Leigh's comments included the following:

• A thank you to all as this is her last in person meeting.  Leigh is stepping down after four years on the Commission.
• An introduction of new Commission members Vicky Cohen and Jeremy Ray.  Vicky has joined the School Performance Committee and Jeremy has joined the Finance Committee.
• A reminder the Ad-hoc Nominating Committee will provide an update later in this meeting.

Agenda item X. New Business Requiring Approval and/or Acceptance was moved ahead of Agenda item VI. Presentation - MEANS to allow Brian's participation.  

Tom reported the School Performance Committee discussed the following:

• Innovation Fund Grant proposals from Fiddlehead School of Arts and Sciences, MOXIE Public Schools, Maine Academy of Natural Sciences and Maine Connections Academy.  
• NWEA and the differences and value of administering both the through-year and the MAP Growth assessments. Both tests operate from the same item bank.  
• The upcoming school year meeting schedules for the Commission and the School Performance Committee.

Brian reported the Finance Committee discussed the following:

• Maine Charter School Commission Monthly Financials -  tracking very close to budget at this time.
• Community Regional Charter School Request to Incur Debt to enable it to bring its meal service in house.  The Finance Committee recommends approval.
• 3rd Quarter School Financial Metric Reports.
• The Reserve Fund Investment Policy.
• Commission and Professional Development Calendars.

Leigh reported the Committee reviewed the Commission policies to be voted on later in this meeting.

Jim Handy and James Ford served as the Ad-Hoc Election of Officers Committee.  Jim reported that they met and recommend Brian Langley as Chair of the Commission and Tom Keller as Vice Chair of the Commission for the upcoming year.

Lana reminded the members that the formal vote will take place in August.

• None

Head of School Ryan Anthony and Director of Curriculum and Instruction Evan Coleman presented an overview of school operations.

Mission - The MEANS mission is twofold:

1) to provide project based, student-centered instruction immersed in the natural sciences of Maine including agriculture, forestry and the environment.

2) to provide a relationship based program where students are challenged to connect with their education in order to grow as individuals, interact with their communities, and lead fulfilling lives.

MEANS operates two programs:

• Campus with 125 students in grades 9-12.  The program provides experiential learning with intensives and a strong advisory component.
• Threshold with 55 students in grades 11 & 12.  Teachers in this program provide personalized instruction, meeting with students one on one in their homes.  

Four areas of strength highlighted:

• Natural Science Intensives which are two week instructional units held each season with each grade.  The inter-disciplinary curriculum has evolved over 5 years and provides a balance of academic content, skill and place-based projects.  An overnight experience is offered for each grade.  The intensives are the backbone of the school mission and weave career opportunities into the program.  They have partnered with other schools who have implemented similar programs.
• Restorative Practices - Faculty wide discussions have been held and a professional learning committee was established. There has been family involvement and there has been a dramatic reduction in exclusionary discipline.
• Student & School Data - Efforts to create a climate and culture around raising the academic bar  is reflected in student data.  On the Accuplacer exam, 92% of seniors met the college preparedness mark in math and 84% in reading.  93% of the campus group is on track to graduate this year.  AP Courses are now offered and dual enrollment options are strong.  
• Post Secondary Planning - Students made 8 Maine college visits this year and also explored careers as part of the intensive program.  The school partners with Gear-up and next year proposes to offer overnight college campus experiences.  More students than ever applied to college this year.  Two students received a Mitchell scholarship and six received a Worthington scholarship. 

Threshold Student Spotlight - A disengaged student dropped out of a traditional public school and became part of the threshold program.  She is now a graduating senior and Worthington scholar recipient.

Next year the school is up for renewal and is focused on academic rigor in the classroom.

Lana provided the following school updates:

• Maine Connections Academy held their graduation ceremony for 92 students.  Kate Re, an accomplished motorsports driver and 2022 graduate was the keynote speaker.
• Maine Arts Academy held their 8th grade graduation with performances, awards and certificates.  The school also held Day of Caring volunteer events at Viles Arboretum, the Maine Vets Home, and a local nursing home.  The 12th grade ceremony will be held at the Augusta Civic Center.  

Two schools are in charter renewal this year and Amy provided the renewal timeline up to the October Commission vote.

• Spring - The schools submit preliminary performance framework outcomes and a self-assessment. The staff then meets with school leadership and board members in advance of the issuance of the Year-Four Performance Report to the schools by June 30.
• Summer - End of year documentation by the schools is due and the renewal application is released. An on-site end of year visit by staff will be held in August.
• Fall - The schools will submit the renewal application along with any amendment requests.  The staff will conduct site visits and focus groups with students, families, teachers and other staff.  A public hearing will be held prior to the Commission vote in October.  

Lana noted the following:

• The informational binder of Maine Charter School Commission information has been updated and will be set up in a virtual binder in Board on Track.  Amy showed the group how to find the documents in Board on Track in the Commissioner Resource area.  
• The last Professional Development workshop "How to Make the Most of Summer Months" was held led by Mike Mizzoni of Board on Track.
• The Panorama survey window closes on June 11 at 3 pm.  A presentation will be provided in August.

• None

Bruce Woodard - Fiddlehead School of Arts & Sciences

• None

July

• No Meeting

August

• Election of Officers
• Panorama Survey Results Presentation

Graduation

• Friday, June 12th at 5:00pm - Fiddlehead School of Arts and Sciences (Norumbega Cidery, New Gloucester)
• Friday, June 12th at 6:00pm - Overman Academy (Skowhegan Opera House, 225 Water Street, Skowhegan)
• Friday, July 10th at 6:00pm - Maine Academy of Natural Sciences/Threshold (13 Easler Road, Hinckley)
• Friday, July 17th at 6:00pm - Maine Academy of Natural Sciences/Campus (13 Easler Road, Hinckley)

• July - No Meeting
• August - will be held in person in Augusta
• September