Navigator Schools

Minutes

Board Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday December 14, 2021 at 6:00 PM

Location

Zoom
This meeting will take place via teleconference pursuant to Executive Orders N-25-20 and N-29-20.

The Board of Directors and employees of Navigator Schools shall meet via the Zoom meeting platform. Members of the public who wish to access this board meeting may do so online at https://zoom.us/join or via telephone by calling Zoom phone numbers: (669) 900-6833 or (646) 876-9923. The meeting ID is: 959 8449 43958. The meeting passcode is: 908744.

Members of the public attending online who wish to comment during the board meeting will use the online “raise hand” tool in Zoom when the chairperson elicits public comments. Members of the public planning to attend by phone are invited to confirm their intent to comment up to one hour prior to the meeting by calling (831) 217-4894.

Individual comments will be limited to three minutes. If an interpreter is needed, comments will be translated into English and the time limit shall be six minutes. At its discretion, the board may limit the total time allotted to public comments and set new time limits for individual comments. The board reserves the right to mute and remove a participant from the meeting if the participant unreasonably disrupts the meeting.

Requests for disability-related modifications or accommodations to participate in this public meeting should be made twenty-four hours prior to the meeting by calling (831) 217-4894. All efforts will be made for reasonable accommodations. The agenda and public documents will be modified upon request as required by Section 202 of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

An archive of board meeting agendas and minutes is maintained at the Navigator Schools Support Office, 650 San Benito Street, Suite 230, Hollister CA 95023.

Directors Present

Chuck Daggs (remote), Ian Connell (remote), JP Anderson (remote), John Flaherty (remote), Nora Crivello (remote), Shara Hegde (remote), Victor Paredes-Colonia (remote)

Directors Absent

Fiaau Ohmann

Directors who arrived after the meeting opened

John Flaherty

Guests Present

Sean Martin (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

Nora Crivello called a meeting of the board of directors of Navigator Schools to order on Tuesday Dec 14, 2021 at 6:08 PM.

B.

Record Attendance and Guests

C.

Adoption of Resolution for Navigator Schools Board of Directors to Meet Remotely in Accordance with AB 361

John Flaherty arrived.
JP Anderson made a motion to approve the resolution.
Victor Paredes-Colonia seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Shara Hegde
Aye
Fiaau Ohmann
Absent
John Flaherty
Aye
Chuck Daggs
Aye
JP Anderson
Aye
Nora Crivello
Aye
Victor Paredes-Colonia
Aye
Ian Connell
Aye

D.

Public Comments

N. Crivello spoke in the role of parent and shared positive observations concerning a recent student trip orchestrated by HPS. She praised members of the HPS instructional staff.

E.

Approval of Minutes from Prior Board Meeting

Pertaining to the minutes of the previous board meeting (which document the approval of a board resolution concerning virtual meetings per Assembly Bill 361), J. Flaherty reviewed requirements relating to the reaffirmation of conditions guiding the extension of virtual meetings. Highlighting the 30-day board-approval requirement, he explained that staff will re-align the scheduling of board meetings to ensure compliance with AB 361 and related executive orders.
Chuck Daggs made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 10-12-21.
John Flaherty seconded the motion.
see notes
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Ian Connell
Aye
Nora Crivello
Aye
Victor Paredes-Colonia
Aye
Chuck Daggs
Aye
Shara Hegde
Aye
John Flaherty
Aye
JP Anderson
Aye
Fiaau Ohmann
Absent

F.

CEO Report

K. Sved provided updates focused on three main topics. These included Proposition 39 (in the case of Gilroy Unified School District (GUSD) and Hollister School District (HSD); the success of the recent state authorizer visit to Watsonville Prep School; and the continuing support of Independent Study programs at school sites, for which he thanked S. Waller, Director of Student Services.

II. Committees and Related Actions

A.

Finance Committee Report

V. Paredes-Colonia explained that the committee cancelled its most recent meeting due to an unforeseen scheduling conflict.  He reviewed the Independent Audit Extension and provided an introduction to the Educator Effectiveness Plan (both of which are subsequent topics on the agenda).  N. Crivello praised A. Ortiz for the accuracy of the budget (as presented in the October 31 Financials).

B.

