Explorations Charter School

Minutes

Governing Board Regular Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday November 18, 2025 at 5:00 PM

Location

Virtual

Directors Present

Bryan Raydenbow (remote), Greg Skinner (remote), Hilary Paden (remote), Julie Luby (remote), Kali Blakeslee (remote), Lori Noto (remote), Sarah Annis Haynes (remote)

Directors Absent

Ginni Block, Robert Peterson

Guests Present

Jill Johnson (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

Sarah Annis Haynes called a meeting of the board of directors of Explorations Charter School to order on Tuesday Nov 18, 2025 at 5:08 AM.

C.

Approve Minutes - 10/21/2025

Tabled to December meeting due to technology errors accessing Board on Track.

II. Financial

A.

October Monthly Report

  • Susan present with Jill in her office
  • 2016 Ford van purchased - $15,500 (12 passenger, brand new tires and waranty for transmission and engine)
  • Selling 2002 Ford, 15 passenger van
  • Waiting for special ed check 

III. Committe Reports

A.

Policy Committee

No policy updates


 

B.

CEO Support & Evaluation Committee

Upcoming: January training

  • Lori and Jill re: administrator evaluation, goal setting

C.

Personnel Committee

No personnel updates

Jill recognized JJ Robinson for a job well done with the implementation of the "gratitude tree" and the positive impact on students and parents re: PPT.

D.

Finance Committee

No finance updates

IV. School News

A.

General Updates

Attendance update:

  • 39.5% chronic absenteeism (CA) down from 40.2% at end of December
  • 2 students from CA list withdrew; 1 to adult ed, 1 to re-enroll at home district
  • Currently at 76 students

State Renewal Meeting update:

  • 11/18
  • Looked at teacher evaluation goal setting work sheets
  • Looked at administrator evaluation goal setting work sheets
  • Positive remarks
  • Constructive criticism
  • Julie Luby commented on level of scrutiny
  • During mid year check-in to make revisions

Update on meeting with CTSDE meeting (Dr. Jenkins and Anika): 

  • Give us a preview of our renewal
  • Ask questions, what does the data not show?
  • Opportunity to explain students’ challenges, budgetary constraints, average reading level, 38% special ed, 70% free/reduced lunch
  • Very good meeting
  • Opportunity to get to know us
  • We need time to do great things!

B.

Teacher Report

Kali and Greg provided the following updates:

 

  • Culture and climate are positive
  • Students are engaged
  • Students are happy
  • Spirit weeks demonstrate 
  • Adventure going really well
  • PLCs going well, staff productively working
  • Goal implementation and feedback sheets working really well
  • Students report being “proud” of themselves
  • Friday program going well
  • Lyman pie fundraiser a success
  • “The Outsiders” with Marc Pernicki
  • Gratitude tree
  • Kindness wall
  • Students demonstrating leadership
  • CCA students doing well
  • DND group running beautifully

Jill reports being in classrooms is the "highlight of my day."

V. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Bryan Raydenbow made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:44 pm.
Greg Skinner seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 5:55 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Kali Blakeslee
Documents used during the meeting
  • Monthly Report October 2025.pdf