Attendance/CSAC

Tannis Nelson

John Geil

Sandy Carmany

Michael Fedewa

Kate Alice Dunaway

Simon Johnson

Ben Currin

Alfred Bryant

Richard Clontz

JoAnne Woodard

Arlene Ferren

Tony Cozart

 

Absent: John Crowder, Nancy Farmer

Attendance/SBE/DPI

State Board of Education

Kathy Taft

 

Office of Charter Schools

Jack Moyer, Director

Matthew Lanner, Admin. Assistant

Jackie Jenkins, Consultant

Carl Pridgen, Consultant

Joel Medley, Consultant

 

Attorney General’s Office

     Laura Crumpler

School Business

     Paul LeSieur, Director

Welcome/Approval of Draft Minutes:

Chairman Fedewa, when a quorum was met, called the meeting to order. 

 

The draft minutes from the October 20, 2005 meeting were presented for review.  A motion was made by Tannis Nelson was seconded by Sandy Carmany.  The motion carried without dissent.

 

Chairman Fedewa explained the process for examination of the renewal documents – moving one by one to ensure that all issues are discussed.

 

Update:  Rowan Academy

Mr. Archie Jarrell, the board chair, was not present to represent Rowan Academy.  Joel Medley relayed to the committee a voice message that Mr. Jarrell left about an hour ago.  In that message, he said that Rowan did not satisfy the goals established by the CSAC at the last meeting and that they would be awaiting direction from the Office of Charter Schools and CSAC to properly close the school (i.e. how to turn in the charter, how to terminate existing contracts, how to lay-off teachers, etc.).

 

He wanted to thank the committee for the opportunity to try and make the school work and reiterated that the students will be transferred to the traditional system.  He is hoping to achieve a smooth transition for everyone involved. 

 

Discussion ensued on how to accept the relinquishment of their charter.  A motion was made by Tannis Nelson that Mr. Moyer be authorized to accept the verbal relinquishment of the charter (based upon the satisfactory completion of all paperwork).  Sandy Carmany seconded the motion, and the motion carried without dissent.

 

Renewals:

Academy of Moore County -- Joel Medley mentioned some of the issues that have been taking place with recent turnover in the staff and the low scores.  Richard Clontz made a motion to recommend the school for 10 year renewal and Tannis Neslon seconded the motion.  The motion carried without dissent.  

 

Some discussion ensued on how the committee should act based upon concerns that are voiced by the consultants.  The focus on the rubric was also to be balanced by the concerns, if any, noticed by the Office of Charter Schools.  The committee wants to hold high standards for the charter schools – place them on a one year waiver or continue on with the renewal? 

 

Sandy Carmany moved to reconsider their previous action of granting the renewal for Academy of Moore County; and that motion failed due to a lack of a second.  The ten year renewal moves through to the State Board.

 

Ann Atwater – Carl Pridgen mentioned that this school does have numerous issues to resolve – low enrollment (i.e. 63 was the first month’s ADM).  A letter was included to show how they were attempting to address the ADM.  Mr. Moyer shared that he visited Ann Atwater, and the principal said that the school was at 74.  However, he did not see all the children and the principal said that a bus had broken down. Mr. Moyer also shared that the school did not have a student handbook but they submitted a document for review by the CSAC.  The principal also relayed to him that she was “not an administrator” and was going to resign but decided to stay on board – they did not feel it was proper to hire an administrator with the possibility of not being renewed.  The school also only asked for a five year renewal because they believed that was fair.

 

Ms. Carmany asked if this was the school that did not submit a renewal last year, and those facts are true.  Tom Williams from Acadia-Northstar said that SIMS data indicated 73 students but their financial situation required them to have 90 children to be viable financially.  Because of PRC086 funding, the school may finish this year without a deficit but could not go beyond.  Further complicating the matter is the money being spent on busing because of their location.  The school begins in 4^th grade, which does not exactly catch the major market of children; but they wish to remain at their present grade level.  In Mr. Williams’ opinion, the school cannot survive at their present location.

 

Tannis Nelson made a motion to postpone Ann Atwater’s renewal until next meeting, and JoAnne Woodard seconded the motion.  The motion carried without dissent.  John Geil also suggested that the viability of their plans to be moved addressed as well as the low numbers.

 

Arapahoe – Carl Pridgen stated that their school was without problems.  A motion was made to renew the school for 10 years by Arlene Ferren and received a second by Ben Currin.  It carried without dissent.

