Oregon Charter Academy (ORCA)
Approved - August 23, 202
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at 12:15 p.m. PT
Held at the following location: Via Zoom due to State Precautions regarding Public Health and Safety During COVID-19 Pandemic
Zoom: https://oregoncharter.zoom.us/j/91035080370
I. Call to Order
In the absence of Board President Joseph Brown, Board Vice President Kim Thatcher called the meeting to order at 12:17 p.m. when quorum was reached and all members who were present could hear each other.
II. Roll Call
Board Members present: Kim Thatcher, Marsha Moyer, Misty Galofteanu
Board Members absent: Joseph Brown, Bobbie Jager
Members of the Public present: None
School Staff present: Allison Galvin, Executive Director, and the following school staff: Todd Schweitzer, Lori Walter, Mary Ellen Mansfield, John Meyer, Laura Dillon, Rachel Reid
III Public Comment
None
IV
Routine Business
A Approval of the Agenda
Ms Thatcher asked if any changes needed to be made to the agenda
There being no changes to the proposed agenda, a motion was made and seconded as follows.
Ms. Galofteanu moved to approve the Agenda
The mission of Oregon Charter Academy is to prepare all students for success in a global society through an inclusive, rigorous, academic environment where students have daily live interaction with highly qualified teachers and continuous access to curriculum Oregon Charter Academy staff partners with families in a transparent, collaborative school environment to support all students in their academic journey
Ms Moyer seconded the motion
RESOLVED, that the agenda for the June 28, 2023 meeting of the Board of Directors of Oregon Charter Academy is hereby approved
The motion passed unanimously
V Executive Session - Executive Director’s End of Year Review
Ms Galvin waived her right to evaluation during Public Session in communication sent on June 6, 2023
Ms Moyer moved to enter Executive Session Ms. Thatcher seconded the motion.
Motion passed unanimously.
The board moved into EXECUTIVE SESSION at 12:20 p.m. in order to review and evaluate the employment-related performance of the chief executive officer of Oregon Charter Academy – Executive Director’s End of Year Review – pursuant to ORS § 192.660 (1) and (2) (i)
Board members present: Marsha Moyer, Kim Thatcher, Misty Galofteanu
School Staff present: Todd Schweitzer, Lori Walter, Mary Ellen Mansfield, Rachel Reid
The board returned from Executive Session at 12:26 p.m.
VI Consent Agenda
A motion was made and seconded as follows
Ms Galofteanu moved to approve the Consent items as presented Ms Moyer seconded the motion
RESOLVED, to APPROVE the Consent items,
A Approval of Minutes from the May 24, 2023 Board Meeting
B Approval of June Staffing Report
C Approval of the 2023-24 Field Trip Handbook
D Approval of Expenditure Summary Report - May
E Approval of Legal Invoice(s) - May
F Approval of Bank Reconciliation- May
The motion passed unanimously
The mission of Oregon Charter Academy is to prepare all students for success in a global society through an inclusive, rigorous, academic environment where students have daily live interaction with highly qualified teachers and continuous access to curriculum Oregon Charter Academy staff partners with families in a transparent, collaborative school environment to support all students in their academic journey[Technical difficulties required that Ms Moyer lead the meeting from this point forward, however Ms Thatcher remained in attendance ]
VII Action Items
A Approval of the Oregon Department of Education School-Level Communicable Disease Plan
Ms Galvin shared the 2023-24 School-Level Communicable Disease Plan and noted that it is very similar to past COVID plans School offices follow the plan from ORCA’s host district, Santiam Canyon All other line items do not apply to the school’s virtual setting
Ms Moyer asked the Board if there were any questions or discussion needed There being none, a motion was made and seconded as follows.
Ms. Galofteanu moved to approve the plan as presented. Ms. Thatcher seconded the motion.
RESOLVED, to APPROVE the ODE School-Level Communicable Disease Plan as presented.
The motion passed unanimously.
