Our board operates on a consensus basis in all matters, employing the group process methodology of Formal
Consensus. We do so because we believe that equality of contribution to decisions greatly increases our ability to
find the best and most creative outcomes aligned with our mission, vision and values. We also believe it
imperative to engage the most committed form of democracy possible to model our core value of Mutual Respect
for our students and community.
In our deliberations, we recognize and remember that all participants in the process always share
responsibility for the quality of our experience. Participants place ultimate reliance on the founding ideas of our
school–its vision, mission, and values- rather than any personal agenda. The group’s highest intention is to guide
the school toward the most profound and creative realizations of those ideas.
Mission
The Seven Generations Charter School is an academically rich educational community creating generations of
stewards who embrace our world and each other. All members of the Seven Generations Charter School
community are committed to a public education alternative that promotes sustainability and citizenship with an
interdisciplinary, individualized, project based curriculum.
Vision
To each Seven Generations student, we pledge:
• An experiential, constructivist approach to education that encourages hands-on learning in the community
as well as in the classroom
• A culturally rich atmosphere that celebrates the expansive world around us
• An environment of academic excellence that taps into the creativity and uniqueness of each child and that
fosters mutual respect
• An integrated learning experience that emphasizes sustainable living practices.
Core Values
Creativity; Hands-on; Academic Excellence; Cultural Richness; Integrated; Sustainable; Mutual Respect
Purpose of
agenda item
1
Assign roles
Discussion
Presenter
Process: Facilitator, timekeeper, note taker
Open Door - any staff member can come to speak to the board about
concerns
2
3
Agenda item
Surveys - Final Thoughts






Administration Team will look at data and the mission and
vision of the school and see what is impeding the school to
meeting that mission and vision. Develop a strategic plan
based on this.
Parent Survey will have final review tonight
Parent surveys will be posted online Monday Dec. 14th.
Constant contact will go out from the BOT and admin team.
Administration team will develop a staff survey
Develop a comprehensive planning committee
Steve and Brian will work on this. Need 2 staff members
and 1 parent, committee will be set be Dec. 15
Min.
Time
5
6:00 PM
Anyone
10
6:05 PM
All
10
6:15 PM
4
Discussion
205
min.
7:00
Middle School Admissions Discussion

Concern - students who are enrolling at this time may not be
coming to Seven Gen for our mission and vision.

Concern- increased number of students will diverse needs that
we cannot met with our resources
Businessenrollment
Meetingwill
Agenda

