By Margaret Hopper

The Aldo Leopold Charter School Governing Council met June 13, 2017 at the school headquarters. Members present were Crystal Osborne, Mary Gruszka, Shauna McCosh, Dale Lane, A.J. Sandoval, Martin Maxwell and David Peck, Chairman. Ken Stone was expected but didn't make it. This was the last official meeting for Stone and Lane, as new members have replaced them and their breaking-in period had ended. A visitor from PED, Baylor Del Rosario, came to observe the Council and record his observations while they planned and discussed.

There were no student or staff reports, but Harry Browne, financial director, had business reports. There were four budget adjustments, (BARs), applications for Titles I and II and IDEA-B, Special Education requests, and the budget for 2017-1018. At this time, Browne and council members discussed them, prepared to vote on them later as action items.

One idea Browne sent out was that some of the Title II plans appeared not to fit the present needs of the school, so he was in the process of transferring certain goals into others more needed at this time. The money was not being removed, but redirected into different areas.

There was also some discussion of SAC, School Advisory Council, which guides and oversees the other committees. Reports are that most had not met this past month. Although there was some delay, Naava Koenigsberg, the chair for SAC, did arrive later. She spoke for several minutes about the goals, the efforts and the tools used to get more out of committee work. As conditions change, the approaches change, too. The idea is to get results for the school.

The Governing Council must approve the goals the committees set, and SAC helps them set the steps for meeting those goals. It is important to remember that some planned outcomes will be accomplished, but the overall plans will never finish; it is a work that moves, changes and achieves, but it is evolving and will never be fully completed. The job is to hold people accountable, keep the motion and ask the questions.

Peck added that so much is possible that it becomes important to prioritize, not try to do it all, as that would be overwhelming. Decide what to do and get some things done.

In the Director’s Report, Wayne Sherwood said the planning with WNMU continues, and classes will get into Regent’s Row, but it might not be early August when that happens. Until that time, Aldo students will make do with what they have already. Plans changed from a cafeteria to an arrangement with Montessori to supply food. The ultimate goal was healthy foods for students, whatever the plan becomes. When 64 percent of the student body qualifies for free or reduced lunches, this might result in free lunches for everyone. Things change.

They are working for a new webpage to improve communications, especially with parents. A group of three may be coming up with a site that meets the need, with a much lower price tag than the present arrangement. It appears that they are solving problems and developing a nice, clean site, he said. It should be ready in late June or early July.

One issue is the need for internet at WNMU, whatever the obstacles they must be overcome. The needs will be met; it is important to remain patient. As soon as conditions are right, they will be notified and teachers can then visit their rooms and make specific plans for whiteboards, working areas, or simply decorate. It will happen, he said.

Under New Business, there were officers to be voted in, as the Council had new members and some present ones are now retiring. This was discussed with the new ones, as they must vote on the secretary, vice chair and chair tonight.

After discussions ended, Peck moved to the action items. The first BAR (#15) transferred $69,391 out of construction expenses and lease-to-purchase payments into instructional supplies and materials, $33,000; psychologists/diagnosticians, $29,391; $5000 into community programs supplies and materials, $1000 into substitute teachers’ sick leave and $1000 into their professional leave.

BAR #16 moved an increase of $549 for dual-credit instructional materials from an initial budget of $1,373 to $1,922,25. BAR 17, IDEA-B, increased federal flow-through grants with $2,137 and speech and language therapist by the same $2,137, with the note that these funds arrived very late this year. Idea-B is federal special education funding.

BAR #18 removed $5475 from the teacher salary fund and placed it into professional development-instruction. The accompanying note from Browne read “Our Title II budget was initially targeted at class-size reduction, which would have meant paying for a portion of a teacher’s salary, but we were required to use it for professional development because not all of our teachers rated “effective” or higher on the state’s teacher assessment system. This BAR incorporates that change into our budget.” Sherwood commented on the state’s opinion of “effective” teaching standards.

Next, the council approved three funding applications, a Title I for $31,193, the Title II written for $5,286, and one for IDEA-B, requesting $28,204 for next year. Browne presented two papers on the 2017-2018 operating budget. The first listed revenues; his estimated amount was $2,678,469, with a projected amount of $2,459,370. The five-page expense listing showed the same projected amount of $2,459,370, while total estimates were given as $2,094,614.

Earlier in discussions Sherwood showed the fall calendar, comparing Silver District’s fall break as being October 16-20, a change from an earlier calendar. To make Aldo’s break match Silver’s, the council voted the change. Sherwood said there would be advantages to that for Aldo. The 40th day would be on October 11, before the break, and the change would help on backpack trips, too.

The election of officers saw Gruszka returning as secretary, Sandoval as vice-chairman and McCosh as the chairman.

The next governing council meeting is scheduled for July 13 at 5:30. The meeting adjourned.