Yuba River Charter School Annual Report 2010-11

Yuba River Charter School

ANNUAL REPORT 2010-2011 Nevada City, California

ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11

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ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11

Letter from the Director

The 2010-11 year was one of many changes for Yuba River Charter School (YRCS). Because of declining enrollment in the Nevada City School District (NCSD), their historic downtown campus sat empty for over a year while YRCS was negotiating its lease renewal at the Bitney Springs Campus. While negotiations were stalled, YRCS and NCSD drafted a lease to move our charter school to the Nevada City Elementary. Many public hearings were held and many debates on the merits and challenges with moving the campus were heard. In the end, a lease was signed with NCSD for three years and YRCS said goodbye to its Bitney Springs forest campus and moved into downtown Nevada City. Through herculean efforts, the entire campus was moved in a few weeks and work continued all summer on the playgrounds. In the end, our facility costs were cut almost in half and the entire community participated in the largest volunteer task ever completed.

Meanwhile, no less exciting, the state released our first round of bond money and we closed our purchase of 13 acres in Grass Valley for our new construction project. Our Charter Council approved the conceptual designs and our architects, engineers, and project management team went back to work. You will see from our financial reports that the year ended with a very strong financial balance and enrollment was at an all time high.

On the program side, we reopened the Little Creek Preschool five days per week at our new site. We created a homestudy farm program for grades 1-3, which quickly enrolled the first ten students. By summer there were 100 students on the waiting list for YRCS. While the state budget for education has remained stagnant for many years, YRCS was able to cut costs for facility and business services and increase salaries and program offerings during 2010-11. The richness of the parent volunteer based earned its metal this Spring and Summer by proving that together we create our own sense of abundance and prosperity for our children. We hope this annual report can serve to honor all the hard work and tremendous involvement our school has received.

If you aren’t a current parent—call us to schedule a visit—we’d love to show you our new temporary home in the heart of Nevada City… and our plans for our permanent one just outside of Grass Valley.

Sincerely, Caleb Buckley Director

A Farewell to our

Bitney Springs Home...

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ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11

... Hello Downtown Nevada City

In the winter of 2010, YRCS was approached by a Nevada City neighborhood group asking us to submit a bid to lease the empty Nevada City Elementary school campus. The community missed having children at the heart and center of their town. It took a lot of hard work for our school community to decide what to do. Our Charter Council held many meetings and community forums in making a critical decision.

Immediately, we realized our school could save a large amount of money in rent by leasing this facility.

Furthermore, our rent would be received by another local school district in desperate need of the revenue. Many families were excited about the idea of being a central part of a community with as much heart and beauty as Nevada City. While a negative for some families who were looking at a longer commute, the NCE campus was much closer for a large number of our families.

We loved the idea of the beautiful old school, with its graceful and large foyer, its much improved bathrooms, and its larger classrooms with multiple blackboards, and a sink in each room. For the first time we would be in a building built for learning.

Conversely, we also had a very hard time leaving our beloved old campus behind. The Bitney Springs site was nestled in a beautiful grove of tall pine trees and had lovely walking trails through the woods. It had spacious play areas that were divided well among the upper and lower grades. Many families had chosen their homes to be near this campus. We loved the rural feel and all the lovely improvements families and staff had made to the space over the years, including the outside trellised classroom that was still blooming full of roses on move out day and the wooden climbing boat in the (boat yard).

In the long run, the difficult decision was made, and we moved to downtown Nevada City into a space that has been used as a school since 1868. On the last day of school at the Bitney campus, families waved good-bye and children hugged the trees.

Many of us pitched in to pack and move classrooms into the waiting moving trucks, or helped to unload into the new campus.

Over the summer, teachers, staff and some dedicated parents put in many weeks of labor to set up the new space. Outside, a core group of parents moved and reinstalled the playground equipment with their backhoes, diggers and welding tools.

