Sarah Yagnow -Read the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Statement

No responses

No questions on agenda

Public Comments

1) Kim Apelgren- Subject- Comments on Hiring of new executive director. - would like to have a separate K-8 principle and Executive Director. Comment on using a 3rd party to advise on this hiring.  

2) Danita Harris- Subject-commented on rescinding vote taken on 1/10 BoD mtg. to give more feedback before a vote. Recommends separate K-8 principle and executive director, concern of teachers not feeling heard. Concern of bullying of board member at 1/10 meeting.

3) Michael Pierce- Subject-Relaying a collection of teacher sentiments-ERA needs an Executive Director that is physically present, the plan was accepted without time or questioning-request to resend that vote of 1/10 BoD meeting. Staff wants a transparent hiring process, there is no confidential way to give comments to board, need of teachers voices to be heard in multiple ways. Discuss scheduling, flexibility, contracts, and evaluations. Teachers want a voice without fear. 

4) Sandy Gray- Subject-Speaking highly of Executive Director-Very positive comments and praise given to Mrs. Bair and her leadership. 

5) Amber Coburn-Thanks to Mrs. Bair, Speaking of positive culture at ERA-positive comments given of administration- treated professionally, gives good work/life balance, content/happy teachers. Considers ERA to be very special ERA due to Mrs. Bair's leadership. 

6) Kathryn Bryant-Thankful to be teacher at ERA. Mrs. Bair builds people up (teachers and students), small class sizes has been an important part of her positive experience teaching here, given educational opportunities that have truly enhanced her experience as a teacher.

Online Comments

7) Scott Jewitt-Subject hiring of new director- can be positive and hope this shift in new director- continues that positive environment of ERA, Culture sets us aside-caring and compassionate. 

8) Kathy Hughes- Gratitude and appreciation for Lisa's leadership. She witnesses the culture of learning is unparalleled. Very positive experience. 

Written Comments

9) Pamela Harkey- The positive effect Mrs.Bair has had on her personally and professionally. Given confidence and freedom to grow and learn. 

10) Daniel Belton- Thanks to Mrs. Bair- a strong welcome culture, understanding and positive comments. 

11) Anonymous- comments- concern of the approval of ED and IP (interim plan)- concern of having a remote ED. Asks- why was only one option given? 

12) Anonymous.- Concern of remote ED in interim.

13) Anonymous- Positive comments on teachers and concern of teachers not having a voice, and a remote ED. Recommend reversing the previous vote. Discussed options on how to select new ED.  

14) Anonymous- Concern of the decision made at 1/10 board meeting recommends reverse of decision- comments on what they would like concerning ED and IP. 

15) Anonymous - Concern of ED being remote- need ED that is on location. HR needs to be a separate role than ED

16) Anonymous- concern of feeling safe to share, concern of losing special teachers. A decision made by board without listening to teachers. Re-evaluate decision made 1/16 BoD meeting. 

17) Anonymous-Concern of teachers leaving- Not healthy teacher environment or hiring process. Multiple issues listed with curriculum, unbiased feedback, lack of feedback, professional development, financial ambiguity. 

18) Anonymous- Concern of staff not being heard, and dysfunctional culture. Concern of remote ED, Need fresh start- list of ways to improve. Seeking in an impartial board, due diligence, oversight and goal setting. 

4 Applicants- Charlotte Dungan, Ashley Potter, Uliana Vorsuleva, Patrick Murphy.

All Candidates: Following Interview process- introductions, interview questions.

(except Ashley Potter was interviewed previously- that was recorded and made available to board prior to meeting)

Discussion and voting on appointing of new board member. 

Postponing board appointment pending further information and discussion with legal. 

Postponing board appointment pending further information and discussion with legal. 

 Proposed Task Force- Teacher representation- One teacher from each of the following-K-2, 3-5, 6-8, special, EC director and 3 teachers from high school 9-12 grades. 3 Board members, 2 Administration-one from 9-12 and one K-8. 

Task force charged with coming up with interview questions, (what, when, how, who involved- in this hiring process. 

-Kristin Martin asked- could teachers listen to interviews on zoom and then representative makes that choice. 

-Hiring committee- charged with- what role we seek to fill, when we plan to have it filled, how we will recruit for it, and how we will narrow down and select from the applicant pool. 

A special session might be necessary- to make these decisions. Need 4 days to announce to ERA community.  Proposed in 2 weeks to come back together. 

Lawyer reviewed By-laws and we are in need of revising these by-laws. These revisions were given out in email to board members. 

And will need to vote on these new by-laws.

This will need to be submitted to the state. 

Executive Director Update January 16, 2024

Apptegy: Our new website has been launched and our app is active for both apple and android. The company will be sending marketing materials for the roll out. We should expect that next week as we continue to look for any issues or missing items.

Bobcat Annual Fund: As of today, we have $17,298.17. The school improvement team is reviewing the applications and will notify the applicants in the coming days.

ESSER Monitoring Visit: The Office of Federal Programs conducted a monitoring review of our implementation of federal COVID educational grants. We were in compliance and received glowing comments on how we used data to determine how to use the funds and to assess their efficacy.

Fall 2023mEOC Scores:

TEST

Average Difference from projected percentile to actual percentile achieved

Total Students

Proficient

Percent Proficient:

Math 1

3.8

20

16

80.00%

ELA 2

7.42

41

40

97.56%

Math 3

13.69

55

52

94.55%

Bio

0.9

49

28

57.14%

See Budget Report in agenda

 Report to include the fines and forteitures, literacy, intervention, and CTE funds that we received this month from the state in our charter school allotment. 

Any update on audit- it was submitted. Auditor can present to board if requested. 

Meeting February 5th to go over the Annual fund grants. 

Want to discuss the vote that was taken at the special board meeting- On January 10 2024

Dave commented -Discussed some of the reasoning behind the vote from last meeting on interim ED plan.   The need of consistent communication and for all voices to be heard within ERA community. 

Pamela commented- Is there misunderstanding of that role of what Lisa would be doing as interim ED? Concern of cutting off that knowledge and resource in the short-term. 

Comments- It would be helpful to have Ms. Bair help during the transition with her as Interim ED

Discussion of the whys of decision of the interim plan.

Discussion of what title and role Ms. Lisa Bair is actually taking for this short-term interim. 

Need more clarity.  

Last day for Lisa in the building will be this Thursday 1/18/24- she gave her input. 

Next communication should come from board. 

Lindsey Sealy and Kristin Martin volunteering to step in to a lot of those responsibilities.