Roll Call: 

Board Members:

Adrienne Mason: Board Chairperson

Toby Martin: Board Vice Chairperson 

Taina Knox: Board Treasurer

Sheila Davis: Board Secretary

Denise Grant: Board Member

Jennifer Hernandez - Board Member 

Tyrone Foster - Board Member 

Student Representative:

Crystal Rauda

School Officials:

Steven Carney: Executive Director & School Leader - RSV

Angie Lundgren: Office Manager - RSV

Recommendation: The board approves the minutes of the October 24, 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.)

The following payments as audited and certified by the auditing officer, as required by RCW 42.24.080, and those expense reimbursements claims certified, as required by RCW 42.24.090, are approved for payment. In addition, payroll payments in the amount of $90,432.71 are also approved.

General Fund

Accounts Payable

Total electronic payments totaling $113,614.56 and

Check number N/A totaling $0.00

Non-AP Cash Disbursements

Total electronic payments totaling $401.84 and

Check number N/A totaling $0.00

Payroll

Total electronic payments totaling $90,432.71 and

Payroll check number N/A totaling $0

Background:

Rooted School Vancouver (RSV) has entered into an Innovation Grant Agreement with the Washington State Charter Schools Association (WA Charters), effective November 8, 2023. This 12-month agreement grants RSV a sum of $50,000 to support innovative, student-centered educational approaches. The grant will enable RSV to implement and maintain high-quality educational standards while adhering to the specific conditions set forth, including financial and ethical compliance, deliverable submissions, and reporting requirements.

Action:

The School Board is requested to vote on the approval of the Rooted School Vancouver Innovation Grant Agreement as detailed in the provided document. This action will formalize the acceptance of the grant and authorize the implementation of its terms, supporting RSV's commitment to innovative and high-standard educational practices.

Background: Rooted School Vancouver prioritizes student engagement in governance. The proposed Policy and Procedure 1250 introduces the inclusion of a Student Representative on the Board of Directors. This policy is designed to ensure student voices are integral to board decisions, enhancing inclusive governance. The policy details the rationale for student representation, expectations, and limitations of student representatives, including their roles and responsibilities.

Policy 1250: STUDENTS ON GOVERNING BOARDS

• Justifies student representation on the board.
• Outlines expectations for attendance, contributions, and liaison roles.
• Clarifies limitations (e.g., non-attendance at executive sessions, no board offices).

Procedure 1250: STUDENTS ON GOVERNING BOARDS

• A. Term of Office: Details the selection process, term duration, and orientation for student representatives.
• B. Qualifications: Specifies academic and leadership requirements.
• C. Responsibilities: Defines the rules, regulations, and information access for student representatives.

Proposed Action:

The School Board is requested to vote on the adoption of Policy and Procedure 1250, thereby formalizing the inclusion of a Student Representative on the Board of Directors and promoting student-informed decision-making in school governance.

Background: The RSV Board Compliance Dashboard for 2023-2024, as required by the Washington State Charter Commission, provides a comprehensive overview of various performance and compliance indicators. This includes academic measures, financial management, governance, and organizational obligations. The dashboard aligns with the requirements of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), particularly concerning charter school operations and accountability.

Proposed Action: The School Board is requested to approve the RSV Board Compliance Dashboard for 2023-2024. This approval will ensure continued adherence to state regulations and support effective monitoring of the school's performance and compliance with the Charter School Act as outlined in the RCW.

The "Reports to the Board" section provides straightforward updates from key areas within Rooted School Vancouver. The board will receive regular reports from:

• Student Representative: Insights and feedback from the student body perspective.
• Rooted School Foundation:  Updates on RSF efforts and activities associated with RSF Contract.
• Fund Development: Updates on fundraising efforts, grants, and financial support initiatives.
• Finance Committee: Summaries of the school's financial status, budgets, and expenditures.
• Operations: Overviews of the daily operations, infrastructure, and any logistical matters.
• CTE (Career and Technical Education): Updates on tech training, partnerships, and student opportunities in technical fields.
• Executive Director: Comprehensive updates on school-wide initiatives, policies, and overall performance.

The Finance / Fund Development Committee was not able to meet this month.  Nothing new to report.  Committee will meet in January.

The Student Representative will provide a verbal update to the board.

See attachment

From: Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Introduction to the Unity Program:

Rooted School Vancouver's 9th graders are engaging in game development through the Unity program, learning design principles, animation, and more. Starting with basic lessons on MacBooks and iPads, students are now deeply involved in the program.

Student Engagement and Learning Progress:

The program is enhancing students' technical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Recent team projects in scene creation have boosted creativity and skill development, aligning with the goal of Unity certification.

Future Prospects and School Values Alignment:

The Unity program aligns with our school's values of growth, preparation, and excellence, preparing students for technology-driven futures and demonstrating our commitment to innovative education.

Here are a couple student examples:

https://sites.google.com/rootedschoolvancouver.org/mei-linwhite2027/unity-creations?authuser=0
 

https://sites.google.com/rootedschoolvancouver.org/audreytabor2027/freshman-year-2023-2024/technology
 

Certification Preparation:

Students are preparing for the Unity certification exam using Gmetrix, with promising initial test results. The first round showed over half of the students passing, indicating readiness for the official test in February.