The thrill came on the first day of school, when the downtown Victorian village of Nevada City came alive with the joyous sounds of our children pouring through its streets. Some walked, some biked, some scootered. Others parked nearby and strolled the last block or two with their friends. Mr. Buckley launched the new year by ringing the bell that was first rung for school children in 1936 at NCE. The children filed behind their teachers from the playground, down the long hallways, and into the bright, spacious new rooms with freshly hung silks. The Rose Ceremony was held in the school auditorium, which fit all the students and a large group of parents. The first graders could be seen up on a real stage as they received their welcoming roses.

Although it was hard to leave our old campus and its memories behind, the move created a lot of new excitement among the families. The savings for our budget during an especially trying time for California schools was crucial to maintaining our programs, and even growing them. It allowed us to give all staff a pay increase after a couple of years of stagnation. In our new home, we have a friendly and welcoming partnership with our landlord that greatly simplifies the daily tasks of keeping the school going. And now, slowly, we will begin to beautify this new home with all the little Waldorf touches, projects and attributes.

Yuba River Charter School is very grateful to the residents of Nevada City and the Nevada City School District for welcoming us so graciously into their beautiful little school.

Sincerely, Mariana Nielsen Charter Council Parent Representative

ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11

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School Finances Several important changes have occurred within our financial arrangements with the State of California – the main source for fee revenue for charter schools residing in the state. These changes affect our school’s monthto-month cash flow, as well as our long term balance sheets and fund balances. They also create unique financial statements that, at a glance, can seem misleading. Thus, we have tried to clarify by adding budget lines to this year’s statement.

In response to the fiscal woes at the state level, the legislature has determined the state will defer 33% of fee revenue (also known as the per diem or Average Daily Attendance/ADA) from February thru June 2012. During those five months, we will receive only 8% of the revenues due for this period (a $480,334 deferment).

In response to multiple years of deferrals, Yuba River Charter School officials have worked hard to build our ending fund balance to assist the school’s cash flow internally, without accessing or dependance on a line of credit or expensive financing. While we would hope and trust the State of California to keep its financial commitments to us and other charter schools, we are aware that these deferrals may become permanent (basically defaulted) and our school would actually lose that revenue all together.

The “deferral fund” is our safety net for the Spring months and long term period. It is our self-insurance for the worst case scenario.

On a brighter note, you will find that YRCS had many great accomplishments during 2010-11. We acquired title to property for our new school facility, made an early payoff of a lien against the new school site property, had a historic fundraising year, and moved to a new school site reducing our rent to almost half over the next three years.

The leadership and administration is so grateful to our community of families for the generosity, volunteerism and support we receive. My office is always open. If you have any questions about the school’s finances, please come ask.

Susan Egan Business Manager

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ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11

School Finances 2010-11 ENROLLMENT 284 REVENUE General Purpose In Lieu Property Taxes Federal Revenue (SELPA) Federal Revenue State Revenue - SELPA Class Size Reduction State Lottery State - Other Local Other Financing Sources/Transfers In TOTAL

$1,273,449 $120,471 $29,879 $75,757 $71,427 $81,837 $37,251 $126,426 $282,182 $283,333 $2,382,012

EXPENDITURES Certificated Salaries Classified Salaries Employee Benefits Book & Supplies Facility Costs Site Improvements Excess Costs Debt/Loan Pay-off (Old Dairy property) NCSOS Business Services (1% and 6%) TOTAL EXPENDITURES

$492,585 $381,005 $262,575 $69,038 $459,816 — $2,200 $190,000 $114,298 $1,971,518

NET INCREASE/DECREASE

$410,494

BEGINNING FUND BALANCE ENDING FUND BALANCE

$296,582 $707,076

COMPONENTS OF ENDING BALANCE Revolving Fund Clearing Account Economic Uncertainty - 3% of expenses Reserve for Anticipated Cuts Special Ed Reserve Medi-Cal Reimbursement Reserve Undesignated Budgeted Reserve TOTAL

$2,500 $100 $59,146 $75,296 $39,430 $19,912 $510,692 $707,076

ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11

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Charter Council

Caleb Buckley

Doris Rainville

Allison Gjertsen

Director (Non-Voting Member)

