Maine Charter School Commission
Minutes
School Performance Committee Meeting
Date and Time
Monday December 4, 2023 at 3:30 PM
Location
Zoom
Committee Members Present
Jim Handy (remote), Tom Keller (remote), Tori Kornfield (remote)
Committee Members Absent
None
Guests Present
Amy Allen (remote), Lana Ewing (remote), Rachel Spell (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
Tori Kornfield called a meeting of the School Performance Committee Committee of Maine Charter School Commission to order on Monday Dec 4, 2023 at 3:31 PM.
II. Agenda Items
A.
December 12th Professional Development: Attendance
B.
US World and News Report: Best Schools Ranking
Congratulations to schools that placed in Maine's Top Rated Schools Article.
New rankings spotlight the best schools in Maine (wmtw.com)
"Maine Connections Academy, Scarborough. At Maine Connections Academy, 98% of students scored at or above the proficient level for math, and 98% scored at or above that level for reading. The student-teacher ratio is 22:1."
C.
State Released Chronic Absenteeism
- State average was 27.3% for last year.
- Four of the charters are below the average (MCA, MEVA, ACADIA, Maine Arts), and the other five are above; something to keep working at.
- Regional pattern - Information on patterns?
D.
MCA Charter Contract Query
- One section of charter that is negotiable during renewal period.
- MCA wants to think about idea of getting remote staff hired throughout state and meet up once a month in person, would help with having more in person events for students, smaller facility would lead to financial incentive.
- Concern of change when they just won an award.
- Recruit staff from farther out towns to help have in person meetups in areas that aren't as populated or close to Scarborough.
E.
New Charter School Brainstorm: Partnerships
- Reviewed list of generated partners to possibly connect with.
- Partner could support applicants?
- Optimize school choices that we have in Maine and find a school to serve as a proof point for what could be possible for charter schools.
- Continue thinking about partnership connections.
III. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 4:25 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Tori Kornfield
No Discussion.