Virtual Hispanic Heritage celebration this month: multiple speakers, building community and joy even in the virtual world.

Reopening Plans Update: Ever changing shifts from DESI and community.  Currently a big push for schools to provide in person learning for all communities regardless of COVID data minus of 3 communities in the eastern part of the state. At minimum, hybrid and ideally fully in person. This is a shift from our plan from the summer.  There has been a significant increase in cases in Springfield - higher than in the Spring.  Modesto is not comfortable bringing students back given this but trying to balance the expectation from the government.  We are preparing the plans if they must go in person and preparing faculty.  Expecting to bring faculty back the week after Thanksgiving but may not go forward if the COVID data is too high - unless we are told we must go in person.  Concerns about safety but confident our program virtually is strong and we are providing a lot of support to ensure student success.  
        If we are told to go in person do we have the ability to say no.  Yes but it is unclear on the accountability requirements or consequences from DESI if we do not provide in person. We are not alone in this thinking.  There are many other charter schools looking to advocate with DESI as needed to push for remaining virtual. 
       Looking for support from board on this and board does support it.

High School Planning: Hired a high school principal (Ben Cruse) has taken an expanded role to build out the high school plan (curriculum, facilities, recruitment, etc). Facilities plan is being negotiated with the current landlord.  Unlikely they are going to want to commit the full plan (gym, etc).  Now looking at working with a developer to buy the building and do the work.  Feel in a good place for next year (9th grade) but will have more update on longterm plan at next meeting. Solidifying curriculum, head count, class offerings, staffing, etc.

Student Recruitment & Enrollment: No movement since last update.  Looking now to next year's enrollment.  New staff working on this.  Working to retain the rising 9th graders as well as new students.  Big focus on retaining. Working one on one with families of rising 8th graders.

School Metrics: Attendance has stabilized and working to remediate those missing on Wednesdays to do make up work.  Homework completion is lower than hoped for.  Working on this more closely now but not seeing it more with marginalized group. This is different now as virtual vs handing it in in person.
    Question about how do our metrics compare to other Charter Schools.  Hard to answer because schools are managing things virtually very differently.  Also no one is collecting data that we are aware of.  Really can't compare but using the data for trends. No one falling through the cracks and wondering if Libertas's expectations are too high but are committed to the model. 10-15% of students who this may not be ideal for working to think about making up for it when we can have them in person.  Idea of a learning pod created at school for these small group that needs extra support.
 

Unable to connect since last Board Meeting.  Finalized the calendar.  Next looking at the goals of executive director roll.  Goal to have clear metrics and data points for Modesto going forward.

Question if MCATS are happening. Currently they are still happening.  Noted that there is an open meeting on state assessments and accountability. 

School's financials have been very consistent. 2 are in good shape - even at Medium risk level.  

Total equity position (cash) and unrestricted position are in good shape. 
Allocations have been very consistent.  
Budget change was the student tuition and grant amounts for the positive as we took a very conservative position in the summer.

Discussed the growth/expansion plan.  Working on this.

Should we be thinking about any resource allocation toward communication/marketing for student recruitment.  Professional, and take the burden off the staff.

Laurie will be joining the Development Committee.

FY goal of $150,000. Around 13% of goal.

Fall solicit will be mailed this week.

Can't bring people to school so looking for board members to help with our fundraising efforts.  Please send in contact information for 3 people each that we can introduce to Libertas.  

Looking to start a connection with a business/educational community to "adopt" Libertas and work to support us. 

Question: Do we have a video that we can use to share with people since they can't come to the school?  Currently no.  This is on the to-do list for a staff member.  Will work to make that happen sooner.  Could be used for recruiting students and families. 

Three new board members to be joining in January.

Working on board training sessions, asked for board feedback on topics: fundraising/development, board's role in remote learning, charter renewal process, other. Looks like charter renewal process got most interest from the group.  Will report back with more details.

Have met 4 times this month but are not quite ready for the board to vote on the metrics.  Will have these ready for the December meeting. Focusing on 5 areas and then creating goals within these.

December 15 at 5:00 pm