Concern- suspending
have financial impact on
the middle school.
All
30
6:25 PM
– 10:25
12/8/2015
Purpose of
agenda item
1 Assign roles
Agenda item
Presenter
Min.
Time
Introduction to Meeting
Facilitator
& others
Agenda review (facilitator can allow time for silent reading, then
request any changes, then call for consensus on the agenda)
Reading of Mission and Vision
Reading
Check in – give everyone in the room a chance to speak
Call to order/Roll call:
Brian Anthony, Lori Friebolin, Courtney Kennedy, Ben
Loomis, Jim Moreno, Stephen Peters, Al Russell, Christopher
Sten
Approval of Minutes from previous month and additional meeting
(November 17th and December 1st, 2015) Approved by
Consensus
Public Comment (Facilitator: first give time to any issue on the
agenda, then open to comments not specifically about agenda)
 Question about the climate of the middle school and how the
climate is going to improve. Parent expressed concern about
student concerns. Response from Mr. Hunter – both he and
Mrs. Hersh have been spending time at the MS to help the
culture. With the addition of Mrs. Cossman as Assistant
Principal she will also be spending time at the middle school
Student government is returning to allow student to have more
of a voice in the school. Mrs. Micio is also revising her schedule
to meet with students at the Middle School.
 Concern expressed about school buses pulling out of the Middle
school parking lot without stopping or not stopping at
pedestrian crossing on Minor St. Mr. Hunter will communicate
with all bus service providers about this concern.
 Community Circle Report– high concern about staff turnover,
why is the student government not up and running? Are staff
funds frozen? If so how are staff getting supplies? Response
from Mr. Hunter- due to budget issues teacher budgets are
being reviewed and approved based on needs. With school
districts holding funds and monies not being received from the
state we need to be conservative in our spending.
10
7:00 PM
10
7:10 PM
3 Proposal
The Board of Trustees approves the hire of Kelli Wait as a per
diem substitute teacher. Approved by consensus
Andy
Rowan
5
7:20 PM
4 Acknowledgment
The Board of Trustees acknowledges the resignation of Ann
Hugosson Middle School ELA teacher.
The Board of Trustees acknowledges the resignation of Rachael
Prosser food prep and recess aides.
Andy
Rowan
Andy
Rowan
5
7:25 PM
5
7:30 PM
2 Discussion
5 Acknowledgment
6 Acknowledgment
7 Discussion/
Proposal
The Board of Trustees acknowledges the resignation of Erica
Sampson food prep and recess aide.
The Board of Trustees approves to suspend enrollment of the 6th
and 7th grade classes as of December 8, 2015 for the remainder of
the school year. As we did last school year at this time.
Approved by Consensus
Andy
Rowan
Admin
Team
5
7:35 PM
10
7:40 PM
8 Presentation
EIC Director's Report
Jen Hersh
Mrs. Hersh and Mr. Hunter attended a Mom’s group meeting in
Bethlehem last week to share information about the school. Great
recruitment opportunity.
Penn State Lehigh Valley Writing Project will be providing
professional development in the area of writing for the remainder of
the school year.
20
7:50 PM
9 Discussion
Review of parent survey questionnaire.
Steve Peters presented the reasoning behind the survey and the
type of questions that will be on the survey. Families with more
than one student in the school should be able to complete more
than one survey. Areas on the survey include demographics;
academic curriculum, school work and homework; teachers and
academic progress; social standards, behavior and discipline;
school administration and communication; board of trustees; parent
engagement and community; and open ended questions.
Student and staff surveys will also be forthcoming.
Constant contact and a one-call notification will go out to ask
families to complete the survey
The Board of Trustees approves the survey for parents and will
proceed to request responses from the community.
Approved by Consensus
Steve
Peters
25
8:10 PM
Steve
Peters
5
8:35 PM
11 Presentation
Principal's Report
Paul
Hunter
 MS School Counselor – interviews are taking place this week.
 7th and 8th grade ELA interviews are taking place next week
 Mr. Hunter attended training on Special Education Indicator 13 –
transitioning for special education students 14 and beyond.
20
8:40 PM
12 Presentation
Committee Reports (3-4 min. each
13 Presentation
Finance
• Bill list (Proposal to approve, 5 min) Approved by Consensus
• Financial reports (5 min report)
10 Proposal
14 Proposal
The Board of Trustees approves to acknowledge the following
errors (See attachment 2015-12-8 SGCS BOT Agenda
attachment) in our process of adopting and posting policies and to
acknowledge all the items shows as “THEREFORE”s in these
items.
All items approved by consensus
15 Proposal
The Board of Trustees approves to adopt the new policy 013
(Formal Consensus) as an overarching policy.
Approved by Consensus
9:00 PM
20
9:00 PM
Lee
Merendino
Al Russell
10
9:20 PM
Al Russell
5
9:30 PM
16 Proposal
The Board of Trustees approves the following reformatted policies
(See attachment 2015-12-8 SGCS BOT Agenda attachment)
Approved by consensus
17 Presentation
School Committees
Development
Food and Wellness
Library
Property and Facilities - Courtney Kennedy
Seven Gen Lends
Technology
18 Presentation
Staff-led Committees
Social Emotional & Academic Culture Committee
EIC
Sunshine Committee (Staff)
Sunshine Committee (Student)
19 Presentation
Community Committee
Community Circle- see public
comment
Time allotted for last-minute additions and/or extensions
20 Discussion
Al Russell
N/A
21 Discussion
22 All present have
opportunity to
speak
Public Comments (on any item relating to the school)
Evaluation of meeting
General questions to keep in mind; but any evaluative comment is
welcome:
•
What was the overall experience of participating in this
meeting like?
•
Did we meet our goals for this meeting?
•
Was the process efficient, clear, and fair?
Anyone
Anyone
23 Adjourn
Thank you for your time and participation in the Seven Gen. community!
10
9:35 PM
0
9:45 PM
0
9:45 PM
0
9:45 PM
25
9:45 PM
10
5
10:10 PM
10:20 PM
10:25 PM