Faculty Representative & Ed Foundation Liaison

Susan Egan

Mariana Nielsen

Parent Representative & Parent Council Liaison through 12-2010

Business Manager (Non-Voting Member)

Leila Barber

arent Representative & Council Secretary P beginning 1-2011

Faculty Representative & Faculty Liaison

Robert Wallis

Parent Representative & Council Secretary through 12-2010

Dan Martinez

Parent Representative & Parent Council Liaison beginning 1-2011

Community Representative

Faculty Representative

Matthew Reischman Newman Peery

Torrie Mudd Parent Representative & Council Chair

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.

2010-11 was a full and exciting year for the Charter Council. YRCS received the first apportionment of the $8.5 million grant and loan from the State of California for the purchase of land and the construction of a new school. I’m happy to report that because of the efforts of administration, our business manager, and all those involved in the building project, the first $1.5 million of the grant helped us to continue down the path of planning our new school. The Charter Council approved the purchase of an eight acre Rough and Ready Highway property, as well as the building plans which our architects are diligently working towards a goal of final schematics and designs.

The Charter Council spearheaded the development of a five-year strategic plan to guide the school’s next phase of operation.

The plan was developed by a diverse group of more than 20 people representing key stakeholders (faculty, parents, staff and council representatives) at YRCS. This leadership group identified eight key goals for the 2011-2016 period with four strategic directions under which to organize the school’s academics, financial, community health and building directives.

One of the hardest financial obstacles was the exorbitant rent that has been paid for the current school site. Fortunately, the Nevada City Elementary facility in downtown Nevada City accepted our rental bid saving the school more than $100,000 per year in rent each of the next three years. We understood that many of our families loved the beauty of our Bitney Springs site and the decision would not be an easy one to make. The Charter Council was appreciative of the parent guests who attended our meetings, sharing their concerns and feedback regarding a move to NCE. After much deliberation and consideration, the Charter Council decided that it would be in the best interest for the school to move. With the changes in expenses, the council was overjoyed to approve a school budget and salary schedules that included faculty and administrative salary increases for all.

With successful efforts of our Educational Foundation and the generous families and friends of YRCS, we are very pleased to report that our school continues to remain financially strong and secure. The Charter Council approved expansion of the home-study and preschool programs that began this fall. Our enrollment is at the school’s highest with waitlists for nearly all grades. In a time of economic uncertainty our YRCS school community continues to thrive and is a shining example of a sound and strong school model.

I want to thank the YRCS family community for all their efforts and support and making our school the successful community that it is today.

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With Gratitude, Torrie Mudd Charter Council Chairperson

ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11

Parent Council Paula Barber

Lisa Gorbet

Melissa Seibold

Faculty Rep.

4th Grade Rep./Hospitality Committee

Ed Foundation Rep./Development

Chelsea Baum

Catherine Janicke

Makio Terrell

Sweet Pea Kindergarten Rep./Festivals Co-rep

6th Grade Rep./Treasurer

5th Grade Rep./PC Secretary

Caleb Buckley

Veronica Morales-Combs

Robert Wallis

Director

Co-Chairperson/7th Grade Rep./ Festivals Committee

Rose Kindergarten Rep./ Volunteerism Committee

Chairperson

Mariana Nielsen

Kristin Welch

Joe Fajen

3rd Grade Rep./Parent Co-op

Mark Dahlstrom 2nd Grade Rep./Parent Education Committee

Doris Rainville

8th Grade Rep./PC Fundraising

Hanna Zeisel

Charter Council Rep.

1st Grade Rep.

The YRCS Parent Council facilitates parent participation, support and oversight of school festivals, class fundraising, extracurricular student activities and school “community.” The Parent Council is the vehicle to give us all greater visibility into our school activities and events, and provides processes in determining how to best serve our school and students, as their “ears and voice” of parents.

