Oregon Charter Academy (ORCA) Approved - April 26, 2023
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING
Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 3:30 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
Mr. Brown called the meeting to order at 3:39 pm when quorum was reached and all members who were present could hear each other.
II. Roll Call
Board Members present: Joseph Brown, Kim Thatcher, Marsha Moyer, Bobbie Jager, Misty Galofteanu
Board Members absent: None
Members of the Public present: None
School Staff present: Allison Galvin, Executive Director, and the following school staff; Todd Schweitzer, Lori Walter, John Meyer, Laura Dillon, Matt Bergdall, Rachel Reid and Rachel Kazmierski
III Public Comment
None IV Routine Business
A Approval of the Agenda
Mr Brown 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.
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
Charter Academy staff partners with families in a transparent, collaborative school environment to support all students in their academic journey
Ms Jager moved to approve the agenda
Ms Moyer seconded the motion
RESOLVED, that the agenda for the March 1, 2023 meeting of the Board of Directors of Oregon Charter Academy is hereby approved
The motion passed unanimously
V Oral Report
A School Leader’s Report
1 Update to math standards
Mr. Bergdall shared about a state-required update to the school math curriculum. Standards are changing across all grades with emphasis on a course restructure at the high highschool level. The first 2 years of high school will now cover all standards with a third year required for additional math teaching. Moving forward, the school is recommending Big Ideas Learning for Oregon Compliant Math Standards curriculum. This curriculum has been thoroughly evaluated by ODE, reviewed by the Curriculum Administrator, and reviewed by teachers. It is being unanimously recommended.
Ms. Jager asked how this change impacts learning for current high school students.
Mr. Bergdall noted that change in student experience will be minimal. The names of the courses will change to align with new standards, but the content remains largely the same It is hoped that this restructure of standards will be more student-centered as teachers can tailor lessons to specific student needs
Ms Jager asked if there will be upcoming changes for middle school students
Mr Bergdall noted that middle school staff have already been changing their practices in how they approach standards so that students will be ready for high school
2 Review of integrated guidance in alignment with the Student Investment Programs
Ms Galvin noted that the state is changing the application process for a series of grants this year Moving forward High School Success, Continuous Improvement, Early Identification and Intervention,
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 journeyCareer/Technical Education, and Student Investment Account grants will all be combined into one application process
Mr Meyer shared how the school will be approaching this process change The school is working through the new application to be submitted by the end of March Stakeholders who have input on the application include teachers, administrators, the school social worker, and the graduation-on-track committee These programs improve graduation rate, reduce chronic absenteeism, and provide student opportunities to take dual credit classes In order to achieve these goals, grant money will fund a variety of programs including ASCEND and student support programs
3 Quarterly metrics
Ms. Galvin shared the school's most recent quarterly metrics.
VI. Consent Agenda
A motion was made and seconded as follows.
Ms. Moyer moved to approve the consent agenda.
Ms. Jager seconded the motion.
RESOLVED, to APPROVE the Consent items,
A. Approval of Minutes from the January 25, 2023 Board Meeting
B Approval of February Staffing Report
C Approval of Expenditure Summary Report- January
D Approval of Legal Invoice(s) - January
E Approval of Bank Reconciliation- January
The motion passed unanimously
VII Action Items
A Review and consideration of the updated math curriculum
Ms Galvin noted that this item was discussed during the school leader’s report
Mr Brown 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 the Big Ideal Learning Oregon Math curriculum
Ms Jager seconded the motion
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
RESOLVED, to APPROVE the Big Ideas Learning - Oregon Math curriculum as the school’s updated high school math curriculum for the newly adopted math standards
The motion passed unanimously
B Review and consideration of the 2023-25 Student Investment Programs, district integrated plan
Ms Galvin noted that this item was discussed during the school leader’s report
Mr Brown asked the Board if there were any questions or discussion needed There being none, a motion was made and seconded as follows
Ms. Jager moved to approve the 2023-25 Student Investment Programs plan. Ms. Moyer seconded the motion.
RESOLVED, to APPROVE the 2023-25 Student Investment Programs plan as presented.
