CORE KNOWLEDGE CHARTER SCHOOL GOVERNING COUNCIL

June 11, 2001

The regular meeting of the Core Knowledge Charter School Governing Council was held on June 11, 2001 at Badger Ridge/Core Knowledge LMC. Notice requirements were met and a quorum was present. Governing Council members in attendance: Greg Anderson, Eric Bayler, Leslie Gilbert, Ramona Gasser, Amy Willson, Bill Lemberg and Marykay Zimbrick. President Marykay Zimbrick called the meeting to order and the mission statement was read.

Visitors introduced themselves to the Governing Council.

Marykay Zimbrick announced that as of 7/1/01 Core Knowledge Charter School’s name will be changed to Verona Area Core Knowledge^® Charter School (CKCS).

Amy Willson motioned to approve May 14 minutes. Seconded by Eric Bayler. Approved. Leslie Gilbert abstained since she was not in attendance.

Eric Bayler motioned to approve electronic votes regarding the payment of teachers for Governing Council Retreat, summer curriculum time for teachers and payment for Chris Uelmen to attend the summer Core Knowledge conference. Seconded by Amy Willson. Approved. Bill Lemberg abstained.

Ingrid Beamsley passed out a summary of the school’s budget. Lee Ann Dillis carefully managed the incoming Purchase Order's and spent the budgeted funds down so that the money in the operating budgetis$10,800. We can carry over $10,000.

Badger Ridge Site Council – Marykay reported for Pat Krantz that the parent representative would continue at the Badger Ridge Site Council. The magazine sale for the new year was approved. August 21 is the first of the weekly meetings.

Badger Ridge Representative – Bill Lemberg reported that he would continue to be the Badger Ridge representative on Governing Council.

DWEF – No report

Parent Round Table – No report.

Teacher Representative – Ramona Gasser reported that teachers are looking at items to bring to Governing Council in July.

 

Leslie Gilbert motioned to include Director’s Status Report in the minutes. Seconded by Eric Bayler. Approved. (Report is attached).

Greg Anderson made comments on the Director’s Report. With respect to summer school, enrollment is anticipated as follows: 24 K-5 booster program, 12 6-8 math enrichment program, 2 6-8 failing grade program. Summer school will take place July 9 – August 2. Greg reported that no additional funds are needed for a CKCS Case Manager in summer school. Chris Uelmen reported that costs were shifted to cover everything, due to summer school hours change. Marykay commented that a written time line for summer school should be created that starts with October and continues to the start of summer school. It would include announcements of failing students and the availability of summer school for enrichment. She also mentioned that John Schmitt needs to be notified about the budget process of CKCS and where expenses need to be approved. CKCS does not send expenses to Central Office until they are approved. A format needs to be provided to Central Office. Teachers should be notified to clarify their expenses with Ingrid Beamsley to make sure money is available. Eric Bayler requested a policy, not just a timeline.

Regarding shared space Greg and John Berge are meeting this week. Room 108 will be the CKCS 8^th grade classroom. Janine Domoracki and Sue Stodola will not switch rooms. The orchestra room needs to be looked at for a music facility. Cynthia Stephen gave a proposal to both Greg and John Berge. The choir room office space will be used as a practice room for choir. The cafeteria is also on the docket to have levels set in the commons, including the serving line. The scheduling for the gym facility is being worked out between Jason Maag and the Badger Ridge Middle School physical education teacher. Office space also needs to be reconfigured to make it more efficient and effective. The arrangement should be complete by end of June. Gregg Mowen will attend the discussions if an arbitrator is needed. Lunch for CKCS will start at 11:05 a.m.

Regarding scheduling related arts for elementary students, its programs will continue to be offered Monday-Thursday. A report will be given to Greg by related arts teachers on Friday 6/15/01. Greg distributed an elementary schedule that Chris Uelmen prepared. A snack/break will be included in the afternoon. There will only be a 10 min. morning break. Chris reported that the start and end times of instructional assistants will be staggered.

The Hiring Committee is meeting June 12 at 1 p.m. to discuss the hiring of the Middle School Curriculum Coordinator. Questions will be constructed at that time. SAGE was posted today at 50%. Bill Conzemius will convene the hiring of a nursing assistant.

Greg reported that EEN candidates are being interviewed and a possible candidate will be chosen soon. The counselor issues are still being discussed and Greg is working and discussing the matter at the administrator level with Bill Conzemius. There is a set budget for counselors.

Greg reported that a resolution has not been discussed with John Berge regarding a charge back to Badger Ridge Middle School for secretary overtime. Amy Willson pointed out that the deadline for such a charge back had passed and CKCS will not be able to recoup any of this expense.

Marykay would like detention to be incorporated into the Discipline Plan. Nothing is budgeted at this time.

Greg reported that he had not yet contacted the Verona Area Police Department to file a claim for the lost TV/VCR lost last summer during the move to Badger Ridge..

Leslie Gilbert reported that she and Lee Ann have developed a discipline plan for kindergarten –eighth grade. Greg will look at it and bring it to Governing Council in July. Marykay reported that Randy Spricht is speaking at the Direct Instruction conference this summer, and this might be a good resource for us.. Greg reported that the discipline plan needs to be included in the student handbook.