With the great need, and expectation, of parents to volunteer, it is critical that all parents have access and insight into all school activities. The Parent Council serves to encourage and facilitate participation and vision of much of what takes place at YRCS. During the 2010-11 school year, the Parent Council made financial contributions to our sports programs, school festivals and the new YRCS school store. We provided the seed money loan jump-start the store’s first year, which successfully offered Waldorf art supplies and hand-crafted gifts and consignments. Sixth grade students were given a curriculum-related opportunity to utilize math and business skills while raising money for their class field fund.

The Parent Council sponsored four parent education events during the 2010-11 school year. We were honored to host the internationally known Waldorf education lecturer and consultant, Eugene Schwartz, for a two-day workshop during the spring.

I am grateful for the active and engaged parent body we have at YRCS. The time and many efforts of our Parent Council volunteers serve the entire school community and our children. Working together, we contribute to the school experience and YRCS’s success. Our parents have a lot of passion, dedication and talent. It bodes well for YRCS’s future successes and the richness of each school year’s experiences and memories. Thank you to everyone who is making a difference.

Sincerely, Mark Dahlstrom Parent Council Chairperson

ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11

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Educational Foundation This is my 12th year as a parent at YRCS. Over the years I have served on various committees and volunteered in many different capacities. Joining the Educational Foundation during the 2010-11 school year has been one of my most satisfying experiences as a parent volunteer.

The YRCS Educational Foundation (EF) is the branch of faculty, parent, and community volunteers dedicated to raising money for the Yuba River Charter School. With public money scarce, the EF is key to closing the gap between what state and federal government provides and what our Waldorf-methods education costs. Thanks to our YRCS families, 2010-11 has been our most successful year ever.

Our chief fundraisers for the 2010-11 school year were the Annual Fund Drive, Moondance Community Celebration & Auction, and the “Slushie Booth” at the Nevada County Fair. The 2010-11 Annual Fund Drive marks the first year the EF ever met or surpassed a fundraising goal, bringing in over $105,000, with an astounding 97% participation! Moondance raised more money than ever before, grossing over $36,000! And finally, this summer the EF teamed with the 7th and 8th grades to host a concession booth at the Nevada County Fair. This terrific school outreach and the profits were split by the EF and the upper grades’ field funds—to offset cost of their 8th grade trips. Our total gross for the fair was over $18,000!

Profits raised by the Educational Foundation go directly into the YRCS operating budget allowing the school to maintain programs, halt pay-cuts, and retain benefits for our beloved teachers. Everyone who participated in any of these school-wide events played a direct role in raising over $175,000 for YRCS, keeping our school thriving even in these economically lean times. Thank YOU to all our families: YOU are the heart of our community.

The level of enthusiasm and expertise shown by all the EF board members is a gift to our school, and to me personally. This board is pro-active, positive and makes a substantial difference in the quality of education and environment for our students. I recommend that every parent take the opportunity to serve. I look forward to another inspiring year.

With Gratitude and Love, Adriana Kelly Educational Foundation Parent Rep.

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ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11

Educational Foundation Finances INCOME & EXPENSES JULY 1, 2010 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2011

INCOME Gift Matching Challenge 2010 2011-12 Annual Fund Drive 2010-11 Annual Fund Drive

$44,820 $73,255 $14,835

TOTAL FUND DRIVE INCOME $132,910 Capital Campaign Moondance Auction Interest Income Total Miscellaneous Income TOTAL INCOME

$3,317 $38,437 $807 $42,561 $175,471

TRANSFERS TO YRCS Gift Matching Challenge 2010 2011-12 Annual Fund Drive 2010-11 Annual Fund Drive Capital Campaign Moondance Auction From 5% Reserve (per MOU) TOTAL TRANSFERS TO YRCS

$46,158 $12,610 $59,163 $3,291 $29,136 $11,307 $161,665

EXPENSES Fund Drive Expenses Capital Campaign Moondance Auction Expenses Accounting/Tax Preparation General Operating Expenses TOTAL EXPENSES TOTAL TRANSFERRED OR EXPENDED

$133 $261 $9,889 $1,840 $2,405 $14,528 $176,193

INCOME MINUS TRANSFERS & EXPENSES

($722)

RESERVES FROM PRIOR YEAR

$9,624

ENDING RESERVES

$8,902

ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11

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Annual Fund Drive Donor List The YRCS Educational Foundation received over $105,196 in pledges and gifts with 97% of families participating by commiting to financial contribution for our school.

