Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education

Minutes

Regular Board Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday December 19, 2019 at 6:30 PM

Location

2060 Cameron Street, Ventura, CA 93001 Room 20

Directors Present

Cecilia Johnston, Deanna Weik, Liz Smiley, Tom Mc Nerney, Tricia McClain

Directors Absent

Adam Meyers, Eva Oxelson

Ex Officio Members Present

Lisa Hildebrand, Mary Galvin

Non Voting Members Present

Lisa Hildebrand, Mary Galvin

Guests Present

Laura Bingham, Tony Biasotti

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

Tricia McClain called a meeting of the board of directors of Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education to order on Thursday Dec 19, 2019 at 6:30 PM.

B.

Record Attendance and Guests

C.

Board Adjourns to Closed Session

Board adjourned to Closed Session at 6:34 pm after no public comments.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9: One case

D.

Board Returned to Open Session at 6:44 pm

E.

PUBLIC REPORT ON ANY ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION

No action was taken during closed session.

F.

Mission Statement

VCS Engages every student in meaningful and supportive learning experiences to grow resilient, educated, and socially intelligent human beings.--Read by Cecilia Johnston

G.

Approve the Agenda

Liz Smiley made a motion to approve the agenda.
Deanna Weik seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

H.

Approve Minutes

Cecilia Johnston made a motion to approve the minutes from Regular Board Meeting on 11-21-19.
Liz Smiley seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

I.

Consent Agenda

--Ratification of attached check register, purchase orders, summary of revenue and expenditures for the month of November, 2019
--Gifts to School: Lewis Foundation: $4,000
--Credit Cards: MGalvin:$712.60  Lisa Hildebrand: $268.74
--Personnel:
--Approval of the hiring of Sheryl Fleishman, Speech Therapist, 40% FTE
--Approval of the hiring of Ericarose Encarase as substitute teacher.
--Approval of the hiring of Eo Reveles as substitute paraeducator.
Deanna Weik made a motion to approve Consent Agenda items.
Tricia McClain seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

J.

Upcoming Events

--Regular Board Meeting: 12/19 6:30 pm Room 20
--Winter Break: 12/23-1/3
--Return from Winter Break: 1/6
--PAC Meeting:  1/9
--Regular Board Meeting: 1/16
--PhD Reception 1/31 7pm

II. Items Scheduled for Information, Discussion, and/or Action

A.

Public Comments

B.

Parent Request for 14 Day Ouster Hearing

Michael Walker stated that he outlined his concerns in letters to the Board.  Tricia McClain stated that the Board will deliberate his request and fully consider his position asserted at the hearing as well as all written documentation that he has submitted to the Charter School, in closed session and then provide him with written notice of the Board’s decision tomorrow, December 20, 2019

C.

President and Board Report

Cecilia reported that she and three other board members attended the annual programmatic audit at VCOE on  12/16 and that the VCS presentation was very well received.

D.

Board Committee Reports

Educational Excellence Committee:  Eva Oxelson (Chair), Tom McNerney-Did not meet.
Governance Committee:  Deanna Weik (Chair), Cecilia Johnston, Tricia McClain- Deanna reported that the Committee met before the board meeting and discussed, charter school models, the fundraising policy, and that there are three people potentially interested in joining the board.
Finance Committee:  Liz Smiley (Chair), Tricia McClain-Did not meet.
CEO Support and Evaluation Committee: Tricia McClain (Chair), Deanna Weik, Cecilia Johnston-Did not meet

E.

Parent Liaison Report

Tony reported that the PAC heard a presentation from Nate Warner from EL Education and debriefed Thanksgiving Feast.  The general feedback was the shuttle bus did not work out as hoped and that a new location is being considered since VCS has outgrown Camp Comfort.

F.

Teacher Report

Laura reported that in January, some student teachers from UCSB will be doing their Passion Week with several VCS teachers.  We will also have 3 student teachers next semester from Antioch and Pepperdine.  Teachers' Council had several lengthy discussions about whether or not to become an EL Network school.  All are looking forward to winter break.

G.

Directors' Report

Lisa provided an update of working with EL in the Partner Development process; Mary referred to her written report.

H.

VCOE Director of Charter School Support and Oversight Report

None

III. Items Scheduled for Information, Discussion, and/or Action

A.

MOU with Pepperdine for Student Teaching

Mary reported on her conversation with VCS Counsel regarding the MOU concerns last month.  She added non-discrimination language to the MOU and requested Board approval.
Liz Smiley made a motion to approve the Pepperdine MOU as amended.
Deanna Weik seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Adam Meyers
Absent
Cecilia Johnston
No
Tricia McClain
Aye
Deanna Weik
Aye
Eva Oxelson
Absent
Tom Mc Nerney
Aye
Liz Smiley
Aye

B.

Personnel Policy

Board approval was requested for the following revision the Personnel Policy:
Certificated employees working in a .65   .60 FTE or more regular position (excluding substitute positions) shall be entitled to participate in the School’s health and welfare benefit program on a pro-rated basis, subject to the employer benefits cap.
Cecilia Johnston made a motion to approve the revisions to the Personnel Policy as presented.
Tricia McClain seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

C.

Adams Legacy Foundation Grant

Mary requested Board approval  for the submission of the Adams Legacy Foundation Grant in the amount of $20,000 for the Campout/Outdoor Education.
Deanna Weik made a motion to Approve the submission of the Adams Legacy Foundation Grant as presented.
Liz Smiley seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

D.

Fundraising Policy

Mary requested Board approval of revisions to the fundraising policy made by VCS Counsel.
Liz Smiley made a motion to approve the Fundraising Policy revisions as presented.
Tom Mc Nerney seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

E.

Middle School Trip to Ashland, OR

Lisa presented the itinerary and budget for the 8th grade trip to Ashland, Oregon in May and requested Board approval.
Cecilia Johnston made a motion to approve the 8th grade trip as presented.
Tricia McClain seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

F.

Board Adjourns to Closed Session

Adjourn to Closed Session at 7:20pm
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9: One case

G.

Board Returns to Open Session at 7:45 pm

H.

PUBLIC REPORT ON ANY ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED

Tricia reported that the Board voted to uphold the 14 day Ouster and directed the Directors to issue a written notice to the parent.
Cecilia Johnston made a motion to uphold the 14 day Ouster.
Liz Smiley seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Eva Oxelson
Absent
Deanna Weik
Aye
Tom Mc Nerney
Aye
Cecilia Johnston
Aye
Liz Smiley
Aye
Adam Meyers
Absent

IV. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Cecilia Johnston 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 7:46 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Tom Mc Nerney