Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education
Minutes
Regular Board Meeting - October
Date and Time
Thursday October 16, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Location
Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education
2060 Cameron Street
Ventura, CA 93001
Room 20
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PRESENTATIONS TO THE BOARD BY PARENTS AND THE COMMUNITY
The Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education (“School”) welcomes your participation at the School’s Board meetings. The purpose of the public meeting of the Board of Directors (“Board”) is to conduct the affairs of the School in public. We are pleased that you are in attendance and hope that you will visit these meetings often. We honor our partners in education. We recognize that we are a collective group of teachers, parents, students, and community. We encourage written and verbal communication. Your participation is vital to the healthy operation of our school. Our guidelines:
The Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education (“School”) welcomes your participation at the School’s Board meetings. The purpose of the public meeting of the Board of Directors (“Board”) is to conduct the affairs of the School in public. We are pleased that you are in attendance and hope that you will visit these meetings often. We honor our partners in education. We recognize that we are a collective group of teachers, parents, students, and community. We encourage written and verbal communication. Your participation is vital to the healthy operation of our school. Our guidelines:
- Agendas are available to all audience members at the door to the meeting and online at venturacharterschool.org
- “Request to Speak” forms are available to all audience members who wish to speak on any agenda item(s) or under the general category of “Oral Communications”.
- “Public Comments" is set aside for members of the audience to address the Board. However, due to public meeting laws, the Board can only listen to your issue, not respond or take action. These presentations are limited to five (5) minutes each and total time allotted to non-agenda items that will not exceed thirty (30) minutes. The Board may give direction to staff to respond to your concern or you may be offered the opinion of returning with a community-requested item.
- With regard to items that are on the agenda, you may specify that agenda item on your request form and you will be given an opportunity to speak for up to five (5) minutes when the Board discusses that item.
- When addressing the Board, speakers are requested to state their name and affiliation with the School.
- Community members may request that a topic related to School business be placed on future agenda in accordance with the guidelines in Board Governance Policy. Once such an item is properly agendized and publicly noticed, the Board can discuss, respond, and possibly act upon such an item.
- In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and upon request, the School may furnish reasonable auxiliary aids and services to qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals who require appropriate alternative modification of the agenda in order to participate in Board meetings are invited to contact the Director’s office. To request assistance contact (805) 648-5503.
- Public requests for agenda and materials should be directed in writing to the Executive Director at lisa.h@venturacharterschool.us
- Board agendas for regular meetings are posted 72 hours in advance at www.venturacharterschool.org and at 2060 Cameron Street, Ventura, CA 93001.
Directors Present
Erika Dowd, Liz Smiley, Sam Estes, Tom Mc Nerney, Tricia McClain
Directors Absent
None
Ex Officio Members Present
Lisa Hildebrand
Non Voting Members Present
Lisa Hildebrand
Guests Present
Elyse Martin, Marlo Hartsuyker, Rudy Calasin, Stephanie Tauber
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
Tom Mc Nerney called a meeting of the board of directors of Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education to order on Thursday Oct 16, 2025 at 6:36 PM.
B.
Record Attendance and Guests
C.
Mission Statement
D.
Approval of Minutes from September 18, 2025
Liz Smiley made a motion to approve the minutes from Regular Board Meeting - September on 09-18-25.
Erika Dowd seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
E.
Approval of the Agenda
Sam Estes made a motion to approve the Agenda.
Liz Smiley seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
F.
Consent Agenda
Liz Smiley made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
Tom Mc Nerney seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
G.
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events were discussed.
II. Communications
A.
Public Comments
None.
B.
President and Board Report
None.
C.
Board Committee Reports
The Governance Committee has a candidate to interview for the Board of Directors.
D.
Teacher Report
Elyse Martin presented an update of instructional activities across the school.
E.
Directors' Report
Lisa HIldebrand presented the Assistant Director and Execustive Director reports.
F.
VCOE Director of Charter School Support and Oversight Report
None.
III. Items Scheduled for Information, Discussion, and/or Action
A.
Governing for Greatness Presentation
Marlo Hartsuyker gave a presentation to the Board based on the book Governing for Greatness.
B.
EcoFest Presentation
Postponed to the November meeting.
C.
Approval of the 2025/2026 Salary Schedule
The Board was asked to approve an hourly wage ($25/hour) for certificated substitutes and raise the long-term sub pay to $264, which is in alignment with the current minimum wage.
Tricia McClain made a motion to approve teh 2025/2026 Salary Schedule.
Erika Dowd seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
D.
Approval of the University of Massachusetts Global MOU
Liz Smiley made a motion to approve the University of Massachusetts Global MOU.
Sam Estes seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
IV. Other Business
A.
Future Topics
--EcoFest presentation
--Data presentation including the CA Dashboard release
--Multiple Measures Report
B.
Board Meeting Check In
The Board checked in on their goals.
V. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
Sam Estes made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Liz Smiley 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 7:45 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Erika Dowd
Sam Estes read the VCS Mission Statement..