The Yuba River Charter School Administration and Faculty are filled with gratitude for everyone who has given a gift to the 2010-11 Annual Fund Giving Campaign. Community financial support is crucial to the success and longevity of our school and for our Waldorf curriculum.

A special THANK YOU to GRANDPARENTS & FRIENDS of YRCS! (Indicated below by *)

Adriana Kelly Alicia Lacoste & Eric Sturgeon Alma & Adam Rowe Amanda Noakes & Jeff Kenney Amy & Bryan Cassidy Amy & Ken Jorgensen Amy & Randall Bouck Amy & Shane Franssen Andrea & Scott Weeks Andreea Federspiel-Otelea Angela Brzoza & Ryan Ackles Anna & Matthew Reischmann Anne & Steven Berreman Annette Fuchs & Sean Duggan Anya Tuton & Ian Childs Aya & Shahar Caspi Barbara Lowell & Paul Barbieri Baruch Simon Benji & Robert Wallis Bertha & Worth Shaw* Betsey & Kyle Leach BJ Schmitt & David Brownstein Blue Reid Bonnie Lang & John Kody Brenda Shawley & Phillip Ruckrich Caleb Buckley Carol Harrison* Carrie & Keith Monohan Carrie Reuther Casey & Tom McCormick Catherine Ardagh Catherine Janicke

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ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11

Catherine Scholz Christopher King Chuck & Kateri Harrison Cindy & Gary Upton Cindy & Stanton Cooper Colleen & Myles Ericson Corine Laurijsen & Joep Jilesen Crispian Mudd Cristine Kelly Danelle Hadley & Poyom Riles Daniel Collette Darcy & Laddy Barnett Darryl Quinn Dawn & Gary Cecil* Deanna & Keith Ronningen Delores & Rodney Reynolds* Denise & Brad Reynolds Denyse & Bob Shaw Don & Penny Terrell* Donna McGlaughlin & Rodney Haack* Doris Dunning Doris Rainville Dotty & Donald Klein* Doug & Cathy Harmon Dyann & Frank Castro-Wehr Elise & Larry Hierman Elizabeth & Barry Huseby Elizabeth & Howard Cowles* Ellen Millbourn* Emily & Ranger Adams Evangelos & Grazia Moschovas

Eve Stefani Francis Corbitt* Fred Forsman* Gabriel Simning Gary & Katrina Reedy-Schneider Genevieve Gartin Grandman & Grandpa Lifland* Greg & Heather Deutschmann Hannah Ziesel & Logan Edwards Heather & Eric Jacobsen Heather Peery Heather Peterman & Tony Gonzales Hilary Brumley Hilary Ellis-Lavigne Indira Basnet & Bishnu Subedi Jacquie & Holt Durham Jacquie Weills* Janet & Alan Caisse Jen & Mark Iams-McGuire Jen Scott-Lifland & Kerin Lifland Jen Sheffield & PJ Kolackovsky Jennifer & Matt Scott Jenny Gray Jerilee & Dan Martinez Jessa Krissovich Jessica & Bruce Mairs Jessica & Pat Druding Jilan & Joe Glorfield Jo & Greg Paden Jo Anna & Mark Mortensen Joe Fajen Johana Garrison*

