THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OF

VANCE CHARTER SCHOOL

MINUTES

OF

MARCH MEETING

 

 

The Board of Directors of Vance Charter School held its regular meeting on Monday, March 23rd , 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 Gruchaez

Cydne Sharpe                                                 Tammy Noel

Bill Satterwhite                                              

 

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

There was no public comment.

 

APPROVAL O F MINUTES

Cydne Sharpe made a motion to approve the minutes from the February meeting with the addition of noting the number of applications received (389) for this year’s lottery to the Student Recruitment report. Janet Gruchaez seconded. The motion passed.

 

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Dr. John von Rohr reported that those students lagging behind in math have been identified and will be encouraged to attend addition Math Academy sessions, possibly on some Saturdays. This will be available to students in 3rd through 8th grades.

The scores for the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) were lower from 4th to 8th grades across the board. The addition of new students in these grade levels could have a significant impact on the overall scores. Changes in the State- required curriculum may have caused some basic grammar skills to be deemphasized or left out in preparation for the EOG. This could also have an adverse effect on the ITBS scores. New grammar books have been ordered. Mrs. Hancock stated that she has incorporated more opportunities to cover grammar using Study Island for example, whenever possible. Bill Satterwhite asked if the scores of new students could be tracked separately from existing students. Dr. von Rohr said that was done and there was a measurable difference between the two groups. Dr. von Rohr, Ann Hancock, and Janet Gruchaez will be attending a program at Roxboro charter on EVASS which is an assessment tool for math. Dr. von Rohr gave an update on some of the after school activities and Cydne Sharpe thanked the teachers for their hard work and effort in these activities.

Dr. von Rohr mentioned that Brian Creasman, principal of Northern Vance High School would be coming to VCS for a brief orientation session for rising 9th graders and their parents. Cydne asked if the school has identified those children who have qualified for the Duke TIP Program. Mrs. Hancock said that information was not available at this time. She reported that new AIG students have been identified. Tammy Noel asked about the status of the AIG program at VCS. There should be as much emphasis on the AIG program as there is in the EC program. Is Differentiation an effective tool for AIG? How can we be sure we are serving all of our students?

 Cydne asked about the policy on the team approach for teacher-parent conferences. Dr. von Rohr said that these meetings occur when there is an issue with a student that would best be resolved by consulting with more than one teacher. Parents still have the option to meet individually with a specific teacher. The use of team conferences will occur on a case by case basis. In the newsletter it was mentioned that teachers will be sending home more tests to be signed by the parent to help keep them up to speed with their child’s progress.  

 

LONG RANGE PLANNING

In Brian Daniel’s absence, Jill Pike reported on March12th the Long Range Planning committee along with Jill, Onnie Gore, Dr. Mark Dubinski, Clem Siefert, and John Foster,  met with  Steve Hubrich of Hock Development and Cory Draughon of Starboard Accounting. Cory was asked to prepare some options and suggestions for financing the new school building. He came back with two options that contained some recommended budget cuts, one with major cuts and one with minor ones. The group was able to look over the projections and ask questions on items.   The meeting went well. The consensus of the group was that this was a good opportunity for the school and well worth pursuing.  Cory is preparing another set of financials using a more accurate student enrollment number. The Board will have a special called meeting next week to meet with Steve and Cory, look at the proposal, and ask questions. Harrison Ford asked what kinds of options were being considered to make the building more affordable. Jill mentioned that there are several construction options such as the type of gym floor used, etc. Tom Betts reminded the Board that Hock Development is willing to do this with no money down. He stated that there may be some room for negotiation on some items. Jill also mentioned that based on the new projection, the school would not have to max out our student enrollment until we are in the new building.

 

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

Tammy Noel reported that the Beta Club completed their service project and donated $201.00 to the Capital Campaign. The 4th and 5th grades raised about $1800.00. The account balance is now at $60,000. Tammy thanked the teachers for stepping up and holding these fundraisers. Cydne stated that as we move forward, the focus of the Capital Campaign will be to help purchase specific items for the new school possibly a scoreboard or bleachers for the gymnasium as an example.

 

 

FINANCE

No report.

 

STUDENT RECRUITMENT

Gina Harris reported the lottery went well. The acceptance letters went out to new kindergartners last week and we are still in a holding pattern for all other grades until class size issues are finalized.

 

BUILDING

Harrison Ford reported that the new locks have come in and will be installed this week. Jill recommended that something be done to clean up the middle school recreation area. It is in poor shape.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Cydne recommended that the academic policy for participation in athletics be reviewed. IEP students should have standards for their level.

 

Tammy Noel made a motion to go into closed session to discuss personnel issues. Michael Johnson seconded. Motion passed.

Later Tammy made a motion to come out of closed session. Michael seconded. With nothing to report Bill Satterwhite made a motion to adjourn. Janet seconded.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:20p.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Jay Andrews, Secretary