Partnerships and External Engagements:

• Cisco Networking Academy: Finalizing the implementation plan for the Cisco program, with criteria for selecting an instructor.
• Partners In Careers (PIC): Defining internship opportunities and developing college and career readiness strategies.
• INSL Meetings: Discussions on implementing a STEM program with practical learning experiences and integrating video games into the curriculum.

Updates:

1. Hiring/Staffing: No new updates.
2. School Facility/Physical Plant: Repaired bathroom handlebar; ongoing HVAC issues with temperature discrepancies. Temporary solutions in place; duct work being considered. Floor waxing and deep cleaning scheduled for the break.
3. Prospective Enrollment: Six applications received for 9th grade since November 15. Ongoing marketing efforts include follow-up emails, tours, and media advertising.
4. Family and Community Engagement: Hosted NAACP Vancouver for student interaction with the ACT-So program.
5. Compliance and Procedure Development: Progress in RSV Internal Systems Planning, focusing on operational efficiency and standard operating procedures.
6. Fundraising: An "End of Year Giving" campaign set for December 15.
7. Miscellaneous: Currently observing Spirit Week.

Next Steps:

To continue monitoring and addressing operational challenges, especially in school facilities, while advancing enrollment and community engagement initiatives.

The Executive Director will provide a verbal update to include the RSV Board Compliance Dashboard.

Proposal Overview:

The International STEM League (iNSL) has proposed a concept for integrating high-tech entrepreneurship and STEM education at Rooted School Vancouver. This includes forming student teams, engaging boutique sponsors, incorporating Art of STEM franchises, and offering an EisenGard AI Data Analysis Certification.

Discussion Points:

1. Feasibility and Integration: Assessing the integration of iNSL's curriculum into Rooted School's program.
2. Student and Faculty Engagement: Effects on student learning and faculty participation.
3. Resource Allocation and Sponsorships: Managing resources and the involvement of boutique sponsors.
4. Funding: Discussing potential funding sources and financial sustainability of the program.
5. Long-term Outcomes: Considering long-term benefits for students in high-tech career readiness.

Discussion Purpose: To address the discrepancy between Rooted School Vancouver's understanding and PowerSchool's stance regarding the termination of their contract.

Key Points for Discussion:

1. Contract Cancellation Communications: Reviewing the chain of emails and the conflicting information about the cancellation status.
2. Timeline of Events: Discussing the sequence of events from the initial cancellation request to the recent denial of this request by PowerSchool.
3. Financial Implications: Considering the impact of PowerSchool's denial on Rooted School's financial situation.
4. Resolution Strategies: Exploring possible avenues for resolving this issue, including potential legal considerations.

Background: WA Charters has introduced the Innovation Grant to champion charter schools that adopt innovative educational strategies. This grant, offering up to $50,000 for the 2023-2024 school year, emphasizes achieving stellar student learning outcomes and robust academic results. Rooted School Vancouver, aligning with this mission, has submitted an application to address a pronounced math achievement gap, notably among its students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). The funds from the grant are earmarked to bolster a school-specific goal set with charter authorizers, excluding expenses like facilities costs and general operations. Successful recipients of this grant are anticipated to disseminate their milestones and insights, incorporating platforms like social media and the annual Washington State Charter Schools Association Conference.

Overview: Rooted School Vancouver will implement the NWEA MAP Growth assessment in Mathematics and English Language Arts/Reading. MAP Growth is an adaptive assessment tool that measures academic achievement and growth. It provides detailed insights into each student's learning level, helping tailor instruction to their needs.

Implementation and Use:

• Late Implementation: We are initiating the MAP Growth assessment later than planned, missing the Fall data collection.
• Assessment Schedule: Students will undertake their first assessment in the second week of January (Winter session), followed by a Spring session.
• Data Utilization: The data gathered will inform instructional strategies, monitor student progress, and identify areas for intervention and enrichment.

For more detailed information about NWEA MAP Growth, please visit NWEA's official website.

First review of proposed Policy and Procedure 2125, focusing on implementing sexual health education in alignment with the Healthy Youth Act. This policy ensures the curriculum is medically accurate, age-appropriate, inclusive, and includes abstinence and contraceptive education. The procedure details community involvement in curriculum development and parental rights.

Purpose:

To launch and complete the Annual Board Assessment using the BoardOnTrack Capability Maturity Model, facilitating the evaluation of board effectiveness and goal setting.

Action Items:

1. Assessment Completion: All board members and the Executive Director (ED) are required to complete the BoardOnTrack online assessment by January 15th. The assessment includes 11 short evaluations on various board aspects.
2. Data Interpretation and Action Planning: The ED will guide the process of interpreting the assessment results, identifying strengths and areas for improvement, and developing an action plan.
3. Progress Tracking: Understanding the board's maturity level and setting clear goals for the upcoming year to enhance governance capabilities.

School will be closed December 15th - January 1st.

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 Tuesday, January 23, 2023 @ 6:00 PM PT