Cottonwood Valley Charter School

Governing Council Special Meeting

Dec 2, 2002

 

I.          Call meeting to order                                                       5 minutes                  Mary

II.         Pledge of Allegiance                                                        5 minutes                  All

III.       Ascertain quorum                                                             5 minutes                  Frances

            Sean Price, Hamde Soliman, George Terrell, Frances Deters, Nancy McKinnon, Mary Dwyer, Jeanne Gacanich

IV.       Reading and Approval of Agenda                             5 minutes                  Frances

V.                 Strategic planning – academic issues

Frances Deters suggested the following academic priorities: 3rd language, a concensus test score raise, ideas for making the school unique and how to present that to the community, exit proficiencies, accountability standards for the committee and test score evaluation of such. The discussion was opened with the discussion of a third language. Languages suggested were: sign language, german, chinese and french. The plan seems to be to check on the availability of instructors and do a survey of the upper level grades to get input for choosing.  On testing raises it was decided to see what our second year test scores are so we can plan realistically. Goals will be set at the May 2003 GC meeting. We will use both SAT9 and Terra Nova scores. Ideas on uniqueness focused on ways for teachers to present Core Knowledge in a unique way. It was decided that teachers need more planning time. Ways to accomplish that would be bring in more elective teachers so we can get teachers out of the classroom to plan. Ideal planning time is 45 minutes. Frances Deters suggested sponsoring a national type event that would be unique to our school. Knowledge bowl and Math counts were suggestions. The discussion arose aboutt how we can project our uniqueness to the community. Several suggestions included : having teachers give lectures on Core Knowledge for other teachers in the district, putting together a pamphlet on the school and having students and teachers give presentations to non-profit and service clubs such as Rotary. Another suggestion would be to have formal debates as an elective. Hamde Soliman suggested that CVCS needs to find out what the district is doing and do something different or at least more improved. Incorporating a computer language into the curriculum was also suggested. Having a technical communication elective was also suggested. Exit proficiencies were the next topic. One could graduate from CVCS with honors which would have a certain meaning such as a certain grade point average, a certain number of community service hours, so many after school classes , test score levels, senior project and/or final presentations. The accountability committee was suggested briefly but it is in development currently.

 

VI.       Budget committee report                                              10 minutes               Mary

VII.      Facility update                                                                   10 minutes               Jeanne

VIII.     Public Forum                                                                                                                        Open

IX.               Executive session

Roll call vote to go into executive session to discuss personel matters: In favor: Sean Price, Frances Deters, Jeanne Gacanich, Mary Dwyer, Nancy Mckinnon. Absent Hamde Soliman

After we voted to come out of executive session.

No action was taken.

                                         

X.        Adjourn