT and those in attendance that we will behave in accordance.