THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OF

VANCE CHARTER SCHOOL

MINUTES

OF

 MAY MEETING

 

 

The Board of Directors of Vance Charter School held its regular meeting on Monday, May 18th 2009. The following members were present and constituted a quorum:

 

Jill Pike, Chairperson                                      Pat Olmert

Gina Harris, Vice Chairperson                        Harrison Ford

Tom Betts, Treasurer                                       Michael Johnson

Jay Andrews, Secretary                                  Janet Gruchacz

Cydne Sharpe                                                 Susan Satterwhite, Faculty Representative

Bill Satterwhite                                               Tammy Noel

Brian Daniel

 

Also present were Dr. John von Rohr and Ann Hancock.

 

WELCOME

Chairperson Jill Pike called the meeting to order at 7:05p.m.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Cydne Sharpe read the following letter submitted by Parka Hedgepeth:

Dear VCS Board Members,

I would like to take this opportunity, as I did last year, to share with you about the seventh grade’s wonderful field trip to Camp Kanuga. I went as a parent chaperone and had a great time. It was not only lots of fun but very educational for the children and all of the adults. Everyone, both students and adults, participated in all of the activities, which were very vigorous and hands on. It was very organized, fast paced, and also left just enough time for the children to have some fee time to enjoy the beautiful camp. They were very well behaved and we were complimented on their behavior by the staff! I would certainly volunteer to chaperone again next year as a teacher for this one. It was great! I just wanted to give you a report on such a wonderful opportunity for our children.

Brian Daniel made a motion to go into closed session to discuss personnel issues. Janet Gruchacz seconded. Motion passed. Later Gina Harris made a motion to come out of closed session. Bill Satterwhite seconded. Motion passed. The Board agreed to advertise for a Curriculum Director at a salary of $46,000 per year and Janet Gruchacz volunteered to head up the advertisement.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Brian made a motion to approve the minutes of the April meeting. Tammy Noel seconded. Minutes approved.

 

 

 

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Dr. John von Rohr reported that Servpro came in to check the HVAC system and stated that while the system needed cleaning, there was no mold present at this time. They also recommended getting periodic cleanings and having someone come in to test nonviable surface and air samples to monitor the development of bacteria.

Beginning this fall, Vance Charter School will be a member of an athletic conference along with Montessori School of Raleigh, Magellan, Triangle Day School, and Raleigh Charter, and Roxboro Charter. There will be a full schedule with the opportunity to schedule local schools as well. The joining fee is $50.00 and $100.00 per year. Sixth graders will be allowed to participate in all conference sports.

Dr. von Rohr stated that DPI recommended a one step increase for teachers, a1.8% bonus for teachers at the top of their scale, and 2% bonus for administrators at the top of their scale. Cydne made a motion to give the step increase to all classroom teachers, ECs and IAs. Brian seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

In response to a question about the number of days allowed to be carried over from one year to the next, Dr, von Rohr has asked that those teachers who fall under the 35 day minimum to voluntarily refrain from using their days for the remainder of this school year. This would help reduce the cost of providing substitutes which is close to going over budget. It has been difficult at times to find parent volunteers.

Jill asked if the EOG scores were available and Ms. Hancock said that due to the fact that the retests would count this year, the true numbers would not be ready until later. Susan Satterwhite reminded the Board that because the EC population is greater than 10%, those scores would now count toward the total. Bill Satterwhite asked when these reports would be ready and would they include numbers for growth.

Jill reported that a meeting was held to discuss the pros and cons of the ITBS versus the NWEA as the preferred testing method. It was discovered with the ITBS that all of the scoring capabilities were not being utilized. We should be able to get better data from test scores in the future. The MAPS format would be better for remediation and can be given four times a year. The cost difference was not as much as first believed. The MAPS is not nationally normed as was first stated. Neither will replace the EOG anytime soon. Although MAPS is a paperless test, Gina Harris stated that many schools are ill prepared to rely on computers only when testing. We have problems with RC testing as it is. The amount of testing can be an issue as well.

The scheduling changes for next year will require a part time Science and Social Studies teacher, Language Arts teacher and a full time Math teacher.

 

LONG RANGE PLANNING

Brian wanted to save information for closed session.

 

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

No report.

 

FINANCE

Pat Olmert suggested discussing some budget matters during closed session.

 

 

STUDENT RECRUITMENT

Gina Harris reported that there will be two orientation sessions held this week. The Student Recruitment Committee made a recommendation that student slots that should not be filled after the Christmas break. The recommendation passed unanimously.

 

BUILDING AND GROUNDS

Jill Pike reported that a teacher made a suggestion that the doors to Ms. Jones, Ms. Tunstall, and Mr. Bacudio rooms be changed to open into the middle school hallway. Harrison Ford will get an estimate as to the cost of making this change and report back next month.  Cydne made a motion to spend up to $1700.00 for two basketball goals for the middle school area. Bill seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Jill told the Board     

that the plans for a new front desk area should be examined and prepared to implement this summer.

 

INCLEMENT WEATHER

No report.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Cydne said that in her opinion, the school was veering away from the spirit of the original charter and would like to reactivate the Performance Committee. This committee would address the following concerns:

a.        Establish Niche-to distinguish from traditional public school-International, College Prep., or Liberal Arts, CKS, etc.  Help to better guide those that wish to apply.

b.      AIG-make it a priority and budget instructional supplies and staff member

c.       Homogenous grouping vs. heterogeneous grouping vs. cluster grouping

d.      Honors Classes

e.      Discipline Policy-too many repeat offenders-move more quickly to long term suspension, expulsion—no tolerance for bullying

f.        Retentions-committee decision-abide by it

g.       Pre-placement testing-start students at their true level

h.      Even out classroom size earlier-adding students in middle school often detrimental to core group that have been at VCS since elementary, often too late to catch kids up, discipline problems

i.         Policy on filling student positions in 5-8 after start of school--same as above-don’t fill openings after Christmas, maybe

j.        Core Knowledge Sequence/Service Learning/Character Education weave into curriculum ongoing not post EOG—the whole purpose of CKS is to enrich the higher level group and help them achieve growth which is more difficult for that group

k.       Testing —quicker turn around, use the results, differentiate 

l.         Middle School Student/Parent Orientation-mentoring

m.    Academic Clubs-Examples: Future City, Drama, Journalism, Band, School Newspaper, Yearbook Club, Environmental (club leader must receive timely supplement)

n.      Volunteer Coordinated Afterschool Enrichment Opportunities-one time or ongoing (examples: culinary, photography, public speaking, finance, study skills classes) Use community volunteers, retired professionals, parents or supplement teachers.

Charge activity fee, needs based assistance, or for free. 

o.      Applicants for employment should understand philosophy of school before interview

p.      New employee orientation on philosophy of school

q.      Coordinate with Student Recruitment for Parent Informational Sessions

r.         Provide Board Training to new members and refresher for current members

 

Mike Johnson made a motion to approve contracts for all returning IAs, office staff, custodians, and part time employees. Gina seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Mike made a motion to go into closed session to discuss property issues. Janet Gruchaez seconded.  Motion passed. Later Tammy Noel made a motion to come out of closed session. Pat seconded. Motion passed.

With nothing to report, Mike made a motion to adjourn. Tammy seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 10:12p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Jay Andrews, Secretary