Explorations Charter School

Minutes

Governing Board Regular Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday April 23, 2024 at 5:30 PM

Location

Virtual

Directors Present

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

Directors Absent

Bill Hallam, Melony Brady-Shanley

Directors who left before the meeting adjourned

Hilary Paden

Guests Present

Jill Johnson (remote), Joe White (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 Apr 23, 2024 at 5:30 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes - 3/19/2024 Regular Board Meeting

Lori Noto made a motion to approve the minutes from Governing Board Regular Meeting on 03-19-24.
Robert Peterson seconded the motion.

Kris accepted with corrections 

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Ginni Block
Aye
Lori Noto
Aye
Sarah Annis Haynes
Aye
Hilary Paden
Aye
Bill Hallam
Absent
Robert Peterson
Aye
Kristin Peterson
Aye
Melony Brady-Shanley
Absent

II. Financial

A.

Monthly Report

Robert Peterson made a motion to approve the Monthly Report.
Lori Noto seconded the motion.

Discussion held.  

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Hilary Paden
Aye
Bill Hallam
Absent
Sarah Annis Haynes
Aye
Ginni Block
Aye
Melony Brady-Shanley
Absent
Lori Noto
Aye
Robert Peterson
Aye
Kristin Peterson
Aye

Chris King to present at May meeting audit findings.  

III. Committee Updates

A.

Finance Committee

Finance Committee to meet Friday at 10 am. 

B.

CEO Support & Evaluation

Lori Noto looked at Board on Track.  Waiting on a handful of teachers to finish evaluations.  

About half the kids in the school took part in the survey. 

About a third of the parents took part in the survey. 

C.

Personnel Committee

The draft of the Employee Handbook went to the board.  Waiting for the rest of the board to review.  Will then be on the agenda for the staff retreat.  Then sent to the Attorney for review.  

D.

Policy Committee

Kris Peterson to join the committee. 

Policy 4212.42 - Drug and Alcohol Testing for Bus Drivers 

 

Policy discussed.  Concern with the topic of student allergies to be in this policy.  Policy is tabled upon further investigation. 

Ginni Block made a motion to to approve Policy 5145.6 - Student Grievance Procedures with Changes.
Robert Peterson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Ginni Block
Aye
Sarah Annis Haynes
Aye
Melony Brady-Shanley
Absent
Hilary Paden
Aye
Bill Hallam
Absent
Lori Noto
Aye
Kristin Peterson
Aye
Robert Peterson
Aye

Policy 4118 - Grievance Procedure.  Discussion held.  Flowchart needs to be added.  Tabled till next meeting. 

E.

By-Law Revision

Board Bylaws - 9270 - Conflict of Interest 1 and 2.  Updated. 

Hilary Paden left.

IV. School News

A.

Attendance/Chronic Absenteeism

March:

CA (ytd) = 48.8% (was 55.2% last year)

Avg Daily Attendance = 86.01% (85.75% last year)

 

Grade Level - Avg. Daily Attendance / CA

9th - 79.98% / 68.8%

10th - 90.72 / 34.8%

11th - 85.09% / 42.9%

12th - 86.72% / 53.3%

 

Attendance rates are better than last year. 

B.

Charter Renewal Update

Reviewed letter

C.

2024-2025 Explorations Calendar

Discussion held.  Request to not have the first day be just for new students, but for all students to start the same day.  Calendar discussion to be discussed with staff.  Tabled to next month's meeting.  

D.

General Updates

Open House was well attended.  All certified teachers were in attendance.  

E.

Members

Ginni Block made a motion to to accept Kali Blakeslee as the teacher representative to replace Bill Hallam.
Kristin Peterson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Robert Peterson
Aye
Melony Brady-Shanley
Absent
Hilary Paden
Aye
Kristin Peterson
Aye
Ginni Block
Aye
Bill Hallam
Absent
Sarah Annis Haynes
Aye

Melanie, Superintendent of Winsted Schools will be leaving in June.  

V. Other Business

A.

Senior Fundraising Dinner

Thursday, April 25th at Rowleys.  10% of proceed to benefit Seniors. 

B.

Educator Appreciation Week

Ginni Block reminded us that Educator Appreciation week is May 6-10.  Ginni to organize paying for lunch from Railway for staff one day that week.  

C.

Next Meeting

Next Meeting, May 21st.  Joe White to take Minutes as Sarah Haynes will be absent. 

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 7:11 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Robert Peterson
Documents used during the meeting
  • Monthly Report March 2024.pdf
  • Renewal Response - 4-8-2024.pdf
  • 24-25 Calendar - Draft.pdf
  • Rowley Fundraiser Slide 2024.jpg