Roll Call: 

Board Members:

Toby Martin: Board Chairperson 

Adrienne Mason: Board Secretary

Taina Knox: Board Treasurer
Nathan Webster: Board Member 

Yesenia Martinez: Board Member

Sheila Davis: Board Member

Denise Grant: Board Member

Jennifer Hernandez - Board Member 

Rooted School Foundation/School Officials:

Steven Carney: Executive Director & School Leader - Rooted School Vancouver

Sandra Yokley: Director of Operations

Frank Ingargiola: Director of Operations Rooted School NOLA

Jonathan Johnson: Rooted School Foundation CEO

Guests:

Corey Baron - JGP

We humbly acknowledge that Rooted School Vancouver stands on the ancestral lands of the Indigenous peoples of this region. We recognize and honor the historic and continued presence of the Cowlitz, Chinook, Klickitat, Yakama, Grand Ronde, Wasco, and Wishram peoples.

We acknowledge the trauma and injustice inflicted upon Indigenous communities through centuries of colonization, displacement, and assimilation efforts. As we seek to create a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students, we commit to learning from and partnering with Indigenous communities to promote healing and equity.

We also recognize the invaluable contributions and knowledge of Indigenous peoples to our shared history, culture, and identity. We are committed to integrating Indigenous perspectives and knowledge into our curriculum and ensuring that the voices and experiences of Indigenous students are heard and valued in our school community.

Recommendation: The board approves the minutes of the June 28, 2023 regular board meeting.

BOARD SECRETARY TO READ PRIOR TO ALL PUBLIC COMMENT:

Our Public Comment period is for members of the public to address the board. Each member of the public may sign up to comment at the meeting and will be allotted three - five minutes. The board will listen, but may not directly respond to any comments. Please do not use specific student, teacher or administrator names in your comments as our meetings are open to the public and public record, and we must adhere to FERPA - Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. As such, if your comment is about a private matter, please contact the board via email, or speak to the board chair privately.

(Subject to objections by the board members, the following items will be passed by a single motion to approve all listed actions and resolutions. There will be no discussion on these items unless requested by the board. If discussion is requested, the items will be moved from the Consent agenda and considered separately after the motion has been made and passed to approve the remaining items.)

We've been checking off a lot of tasks and requirements for CSC and WA Charters. A few things are still in the works like the Certificate of Occupancy and Food Safety Permit. So far, so good - no compliance issues.

On the hiring front, we're making headway. We've added two paraeducators to our team who'll be working with Dylan Rossi on interventions and IEPs. We're also trying to get a full-time nurse on board, and we're in touch with ESD 112 for a quote.

The good news is, we've moved in! The furniture is in, printers and kitchen equipment set up is complete. Also, we're scheduled for a food permit inspection by the end of July.

As for the curriculum, we've scheduled development activities in August. Our team members have also been busy improving their skills through professional development programs. Starting  August 1, there's a 4-week learning progression planned for all our staff.

On the enrollment side, we're off to a great start - 26 students are either enrolled or almost there. Our marketing campaign through TrueBlue is really pulling its weight, bringing in more traffic, information requests, and applications.

In terms of policy, we're all set to adopt a bunch of them this July. 

Plus, we've got some good fundraising news - a $35,000 grant from the Cowlitz Foundation.

Recommendation: The Board of Directors approves the hire of Virgina (Nia) Vaenuka and  Paulette Patterson as Rooted School Vancouver's Founding ParaEducators.

Apple: Student iPads (including case, pencil and keyboard), Computer Lab Macbooks for Industry Based Certification and courses that require a PC or IOS.   Staff Macbooks and Ipad for instructional delivery.  Apple TV for classroom projection and student collaboration.  Apple is a sole source provider.  

Hyphn:  Furniture for Community Commons and 2 classrooms.  Hyphn provided consortia bidding agreement.

Recommendation:  Approve Apple and Hyphn expenditures.  Funding source: CSP

Background:  Fresh and Local is the only food service provider to bid through a competitive bidding process.  