B. Approval of Board meeting schedule for the 2023-24 school year
Ms. Galvin shared the dates from the proposed 2023-24 Board meeting schedule She pointed out that there are no meetings in December, March, or July due to school breaks
Ms Moyer asked the Board if there were any questions or discussion needed There being none, a motion was made and seconded as follows
Ms Galofteanu moved to approve the calendar as presented Ms Thatcher seconded the motion
RESOLVED, to APPROVE the 2023-24 school year Board meeting calendar as presented
The motion passed unanimously
C Approval of Directors
Ms Galvin noted that Ms Galofteanu’s term is set to expire at the end of June She asked if Ms Galofteanu is willing to extend her term until 2026
The mission of Oregon Charter Academy is to prepare all students for success in a global society through an inclusive, rigorous, academic environment where students have daily live interaction with highly qualified teachers and continuous access to curriculum Oregon Charter Academy staff partners with families in a transparent, collaborative school environment to support all students in their academic journeyMs Galofteanu stated that she has enjoyed her time on the board and is proud of the work that the school does in her community and throughout Oregon She would like to renew her commitment to the Board
Ms Moyer asked the Board if there were any questions or discussion needed There being none, a motion was made and seconded as follows
Ms Moyer moved to approve a renewal of Ms Galofteanu’s term Ms Thatcher seconded the motion
RESOLVED, to APPROVE Misty Galofteanu to renew with a three year term lasting through the annual meeting in June, 2026
The motion passed unanimously
D. Approval of Officers for the 2023-2024 School Year
Ms. Galvin indicated that Mr. Brown is more than willing to serve as President, but he is willing to step aside if someone else desires the position.
Ms. Moyer noted that Mr. Brown and Ms. Thatcher have done well in their current officer roles and recommended them for renewal.
Ms. Moyer asked the Board if there were any questions or discussion needed. There being none, a motion was made and seconded as follows.
Ms. Galofteanu moved to approve officers to remain in their current positions. Ms. Thatcher seconded the motion.
RESOLVED, to APPROVE the officers for the 2023-24 Oregon Charter Academy School Board to remain as:
1 Joseph Brown - President
2 Kim Thatcher - Vice President
3 Marsha Moyer - Secretary
The motion passed unanimously
E Approval of Annual Evaluation for the school’s Executive Director
Ms Moyer shared that during Executive Session, the board discussed the performance of the Executive Director She recognized that the school has quality people on staff, and those people have a good leader in Ms Galvin
Ms Galofteanu and Ms Thatcher shared that there was a unanimous sense that Ms Galvin is performing well as Executive Director
The mission of Oregon Charter Academy is to prepare all students for success in a global society through an inclusive, rigorous, academic environment where students have daily live interaction with highly qualified teachers and continuous access to curriculum Oregon Charter Academy staff partners with families in a transparent, collaborative school environment to support all students in their academic journeyMs Moyer asked the Board if there were any questions or discussion needed There being none, a motion was made and seconded as follows
Ms Galofteanu moved to approve the Executive Director’s Evaluation
Ms Thatcher seconded the motion
RESOLVED, to APPROVE the Annual Evaluation for the school’s Executive Director as discussed during Executive Session
The motion passed unanimously
VIII Oral Report
A. Financial Report
1. May Financials
a) School update
Ms. Mansfield reported on an updated ODE numbers report, received Monday. She believes the update came in relation to the legislature’s passage of a school-fund budget for 2023-24. The updated report is projected to increase per-student funding by $300, resulting in an approximate $600,000 in additional funding for the school overall. She noted, however, that this is still only a projection.
Ms. Mansfield noted that it is the end of ORCA’s fiscal year, and she is tracking all money and payments that need to arrive by year end She pointed out a new section in the financial reports that covers “investments” showing the money from the investments approved at the April Board meeting Interest from these investments will begin to be recorded after one year She also shared that the school has multiple accounts at Key Bank including a rainy day fund WIth the transfer of $6 million to investments that will also act as a rainy day fund, the existing account became redundant Ms Mansfield shared her plan to transfer the $2 million in the account to Operations
b)
Boone building update
Ms Mansfield shared that even with a vacant suite, the school will make a small profit from the Boone building this year to be added to the fund balance
c) 2022-23
Projection
The mission of Oregon Charter Academy is to prepare all students for success in a global society through an inclusive, rigorous, academic environment where students have daily live interaction with highly qualified teachers and continuous access to curriculum Oregon Charter Academy staff partners with families in a transparent, collaborative school environment to support all students in their academic journeyMs Mansfield shared numbers from the final projection for 22-23 It is projected that the school will end with a positive fund balance from the year
B School Leader’s Report
1 School Leader Report
a) End-of-year events
Ms Galvin shared her school leader’s report As of June 9th, enrollment is at 2455 The school year has ended, and summer programs started Monday, June 26th Summer programs include 8th-9th Grade Bridge, Credit Recovery, and access to summer enrichment for students in grades K-7.
Spring Celebration took place on June 2nd, and had strong attendance despite lower enrollment. A highlight of the event was the ORCA Cares Club Clothing Drive. The club plans to start a clothing closet for ORCA families in need. Many donations were made, and these clothes will be available to students at Open House.
Finally, Ms. Galvin shared that graduation went well. Many kids from the CTE program graduated with certifications that allow them to enter the workforce at competitive pay. ORCA also has one graduate who will be attending MIT next year.
