Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education

Minutes

Regular Board Meeting - April

Date and Time

Thursday April 18, 2024 at 6:30 PM

Location

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:
  1. Agendas are available to all audience members at the door to the meeting and online at venturacharterschool.org
  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 Executive Director at lisa.h@venturacharterschool.us 
  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

Cecilia Johnston, Dominic Aguirre, Liz Smiley, Skye Stifel, Tom Mc Nerney

Directors Absent

Tricia McClain

Ex Officio Members Present

Christi Sandbach, Lisa Hildebrand

Non Voting Members Present

Christi Sandbach, Lisa Hildebrand

Guests Present

Isabelle Rhode, Mahika Morin, Rudy Calasin

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

Liz Smiley called a meeting of the board of directors of Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education to order on Thursday Apr 18, 2024 at 6:31 PM.

B.

Record Attendance and Guests

Skye Stiffel arrived at 6:34 PM

C.

Mission Statement

Cece Johnston read the VCS Mission Statement.

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

D.

Approval of Minutes for the Regular Board Meeting for March 2024

Tom Mc Nerney made a motion to approve the minutes from Regular Board Meeting - March on 03-21-24.
Cecilia Johnston seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

E.

Approval of the Agenda

Dominic Aguirre made a motion to approve the agenda.
Cecilia Johnston seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

F.

Consent Agenda

Approval for the Consent Agenda, provided below, was requested.

 

--Ratification of attached check register, purchase orders, summary of revenue and expenditures for the month of March 2024.
--Gifts to School

None

 

--Credit Cards

                         March:

                         LHildebrand: $995.50

                         CSandbach: $3553.82

 

                        

-Personnel: 

Hiring

None

 

Resignation:

Paraeducators

Paula Gonzalez - 3/28/24

Signe Harvout - 3/28/24

Cecilia Johnston made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
Tom Mc Nerney seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

G.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events were presented

 

--4/28 - EcoFest on the VCS Campus!

--CAASPP Testing

--MAP Growth and Accadience Testing

--5/10 - Parent Appreciation Day

II. Communications

A.

Public Comments

None

B.

President and Board Report

No report given.

C.

Board Committee Reports

The Finance Committee will meet in May.

The CEO Evaluation Committee will meet soon.

D.

Parent Liaison Report

None given

E.

Staff/Teacher Report

Mahika Morin, School Psychologist, shared what has been happening in classrooms at VCS this month.

F.

Directors' Report

Assistant Director Report

Christi reported that the Data Team held a 2nd Grade Reading Intervention meeting to discuss individual students who need more support in reading. GATE testing has been completed. End of year MAP Growth testing has begun. 

 

Executive Director Report

Lisa reported that EcoFest, VCS' largest fundraiser, is on Sunday, April 28th from 11-4:30. We continue our work with EL Education and will be presenting our Student, Family, and Staff surveys to the Board in May.

G.

VCOE Director of Charter School Support and Oversight Report

No report given

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

A.

Nomination for a New Board Member

The Board hear a presentation for the nomination of Samuel Estes to the VCS Board. Voting will take place at the May 2024 Board meeting.

B.

Approve Resolution of the Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education Board of Directors Resolution 23-24-01 in support of Assembly Bill 2254 (Rubio)

Cecilia Johnston made a motion to approve the Resolution of the Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education Board of Directors Resolution 23-24-01 in support of Assembly Bill 2254 (Rubio).
Liz Smiley seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

C.

Approve Resolution of the Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education Board of Directors Resolution 23-24-02 in opposition to Senate Bill 1380 (Dodd)

Skye Stifel made a motion to approve the Resolution of the Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education Board of Directors Resolution 23-24-02 in opposition to Senate Bill 1380 (Dodd).
Tom Mc Nerney seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

Business Services Authority Agreement for the 2024-2025 School Year

Approval was requested for the 24/25 school year Business Services Authority Agreement

Tom Mc Nerney made a motion to approve the the 24/25 school year Business Services Authority Agreement.
Liz Smiley seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

E.

CFOMW Tax, LLC Service Fee Agreement

Skye Stifel made a motion to approve the CFOMW Tax, LLC Service Fee Agreement.
Cecilia Johnston seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

F.

2023-2024 VCS Fixed Asset Disposal List

Tom Mc Nerney made a motion to approve the 23/24 VCS fixed asset disposal list.
Liz Smiley seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

G.

Declaration of Need for Fully Qualified Teachers

Skye Stifel made a motion to apporve the Declaration of Need for Fully Qualified Teachers for the 24/25 school year.
Tom Mc Nerney seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

IV. Other Business

A.

Future Topics


--Finance Committee Meeting needs to be scheduled before June 6, 2024.

--Staff, Student, Family Survey

--LCAP

--Discussion of rescheduling of May Board meeting to May 23, 2024

B.

Board Meeting Check In


VCS Board Goals for the 2023/2024 School Year

 

Goal 1: Develop a well-governed organization- Governance Committee (Recruit diverse board members from the community, Develop Short & Long Term Executive Director Succession Plan. CEO Evaluation Committee: Redo CEO Evaluation Survey.) 

Goal 2: Students progressing towards the highest level of achievement. 

Goal 3: Build community presence/outreach for a sustainable organization (Marketing plan, increase Home School Program enrollment and waiting list, create an online presence, promote VCS as a leader in education in Ventura County.)

V. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Skye Stifel made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 PM.
Tom Mc Nerney seconded the motion.
The board VOTED 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 7:20 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Cecilia Johnston