Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees
July 17, 2008
Minutes
In attendance:
Emil Ronchi,
Location: Community Room at the
The Board of Trustee Chair, Mr. Emil Ronchi opened the meeting at 7:30 P.M.
He noted his intent to begin meetings promptly at on time, and to keep meeting to two hours. He went on to call for public comment, and noted that there were no individuals wanting to address the Board for public comment at this time.
He noted that Dr. Argenziano was not present, but provided the Interim Managing Director’s report which is attached.
Mr. Ronchi called on Dr. Sullivan to provide the Treasurer’s. Dr. Sullivan noted that he was still waiting for June actuals, and as such did not have a written report. He also noted that the School would have to pay an expense of about $4,500 for a professional mediator, who conducted the mediation with Mr. Commeret. He reminded the Board that we were obligated to pay the cost of mediation per our contract with Mr. Commeret.
Mr. Ronchi recognized Ms Cullen Hamzeh to provide the Interim Academic Director’s Report, which is attached. She also noted that Ms Briana Cronin resigned as the art teacher, and Ms Dominique Dart, a certified art teacher, has been hired to replace her.
Mr. Ronchi recognized Ms Vaucher for the Governance Report. She began by noting that she has not yet received a reply from the ESE on the approval of Mr. Cronin to serve as a Trustee. She will keep the Board informed as the status changes.
Ms Vaucher went on to the review of the Charter, and reentered the motion from the June 26 meeting of the Trustees.
Decision: Ms. Vaucher moved and Ms. Shorr seconded a motion to adopt the proposed amendments to the MCCPS Charter as detailed in the document titled Proposed Changes for Charter Application (Clarified), as of August 1, 2008 (attached), and to forward them to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for approval. The amendments to the Charter will become effective upon the approval of the Board of Education.
Mr. Ronchi noted that there were several subordinate decisions that needed to be made to in order to get to a finalized vote for the Charter, including a vote to waive the 30 day rule, and to address the several issues raised by the Governance Committee last month. The Board will return to the Charter Final vote after addressing these issues.
Decision: Ms O’Dwyer moved and Ms Cullen Hamzeh seconded a motion to waive the 30 review policy for the purposes approving the proposed charter changes
Discussion: Mr McEnaney objected on the principal that the Charter was the foundational document of the school, and if the Board could not adhere to its own policy of 30 days of review for the Charter, then perhaps there was no point to the rule. Ms Shorr noted that the Board had been receiving regular updates on the Charter work, received a thorough presentation from the Governance Committee, was provided significant preparation material, and had a reasonable amount of time for the Board to review.
Yeas: 6 Nays: 4 Abstain 0 Mr. Cronin did not vote. Motion Passes
Decision: Mr. McEnaney moved and Dr. Sullivan seconded a motion that the language in Section 13 of the Charter read that “Faculty and staff composition goals will be as follows:
a Chief Staff Person.
Yeas: 8 Nays: 2 Abstain 0 Mr. Cronin did not vote. Motion Passes
Decision: Ms Canavan moved and Ms. Shorr seconded a motion that the Board will agree to change Section 14, sub part to include all of the Statutory powers set forth in MGL C 71 S 89 (j) with an amendment to sub part 2 of 89 (j) to read as follows:
(2) to sue and be sued, but only to limits permitted for Charter Schools pursuant to
Yeas: 10 Nays: 0 Abstain 0 Mr. Cronin did not vote. Motion Passes
Decision: Mr. Fauci moved and Ms O’Dwyer seconded a motion to that the language in Section 13 of the Charter read that “Faculty and staff composition goals” include a “Special Education Director”
Yeas: 5 Nays: 5 Abstain 0 Mr. Cronin did not vote. Motion Fails
Mr. Ronchi then called on the Board to return to the original motion at hand.
Decision: Ms. Vaucher moved and Ms. Shorr seconded a motion to adopt the proposed amendments to the MCCPS Charter as detailed in the document titled Proposed Changes for Charter Application (Clarified), as of August 1, 2008 (attached), and to forward them to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for approval. The amendments to the Charter will become effective upon the approval of the Board of Education.
Yeas: 10 Nays: 0 Abstain 0 Mr. Cronin did not vote. Motion Passes
Mr. Ronchi called for new business. Mr. McEnaney noted that he felt that the Board should review and approve the Annual Report. Mr. Ronchi tasked the Governance Committee to look at a policy regarding annual report approval, and present it to the Board for their action at a future meeting.
Mr. McEnaney noted that there were nine sets of minutes from Executive Sessions that still needed review and approval by the Board. He asked the Chair to include an Executive Session at the August meeting expressly for the purpose of approving these minutes. The Chair agreed to include an Executive Session in August.
Mr. Ronchi discussed planning the meetings for August and beyond. The Board agreed by general consent to continue meeting the first Thursday of each month, except when School events preclude that. The August meeting will be held on August 7, 2008, and the remaining meetings will be on the first Thursday of the month. The Clerk will post the schedule of regular meetings with the appropriate agencies.