 

Bridges – Joel Medley stated that the school was without issues. Tannis Nelson made the motion to renew the school for ten years and was seconded by JoAnne Woodard.  It passed without dissent.

 

Carter G. Woodson – Joel Medley said there were no problems and the school met the rubric.  Tannis Nelson made a motion to renew their charter for ten years, and it received a second by Simon Johnson.  The motion carried without dissent.

 

Casa Esperanza – Jackie Jenkins stated that no issues could be found and met the rubric.  Tony Cozart made the motion to renew the school for ten years and was seconded by Ben Currin.  The motion carried without dissent.

 

Central Park – Carl Pridgen stated the school met the rubric and was doing well.  Tannis Nelson made a motion to renew the charter for ten years and was seconded by Ben Currin.  The motion carried without dissent.

 

Chatham – Joel Medley stated that the school has satisfied and met the rubric.  The EC concern was corrected and dropped.  Tannis Nelson made a motion to renew the charter for ten years, and Tony Cozart seconded it.  The motion carried without dissent.

 

Children’s Village – Carl Pridgen stated no problems with the school and that they are doing well.  Tony Cozart made a motion to renew the charter for then years, and Arlene Ferren seconded it.  The motion carried without dissent.

 

CIS Academy – Joel Medley mentioned that the school was making progress and had a plan to raise the scores.  Tannis Nelson made a motion to renew their charter for then years, and was seconded by Alfred Byrant.  The motion carried without dissent.

 

Community Charter -- Jackie Jenkins said the school met the rubric.  Arlene Ferren made a motion to renew their charter for then years, and Tannis Nelson seconded it.  The motion carried without dissent.

 

Downtown Middle – Joel Medley stated that the school had met the rubric.  Tony Cozart made motion to renew the school for 10 years, and Sandy Carmany seconded the motion.  The motion carried without dissent.

 

Exploris Middle – Joel Medley stated the school met the rubric.  Arlene Ferren made a motion to renew the school for ten years, and Alfred Bryant seconded the motion.  The motion carried without dissent.

 

Francine Delany – Jackie Jenkins stated the school met the rubric. Tannis Nelson offered a motion to renew the charter for then years, and Alfred Bryant seconded the motion.  It carried without dissent.

 

Grandfather – Joel Medley mentioned the school is doing well for their population.  Tony Cozart made a motion to renew the charter for then years, and the motion was seconded by Sandy Carmany.  The motion carried without dissent.

 

Gray Stone – Jackie Jenkins stated the school met all requirements and was without any governance issues.  Alfred Bryant made a motion to renew their charter for then years, and Sandy Carmany seconded it.  The motion carried without dissent.

 

Highland – Jackie Jenkins said that school has met all criteria.  Arlene Ferren made a motion to renew the charter for then years, and Alfred Bryant seconded it.  The motion carried without dissent.

 

John H. Baker – Jackie Jenkins stated the school had one issue with SIMS but have been corrected.  Tannis Nelson made a motion to renew the charter for then years, and Tony Cozart offered a second to the motion.  It carried without dissent.

 

Lakeside – Carl Pridgen stated the school did not have any issues, but the principal has been relieved of her duties.  Arlene Ferren made a motion to renew the charter for ten years, and Sandy Carmany seconded the motion.  It carried without dissent.

 

Learning Center – Jackie Jenkins stated the school is doing well.  Alfred Bryant made a motion to renew the charter for then years, and Tannis Nelson seconded the motion.  It carried without dissent.

 

Magellan – Joel Medley stated the school has no issues.  Tannis Nelson made a motion to renew the charter for then years and it was seconded by Arlene Ferren.  The motion carried without dissent.

 

Maureen Joy – Carl Pridgen stated the school made the rubric but did include a letter to raise their test scores.  JoAnne Woodard made a motion to renew the school for ten years and Richard Clontz seconded the motion.  The motion carried without dissent.

 

Mountain Discovery – Jackie Jenkins stated the school met the rubric and no concerns were present.  Arlene Ferren made a motion to renew the school for then years, and Ben Currin offered a second.  The motion carried without dissent.

 

Orange – Carl Pridgen stated the school met the rubric and was performing well.  Alfred Bryant made a motion to renew the school for then years and it received a second by Tony Cozart.  The motion carried without dissent.

 

Quality Education – Joel Medley stated the school met the rubric.  Alfred Bryant made a motion to renew the school for then years and Ben Currin offered a second.  The motion carried without dissent.

