Leigh arrived at 1:08

James joined at 1:10

Brian joined at 1:30

Norm asked Tom to read the Maine Charter School Vision and Mission Statements and gave the following updates:

• Legislative Activity - Norm thanked the Alliance and Bill Doughty for organizing testimony at the legislature.  He reported that he and Lana attended public hearings and work sessions.  The bill for a structural change of the commission was approved unanimously by the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee.  Lana continues to coordinate with Senator Rafferty on other pending bills.
• The Hall of Flags is coming up on May 29th.
• Norm nominated Tori as the senior member of the Ad-hoc nominating committee and reported that officer candidates will be nominated during the June Commission meeting with the confirmation vote taking place in the next monthly meeting, July or August if the July meeting is cancelled.  

Tori reported the following:

• The Committee discussed the Moxie Public School application.  Tom added the Committee recommended conditions to add to the application which will be reviewed later in the agenda.
• Lana provided a definition for a school / campus for consideration. Tori noted that if a school wants to expand in the future, it will be required to come before the Commission for approval.  

Lana reported the following:

• CRCS shared progress on the acquisition of their new school building site and informed they plan to come before the Commission in August with an amendment request to incur debt.
• The Committee discussed the Moxie Public School application and the final recommendation from the review team.
• The Committee discussed FY26 Commission Budget which will come for a vote in today's agenda.

Norm thanked Amy for leading the project to convert the Commission to a new organizational structure.

Norm reported the Committee discussed the following:

• Moxie Public School application.
• Commission leadership next year.

Norm suggested a review of the Executive Committee role and meeting frequency going forward.

Lana reported since last month's update, the Commission interview with Moxie Public School representatives took place and the public hearing was held.  The rigorous application review process has been completed, and Lana thanked the applicant team, Commission and staff for their work.  She also thanked community members who provided support and input.

Leigh also thanked David Hartman for providing training for the assessment of the applications.

Norm expressed his thanks to the Committee as well.

Jana Lapoint urged that the Commission inform The Education and Cultural Affairs Committee on the role of charter schools in Maine as they are making decisions on issues that come before them.

Norm responded that the Commission provides a comprehensive report to the Committee annually. He has reached out to set up a meeting and is still waiting for a date and time confirmation.  

Dr. Beth Rabbitt on behalf of the Moxie Public School application team, provided a brief overview of their vision for the school.  The team desires an innovative 6th to 12th grade school environment that will provide a diverse student population an education that is personal, purposeful and connected to their community.  

Lana shared the following:

• Graduation dates are in the packet.  Congratulations to all the graduates.
• Maine Virtual Academy is offering its summer 2025 enrichment program featuring project- based learning and work study options.
• Maine Academy of Natural Sciences held their first AP exam this year and the Board has been interviewing candidates for its school leader. They now have 3 finalists out of 20 applications reviewed.
• Maine Arts Academy has been conducting college tours and holding open houses for the middle school expansion which has an enrollment waiting list. They held a spring theater performance, music and dance recitals, and a family Easter event. They were also approved for project-based summer school funding.

Tom suggested collecting data on scholarships received by charter school students as they graduate.

Jim asked about progress on the Panorama surveys.  Amy reported the completion window closes on June 12 and that participation rates are up this year.  

Lana reported the following:

• LD1718 - The bill seeking to establish the organizational structure of the Commission as a Public Instrumentality of the State passed the Educational and Cultural Affairs Committee on May 1.  The next step is a vote in the Maine House and Senate to become law.  The staff is in early stages of planning implementation and Amy will manage this project provided there is a favorable vote.
• Norm complimented Lana on her clearly stated testimony on the benefits of the reorganization.
• School Renewals - Maine Arts Academy and ACADIA are up for renewal in October and preparations are beginning.  The schools will submit self-assessments and preliminary performance framework data for the year in late May and staff will meet with both schools in early June to review and discuss performance trends for the last four years of the charter term.  The Year 4 reports are due on June 30th.   
• Thank you to the Maine DOE Esca team who provided training to Charter School leadership on Federal grants, program applications and management.
• Professional Development on strategic planning for School Boards and Leaders will be held on May 22nd with Naomi Ruben-Deveaux facilitating.  

Amy gave an update on the Hall of Flags Event.  Highlights are as follows:

• 7 of 9 schools will attend
• Honorary pages - CRCS, MeANS, and Maine Arts students will serve in the Senate Chamber.
• Performances - Maine Arts string ensemble will perform, and chorus will sing the National Anthem in the Senate. 
• State House tours will be available for students.
• Light refreshments for all will be served.
• Bag lunches will be available for the participating students.
• One page informational handouts will be available to give to Legislators as they pass through. 

Baxter Academy has a new board member.

June

• To Consider the Need to Hold a Commission Meeting in July
• To Consider Maine Arts Academy's Bylaw Amendment Request

July/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

• 5/29/25 - Maine Charter School Hall of Flags beginning at 9 AM
• 10/22/25 - Maine Arts Academy Ribbon Cutting Ceremony from 5 PM - 7 PM

• June 10, 2025 (Cross Office Building, Room #103, Augusta) or Zoom

2025 Graduation Dates

• Baxter Academy for Technology and Science (May 31st at 11:00am/Merrill Auditorium-Portland)
• Community Regional Charter School (June 13th at 6:00pm/Skowhegan Municipal Building, Opera House-Skowhegan)
• Ecology Learning Center (June 5th at 5:00pm/MOFGA)
• Maine Academy of Natural Sciences - Campus Program (July 18th at 6:00pm/MeANS Campus-Hinckley)
• Maine Academy of Natural Sciences - Threshold Program (July 11th at 6:00pm/MeANS Campus-Hinckley)
• Maine Arts Academy (June 1st at 12:00pm/Augusta Civic Center)
• Maine Connections Academy (June 6th at 2:00pm/Merrill Auditorium-Portland)
• Maine Virtual Academy (June 6th ay 2:00pm/ZOOM)

Norm encouraged attendance and reminded the members these are stipend days.

Please reach out to Lana if attending.  ACADIA and Fiddlehead end of year celebration dates will be provided.