Yuba River Charter School Annual Report 2008-09

Yuba River Charter School Annual Report 2008-2009

Letter from the Director Across California the 2008-09 school year will be remembered as the year public education funding was obliterated.

Throughout the year Sacramento sent down to school districts ever decreasing funds. Like the Rio Grande that used to pour out to the majestic sea like a tidal wave and is now a drip that can be turned off with a handle, so funding for public education dried up, and the schools that depended on it were left on shore. By year’s end, funding for students had been reduced to just $4,700 per student and the school year was shortened to 170 days. As you’ll see in this report, our school which pays over a quarter million dollars in rent, also has had its operating budget cut over 20%.

But something else was stirring at YRCS during the school year. Five of our teachers graduated from Rudolf Steiner College’s Teacher Training through a Community Learning Center established on our campus four years ago. Participation in our Annual Fund Drive increased to its highest level in the history of our school with 82% of our school families contributing.

Student accomplishments in testing, sports, and music rivaled any previous year. Alumni graduated from UC Berkeley and UCLA and were admitted to Harvard University.

While the outside world fell into the Great Recession, the people of Nevada County drew closer to their community and together we became a true community of learning and of giving. In November, we opened our development office and held community meetings with our architects. Just as summer was ending, we learned that the state was sending us almost a million dollars to begin buying land and developing our new school.

Although employees had to give up health benefits, take a reduction in pay, and office hours had been cut, I firmly believe that great strength was harnessed in the contraction of our school. As the caterpillar tapers its diet and builds its cocoon, our school has pulled itself closer together and when we are finally ready to take flight, the colors will be brighter than ever.

Sincerely, Caleb Buckley Director

Annual Report 2008-2009

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School Finances Yuba River Charter School received most of its income from state revenues based on average daily attendance of our students. This revenue is listed as Revenue Limit and State income. The State income also reflects stimulus funds received via the ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) enacted in 2009. Local revenues were received from the Educational Foundation, our fundraising arm of the school and include funds from our Annual Pledge Drive, Capital Campaign and Moondance Auction as well as other fundraising activities. These revenue collectively pay for our program expenses which include staff salaries & benefits, all supplies, rent & utilities and other training, administrative and facility costs. During 2008-09 the school also had expenses related to the acquisition of a new school site. As we move forward our challenge will be to continue to maintain a balanced budget with the continued reductions in state funding.

Susan Egan Business Manager

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Annual Report 2008-2009

School Finances 2008-09 INCOME: Revenue Limit $1,256,896 Federal (ARRA) 85,582 State 225,121 Local 211,650 TRESD lapse of LEA 61,421 Contribution from Unrestricted to Special Education (10,693.00) TOTAL: $1,829,976

EXPENSES: Certificated Salaries $455,087 Classified Salaries 386,630 Employee Benefits 227,365 Book & Supplies 63,028 Capital Outlay 38,313 Services:

Insurance 8,936

Rent & Utilities 269,269

Conferences, Mileage and Dues & Memberships 49,336

Legal 796

Fingerprinting, Advertising, Postage, Phone 8,050

Site Improvement, Facility Maintenance and Prof. Services 41,475 Transfers-County Business Services 104,810 Transfers-Special Education, Nurse and County Administration 16,065 TOTAL: $1,669,159

Excess (Deficiency) $160,818 Fund Balance, Beginning 122,746 Fund Balance, Ending $283,564

Components of Ending Fund Balance:

Unrestricted

Revolving Cash & Reimbursables $5,095

Special Education & MAA Reserve 36,891

3% Uncertainty 46,930

Unappropriated/Other Designation 120,945

Restricted

ARRA 73,703

$283,564

Distribution of Unappropriated Funds to the 2009-10 Budget Transfer of Funds to 2009-10 Funding Deficit Remaining Unappropriated Funds

$120,945 94,075 $26,870

Fund balance revenues came from an influx of one-time revenues. These monies will be used to offset the projected long-term picture of dramatic reductions in state revenue.

Annual Report 2008-2009

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Charter Council Charter Council 2008-09 Barry Peake Chairperson & Community Representative Allison Gjersten Parent Representative Torrie Mudd Council Secretary & Parent Representative Jo Paden Parent Representative Jay Zellmer Parent Representative

Dan Martinez Faculty Representative Doris Dunning Faculty Representative Doris Rainville Faculty Representative Caleb Buckley Director & Ex Officio Susan Egan Business Manager & Ex Officio

The Charter Council is the governing body which is responsible for the overall management of our school. This management involves the oversight of existing policies and the implementation of new policies related to budget, personnel, curriculum, facilities and other critical tasks. A fundamental aspect of this oversight is the assurance of accountability related to these policies. And the school is typically faced with what is sometimes referred to SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats).

