Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education

Minutes

Board Meeting

October Regular Board Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday October 15, 2020 at 6:00 PM

Location

 
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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:
  1. Agendas are available to all audience members at the door to the meeting.
  2. “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”.
  3. “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.
  4. 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.
  5. When addressing the Board, speakers are requested to state their name and affiliation with the School.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. Public requests for agenda and materials should be directed in writing to the Director of Operations at mary@ venturacharterschool.org. 
  9. 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

Adam Meyers (remote), Cecilia Johnston (remote), Deanna Weik (remote), Liz Smiley (remote), Tom Mc Nerney (remote), Tricia McClain (remote)

Directors Absent

None

Directors who arrived after the meeting opened

Deanna Weik

Ex Officio Members Present

Lisa Hildebrand (remote)

Non Voting Members Present

Lisa Hildebrand (remote)

Guests Present

Benny Martinez (remote), Laura Bingham (remote), Marlo Hartsuyker (remote), Tony Biasotti (remote)

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 Oct 15, 2020 at 6:03 PM.

B.

Record Attendance and Guests

Deanna Weik arrived.

C.

Mission Statement

VCS engages every student in meaningful and supportive learning experiences to grow resilient, educated, and socially intelligent human beings. 
Read by Tom McNerny

D.

Approve the Agenda

Liz Smiley made a motion to approve the agenda.
Adam Meyers seconded the motion.

 
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Tom Mc Nerney
Aye
Deanna Weik
Absent
Adam Meyers
Aye
Cecilia Johnston
Aye
Tricia McClain
Aye
Liz Smiley
Aye

E.

Approve Minutes from Regular Board Meeting on 9-17-20

Adam Meyers made a motion to approve the minutes from Regular Board Meeting on 09-17-20.
Cecilia Johnston seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Tom Mc Nerney
Aye
Tricia McClain
Aye
Deanna Weik
Absent
Cecilia Johnston
Aye
Adam Meyers
Aye
Liz Smiley
Aye

F.

Consent Agenda

Adam Meyers made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda items.
Liz Smiley seconded the motion.
--Ratification of attached check register, purchase orders, summary of revenue and expenditures for the month of September, 2020
--Gifts to School: Deanna Weik: $400; Farmbox: $1200. 
--Credit Cards: MGalvin:$1350.66 credit  (40.34 purchases)  Lisa Hildebrand: $815.33
--Personnel:  
                       --Ratification of the hiring of Shannon LeBreau as a long term substitute.
                       --The Ratification of the termination of the noon duty aides: Ray Mini, Chris Hearst, Benicia Smith.
   
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Tricia McClain
Aye
Tom Mc Nerney
Aye
Deanna Weik
Absent
Adam Meyers
Aye
Cecilia Johnston
Aye
Liz Smiley
Aye

G.

Upcoming Events

October 14: Board Governance/Brown Act Training 5:30-8:30
October 15: Board Meeting 6pm
October 26-30: Fall Break
November 12:  PAC Meeting 6:30pm
November 19:  Regular Board Meeting 6pm
March 15-19, 2021:  CCSA Virtual Conference
 

II. Communications

A.

Public Comments

None

B.

President and Board Report

None

C.

Board Committee Reports

Governance Committee:  Deanna Weik (Chair), Cecilia Johnston, Tricia McClain 
Did Not Meet
Finance Committee:  Tom McNerney (Chair), Tricia McClain
Tom shared the committee met on 10-1-2020 to discuss the 2020/2021 School Budget
CEO Support and Evaluation Committee: Tricia McClain (Chair), Deanna Weik, Cecilia Johnston
Did Not Meet
Development Committee: Adam Meyers (Chair), Liz Smiley
Did Not Meet

D.

Parent Liaison Report

Tony Biasotti reported on the PAC Meeting and the parent feedback on the possible return to
In-Person Learning.

E.

Teacher Report

Laure Bingham reported on the Teachers' perspective on the possible return to In-Person Learning.
 

F.

Directors' Report

Lisa Hildebrand shared information on Teachers' perspective on Distance Learning and EL's assistance as well as attendance.

G.

VCOE Director of Charter School Support and Oversight Report

Marlo Hartsuyker shared information about our Charter Renewal timeline and high rating from the California Department of Education which could give us a 7 year renewal. Marlo also thanked the Board members who attended the online Brown Act training in September.

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

A.

Board Governance Committee: Board Member Nomination

Deanna Weik presented the Board Governance Committee Nominating Task Force recommendation of Dominic Aguirre as a candidate for the VCS Board. No action needed

B.

Reopening of School Update

Public Comment: Tony Biasotti shared his concerns as a VCS parent about reopening. 
Lisa presented the survey results from the VCS teachers and VCS parents regarding the return to school. The Board discussed possible reopening dates. After discussion the Board decided to take No Action and to schedule a Special Board meeting on October 22, 2020 to vote on a reopening date no later than January 25, 2021. 

C.

Student Use of Technology-Acceptable Use Policy

Tom Mc Nerney made a motion to approve the Student Use of Technology-Acceptable Use Policy as presented.
Cecilia Johnston seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Tricia McClain
Aye
Adam Meyers
Aye
Cecilia Johnston
Aye
Tom Mc Nerney
Aye
Deanna Weik
Aye
Liz Smiley
Aye

D.

Board Adjourns to Closed Session

Board Adjourns to Closed Session at 7:59 pm.

Public Employment: Director of Operations

E.

Board Returns to Open Session

Board Returns to Open Session at 8:17 pm.

F.

Board Report Out of Any Action Taken

No Action Taken. 

IV. Other Business

A.

Future Agenda Topics

--Reopening of In-Person Learning
--Search and Seizure Policy
--Administration of Medication Policy
--Student Freedom of Speech Policy

B.

Board Meeting Check In

2020-21 Annual Goals:
Goal 1: Develop a well-governed organization.-Governance Committee (Recruit diverse board members from the community)
Goal 2: Students progressing towards the highest level of achievement.
Goal 3: Develop a CEO Succession plan.--Governance Committee
Goal 4. Build financial capacity for a sustainable organization. (Fundraising/Marketing Plan)—Development Committee

V. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Deanna Weik made a motion to Adjourn the meeting.
Cecilia Johnston seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Tricia McClain
Aye
Adam Meyers
Aye
Tom Mc Nerney
Aye
Cecilia Johnston
Aye
Liz Smiley
Aye
Deanna Weik
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:19 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Cecilia Johnston