Greg reported that the physical education and secretary positions are no longer shared services, but a part of the CKCS budget. It is not an issue regarding the budget. However, it has an impact on hiring. Greg was asked to obtain an explanation of this from Monica Bischoff.

Due to time restraints, the remainder of the Director’s Report was not discussed.

Amy Willson distributed the budget for the 2001-2002 school year. The final budget number will not be changed, however items may be shifted within the budget according to availability of funds. The Nursing Assistant is an additional two hours a day. Elementary counselors comp. days are additional days counselors provide services for kindergarten-fifth grade. The substitute costs will be covered with the $10,000 carry over. Marykay motioned to approve the budget as is. Bill Lemberg asked about budgeted numbers and the effect of less students than projected. Amy clarified that if student numbers are lower than the budget, it is adjusted and subtracted from the following year’s budget. Motion was approved. Bill Lemberg abstained.

Marykay motioned to approve Additional Hours policy with changes mentioned. Seconded by Eric Bayler. Approved. Bill Lemberg abstained.

Marykay motioned to approve Activity Account policy with changes mentioned. Seconded by Amy Willson. Approved. Bill Lemberg abstained.

Job duties will change to read Verona Area Core Knowledge^® Charter School. Amy Willson motioned to approve job duties of Program Support Manager, CKCS Secretary and Administrative Assistant. Seconded by Ramona Gasser. Approved. Bill Lemberg abstained.

Amy Willson moved to approve Governing Council By-laws with changes mentioned. Seconded by Ramona Gasser. Approved.

Greg reported that he will obtain bids from Larsen and Farenbach for school photos. . Greg will also include a bid from Life touch. Chris Uelmen requests a yearbook for next year. Greg will bring back a report in July.

Chris Uelmen reported that CKCS is looking at selling CKCS Middle School textbooks. Currently 150 textbooks are available for sale.

New officers were recommended for the Governing Council in July. Officers will be voted upon at the July 9 meeting. Current requests are Gary Schmerler for President, Patty Kermicle for Vice-President, Amy Willson for Treasurer, Bridget Rabb for Secretary, Rob Cramer for parent representative for grades 1-2, Susan Butler for parent representative for grades 6-8 and Eric Bayler for parent representative for grades 3-5.

The next CKCS Governing Council meeting will be on Monday, July 9, 2001 at 6:30 p.m. at BR/CKCS LMC.

Meeting adjourned.

Ingrid Beamsley

Program Support Manager

Monday June 11, 2001

A. Summer school, elementary, enrichment program, failing students.

STATUS: All teachers have been selected and student groupings for regular summer school 6-8 and enrichment programs for K-5 and 6-8 have been made. Parents have been notified of their student’s selection for the regular or enrichment summer school program. The CKCS Summer School Program will be held from July 9 through August 3, 2001. CKCS followed a process similar to that of BRMS and waited till the latter part of May to notify students of their status. Letters were sent out on May 22^nd to let as many students as possible try to complete their work before notices of summer school were sent out.

All summer school teachers (including CKCS) have received a letter from John Schmitt confirming their assignment and explaining the policies and procedures to follow for summer school. They are hourly employees, so they fill out a timesheet. VASD current teachers are paid their per diem hourly rate. Teachers hired from outside of the district need to complete an application and are paid $15.00/hour.

 

B. Office Support Staff, job descriptions, health room and FTE percentages for

STATUS: Job descriptions for all the office support positions i.e., CKCS secretaries, Program Support Manager has been revised and will need to be finalized. The FTE’s for these positions will remain the same for 01-02. The health room aide position from a payroll prospective has already been presented to the GC at the May meeting. I have additional information to share from Tanya Haney our CKCS School Nurse as to a justification for this position increase.

C. Shared Space status, office and classroom.

STATUS: Mr. Berge and I have had some preliminary decisions about shared space for next year both from an operational and learning perspective. I will be presenting our latest ideas for further discussion and consideration.

 

D. Scheduling for next year, deadline, and impact on special teachers, early release.

STATUS: A meeting was held between Marykay Zimbrick, Chris Uelmen, John Schmitt, John Berge and myself to begin deliberations about the working agreement arrangements for 01-02 with BRMS and CKCS. We first looked at the lunchtime accommodation. We were not able to resolve the timing issue and Dr. Mowen intervened to render a decision about the time allotments for CK and BR. I will be prepared to share our "draft" schedule for 01-02 and it’s impact on our program operation.

E. Hiring

STATUS: The hiring committee will be meeting on Tuesday June 12, 2001 to set up the process for the Middle School Curriculum Coordinator interviews. These interviews are scheduled for Thursday and Friday June 14 and 15, 2001.

F. EEN Work for this year, staffing for next year

STATUS: see item F above.

G. Rule 360 –

STATUS: Rule 360 was not discussed at a regular administrative team level nor were there any demographic proposals worked up by the elementary principals. This item does need attention at the board level but it is not determined at this time when Rule 360 will be examined, at the administrative team level or the board level.