The Council made significant progress in a number of areas. Major effort was directed toward the new school building project. As most of you know, the school was successful in applying for an $8.5 million grant and loan from the State of California for the purchase of land and the construction of the new facility. Much of our attention this year focused on locating property and commencing the construction of the new school. A task force dealing with the various activities was organized and quickly moved ahead. The overall mechanics of administering the grant was vested in the business manager’s office. A real estate agent, architect, project manager and construction firm were approved and hired by YRCS this past year.

Some unexpected and substantial challenges occurred this year. The U.S. economy moved into the present recession with two results: 1) Considerable pressure was placed on our annual operating budget and 2) the State of California was forced to suspend the funding for state-wide school construction. The Council faced some daunting challenges as we endeavored to deal with the budget and how to continue with the building project.

We are pleased to tell you that we made the necessary changes and adaptations to the school budget. Our school is still very strong and secure, financially. We feel the actions taken by the Council have placed the school on a very dependable footing. And we see light at the end of the tunnel ahead with respect to the construction funding for schools by the state. The will, fortitude and determination of the YRCS school community are truly astounding. The future is bright for YRCS. Barron Peake Charter Council Chairperson, 2008-09

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Annual Report 2008-2009

Parent Council Parent Council 2008-09 Dayna Baldwin Chairperson, Grade 8 Veronica Morales-Combs Co-Chairperson & Festival Coordinator Melissa Seibold Preschool, Outreach Betsey Leach Rose K, Class Fundraising Stacey Ward Lavender K, Sports Teams Greg Wilker Grade 1, Afterschool Co-op Lisa Gorbet Grade 2, Hospitality Nicholas Cravotta Grade 3, Treasurer

Jeromy Laurin Grade 4, Volunteerism & School Service Jean Remley Grade 5, Parent Council Fundraising Jo Paden Grade 6 Teri Polcene Grade 7, Parent Education Torrie Mudd Charter Council Representative & Secretary Ron Charles Faculty Representative Caleb Buckley Director

The YRCS Parent Council is considered the “voice of the parents” as the council is comprised of community volunteers. The organizational structure consists of parent representatives from each classroom, one faculty member, one Charter Council member and our school administrator. Ideas, concerns and/or questions can be brought to Parent Council meetings, held the first Wednesday of the month, by the parent representative of each class.

The Parent Council supports and gives structure to individual class fundraising endeavors. We host the many social functions for the school, organizing the annual events such as the Back to School Night, Ice Cream Social, visiting Tibetan Monks appearances and Grandparent’s Day. Central to our Waldorf curriculum, the Parent Council also organizes and executes the fall Harvest Festival and spring MayFaire, as well as the all school Winter and Spring Assemblies.

Each member of the Parent Council holds a committee or representative position to oversee various additional school functions. For example, the Parent Education committee organizes and promotes educational talks with speakers on various topics related to Waldorf education. Our Parent Education highlight from the past year was Spanish teacher Patricia Montijo’s spring presentation on “Why Waldorf for the Middle Schooler?”

Parent Council also assisted in re-establishing the YRCS sports program during the 2007-08 school year and purchased the uniforms for the various sports teams during the 2008-09 school year. YRCS now has girls and boys basketball, girls and boys cross country and track, girls volleyball and co-ed flag football, all run by volunteer parent coaches. We look to establish more sports teams and engage participation from additional grades in the future.

One of this past year’s main goals for Parent Council was to streamline the school service and volunteerism efforts at our school. Parent Council revamped the way each class tracks its parent school service hours. Each classroom now has a binder for tracking and logging required parent and family service hours. We worked hard to find ways to make the school service and volunteer requirements easier to understand and more accessible. The results have been praised and our community is thriving. We endeavor to acknowledge those who give so much of their time and support to help make the Yuba River Charter School a success. The Parent Council itself has been a dedicated group of parents that have shown vision, leadership, will and amazing amounts of energy in their support of our school.

Respectfully Yours, Dayna Baldwin Parent Council Chairperson, 2008-09

Annual Report 2008-2009

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Educational Foundation I feel very fortunate to be serving as part of our Educational Foundation. We are a group of committed individuals dedicated to the mission of fulfilling the vision of the Ed Foundation by raising funds for Yuba River Charter School’s needs as set forth by the Charter Council.

The 2008-09 school year was a landmark year for the Ed Foundation. Our fall Annual Fund Drive reached 82% participation; greatest community involvement to-date. The Moondance Auction netted more money than the previous year. And, cooperatively, the Ed Foundation and the YRCS Development Office launched the school’s first-ever capital campaign.

