Explorations Charter School
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday September 23, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Directors Present
Bryan Raydenbow (remote), Ginni Block (remote), Greg Skinner (remote), Hilary Paden (remote), Kali Blakeslee (remote), Lori Noto (remote), Robert Peterson (remote), Sarah Annis Haynes (remote)
Directors Absent
Julie Luby
Guests Present
Cat Raydenbow (remote), Joseph White (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve Minutes - 06/24/2025
II. Financial
A.
Finance Check In
Kali Blakeslee and Lori Noto noted Board on Track's helpfulness and usefulness and voiced support for renewal.
III. Action Items
A.
Planning Board Retreat
Joseph White shared the following dates:
- September 30: CTSDE Site Visit
- October 9: Public hearing for Charter Renewal.
Financial report for September 30 TBD. Request for Susan to be available to answer questions per CTSDE request.,
Board Representation available for CTSDE Site Visit. Sarah Haynes will be available.
IV. Committe Reports
A.
Policy Committee
Joseph White spoke about the following information:
- Climate Legislation
- Climate plan
- Teacher evaluation
- SEL component
- Climate Policy - CABE Policy with updates
Lori Noto asked a question re: School Climate Specialist.
Bill Hallam is the School Climate Specialist.
School Climate Committee in progress.
B.
CEO Support & Evaluation Committee
Lori Noto provided the following update
- Evaluation done
- Goals pending
- Draft memo from Board on Track forthcoming
Robert Peterson asked a question re: Executive Director and CTSDE renewal.
Joseph White commented.
Kali Blakeslee commented.
Ginni Block commented.
Lori Noto commented.
C.
Personnel Committee
Sarah Haynes opened discussion about the Staff Handbook.
Joseph White commented.
D.
Finance Committee
Ginni Block provided update.
V. School News
A.
General Updates
Sarah Haynes opened discussion re: support for school.
Joseph White commented.
- Enrollment nearing capacity (mid-80s).
- Attendance impacted by seasonal illnesses.
- Portrait of a Graduate
- Portrait of an Explorations Charter School student
- Connection to marketing/branding
- Allocation of money for new sign outside?
Lori Noto commented:
- Suggestion for magnet signs for vans
- Student excitement for Adventure Education
Bob Peterson commented:
- Absenteeism re: Adventure Education
Sarah Haynes commented
B.
Teacher Report
Greg Skinner commented:
- Adventure Education program
- Proposed manual based on Experiential Education standards
- Draft policy forthcoming
- Student reflections driving data for grading
- Anecdotal data supports increased student engagement
- Safety a priority
- Policy and procedures outlined
- Consistency
- Potential to lease vans
- Partnership with EdAdvance?
Kali Blakeslee commented:
- Academic enrichment update
- Student choice
- In person Health Curriculum
- Library
- Care Closet
- Erika and Erin's co-taught class
- Brisk Training
- Teacher PD
- Eversource Grant for new computer's and Maker's Space
- Internship opportunities/Experiential Learning Program
Sarah Haynes mentioned a grant for agriculture - will follow up.
Lori Noto commented.
Joseph White commented.
Update provided by Ginni Block: