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Explorations Charter School

Minutes

Governing Board Regular Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday October 17, 2023 at 5:30 PM

Directors Present

Ginni Block (remote), Hilary Paden (remote), Lori Noto (remote), Robert Peterson (remote), Sarah Annis Haynes (remote)

Directors Absent

Bill Hallam, Melony Brady-Shanley

Guests Present

Jill Johnson (remote), Susan O'Rourke (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

Robert Peterson called a meeting of the board of directors of Explorations Charter School to order on Tuesday Oct 17, 2023 at 5:30 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes - 9/19/2023 Regular Board Meeting

Lori Noto made a motion to approve the minutes from Governing Board Regular Meeting on 09-19-23.
Robert Peterson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

II. Financial

A.

Monthly Report

Robert Peterson made a motion to Approve September's Financial Report.
Ginni Block seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

III. Committee Updates

A.

Finance Committee

Reviewed Financial Report. 

B.

Policy Committee

Ginni Block made a motion to Approve Policy 5113.2 Amended Unexcused Absences.
Lori Noto seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Hilary Paden made a motion to Approve amended Policy 6114.81.
Robert Peterson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Ginni Block made a motion to The Board deems the flooding of the basement of the school an emergency therefor the board enacts Policy 6114.81.
Robert Peterson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

C.

Personnel Committee

None

IV. School News

A.

Attendance/Chronic Absenteeism


September:

CA = 30.3% (was 39.4% last year)

Avg Daily Attendance = 88.9% (up from 87.8% last year)

 

Avg. Daily Attendance / CA

9th - 85.42% - 29.4%

10th - 91.45% - 22.75

11th - 88.14% - 32.3%

12th - 90.39% - 36.8%

B.

General Updates

1. Senior Ambassadors - are up and running 

2.  School Dance - 10/27 

3. Fundraising - Selling Lyman Cookies/Pies 

 

C.

Enrollment

Currently 83 students.  

89 students at the beginning of the year

88 students as of 10/1/23

D.

Staffing

Hiring Kaitlin Wallace as a part time Social Worker 

 

Sarah Grubetta has moved to half time. Have not been able to find a math teacher to cover the classes she is no longer teaching so the following schedule changes has happened: 

John Stepney has taken a pre-algebra class

Jordan - Geometry class. 

Special Education teacher - Consumer Math 

Jill - Geometry 

E.

Thank yous

Thank you to Jill, Joe and Bill for all of their hard work as they continue to wear their Super Hero Capes!!!

V. Other Business

A.

Renewal Application Update & Discussion

State visit has been moved to November 16th 

B.

Discussion, possible action and update on Flooding Emergency

Due to the flooding, the classrooms on the bottom floor had to find alternate space. 

 

Jeff, art teacher is currently using space at the Winsted Health Center next door. They are graciously letting us use the space at no cost to the school.

 

Other spaces were visited: 

 

Whiting Mills - They offered the school space at no cost.  Time/Distance was too far to walk.  

St Anthony - Looked at.  Wanted to charge the school rent plus half the utilities. 

 

Thankfully no asbestos was found downstairs. 

 

School hired a Public Adjuster to handle the Insurance/Renovations caused by the flooding. 

VI. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:30 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Hilary Paden
Documents used during the meeting
  • Monthly Report Sept. 2023.pdf
  • Copy of 5133.2 - Unexcused Absences-Truancy (2023-2024 - draft) - Google Docs.pdf
  • 6114.81 - Pandemic_Epidemic Emergencies, Emergency Suspension of Policy - Google Docs.pdf