October, 2009; Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School
Regular Session of the Board of Trustees
Monday, October 26, 2009
Minutes

Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m. There was no need to go into Executive Session.

Members present: Heidi Schmidt, Bill Bogdanovich, Robert Dwyer, Josh Stewart, Norm Michaud, Lori LaBarge, Carole Ridley, Stefanie Fournier, Robert Dwyer, Kathie Grenon, Kathy McNamara, Allison Graham, Scott Barron, and Diane Titcomb. Members absent: Marion Hobbs, Bernie Lynch and Chris Wells. In addition Paul Niles was present.

The Meeting was opened by Heidi Schmidt with an expression of glee and a round of applause in recognition of the outcome of the Brewster Town Meeting. Heidi thanked the teachers, parents, and Board Members who founded an amazing school15 years ago, and the generations of dedicated people who have worked tirelessly to find the school a permanent home.

The Minutes
The minutes of the Executive Session and the Special Session of the October 5th meeting were approved with corrections.

The Directors Report
-Kathy told us after the Brewster Town Meeting Charlie Sumner and several Selectmen came up to her and said how happy they were with the outcome of the vote.

Kathy reported the following inspections are already underway: -Bennett Enviromental (the 21E Phase l and Phase ll people)) continues with the inspections it began before the Town Meeting.

-The Lead paint inspection is finished.

-Coastal Engineering (the structural engineering group) has begun it's inspections. Although the septic system will need to be enlarged significantly Kathy was assured there is room for this upgrade on the site.

-Bernie Kilroy is working on the process to obtain the Title Policy for the ball fields.

-Nauset Environmental is continuing to inspect the mold, air quality and asbestos. The E.P.A. has very stringent guidelines for asbestos. Nauset Environmental will give us names of companies that can develop an Asbestos Management Plan for the building when the time comes.

-Kathy informed us there will be tentatively a Building Committee meeting on the 16th of Oct. She asked the Board Members to attend a special Board meeting (following the Building Committee Meeting) to review the recommendations of the Building Committee in regard to the inspections.

- Kathy, Chris, Heidi, and Bill met with the people from Mass. Development to discuss the loan application process.

-Senator Robert O'Leary came to the school to visit. He spoke with several members of the Board about a proposed Education Reform Bill. They had a discussion about Charter School Funding and other issues. Later he visited with an 8th grade class.

-The Charter School Office has finished its Site Visit and will send out it's report within two or three weeks.

-And finally Kathy reported the new admissions period is upon us. The first Open House is Nov. 5th. It is assumed the school will have more applicants than ever due to the media attention the school has received this fall.

MCAS REPORT
Paul Niles passed out a spread sheet and summarized the results of last spring's MCAS.

These are the goals of the school with regard to the MCAS tests: -To make Adequate Yearly Progress ( A.Y.P.)

-To continue to have a "No Status" status.

-To score as well or better then the sending districts.

-To maintain consistently good test scores.

The school's MCAS Performance was generally strong. The students preformed particularly well in the areas of English/Language/Arts. Some analysis of the math curriculum will take place to strengthen math performance. In addition Paul reported the school has been awarded a grant from the Center for Collaborative Education.Part of this money will be used to target personnel development and strengthen the cohesion of the math program from year to year.

Building Committee Report
Bill reported his committee will be working on a summary of the inspection reports as soon as they are available. At a special Meeting on Nov. 16, the Building Comm. will make recommendations to the Board in regard to the Brewster Town Hall building. After a review of the inspection report the Board will vote to decide whether we should proceed with the purchase of the Brewster Building.

Calole Ridley will head the Capital Campaign Committee.

Finance Committee Report
There was no reduction in the funding for this quarter, and no change in our financials.

Chair's Report
Bob Dwyer has agreed to Chair the Nominating Committee.

Heidi thanked Kathy for her dedication to the school.

Heidi asked the Board if we would move the Nov. 23rd regular Meeting to Nov. 16th. All agreed.

Faculty Report
- A flouride program has started.

- Student government elections have taken place.

-The Haunted House is scheduled for the Nov. 7th

-The Auction is scheduled for Nov. 8th.

-The Math Dept. has been to a math conference for professional development.

-The 8th grade had a wonderful trip to the White Mts.

-The first sixth grade site visit has taken place. Each site visit begins with a talk at the Museum of Natural History.

New Business
There was no new business

Heidi moved the meeting be adjourned. All were in favor, the meeting adjourned at 6:54 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Diane Wilson Titcomb