H. Management Plan

STATUS: A draft of the management plan will be presented at the July GC meeting for review and consideration.

I. EEN Work for this year, staffing for next year

STATUS: Final interviews for a full time EEN teacher for CKCS will be completed this week. EEN and support staff allocations for next year will be determined by the end of June

 

J. 25% overage charge back for Peggy Giesfeldt’s overtime

STATUS: Currently working with Chris Murphy to determine a resolution to this matter.

 

K. After School Detentions

STATUS: When working with Instructional Assistants and their schedules, this will be discussed at this time.

L. Rule 360 Work and Demographics

See "G" above

M. Follow up on theft of TV/VCR during move last summer

STATUS: The Verona Police Department will need to be contacted to file a police report as the first step in any insurance recovery process. I don’t believe that we exhausted our "search" for these items even at this late date.

STATUS: A tentative "working committee" for K-5 was formed but they never met. It would be my intention to get these parties before the end of June to present a revised K-5 draft at the Governing Council meeting in July.

The grade 6-8 discipline plan will be addressed as a part of the handbook update. That is, it will be revised in June and taken to the Governing Council in July. If approved, it will be published in the handbook and implemented next year.

 

O. Upham Woods

STATUS: CKCS will be providing a staff person to assist BRMS in planning activities and assisting the entire time middle school students are at Upham Woods. This additional staff person is in addition to the adults who support as medical assistants and chaperones during the time CKCS is at Upham Woods. It is my understanding that this is what is currently planned and that any budget impact will be reflected in substitutes for CKCS staff involved.

Counselors – how they are paid, compensation time

STATUS: Jane Teasdale’s and Amie Pittman’s regular contact pay is a shared service. They do not receive comp time in addition to their regular contract. They do have (as all counselors in other buildings have) extended contract days. They each have a total of 20 days with 10 being paid by CKCS and 10 being paid by BRMS. I am requesting documentation from them as to the utilization of those 20 days so he can go over that information with John Berge and reach agreement for next year on their assignments.

STATUS: It seems that the two particular bathrooms near CKCS have some sort of defect regarding their battery-operated power supply. Ken Kietzke has been asked to remove the defective faucets and return them to the manufacturer and install new faucets as needed in the bathrooms this summer. Ken was also asked to consider if additional blacktop is needed near the CKCS entrance. Ken will determine if the CKCS playground space is comparable in size to the other elementary school playgrounds, in proportion to the number of students at the school. The steps made and installed last fall are working fine, and the mirrors were not lowered because the steps in front of the sinks were added.

R. PE/Sec positions

STATUS: The superintendent has determined per memo that these positions basically have to remain at present FTE status for the future.

 

 

S. PASS meeting with teachers re: explanation of new contract

STATUS: Meeting has not been held to date. We would need to schedule it for the beginning of the year and use staff development time to inform teachers of the new CKCS contract and renewal process.

 

T. Clarify the payment for extra hours put in by Jean Schoeffler

STATUS: These have been duly processed and will appear in the next pay cycle for Jean (June paycheck).

Payment of sub for secretary while secretary in building

STATUS: Administrative approval given in order to fulfill vital workload requirements.

SIT – written document re: goals, purposes

STATUS: This documentation has been put on hold until this team of teachers, and staff returns in the fall. It has always been my intention to use this team as a focus group regarding operational matters. The SIT will not have decision-making authority nor be involved in the governance of the school.

Exit surveys being used

STATUS: Peggy Giesfeldt will be in contact with Nye Pelton regarding the updated names and addresses of families that have recently disenrolled from CKCS for the purpose of executing exit survey information with them.

X. Election of teacher representatives to Governing Council – what is in compliance with the new contract?

STATUS: The new contract states, in Appendix A, page 2, in the section titled Election Process, "The Parent Round Table will conduct elections to PASS and the Governing Council. The Parent Round Table will establish procedures for such elections that allow the opportunity for full participation by all CKCS families, after consultation with the Superintendent." This portion of the contract was written to encourage broad parent involvement, but that it was not written to give direction for the election of teacher representatives. This spring, during an elementary staff meeting, and a middle school staff meeting, volunteers were requested to join the Governing Council. Joyce Price volunteered to represent grades K-5 and Jennifer Faulkner volunteered to represent grades 6-8. Having no other volunteer, these two were appointed.

 

 

STATUS: The curriculum coordinator position is a part time 6-8 position with interviews slated for next week, June 14^th and 15^th. We currently have 4 candidates. The health aide is an additional .2-.3 time and this may be accommodated by adding to the current health aide’s schedule.

 

STATUS: For the 2000-2001 school year, this is most likely a moot point, since the majority of board members do not appear to support K-12 weekly early release beginning next year. When and if a weekly early release plan is resurrected, there is concern about the loss of time for Spanish instruction, as well as the loss of teachers’ planning time blocks on the proposed Wednesdays early release. We will have to see what the future deliberations bring on this matter before CKCS would decide to even consider it’s implementation due to the speculative nature of our daily schedule.

 

 

Revised 6/11/01