The Ed Foundation produced a beautiful “Growing our School” brochure, our YRCS capital campaign case statement. This informational brochure allowed the Ed Foundation and Development Office to promote fundraising efforts and access local and charitable foundations and media outlets to garner support.

The commitment and will of our school community is exceptional. Even in these economically challenging times, the Ed Foundation strives to keep the dreams for our school alive and healthy. The capital campaign’s family home visits have allowed the Ed Foundation to be more connected to the YRCS school community. We have listened to and heard from families. We have had many enriching conversations about our school. And we have come to learn how to serve the needs of our community better.

As an instrument for the YRCS community fundraising efforts, the Ed Foundation allows each family and community member to contribute to the school in a mutually sustainable way. The Foundation endeavors to facilitate the community’s spirit of giving. The fundraising successes of the Ed Foundation are the will and spirit of the Yuba River Charter School.

Your input and participation are welcome.

Lastly, the Ed Foundation would like to recognize the contributions of our former president and school parent, Pierre Chatelain. Pierre temporarily relocated from his family this year to pursue a career opportunity. He played a great role in the inspiration and development of the YRCS capital campaign effort.

James Robinson Educational Foundation Chairman, 2008-09 INCOME & EXPENSES JULY 1, 2008 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2009 The Educational Foundation initiates various fundraising initiatives in support of the School. These include the Annual Fund Drive to support our programs for the following school year. During November 2008 we accepted pledges for the 2009-10 school year. The timing of our Annual Fund Drive ensures fiscal and hiring responsibility by budgeting for the upcoming school year based on a realistic amount of income from the state and our Annual Fund Drive. YRCS is unique in proactively planning for the future year’s budget by fundraising in advance for that up-coming year.

Educational Foundation Income Break-Out $1,676.00

$13,947.00 RSF Grant Income Moondance 2008 Income

$43,304.00

Capital Campaign Income $43,960.00

09/10 Annual Fund Drive Income

$37,700.00

The Educational Foundation receives and acknowledges donations which allow the donors income tax deductions.

The Foundation transfers donations, grant and auction income to the Yuba River Charter School Business Office, retaining 10% for the Foundation’s pledge drive and operating expenses and 5% for future fundraising efforts.

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Annual Report 2008-2009

Ed Foundation Interest Income

$3,475.00 Educational Foundation Income Total: $144,062

08/09 Annual Fund Drive Income

Educational Foundation Finances EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION 2008-09 James Robinson Chairman & Community Representative Denise Reynolds Chief Financial Officer Caleb Buckley Director Susan Egan Business Manager Erik Bell Faculty Representative

INCOME: 2009-10 Annual Fund Drive 2008-09 Annual Fund Drive Total Annual Fund Drive Income

$37,700 43,304 81,004

Capital Campaign (began 2-27-09)

43,960

RSF Grant Income Moondance Auction Interest Income Total Misc Income

1,676 13,947 3,475 $19,098

TOTAL INCOME TRANSFERS TO YRCS: 2009-10 Annual Fund Drive 2008-09 Annual Fund Drive Capital Campaign Moondance Auction Grants Total Transfers to YRCS

Pierre Chatelain Parent Representative Kwong Chew Parent Representative Melissa Seibold Parent Council Representative Allison Gjertsen Charter Council Representative

$144,062

EXPENSES: Annual Fund Drive Expenses Annual Report Expenses Moondance Auction Expenses Administrative Asst./Consultant Accounting/Tax Preparation Capital Campaign General Operating Expenses Total Expenses

TOTAL TRANSFERRED OR EXPENDED INCOME MINUS TRANSFERS & EXPENSES RESERVES ON HAND ENDING RESERVES

$23,036 39,159 32,733 9,048 3,279 $107,255 $1,250 2,273 4,432 15,741 600 7,747 5,516 $37,559 $144,814 (752) 16,167 $15,415

Annual Report 2008-2009

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Annual Fund Drive Donors A sincere ‘Thank You’ to the contributors to the YRCS Educational Foundation Annual Fund Drive 2008-09.

Proceeds raised during this fund drive effort are applied to the 2009-10 operating budget.

A special ‘Thank You’ to our generous grandparents indicated below by an “*”.

