Nicki shared out the items on the agenda that included, but not limited to,

• Introductions of members and school representatives present
• Shared where to find Committee Roles: In Board on Track, click on Documents, and then click on Committee Documents
• Reviewed CRCS By-Laws: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-6UWuBl0bkm0_3YhagnAPITyrowoDXmMxhFKcIrVfj4/edit
• Reviewed new Board goals:
  • Focus on recruiting new board members
  • Creating a plan for operating in 3 different building on 3 different properties
  • Provide support to the district to ensure that it meets performance measures as needed to obtain renewal of its charter contract in 2 years
• Went over expectations on Committee Goals:
  • Committees need to create 2-3 goals at their next committee meeting: In Board on Track, click on Goals, then click on specific committee to add goals
• Reminder about completing Board on Track Self Assessments: In Board on Track, click on Assessments, then Take Assessment.
• Reviewed CRCS Board Handbook: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ABeg3ztvA5N2LD4hfI9vWH2thnYx9Hhx/edit#heading=h.9cezggs2gady
• Reminder that Board members to complete the following required trainings by the November board meeting found in CRCS Board Handbook. 
  • FERPA
  • Freedom of Access Training - Discussed using digital signature through Adobe for completing the required form.

Nicki shared what she presented to the Charter Commission during public comment on 10/8/2024. Below is a copy of what she shared with the Commission:

“Over the last 2 years the CRCS has board has been digging in deep to analyze the cost of maintaining three buildings and resolving issues caused by having 3 buildings that are geographically spread apart. For example, transportation delays with getting learners home in the afternoon caused several unenrollmcnts in September.

Over the last 12 months the board has been focused on a cost benefit analysis of investing money in 3 aging buildings or building a new building and consolidating our buildings down.

Raymond James will be handling the financial aspect of the loan and process while Highmark is the developer. Highmark is currently waiting for the feasibility studies before fully committing to the project.

The CRCS Board is working closely with Ben Lund from Brann & Issacson, who specializes in Real Estate transactions.

Later this afternoon there is a 2 week check in with Raymond James, Highmark, CRCS Real Estate Attorney.

We are currently looking at a 43,000-45,000 square foot building that will hold as many as 550 learners and a loan close to $20,000,000 with a 40 year loan under 4% with the USDA.  We would also liquidate our three existing buildings and we have engaged a realtor and the CRCS Real Estate Attorney on that process.

We have looked for available properties with 25+ acres with public water (for fire suppression and avoid PFAS) and public sewer.  There were only a few properties that matched that criteria with public water and sewer, which were 2 in Waterville and 1 in Oakland.  Two sites in Waterville didn’t meet our rubric we established for looking at property, which took in consideration of utilities, traffic study, and environmental studies.

Raymond James, who is conducting a feasibility study for that includes finances and capacity is completing the USDA application and the USDA has indicated that we we can condense down the application process because we have gone through the process prior and they are excited about the project.

We have been in discussion with First Park in Oakland about a purchase agreement to secure the property, which the CRCS Real Estate attorney is building in multiple contingencies to protect CRCS.
 

The Board asked Travis and his team to do a full study on enrollment by town and county and the impact on every individual family by changing the location. The Board has also asked Travis and the team to see if there is a correlation with chronic absenteeism data and specific towns.

The transportation for most learners will be reduced by 15-20 minutes, but parent drop off and pick up would the be greatest impacted, which we are waiting to see.

I have asked Travis to present some preliminary findings to the Board tomorrow night and to share with the Commission today how many towns and counties are served by CRCS.

The CRCS Board has asked Raymond James and Highmark to present their findings next month to the Commission finance committee and full commission.

Timelines:

Raymond James is filing the USDA Application

Closing would be sometime late summer in 2025

Highmark engages with an architect and contractors to break ground at time of closing

Doors open mid year, early spring of 2027.”

Travis shared about 9/20/24 Strategic Design Workshop and Nicki shared her observations.

Travis shared the 10/1/24 data with the board, which is preliminary. Final numbers will be ready for the November meeting.

Elizabeth shared about the Pathway 2 Career (P2C).

A math curriculum that can be integrated into our seminars that is tied into career pathways. It gives relevant and meaningful connections between math topics and how they relate to real life examples and careers.

November 1st the staff will be on onboarded. 

Goal is to build skills of staff that don’t have confidence or experience teaching math. 

The curriculum will give us 3 additional data points. 

https://p2c.org/