Independent Audit Extension

A. Ortiz explained the recommendation to approve the extension and offered to answer questions from the board.
JP Anderson made a motion to approve the extension.
Victor Paredes-Colonia seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Nora Crivello
Aye
Victor Paredes-Colonia
Aye
John Flaherty
Aye
JP Anderson
Aye
Fiaau Ohmann
Absent
Shara Hegde
Aye
Ian Connell
Aye
Chuck Daggs
Aye

C.

Educator Effectiveness Plan

A. Ortiz reviewed the Educator Effectiveness Plan, including requirements related to public review and board approval.  She described the amounts and distributions of funds for school sites.  Several board members asked clarifying questions.  S. Hegde shared further insights regarding the plan based on her experiences with it and related communications from the state.  K. Sved and T Peraic confirmed required next steps and timelines.  J. Flaherty elicited feedback from members.  K. Sved explained that a vote on approval of the plan would take place at a future board meeting.

D.

Academic Success Committee Report

I. Connell reported that the last scheduled meeting of the committee was cancelled, but meeting materials were disseminated virtually.  He discussed goals for student achievement on interim assessments, stating that committee participants hoped to see a return to pre-COVID 19 proficiency levels in mathematics and reading by the start of the 2022-23 school year.  He mentioned promising, initial results as documented in early rounds of assessment administration, and he reported strong Panorama survey results.  The committee was also able to view videos of teaching and learning provided by J. Dent, focusing on math fact fluency, love or reading, and student creativity. 

E.

Governance Committee Report

The committee chair reported that the committee had not met since the last board meeting. 

F.

Schedule Additional Board Meetings

Board members decided to schedule a brief, special board meeting on December 29, 2021 (to address approval of the Educator Effectiveness Plan) and to schedule a regular board meeting on January 27, 2021.

III. Topical Items

A.

Watsonville Prep State Authorizer Review

K. Carr shared a PowerPoint presentation, providing an in-depth summary of the four parts of the Watsonville Prep School authorizer review process; a review of activities, participants, and highlights of the consultant's visit; and a summary of key findings.  She explained and described monthly authorizer calls, website reviews, compliance reviews, and observations at school sites.  Positive findings from the consultant were shared with the board, followed by consultant recommendations.  

 

J. Flaherty posed clarifying questions regarding the scope of the compliance review signature page and the process for reviewing the status of related policies and procedures.  T. Peraic and K. Sved offered feedback regarding the necessity of refining a standardized review process, including an annual review to ensure compliance and enhance communication of policies to board members.

B.

COVID-19 Update

K. Sved provided an update concerning the continued successful implementation of myriad safety and health protocols at Navigator Schools to prevent transmission of COVID-19.  He praised the efforts of S. Waller, K. Carr, and C. Toriumi to ensure effective application of all governmental guidelines and regulations. K. Sved highlighted the stabilizing role of Teachers-in-Training at school sites.  

 

K. Carr praised A. Ortiz for collaborative work. She shared the COVID-19 Dashboards utilized to report important data for each school site to the state. She also described how several Directors attend county meetings to keep abreast of COVID-19 news and policies. 

 

K. Carr and A. Ortiz described the recent provision of at-home testing kits for all students and staff. These were obtained free of charge and will be distributed prior to the commencement of winter break. Board members asked questions about the tests and the types of metrics available concerning student vaccinations.  K. Sved shared insights regarding regional district views and attitudes toward possible vaccination mandates in the future.  

 

S. Waller and C. Toriumi reported Independent Study participation numbers. They answered board questions regarding types of participating teachers, teaching loads, and teacher sentiment. 

 

 

IV. Closed Session

A.

Announcement and Vote to Enter Closed Session

Nora Crivello made a motion to enter closed session.
JP Anderson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Chuck Daggs
Aye
Nora Crivello
Aye
John Flaherty
Aye
JP Anderson
Aye
Fiaau Ohmann
Absent
Victor Paredes-Colonia
Aye
Shara Hegde
Aye
Ian Connell
Aye

B.

CEO Evaluation

The board discussed CEO evaluation during closed session.

V. Return to Open Session

A.

Actions Taken During Closed Session

The board chair reported that no action was taken during closed session.

VI. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Victor Paredes-Colonia made a motion to adjourn.
Chuck Daggs seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
JP Anderson
Aye
Nora Crivello
Aye
Chuck Daggs
Aye
Shara Hegde
Aye
Fiaau Ohmann
Absent
Ian Connell
Aye
Victor Paredes-Colonia
Aye
John Flaherty
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:33 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Sean Martin