Anonymous Donor Emily Adams Nataleigh Alvarez Mary Allred* Leila & Mike Barber Natalie & Nichols Baughman Laura Belk Erik Bell Anne & Steve Berreman Alexis Blair & Andre Hudon Thea & Roger Blair Lee Bolger* Sara & Jeff Brownwood Pamela Bryant (in memory of Barry W. Bryant) Angela & Caleb Buckley Ruth Caldwell* Shannon & Ed Casey-Welch Amy & Bryan Cassidy Dyann & Frank Castro-Wehr Mrs. Gordon E. Chamberlin* Laurie & Russell Chamberlin Barbara & Pierre Chatelain Katie & Hugh Coffin* Krissa & Brian Connelley Kaye Conners Fran Corbitt* Elizabeth & Howard Cowles* Linda & Tom Cox* Carolyn Crane Rebecca & Nicholas Cravotta-Bleu Barbara Cretilli Sheri & George Cutter Keri & Mark Dahlstrom Danna Dightman* Joiex Duncan & Ingo Zirpins Liz & Greg Dunkel-Wilker

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Annual Report 2008-2009

Doris Dunning Jacquie & Holt Durham Claudia & Ersel Edwards* Susan Egan Brenda English Joe Fajen Margaret Fincham* Laurence & Mark Fogiel Julie Franklin & Mark Follansbee Annette Fuchs & Sean Duggan (in memory of Helga Fuchs) Shannon & Paul Frederickson Meg Gallant Sally & Gary Gardner Genevieve Gartin Karen & Richard Geisler Marion Gilbert Prajna Ginty Allison & Todd Gjertsen Jilan & Joe Glorfield Lisa Gorbet & Joe Hash Jenny Gray & Kwong Chew Sue Haddon Annica & Raymond Hagadorn Savannah & Georg Hanson-Kickinger Cathy & Doug Harmon Kateri & Chuck Harrison Carol Harrison* Elisa & Larry Hierman (in memory of Sidney Tepperman) Lisa & Charles Hooper Virginia Hooper* Julie Hunn & Mark Goehring Jennifer & Mark Iams-McGuire Kim Iverson-Lee Amy Jones & Mike Mobley Brian Jordon

Annual Fund Drive Donors Migiwa Kawasaki Dorothy & Don Klein* Meri Knadjian & Estevan Abila Andi & Graham Krause Alicia Lacoste & Eric Sturgeon Bonnie Lang Betsey & Kyle Leach Jonathan Lee Ryan Love Michelle Maro Jerilee & Dan Martinez Angela & David Masker Ceirhra Masters Casey & Thomas McCormick Trish McPhee Pat & Wally Mitchell* Veronica Morales-Combs Bill & Torrie Mudd Manuela Musolf & Phil Mason Justin Napier Anne Nielsen* Marianna Nielsen & Fred Tilton Rachel Noble Raelynn & Matt Noel Anna O’Neill & David Smith Jo & Greg Paden Heather Peery Teri Polcene & Roland King (in memory of Barbara Polcene & Gordon King) Janice Polucha Marjorie L. Pratt* Doris Rainville Rhiannon Redican Justin Reinholz Anna & Matthew Reischman Mrs. & Joseph Remley* (in memory of Corey Hofland) Jean Remley & Chris Hofland Bev Reynolds* Denise & Brad Reynolds Dolores & Rodney Reynolds* James Rice* Leslie Rivers James Robinson Deanna & Keith Ronningen Donna & Ken Ronningen* Elaine & Ray Rossie*

Alma & Adam Rowe Jane & Stewart Rowe Terry Rusboldt* BJ Schmitt & David Brownstein Jan & Hugh Schmitt* Katrina Schneider & Gary Reedy Steve Schommer Susan Schreiber & Jerome Verhasselt Nikiya Schwarz & Kevin Pachman Kenneth D. Seibold* Melissa Seibold & Courtney Cook Kristi Shank Bertha & Worth Shaw* Denyse & Bob Shaw Jennifer Sheffield Baruch J. Simon Shea & Brandon Smith Vladimir Strugatsky Indira & Bishnu Subedi Doug & Martee Suess Laura & Charles Svoboda Mrs. & Donald Terrell * Nancy & Robbert Trice Cindy & Gary Upton Stephen Van Valkenburg Natasha Vinson Vilnis Vulfs Benji & Robert Wallis Sarah & Matthew Wilson-Daley Sharon & David Yonenaka

Annual Report 2008-2009

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Development Office This fall marks the first anniversary of the establishment of the Yuba River Charter School Development Office. And I am fortunate to be the first person to occupy a development position with our school. I am grateful to be able to learn and grow as a person, and parent, within this amazing community of children, families, faculty and administration.

I feel particularly blessed to have the opportunity to support our remarkable school, and the Waldorf curriculum, at such a crucial time in the school’s history. While the road to building our new school and campus seems to be long and winding; we will be successful. Our new school, the first publically-funded Waldorf charter school in this country, will be built with the dedication and support of this community.