Joiex Duncan & Ingo Zirpins Jon Lee Josiah Masker Joyce & Gary Peterman* Julia Alperovich & Stefano Petrizzo Julie & Tom Templeton Julie Franklin & Mark Follansbee Julie Hunn & Mark Goehring Justin Napier Karen Chabot & Dan Avila Karin Meadows Kat & Matty O’Connell Kathlyn & Dwain Keeling* Keith Walley Kenneth & Donna Ronningen* Kenneth Seibold* Keri & Mark Dahlstrom Keri & Tai Travis* Kerri Kuelpers Kim & Jeffrey Mees Kiya & Temoc Rios Krissa & Brian Connelley Kristi Shank Kristin & James Welch Laura & Michael Ramirez Laura O’Brien Laura Svoboda Laurence & Mark Fogiel Laurie Chamberlin Leila Barber Linda & Joseph Remley* Linda & Thomas Cox*

Lindsey Weills & Michael Kawa Lisa & Charley Hooper Lisa Gorbet & Joe Hash Lori Valvo & William Parks Louise Renehan & Michael Skoyles Manuela Musolf & Philip Mason Mariana Nielsen & Fred Tilton Mark Keeling Martee & Doug Suess Martha Chung Mary Wolaver* Matthew Sweigert Meg Gallant Melissa Seibold Melody & Stan Wojcik Meri Knadjian & Esteban Abila Michelle Carroll & Robert Wolaver* Nancy & Robbert Trice Nancy Cattaneo Naomi & Oak McCann Natalie & Nichols Baughman Nataliya & Alfred Comminoto Natasha Vinson & Erik Bell Nikiya Schwarz & Kevin Pachman Pam & Doug Caldwell Paul Frederickson Paul Geenty Paula Barber Rachel Noble & Salvatore Capuano Raelynn & Matt Noel Rebecca & Richard Myers Rebecca Bleau & Nicholas Cravotta

Richard Royko* Richard Winters Ronald McGarry* Ryan & Mary Love Sally & Gary Gardner Sandra & James Fleischer Sara & Jeromy Laurin Saron Rice & Gideon Beinstock Savannah Hanson & Georg Kickinger Shannon & Ed Casey-Welch Shannon Frederickson Shannon Rojko & Steven Searls Sharon & Dave Yonenaka Shea & Brandon Smith Sheri & George Cutter Sheri & Jerry Dion Shirlene Stewart Shirley & James Anderson* Shirley & R.J. Bramlett* Sorcha Mulick & Moussa Camara Sparrow Masker Steven Schommer Sunshine Fowler Susan Egan Susan Willett & Makio Terrell Taitha Killion Thea Blair Tim Smith Torrie & Bill Mudd Trish McPhee Zachary Collins

ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11

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Looking to the Future One of the largest milestones in the history of our school took place in May as we closed escrow on our new site in Grass Valley. By the end of 2011, our architects will submit plans for developing our 13 acres. YRCS has a vision of developing a farm program at the new site with play fields, hillside gardens, and groves of old oak and cedar trees. Back in 2008 the Charter Council began submitting potential property locations to the state, for purchase consideration. The Rough and Ready Highway property was approved by four state agencies as the best location for our school. Once the project is completed, YRCS will be the first charter school in the state to own title to its own facility and the first Waldorf charter school in the country to be built with public funds.

When parents first arrive at our new school, they will be able to come off Adams Avenue and pull into a high facade where they can step down into an entrance by the administration building. Then the school courtyard will open up to two wings with kindergarten on the left and the grades classrooms on the right. The anchor buildings will be the office, library, faculty lounge and assembly room. The contours of the site will hold our community like a bowl of greenery where children can run towards the center for recess or dance around the May pole in the Spring.

While we are living comfortably in our temporary home in Nevada City, we invite you to see displays of our new site and share the dream with us of a permanent home.

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ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11

With much gratitude for their photographic talents: Sean Duggan Jilan Glorfield Melanie Jaramillo Jean Remley Melissa Seibold

ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11

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Yuba River Charter School 505 Main Street Nevada City, CA 95959

530.265.6060 FAX: 530.265.6070 www.yrcsedfoundation.org/capitalcampaign www.moondance-gala.com EMAIL: info@yubariverschool.org PHONE:

www.yubariverschool.org

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ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11