• Norm asked Commission member, Tom Keller, to read the Commission's mission and vision statements.

None

Tori Kornfield - Chair, School Performance Committee - reported on the work being done by the Committee.

Leigh Weisenburger Albert - Chair, Finance Committee - reported that due to scheduling challenges the Committee was unable to meet in April.

Norm Higgins - Chair, Executive Committee - reported on the work being done by the Committee.

Bill Doughty - Board Chair, Fiddlehead School of Arts & Sciences - spoke to the challenges of interpreting both NWEA outcomes and Panorama survey results as the "norms" are pre-pandemic. 

Joe shared his presentation "ED279 Refresher" - Highlights are:

• The ED279 is the report that shows how Maine schools are funded.  It is based on equitable opportunity and adequacy, is cost driven and relies on audited data gleaned from high performing, cost effective charters and school units.
• Joe noted that if the schools have questions about their funding, Paula Gravelle at the Maine DOE will be happy to discuss.         
• Current stressors on school funding include inflation, facilities at limits, competition for teachers, political climate shifts, weather extremes and scarcity of non-govt funders.  
• Current strengths of fiscal management include the capture of leading indicators, financial performance reporting and multi-year planning, competitive teacher offers, an active search for non-gov't funders, experienced Commission.
• Types of funding for schools are 1) Basic Counts (per student EPS based on home district); 2) Weighted Counts (additional funding for certain characteristics such as disadvantaged and multilingual students; 3) Targeted Funds for Assessments and Technology; 4) Spec Ed Allocation based on State Rules; and 5) Transportation Allocation (annual rate per student)
• ACADIA Academy Funding Calculation example.
• The expected EPS Avg for FY25 Charter Schools is $8,186 about $100 less than in FY24.  
• Paula Gravelle at the Maine DOE has a draft PowerPoint for Maine Charter School funding calculations which includes the applicable Maine law.
• The funding program is reviewed every three years.  Charter schools get about 2% or $33M of the state budget.

Discussion / Questions / Comments

• Fundraising - Leigh asked if the scarcity of non-governmental funders is unique to Maine?  Joe responded no, but there is philanthropy in larger cities for charter schools that is absent in Maine. Lana noted that Maine has an enrollment cap that other state's do not.  Leigh commented that in Lewiston fundraising efforts may be impacted by the efforts related to the Lewiston shooting tragedy.  Norm questioned whether the commission could assist with fundraising activities like grant writing, management, etc. and asked whether there are National Charter School resources available to schools.  Lana relayed the May School Leader's Meeting will be devoted to a Fund Ed presentation.  This organization has raised over $100M for Charter Schools in the past 6 years and is offering a pro-bono hour on best practices.    
• Student Counts - Tori raised the issue of the timing of student counts and its impacts on the EPS amounts.
• Transportation - Norm asked if charter schools are eligible for any state funding of bus purchases. Joe stated the only state funding for transportation is the $900 per student.  Joe explained this is a management issue for school.  The schools need to find some other funding.  
• Facilities - Norm asked if charter schools are eligible for construction funding or the revolving fund.  Joe says no because although not expressly prohibited, it is not written into law that it is available to them.  
• Charter School Funding is all state funding (100% of EPS model amount); no local funding goes to charter schools. 
• Federal Funds - Tom asked if the schools receive Federal funds. Joe answered yes, the schools get them on their own.  The amounts are added to the Basic EPS amounts.

Lana provided the following updates:

• Maine Connections Academy was awarded an Outdoor Learning Initiative Grant (MOLI) for summer student opportunities.  They have 4 options ranging from a 1 day ropes course/team building time to a 5-day overnight summer camp experience.  This is part of the social engagement goal that is part of the Performance Framework.  Tori expressed her concern it's a small % of kids who take advantage of this.  Her concern is the social isolation they experience.  Lana noted that we will get the % of kids participating.
• Maine Arts Academy, Healthy Communities of the Capital Area, and Downtown Augusta all co-sponsored an Art Walk on Saturday to highlight mental health through Downtown Augusta and Maine Arts Rock Music Ensemble performed. They also invited other area public schools to submit art so this is a collaboration between Maine Arts as a charter and 3 other public districts in Kennebec County. The art work will be displayed in about 15 businesses downtown. 
• Baxter Academy for Technology and Science students won a robotics competition at the Maine Math State Math Competition. Received a Maine Outdoor Learning (MOLI) grant for 4 weeks of stem programming for new Americans/under-represented populations.  Programming will be STEM focused through Ocean Sustainability/AI in the Sky/Photography in our community/Hiking expeditions. Environmental Immersion program travelled up to see the Eclipse. A rotating group of @60 students are now taking regular trips into nature -hiking ranges from Mackworth Island to much more ambitious efforts.  It is our work taking a leadership role in making a practical connection between our student's curriculum and the needs of the planet.