Mr. Ronchi reiterated his intention for meetings to be limited to two hours, with ninety minutes devoted to strategic planning, and thirty minutes devoted to monthly reports. Ms Vaucher noted that thirty minutes may not be enough, since there was often material in the reports that needed open discussion before the public. Mr. Fauci concurred, and suggested that perhaps two and a half hours would be better, if it meant only one meeting per month. Ms Shorr suggested that we target two hours, and that if we need two and a half we take it. Mr. Ronchi then stated he agreed with all the points, and would endeavor to keep meetings to two hours, but would be aware that there may be reasons to exceed that periodically.
Decision: Chair moved and Ms Vaucher seconded that the Board adjourn to executive session under exception three of the Open Meeting Law, MGL Chapter 30 Section 11A1/2, “to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation.”
Ms O’Dwyer, Yes; Ms Canavan, Yes; Ms Vaucher, Yes; Mr. Ronchi, Yes; Mr. McEnaney, Yes; Dr. Sullivan, Yes; Mr. Sousa, Yes; Mr. Fauci, Yes; Ms Shorr, Yes; Ms Cullen Hamzeh, Yes. Mr. Cronin did not vote. Motion passes
The Chair noted that the Board did not expect to return to open session at the conclusion of the Executive Session.
The Chair adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 9:00 PM
Respectfully Submitted
John T. McEnaney
Clerk
Report of the Interim Academic Director – July 17, 2008
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Tel: (781) 631-0777 Fax: (781) 631-0500 MarbleheadCharter.org |
7-17-08
State of the School Report
Submitted by Nina Cullen-Hamzeh,
Interim Academic Director
It has been an exciting and productive month. Exhibition and Graduation were both extraordinary and memorable. Many, many thanks were offered by parents for the wonderful year enjoyed by their children. The retention rate for teachers and students is very high this year, and the application process for both was very strong. There is a lot that must be done over the summer to get the school ready for the first day, but the energy in the building is positive, rejuvenated, and hopeful. The summer will be non-stop, but it will be fabulous!
Expected Enrollment for 2008-2009: 230 students
Total applications: 204
- 104 applications for 4th grade
- 58 openings –> 23 were filled by siblings
Grant Application
MCCPS has applied with a cohort of other charter schools for a grant involving extended learning time. We should hear about the status of the grant in the fall.
Personnel
new hires:
Stephanie Pettigrew, teaching assistant
Sallie Davis-Mello, 5th math/science
Molly Dunne, 6th humanities
Ivy Connelly, 6th math/science
Karen Girouard, 7th humanities
Becca Perry has moved to 8th grade science
Molly Wolverton has moved to Student Services & Enrichment Coordinator
- accepted into
- should be licensed as a principal/assistant principal by December ‘08
Still seeking:
French/Spanish Teacher
7th Grade Inclusion Specialist
Teaching Assistant
International Teachers:
Sign up with Eileen Perry to provide housing for Chan Hui (a week or a month), to invite him for dinner, to join you at a movie, a museum, a weekend trip, etc. Chan Hui is very excited about getting to know all of us, and I’m sure that we’ll learn a lot from him.
Collaboration w/ Town Counselors:
MCCPS is hoping to host regular meetings of the town’s adjustment/guidance counselors. These meetings will likely occur every 4-8 weeks. MCCPS will provide the meeting space and lunch for the participants, and the counselors will determine the topics of conversation. In addition to providing an opportunity for information gathering and brainstorming, this regular “meeting of the minds” will enhance the positive working relationship that exists among the town’s counselors and will enable productive communication between those who serve the children in our schools. These meetings may also serve as a forum for the dissemination of best practices.
Summer School/Summer Camp:
25 students are attending summer school
Music Camp & Wood Working have been well-attended
Facilities:
Many thanks to Ace Hardware for their recent donation of 30+ gallons of paint! We greatly appreciate their generosity.
Room changes, painting, cleaning, and maintenance are regular parts of the summer. Volunteers are welcome; there’s always something that needs doing!
Annual Report:
Due to the
Report of the Interim Managing Director – July 17, 2008
To: Board of Trustees
From: Dr. Albert F. Argenziano
Re: July 17, 2008
I have had the opportunity to work two days at the school since my return. I dedicated my time in assisting Nina with staff issues, space utilization issues, and room location changes. We are still operating under strict financial constraints. Our number one priority is to have staff and site ready for 230 students in August.
I have also been working with Dr. Paul Dulac in assisting him in finding an interim principal for the
Dr. Karla Baehr, runner up for the Commissioner of Education position, has been appointed Deputy Commissioner of Education, effective July21, 2008. I spoke with her today (7/10/08), and as a trusted colleague, I am sure she will be trusted to assist when needed.
In my absence, I submit this report.
Thank you,
Dr. Albert F. Argenziano