The motion passed unanimously.
C. Review and consideration of the 2023-24 salary schedules
Ms. Galvin shared the proposed salary schedules for the 2023-24 school year. In an effort to remain on budget, the schedules include step increases but no cost of living adjustment.
Mr Brown asked the Board if there were any questions or discussion needed There being none, a motion was made and seconded as follows
Ms Jager moved to approve the 2023-24 salary schedules
Ms Moyer seconded the motion
RESOLVED, to APPROVE the 2023-24 salary schedules as presented
The motion passed unanimously
D Review and consideration of the plan to staff according to an enrollment of 2050 for the 2023-24 school year
Ms Galvin presented the school’s current enrollment numbers and the factors affecting Oregon school enrollment The school plans to build the budget around an enrollment of 2050 students, but will staff at a higher number This would require a $1 4 million reduction in the school’s cash balance and reflect a 16% reduction in staff
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 Jager asked if there is a prediction for when enrollment will go back up
Ms Galving noted that a variety of factors are out of the school’s control: 400 students have withdrawn to move out of state, and fewer parents are sending their children to Kindergarten and First Grade The school is being more conservative with projections for next year in order to avoid further staff reduction
Mr Brown asked the Board if there were any questions or discussion needed There being none, a motion was made and seconded as follows
Ms Jager moved to approve the 2023-24 staffing plan
Ms Moyer seconded the motion
RESOLVED, to APPROVE the 2023-24 staffing plan as presented.
The motion passed unanimously.
VIII. Information Items
A. Financial Report
1. January Financials
a) School update
Ms. Galvin shared that the school finances continue to be solid. ADM payment helped boost the budget this spring, and enrollment continues to go up. There are currently 3 District Programs students whose support fees are reflected in the budget
b) Boone building update
Ms Galvin noted that Carisbrook Technologies have terminated their lease, leaving their space empty The school’s real estate agent is currently looking for a business to lease the open unit
B Outreach and Onboarding Update
1 Efforts and analytics
Ms Dillon shared about recent outreach efforts On February 3rd, ORCA sponsored the OSU Women’s Basketball game Students won tickets based on an attendance lottery, and an ORCA student received the game ball ORCA staff also hosted a booth at WinterFest in Bend, and are preparing to have a booth at Salem Saturday Market from Mid-March through the end of summer
[Ms Galoteanu joined the meeting at 4:01 pm]
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 journeyInformation sessions continue throughout the spring 28% of students who have attended an info session are now enrolled Weekly Q and A sessions also continue
C Facilities Update
Mr Meyer noted there are no updates from the Mill City office In Wilsonville there is a recurring issue with the HVAC unit in a tenant space when outside temperatures drop below 28 degrees He is working with an HVAC repair company to address the issue
D Legislative Update
Dr. Schweitzer shared an update from lobbying efforts at the state capitol. There are 35 bills under watch that impact charter and virtual education. House Education Chair Representative Neron has expressed no interest in removing the 3% cap. Therefore, focus is now on a cap reform bill, HB 3204, sponsored by Representatives Cramer and McIntire. This bill would put more accountability on ODE and the local school district that denies a student’s transfer. The current process is arduous for the parent, and it is hoped that some of the challenges in appealing a 3% decision can be removed.
[Ms. Thatcher joined the meeting at 4:06 pm]
Dr. Schweitzer also shared about bills that impact Student Investment Accounts (SIA). Virtual schools have been written out of SIA funding due to the misperception that virtual schools are all for-profit Efforts have been made to educate legislators on the difference between non- and for-profit virtual schools so that the nonprofits can gain access to SIA funding
E Board Updates
1 Budget committee to meet in late March or early April
Ms Galvin reminded the board of the membership of the Budget Committee They will meet in early April with a goal of having a budget ready for presentation at either the April or May Board meeting
2 Any information items for the April meeting?
None at this time
IX Adjournment
Ms Moyer moved to adjourn the meeting
Ms Galofteanu seconded the motion
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 journeyThe meeting was adjourned by Mr Brown at 4:10 pm
Next regular meeting date: April 26, 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