Fresh n’ Local Foods is a locally owned and operated company located in Salem, Oregon, since 2007. They started our business with a passion for increasing food quality and sourcing local ingredients in schools. They now serve Boys and Girls Clubs, Meal on Wheels, School Districts in Oregon and Washington, Private Schools, Charter Schools, Head Start Programs, and After Care Programs.

Recommendation:  Approve Food Service Provider Contract:  Fresh and Local

The committee chair will provide a verbal report.

A presentation will be given on the 2023/2024 RSV Staff configuration.

Background: Steven Carney and Joule Growth Partners (JGP) will facilitate a  budget adoption presentation.

Background: Policy and Procedure 3432 - Emergencies represents our school district's commitment to maintaining a safe and responsive environment during crises. Developed with foresight, this policy guides our actions in various emergencies, from natural disasters to health-related incidents, aiming to protect students and staff, minimize educational disruptions, and ensure swift, coordinated responses. It stipulates clear roles and procedures, addressing concerns ranging from disease containment and student privacy to maintaining operational continuity and effective communication.

The policy is adaptable and inclusive, catering to the needs of all community members, including individuals with disabilities and language access needs. It also includes student and staff accounting and reunification protocols to restore normalcy as smoothly as possible. Through this policy, we affirm our dedication to preparedness, striving to protect our community, support our students' education, and uphold transparency with all stakeholders.

Recommendation:  Approve Policy and Procedure 3432: Emergencies and corresponding Safe School Plan

Background:  Policy and Procedure 3225, School-Based Threat Assessment, is a comprehensive framework aimed at safeguarding the safety and security of our school community. The policy underscores the critical role of early identification, timely reporting, and effective management of any potential or imminent threats, with its primary focus being on determining if a student poses a threat, not just whether a threat has been made.

The corresponding Procedure 3225 outlines practical steps to handle threats, detailing roles and responsibilities of key individuals, including the threat assessment team, students, families, and staff members. It places high emphasis on transparent communication with parents or guardians, especially in cases involving their children. This policy and procedure, acknowledging the unique needs of students with disabilities, serves as a key tool in our broader commitment to foster a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment for all.

Recommendation:  Approve Policy and Procedure 3225 School-Based Threat Assessment

Background:  The following policy and procedure, 3246: Restraint, Isolation and Other Uses of Physical Intervention, is designed to ensure the safety and well-being of all students and staff within our school district. Recognizing that there are instances where physical intervention may be necessary for the protection of all involved, this policy provides clear guidelines to be followed, striking a balance between maintaining a safe learning environment and protecting the rights and dignity of students.

This policy offers a comprehensive outline on the appropriate use of restraint and isolation, continual monitoring of such situations, post-incident notification and review with parents or guardians, incident reporting and resolution procedures, and staff training requirements. By adopting and implementing these procedures, we strive to foster an atmosphere of trust, respect and clear communication between our school, students, and their families while upholding our paramount duty of ensuring student safety.

Recommendation:  Approve Policy and Procedure 3246: Restraint, Isolation and Other Uses of Physical Intervention

Background:  Policy 4210: Regulation of Dangerous Weapons details the strict prohibition of dangerous weapons on school premises, school-provided transportation, and areas of other facilities being used exclusively for school activities. Dangerous weapons, as defined by this policy, range from firearms, knives, razors, certain martial art devices, explosive substances, and even personal protection spray devices used outside of self-defense contexts.

The policy also lays out necessary reporting procedures for suspected violations, disciplinary actions including expulsion, and allowable exceptions as stated by state law. These regulations reinforce our commitment to maintaining a safe and secure learning environment for our students, faculty, and staff. Our overarching aim is to foster an atmosphere conducive to education and growth, free from threats posed by dangerous weapons.

Recommendation:  Approve Policy Policy 4210: Regulation of Dangerous Weapons

Background:  The Equity Plan for the school is a comprehensive approach to addressing disparities in student outcomes based on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and home language. It aims to ensure that the curriculum, teaching methods, and school culture are inclusive and responsive to the unique needs and strengths of the diverse student body. The plan is grounded in principles such as access and opportunity, inclusive curriculum and pedagogy, representation and diversity, partnership and collaboration, identifying and addressing opportunity gaps, and continuous improvement and accountability. The school is committed to fostering a diverse school community that reflects the rich cultural backgrounds of the students and promotes a sense of belonging, respect, and appreciation for all.