Lana provided the following updates:

• The Finance Committee and staff, with Joe's support, are working on the FY25 budget to be presented and voted on at the May meeting.  The Executive Committee has been briefed and provided feedback.  A highlight of the budget is a proposed increase in the Innovation Funds from $20K in the current budget to $40K.  The Performance Committee has noted areas of growth that schools could have on chronic absenteeism, math or early literacy.  Rather than direct programming at the Board Level, the use of these funds can encourage the schools to create their own programming to impact growth in these areas. Leigh commented that in a future way of looking at the innovation fund, the fiddlehead request for strategic planning would be forecasted in a three-year operating budget. 
• Mid-Year Reports - From January through March, the Staff met with each school for trends and had candid conversations with the schools.  
  • Summary 
    • ELA - 5 of 9 schools are outperforming the state average for at or above expectations. 
    • Math is subject of concern; Only 1 of 9 schools is outperforming state averages (Acadia).  
    • Chronic absenteeism is improving in every school, but still not meeting the performance framework expectations.  Tori noted the relationship between chronic absenteeism and math scores because of the building block nature of math unit instruction.  
    • Graduation rate - All schools are expected to meet or exceed the graduation rate expectation of the framework.  This is improved from past years.  
    • The financials look good.  Two schools are waiting on audit results, but the others show no material deficiencies. 
    • Enrollment is good.  High re-enrollment and larger enrollment than last year in all schools except Acadia which is capped because of the facility limitations.  
    • Facilities space - All the schools need for more space.
• State Board of Education Committee - Rescheduled meeting later this spring for the MCSC presentation.  
• Panorama Surveys - The window has been launched and runs from March 25 to June 13.  Lana extended thanks to Amy.
• Strategic Planning Session - The session will be held after the shortened May Board Meeting.  The Board will meet with Naomi from NCSI from 2:30 to 4:30. The Mission and Vision statements will be reviewed.  School boards can convene on May 14 with Naomi as well.
• June Board Meeting - The meeting will be held at the Ecology Learning Center on June 11 as they are going into renewal next year.
• 5 minute break at 2:44
• Count Me In - Lana thanked Jess Anderson for her Commission presentation on chronic absenteeism last month and James who made the introduction.  Jess is able to offer training for schools next year where they would meet for an hour of PD monthly to discuss their chronic absenteeism and solve the problems together.  Jess would provide best practices from her work experience. The funds for this expense are in the proposed budget and the cost is reasonable.   

Norm and Lana have had a series of meetings with parties who may be interested in submitting a new school application. Lana expects a "robust and competitive application process" and reminded the Commission that the application will open on July 1st and due in February 2025. 

Norm stated that the role of the Commission Chair is "to open doors" while the role of the Executive Director "is to manage the portfolio".  

Leigh asked if there is a rubric for assessing completed applications.  Lana responded that there is one available that needs a few revisions to match the application itself.  She also shared that a review team will be formed to evaluate the applications and that training on how to evaluate will likely be provided by David Hartman.

None

None

None

• Consideration of the Commission's FY25 Budget
• Ad-Hoc Nominating Committee for Election of Officers

• The June meeting will be held at the Ecology Learning Center.
• Executive Session for Annual Executive Director Evaluation
• Consider the Cancellation of the July Commission Meeting

Graduation Ceremonies:

• Sunday, June 2nd (Maine Arts Academy, Augusta Civic Center)
• Friday, June 7th (2:00pm-Maine Virtual Academy, Zoom)

Norm shared that attendance at graduation ceremonies is encouraged and that travel expenses and per diem will be paid.

May 14, 2024 at 1pm via Zoom or in person at 111 Sewall Street, Augusta, ME. Room 103.