Tom read the Maine Charter School Commission Vision and Mission Statements

Norm reported there will be no renominations from the Governor's office by the end of June.

All Commissioners with expiring terms will serve until either renominated or replaced when the legislative session reconvenes in January.

None

Tori reported the Committee discussed the Request to Incur Debt Rubric and noted their recommendation for a two-step review process to provide the schools with any initial Commission concerns. Lana reported that language is added to the Process Overview which reads as follows:

"Initial Conversation Between the School and Commission Staff: Before a school submits a formal Request to Incur Debt, we recommend an initial meeting with Commission staff. This meeting provides an opportunity for a preliminary assessment of the school’s financial, enrollment, and academic performance to gauge the likelihood of approval. Given that the criteria for approval are rigorous, this step helps schools determine whether moving forward is advisable before investing significant time and resources." 

The Committee discussed the definitions of school and campus.

Leigh reported that:

• All school audits have been received and are clean.
• There is a need across the portfolio to strengthen accounting skills and reporting.
• Joe and Lana will research outside sources and provide counsel and support.
• The committee discussed the Rubric to incur debt and the definition of school/campus.

Joe Drago reported that this is a good time to explore adding financial capacity within the schools and contact has been made with a financial services firm who will provide information about available services and pricing. 

Norm reported that most of the meeting time was spent on the same topics reported by the Finance and School Performance Committees.

Tori nominated Leigh Weisenburger Albert to serve as Commission Chair and Tom Keller to serve as Commission Vice Chair for the upcoming year.

Jim seconded the nominations.

The vote to elect the officers will take place during the August meeting.

Norm will open the meeting, the election will take place, and the new Chair will conduct the remainder of the meeting.

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Lana attended graduations for Maine Arts Academy, Baxter Academy, and Maine Virtual Academy. Each school held memorable ceremonies unique to their missions.

Tom attended the Ecology Learning Center graduation where each graduate had dedicated time to speak about their school experiences.  

Ecology Learning Center held end of year expeditions for juniors and seniors.  Some traveled on the West Branch of the Penobscot and Moose River, some backpacked in the White Mountains and others spent time studying the landscape of Mount Blue State Park.

Governor Mills and Commissioner Makin visited Maine Academy of Natural Sciences ("MeANS") to celebrate the Maine Year of Youth in Agriculture.  The pair enjoyed a meeting with school leadership and student ambassadors.  Other students led a tour of the agricultural program visiting greenhouses, the farm and chicken coop, the bee apiary and the blacksmithing barn.  They also shared that MeANS won the 2025 Envirothon State Championship.   Pat Henyan reported that the visit was a great success. 

Lana congratulated all the schools on a year well done and wished the staff a restful break.  

Tom asked for information on the Baxter Innovation Fund Report.  Lana summarized that the students created a wheelchair to be accessible in remote and rugged terrain made with easy to find materials. They formed partnerships with medical facilities in Africa who will benefit from the chairs and provide more opportunities for learning.  The project tied STEM to humanitarian programs and Tori noted it shows students that they can do something to help the world.  

Graduation rate statistics will be available in August.  Currently, post-secondary plans data isn't collected, but Lana explore finding this information.

Lana reported the following:

• The Hall of Flags event was held on May 29th.  Lana thanked the seven participating schools. One-page informational brochures for each school and three Commission based brochures were available to hand out to the legislators.  Group tours of the State House were provided for the students and a packet of information about Senate operations was distributed to them.  Maine Arts Academy students performed in the Senate chamber and a number of students acted as honorary pages.  Commission members discussed the importance of educating legislators about charter schools and noted distributing information during National Charter School Week or at the time the Kids Count Data Book is published would be appropriate.  Schools should be encouraged to have meetings with their local representatives.  
• The Commission sponsored a Strategic Planning Professional Development Workshop for Charter School Board Chairs and Leaders on May 22nd with Naomi Rubin-DeVeaux.  Representatives of eight schools attended and provided positive feedback.    
• ACADIA and Maine Arts Academy are currently in their renewal cycles.  Each has completed required end of year documentation and Amy and Lana held end of year visits with the schools. Year Four performance reports will be provided to the schools by the end of June.  A packet of evidence will be provided to the Commission before the October renewal vote. 
• On May 14th, the Maine Department of Education National School Lunch Team provided a training presentation for school leaders. They covered the requirements, set up and maintenance of the school lunch programs.
• Panorama survey results will be available in August and Amy will be here in person.
• Lana thanked the Commission members for their time and energy this year.

Joe provided background on items included in the Request to Incur Debt Rubric and offered to answer any questions prior to the approval vote. 

Lana provided a Legislative Update as follows: 

• LD#282 to expand the cap on charter schools is closed.  The Committee voted 'ought not to pass' unanimously on the original bill with no amendment.   
• LD#854 for facility construction reform was pulled for this term.
• LD #1718 to allow the Commision to reorganize as a Public Instrumentality of the State has been passed to be enacted and will be finalized 90 days after the session ends.
• LD1571 to eliminate the uniquely qualified designation for charter school teachers beginning in August 2026 was passed.  This bill brings certification requirements for charter school teachers in line with certification requirements for other public school teachers.  

Tom explained that superintendents have proposed a pathway to ease certification for career changers or those pursuing different certifications.  Approval by superintendents and MDOE will be required.  The Commission will work with schools to understand the impact.

Tom inquired about upcoming training opportunities for the Commission.  Lana will be in contact with Naomi Rubin-DeVeaux to plan next year's training sessions and asked the Commissioners for their input.  Norm suggested team building training and a revisit of the mission and vision will be helpful in January, when new Commissioners are appointed. Tom would like to explore helping schools represent their local community.  Leigh suggested guidance on the Commission role to support new schools (Moxie) will be needed.

Maine Connections Academy - Nicole Peluso.

ACADIA Academy - Donald Dearborn.

August 

• To Consider Community Regional Charter School's Request to Consolidate into One Building and to Incur the Debt Required to Build the Building
• Election of Officers
• Panorama Survey Results Presentation by Amy

• 10/22/25 - Maine Arts Academy Ribbon Cutting Ceremony from 5 PM - 7 PM

• Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 1:00 pm.

• Community Regional Charter School (June 13th at 6:00pm/Skowhegan Municipal Building, Opera House-Skowhegan)
• Maine Academy of Natural Sciences - Threshold Program (July 11th at 6:00pm/MeANS Campus-Hinckley)
• Maine Academy of Natural Sciences - Campus Program (July 18th at 6:00pm/MeANS Campus-Hinckley)