I encourage you to come into the “Development Center-Community Lounge” to learn about the progress we are making with the building project. Stop in to inquire about the Educational Foundation fundraising efforts (Annual Fund Drive & Capital Campaign) or receive information about the annual Moondance Community Celebration & Auction.

The Development Center is available to receive information and share thoughts, ideas and possibilities. Please get involved with your school in any way you feel compelled and inspired. The Development Office is available to facilitate the will and potential we create as community.

With Gratitude, Melissa Seibold Development Associate

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Annual Report 2008-2009

2009-10 School Calendar August 13 - 18

Teacher In-service

August 19 - 21

All Minimum Days

August 19

September 1 September 7

September 25 October 5

October 16

October 19 - 23 October 30

November 7

November 11

November 17, 18, 20, 23, & 24 November 25-27

December 21 - January 1 January 18

February 1

February 12 & 15 March 9, 10 & 12 March 11 March 19 March 27

April 2 & 12 April 5 - 9 April 17

April 19 - May 7 April 30 May 1 May 7

May 14 May 31

May 24-28 May 27

June 1-4

First Trimester Trimester Ends: October 30 Report Cards: November 5

First Day of School & Opening Ceremony Picture Day

Labor Day Holiday

Harvest Festival Minimum Day Picture Make-Up Day Minimum Day

October Break

Halloween Festival Minimum Day

Moondance Community Celebration & Auction Veteran's Day Holiday

Parent Conferences Minimum Days Thanksgiving Break Winter Break

Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Teacher In-service

President's Holiday

(Optional) Parent Conferences Minimum Days Staff/Teacher Appreciation Tea Teacher In-service

Day in the Life of Kindergarten Snow Days

Spring Break

Day in the Life of Kindergarten STAR Testing

Grandparent's Day - Minimum Day MayFaire

Pentathlon

Medieval Games

Memorial Day Holiday All Minimum Days

Last Day of School & Graduation Teacher In-service

Second Trimester Trimester Ends: February 19 Report Cards: March 1

Third Trimester Trimester Ends: May 21 Report Cards: June 14

Annual Report 2008-2009

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Our Community “Yuba River Charter School is “the gold” of Nevada County. It is an education that enriches and supports the spirit and mind of our growing children.” ~ Greg Wilker (Jonah, 2nd grade and Robyn, 5th grade)

“I cherish Yuba River Charter School because it values the whole child. The essence of the individual is held sacred. The experiences of life are valued at least as much as the academics. If we are to raise a community of children to embrace today’s challenges, we must allow them to experience the success of community as children. YRCS fosters this collaborative cooperation.” ” ~Trish McPhee (Shermariah, 3rd grade)

“At the intake meeting for our son, our family experienced compassion, consideration, wisdom and good judgment from four teachers, the school director and the school psychologist. We feel assured that YRCS has embraced our son at several levels: social, psychological, academic and the level of the soul. Thank you, YRCS, for the care you have shown our children and our family.” ~Sally Gardner, (Clara, 2nd grade and Sam, 7th grade)

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Annual Report 2008-2009

Our Community “We love YRCS and it is very important to us for many reasons. We appreciate the rich and multi-layered quality of Waldorf education offered here. It’s a very unique school with a strong sense of community, a dedicated caring staff, and actively involved parents.

When we think of YRCS we always think of the ‘Skin Horse’ in the story of the Velveteen Rabbit. It is not shiny or flashy, not new. It is soft, comfortable and worn. It is loved so much that, like the ‘Skin Horse,’ it is so very real to those who have the opportunity to experience it.” ~ Joe Hash and Lisa Gorbet (Soleil, 3rd grade) “We moved to the area for this school and are so very grateful that we did. Every year at opening ceremony we know we made the right choice. This is our eighth year.” ~ Wendie & Doug Huntington (Jentry, 7th grade)

“YRCS provides our children with such an incredibly sweet, curious, safe and inspiring experience. I feel like my son is in paradise each day he gets to walk into his classroom to be held so lovingly by his teachers. The sense of protection and nurturing is paramount to me as a parent.” ~ Melissa Seibold (Aiden, Lavender Kindergarten)

Annual Report 2008-2009

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Yuba River Charter School

13026 Bitney Springs Road, Building 3 Nevada City, CA 95959 Phone (530) 272-8078 Fax (530) 272-1952 Websites: www.yubariverschool.org www.yrcsedfoundation.org/capitalcampaign Email: director@yubariverschool.org Many of the school’s photos were graciously taken by Sean Duggan.