The plan includes several initiatives such as an annual review of school policies and procedures through the lens of racial equity, antiracist professional development for staff and faculty, and a culturally responsive curriculum review. It also includes a focus on resource reallocation to ensure that funding is directed towards initiatives and programs that advance equity. The school is actively seeking external funding sources, including grants and partnerships, to support equity initiatives and programs within the school. The Equity Plan is not a destination but an ongoing journey, with the school committed to confronting challenges with resilience, innovation, and determination.

Recommendation:  Approve the RSV Comprehensive Equity Plan 2023-24

Per our Charter School Contract and as part of the basic education requirements in Washington state, each local education agency, including charter schools, is required to make a minimum of 180 school days available to students each school year and to provide at least 1,080 annual instructional hours to students in grades 9–12. State funding is received based on the number of students enrolled for 1,080 instructional hours over 180 school days.

In the original charter contract for Rooted School Vancouver, we specified 184 Days totaling 1,263.5 instructional hours, translating into a 7.5-hour day for 184 days. However, we did not factor in early release days. We are now proposing to incorporate these into our instructional calendar for the betterment of our students and staff.

Our proposed schedule outlines full day hours from 8:25am to 3:30pm, which equates to 6.5 instructional hours plus a 30-minute lunch break. On Early Release Fridays, school would start at 8:25am and conclude at 12 pm, again with a 30-minute lunch break. This adjustment results in 1,109 instructional hours over 184 days, comfortably surpassing the State's required instructional time of 1,080 hours.

These Early Release Fridays would provide unique opportunities for internships, giving students the chance to gain real-world experience and apply their academic learning in a practical setting. This proposal aligns well with our charter's vision, facilitating a more diverse and comprehensive educational experience for our students.

In addition, the reduced instructional hours on Fridays would provide a consistent time for continuous, job-embedded professional development for our staff. This arrangement directly benefits our students' learning outcomes by ensuring our educators are well-equipped and updated with the latest teaching methods and practices.

In conclusion, our proposed adjustment not only meets but exceeds the state's required instructional hours, while significantly enhancing the quality of the educational experience we offer to our students.

Recommendation:  Approve the proposed REVISED Rooted School Vancouver 2023/2024 School Calendar

Backgroud:  The Transitional Bilingual Instructional Program (TBIP) Plan at Rooted School Vancouver is designed to have a positive impact on the achievement of multilingual learners. The plan involves a series of procedures including data collection from various sources, data analysis to identify trends and areas for improvement, review of professional learning, ongoing follow-up and coaching for staff, adjustments to professional learning based on data analysis and feedback, and reporting and accountability to the Board of Directors and the broader school community. The professional learning approach is ongoing and tailored to the needs of individual staff members and teams, with a minimum of 30 hours of training provided annually for all staff members. The plan also includes a commitment to engaging and supporting families in their children's education, recognizing the critical role they play in their children's academic success and well-being.

The TBIP Plan also includes a comprehensive evaluation process. This involves gathering feedback from staff, students, parents, and the broader school community. The program evaluation includes a review of parent engagement to ensure that families are informed and involved in their child's education, as well as a review of the professional development provided to staff members. The evaluation process is conducted annually to ensure that the TBIP program is meeting its objectives and providing the necessary support for multilingual learners. The TBIP Team Meeting Protocol guides this process and ensures that all stakeholders are involved in the program evaluation and refinement.

Recommend adoption of the RSV Transitional BilIngual Instructional Program Plan.

1) Starting in August, all board meetings will start at 6pm - 7:30pm.

2) Update Photos and Why's on Board On Track

Motion: The motion was made to adjourn the meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at X:XX PM PST

Date of next Rooted School Vancouver, WA Board Meeting is Wednesday, February 23, 2023 @ 4:00 PM PT