Ms Moyer asked if the trend of students opting to enter the workforce rather than go on to 4-year college appears across Oregon, the U S , or just the school?
Ms Galving noted that while she doesn’t have quantitative data at hand, she hears many qualitative stories around this idea throughout the state
Mr Meyer noted that at the school level, he does see more students interested in careers and trade school right out of high school Potential for student debt, as opposed to the amount that graduates can earn in the workforce, is a major concern for students in these decisions
b) OSBA annual performance audit
Ms Galvin recapped the annual performance audit OSBA noted that the school has made progress on a variety of metrics, and indicated areas where ORCA can improve The hard work done after leaving Pearson is clearly respected at the state level
The mission of Oregon Charter Academy is to prepare all students for success in a global society through an inclusive, rigorous, academic environment where students have daily live interaction with highly qualified teachers and continuous access to curriculum Oregon Charter Academy staff partners with families in a transparent, collaborative school environment to support all students in their academic journey
IX. Information Items
Ms Galofteanu asked for a program update on the GED program
Ms Galvin noted that the school continues to have a state-approved GED program that is currently accessible to ORCA students who are projected not to graduate, and to school district partners who need a virtual GED solution for their students ORCA has the first virtual GED program in the State She also explained that students seeking a GED currently face the obstacle that a minimum requirement is an 8th-grade language arts level and reading comprehension Some students cannot meet this entrance requirement One bill that was passed this year will create a group to study GED requirements and policies state-wide
A. Outreach and Onboarding Update
Ms. Dillon shared an update on outreach efforts. Over the last month, the school’s social media posts have seen lots of engagements, however there has been a small dip at the end of the school year. During the summer, the outreach team will attend 10 Lunch-and-Play park events at various locations in the Portland area. Ten people attended the last Virtual Information Session, a high number for late June. Onboarding will resume in August when school begins and teachers return.
Ms Dillon went on to share highlights of ORCA in the news A story about ORCA’s FFA charter signing was picked up by media outlets in the Eugene, Medford, and Salem areas Keizer Times recently featured a story about Sparrow Club, and KOIN had a spot about student Isaac Choi and his volunteer work with the Red-Cross
Ms Galofteanu asked what parks the outreach team will be at She would like to meet up and help with their efforts
B Facilities Update
Mr Meyer shared the facilities report While there is nothing to report in Mill City, Wilsonville has undergone completion of the Spring cleanup and refresh The empty suite in Wilsonville remains vacant, but there is still periodic interest from possible tenants
Ms Galofteanu asked for an update on a roof leak mentioned at a past meeting
Mr Meyer noted that maintenance is always ongoing in Wilsonville but primarily not in the roof He noted that in the storage room in Mill City, the roof on the
The mission of Oregon Charter Academy is to prepare all students for success in a global society through an inclusive, rigorous, academic environment where students have daily live interaction with highly qualified teachers and continuous access to curriculum Oregon Charter Academy staff partners with families in a transparent, collaborative school environment to support all students in their academic journeybuilding is not the ideal type for that building It will remain an ongoing maintenance issue
C Legislative Update
Dr Schweitzer shared final information from the 2023 legislative session HB 3204 has passed the Senate with a unanimous vote It will now go to the Governor for signing and will go into effect upon signing It shortens the timeline that parents must wait on their appeal when applying to a virtual school from a district that is above its 3% cap Many people helped work on the bill, and it is the first positive legislation regarding virtual schools to pass in the last 20 years
Ms Moyer asked about movement on adjusting the 3% cap
Dr. Schweitzer stated that ORCA is always interested in removing the cap. However, the chair of the Education Committee has noted that a change to the cap will not be entertained at this time. HB 3204 was developed as a compromise in light of the continuation of that cap.
Ms Galvin noted that school leaders are still waiting for details on how the $10.2 billion school budget will impact ORCA. She also noted that they are still waiting for information on the Work Group on For-Profit Virtual Schools. She noted that there are drawbacks to addressing the 3% cap before a hard look is taken at the for-profit schools. While most states have a cap on how many for-profit charter schools may open in their state, Oregon does not.
D. Board Updates
1 Board training day - Friday, August 11, 9:00 - 2:00 in Wilsonville
X Adjournment
The meeting was closed by Ms Moyer at 1:09 p m
Next regular meeting date: August 23, 2023 at 12:15 p m PT in Zoom
The mission of Oregon Charter Academy is to prepare all students for success in a global society through an inclusive, rigorous, academic environment where students have daily live interaction with highly qualified teachers and continuous access to curriculum Oregon Charter Academy staff partners with families in a transparent, collaborative school environment to support all students in their academic journey