No changes needed.

Kara shared an appreciation for the support in Manzanita while Teacher Amy is out on a Leave.

Ana shared an appreciation for the Reading Buddies.

Sarah shared an appreciation for staff, and for the upcoming classroom observations.

Mr. Daniel appreciated afterschool staff.

Ms. Feeney appreciated Teacher Lisa and Mr. Daniel.

No comments by Board members on items not on the agenda.

No public comments on items not on the agenda.

Sarah framed the discussion on starting with the school's agreements used by staff, and then the board discussing how the agreements might translate for the board's use.

Welcome Discomfort is the first agreement that the board discussed. Mr. Daniel shared how the staff has agreements to communicate on issues as soon as possible and not to wait for meetings. Sarah shared about welcoming discomfort of an issue being raised, while avoiding attacks on individuals. Ms. Feeney shared that the nature of public school board meetings is that community members can come and share what they want, comfortable and uncomfortable things, and it can be uncomfortable for board members to sit and listen when that topic is not on the agenda and the board isn't legally allowed to go back and forth discussing that topic at that time. The board also discussed the agreement Learn from Silence. Sarah shared that it's important to support folks to speak up who may not usually do so.

No public comments on this item.

Ms. Feeney shared the Head of School Report.

Recent and upcoming events included the recent ACOE staff yearly visit; first round of NWEA complete; family observations November 3 - November 9; family conferences week of November 13th; and Minimum day week for family conference week.

County staff shared that they were impressed with student engagement across classrooms. Data highlights included improved rates of chronic absence for African American students and the growth in SBAC scores from the prior year.

There were also three teachers observing UMCS from two other schools at the same time. Earlier in the day, two members of the National Association of Charter School Authorizers visited (one from Colorado and one from Massachusetts). Amy Ng shared that on her recent visit, the amount of noise produced by classrooms was a "Joy" -- hearing students engaging productively.

The Site Leadership Team SLT has been meeting every other week on Thursdays from 4:15 - 5:15pm. Working on priorities produced by staff last spring: Data Analysis; Instruction; Professional Development; and Staff Support.

Ms. Feeney shared a major Instructional Goal for the year: 60% of K, 3, 6th grade students will be proficient or master 60% of Math transition checklist items. To support achieving this goal, Ms. Feeney shared upcoming actions including getting an accurate baseline; and using data to schedule lesson study and instructional conversations throughout the year. Teachers are also working this year to calibrate on student mastery for those key transition skills, when students are using the Montessori materials, and connect those specific lessons to the CA state standards and how it is assessed traditionally. The SLT is supporting teachers with social emotional learning curriculum and resources. Ms. Feeney also shared the SLT's staff development goal that connectedness and feeling of inclusiveness will be at 90% or above by May 2024 as measured by staff surveys, and how the SLT will work to support that goal over the year.

On enrollment, Ms. Feeney shared that the school is at 353 students currently and 25 students have signed up for a tour on Nov 17th. On staffing, our new Occupational Therapist starts next week and still hiring for Student Support Assistants and Aftercare Program Leaders. Ms. Feeney was asked and she responded that the SSA positions are full time and aftercare may be part-time, but could include regular day work additionally.

Amy asked about effective enrollment strategies. Ms. Feeney responded that it's still difficult to know still coming back from the pandemic, but that for now folks coming on the tours are asked, and that interest in TK and K is very strong in particular.

No other public comments on this item.

Mr. Daniel shared about recent statewide data released publicly by the state. Today will be high-level sharing with more details to go into at the committee level. On Spring 2023 SBAC, 40.79% and 25.7% of students met or exceeded standard in reading and math, respectively. Not shown on the slides, was a large jump in 7th grade proficiency, where the day-to-day program model shifts to more closely align with the more traditional form of assessing as done by the annual state exams. Chronic absence was higher overall than the county last year, but discussed previously, rates for African American students were 10% lower than the county. On ELPAC, the percentage of students reaching Level 3 and Level 4 ten or more percentage points higher than OUSD, and five to seven more percentage points higher than the county. Over 60% of UMCS English Learners scored in Level 3 or Level 4. Finally, 2.1% of students were suspended last year, compared to OUSD's 3.5%.

No public comments on this item.

Sarah shared the committee's report. Sarah shared about the need for the Board to hold more of the institutional understanding of the vision and the direction of the school. The Admin team are going to work to codify and clarify their recent work around the training center and high-fidelity Montessori, and then the Board can work to socialize that information with more people. The board discussed looking for examples of how schools represent this information visually. Amy asked about audience, Sarah shared that for now it's internal staff and board, and could be later further be augmented for families. Ms. Feeney emphasized moving from prior board's work of legal compliance towards student outcomes visioning (without losing legal compliance routines). Sarah shared about checking in again on this in January what support the Board may need to offer to Admin on this work. Sarah reminded the Board about Forms 700 as needed, along with recent Brown Act training materials.

No public comments on this item.

Sarah commented that Donald will complete his board term through the end of February. The board unanimously discussed that Amy Ng will join the Academic Committee.

No public comments on this item.

Ann shared that there will be an upcoming family morning coffee, and a Fall Fest Potluck. Left Coast Yoga has upcoming family night out fundraisers. The FAC will soon hear the Finance Committee's recommendation on our first annual donation specific to the UMCS Land Acknowledgement.

No public comments on this item.

Sarah shared that district five has an upcoming special election for OUSD school board and encouraged eligible voters to vote.

No public comments on this item.

Kara commented about receiving future updates on the School Leadership Team's progress on their goals.

At 6:58pm, Sarah announced that the Board would go into closed session on Public Employee Performance Evaluation - Head of School. No public comments on this item.

At 7:22pm, the board returned to open session. No actions taken.