 

Simon Johnson, due to his position as the school’s administrator, abstained from voting.  The motion carried without dissent.

 

Rocky Mount – Carl Pridgen stated the school met the rubric.  Arlene Ferren made a motion to renew the school for ten years, and Ben Currin seconded the motion.  The motion carried without dissent.

 

Sallie B. Howard – Carl Pridgen stated the school had met the rubric and no issues were noted.  Tannis Nelson made a motion to renew the school for ten years, and Ben Currin seconded the motion.  It carried without dissent.

 

JoAnn Woodard, due to her position as the administrator of the school, abstained from voting.

 

Sterling Montessori – Jackie Jenkins stated the school met the rubric, and all concerns have been addressed.  Arlene Ferren made a motion to renew the school for 10 years, and Alfred Bryant seconded the motion.  The motion carried without dissent.

 

Summit – Jackie Jenkins stated the school met the rubric and all issues.  Tony Cozart made a motion to renew the school for ten years, and Ben Currin seconded the motion.  The motion carried without dissent.

 

Visions – Joel Medley stated that this school had not satisfied the requirements of the rubric (i.e. below 65 students).  The school does have an additional year, and the CSAC will await the second month ADM.  They will need to provide the information requested by the CSAC.

 

Tannis moved to delay consideration of their renewal until further information can be gathered.  Kate Alice Dunaway seconded the motion, and it passed without dissent.

 

Consultant Update:

Jackie Jenkins mentioned that she has met twice with Roxboro Charter, the new preliminary charter, and has worked with them on board policies.  Karen Frazier also accompanied her on a visit to assist them in financial training.  Roxboro is moving forward dramatically in the acquisition of a facility and will begin renovations soon.

 

Carl Pridgen mentioned his site visits – Haliwa-Saponi (a new principal), Children’s Village (school has a lot of money from grants), Kinston Charter (working on refining policies), Rocky Mount Prep (continues to be a large school and had their first graduating class last year), KIPP Gaston College Prep (and is doing a fantastic job), and Crosscreek (believes a few issues may be arising).  Mr. Moyer added that some correspondence has come into the office from disgruntled parents; and the Office of Charter Schools is presently investigating these concerns.  He has specifically asked for everything in writing so that all issues can be announced and discussed.

 

Joel Medley updated the committee on the recent site visits to Phoenix Academy, Visions Charter, New Dimensions School, American Renaissance Middle School, and Success Institute.

 

Fiscal Update:

Karen Frazier is continuing to train financial officers and ensure compliance.

 

Miscellaneous Items:

Mr. Moyer updated the CSAC on next month’s agenda for the enrollment increases and grade expansion requests.  Chairman Fedewa requested the rubric be submitted via email for the committee to consider prior to their arrival for the meeting.

Paul LeSieur mentioned that charter schools will be receive about $50 per ADM due to the statewide raise in teacher salaries offered by the governor.  That totals nearly $1.4 million to all charter schools and will be released in the next several weeks.  This allotment includes instructional support (i.e. guidance counselors, EC, etc.) but does not include teacher assistants.

 

Kate Alice Dunaway asked about the maximum ADM and funding stream – is it based on the charter or the numbers submitted.  Paul LeSieur answered the question by saying that ADM numbers are the basis of the plan, including a ten percent boost as allowed by state statute.  Some schools have greatly exceeded the growth they submitted last year, and that places everyone in a bind – the school because they do not have funding and the state because they did not budget ADM for this pattern.  The General Assembly took $2 million from the fund where adjustments could be made, thereby, greatly reducing the ability to make any sort of adjustment for charter schools.  Kathy Taft, from the State Board, suggested that Mr. Moyer, Mr. LeSieur, Wayne McDevitt from the SBE, and Laura Crumpler sit down to resolve these policy debates.

 

A question arose as to whether charter schools would receive funding from the lottery.  Mr. LeSieur stated that “charter schools” were not explicitly stated in

 

A motion was made by to go into closed session for personnel related issues by Tannis Nelson and was seconded by Simon Johnson.  The motion carried without dissent, and the Charter School Advisory Committee moved into closed session.

 

Sandy Carmany made a motion to move back into open session and was seconded by Tannis Nelson.  The motion carried without dissent.

 

Adjournment

Completing all business and returning to open session, the meeting was adjourned.  The next meeting is December 8, 2005 at 11am.