Explorations Charter School
Minutes
Governing Board Regular Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday October 15, 2024 at 5:30 PM
Location
Governing Board Meeting
Tuesday, October 15 · 5:30 – 6:30pm
Time zone: America/New_York
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Directors Present
Bryan Raydenbow (remote), Ginni Block (remote), Hilary Paden (remote), Kali Blakeslee (remote), Robert Peterson (remote), Sarah Annis Haynes (remote)
Directors Absent
Greg Skinner, Lori Noto
Guests Present
Jill Johnson, Joe White (remote), Susan O'Rourke (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve Minutes - 09/17/2024
II. Financial
A.
September Monthly Report
- September Monthly Report: Up to date through the month of September. Pupil services billing Special Ed this week. Received about 50% of the money from the SDE. Amendments to the budget forthcoming (Salary, Benefits, Utilities). Nothing outstanding with the exception of the monies from the state.
- October count: 77 enrollment; budgeted for 92 pupils. 80K budget deficit predicted. IRS employee retention credit isin process. According to IRS, checks will be sent starting in September throughout the fall. Estimate is a December check. Hope to have revised budget by the next meeting.
- Approx. 33 - 35K expected from insurance company from 9/2023 flooding incoming within the month. Will be a reimbursement.
III. Committe Reports
A.
By-Law Committee
B.
Policy Committee
No updates
IV. School News
A.
Charter Renewal Update
Email received on 10/15 c. 5:40 pm from SDE that our corrective action plans (CAP) have all been officially accepted.
Staff to be updated on roles in CAP at scheduled meeting on Wednesday, October 16.
Thursday, October 17, 2024 Jill and Sarah meeting with SDE accountability and support subcommittee to discuss CAP progress and benmark testing.
B.
General Updates
Enrollment was 77 as of October 1, 2024. As of October 15, enrollment is at 72 students: 1 student withdrew to attend a adult education program; 2 additional students PPTed to sending schools; 2 additional students have been administratively withdrawn per the advice of the Charter office and a letter has been sent to sending districts’ Superintendents. Currently accepting applications for enrollments of students in good standing. Bill and Jill meeting to discuss enrolling prospective students pre-January this week. Prospective student outreach to Torrington Middle School on Thursday, October 10. Went very well. Meeting with Lewis Mills social worker re: current and prospective students this week. Thomaston Middle School presentation next week. NBC Connecticut “Great Kids” re: GSA grant segment to air in November. Representatives from EdAdvance coming on Friday, October 18 to offer support re: attendance. John Stepney passed Praxis test; certification in progress. Greg Skinner passed Foundations of Reading for final certification.
C.
Attendance
September chronically absent (CA) student report rate: 44.2%. Due to various factors, a significant improvement in October in anticipated.
Proposed working session date postponed to 11/2. Policy committee invited to join and work simultaneously.