Maine Charter School Commission
Minutes
Executive Committee Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday December 7, 2023 at 1:00 PM
Location
Zoom
Committee Members Present
Leigh Albert (remote), Norm Higgins (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 Executive Committee Committee of Maine Charter School Commission to order on Thursday Dec 7, 2023 at 1:04 PM.
II. Agenda Items
A.
School Performance Committee Review
- Reviewed discussion of school performance committee around chronic absenteeism data that was released at last meeting.
- Reviewed discussion of MCA contract change to having no facility to work from.
- Reviewed discussion about new school application and list of new partners with hopes that a partner will work with the school coming on.
B.
Finance Committee Review
- Reviewed discussion of Acadia getting debts taken cared of quickly, asking for line of credit for school through a personal lender on hand who is prepared to loan them the necessary funds at 8% interest week over the next 6 months and has to get an official document that will be reviewed by Lana and Joe before officially being approved.
- Reviewed discussion of MCA new contract (having no physical office space). Would be a financial incentive. Ways to benefit students with extra money from no facility? More teachers could be hired throughout state and not be tied to Scarborough area. Concerns for only meeting monthly instead of daily.
- Reviewed Joe's presentation of financial audits and schools on average in low risk range, with some concerns regarding MEANS' financial state.
- Reviewed discussion regarding Community Regional Charter School changing locations to Waterville. Tori suggested for a new, clear mission for their school if they do this.
C.
December 12th Professional Development
No Discussion.
D.
Marshall Communications Op-Ed
- Discussed press release about the top schools.
E.
MCA Contract
- Teachers being able to work remotely. Discussion of making change when they just won an award.
F.
Annual Report to the Commissioner
No Discussion.
G.
New Charter School Brainstorm: Partnerships
- Idea to have partner connect with school from beginning as they come in.
- Thinking about making a strong connection.
H.
Meeting with Commissioner
- Lana discussed her meeting with Commissioner Makin and about the 10/1 enrollment list and how by the end of the year, the students who have left the school are still being paid for.
I.
Discussion of Report Against School Board
- Lana discussed received a report on one of the charter school's board leaders and about addressing the situation with them.
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 2:20 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Norm Higgins