May 9, 2006, Minutes
Meeting began at 6:22p.m. Dominic DiMare reviewed the agenda with
everyone.
48 people were in attendance.
Maria Rowsey announced that on Thursday, May 11, 2006, there would be a
meeting with a legal assistant for the Hispanic community to attend.
Friends of Clarksburg Schools (FCS) will hold meeting on the second and
fourth Tuesdays at the Clarksburg Library Activity Room until further
notice.
Myrna Castrejon began discussing the Charter School (providing Spanish
translation). She explained the definition and facts of a Charter School.
She answered a number of questions:
*One of the facts was that a Charter School must be a school of
choice. She was asked to expand on that. Her answer was that the
authorizer is to decide which school would be the alternative to the
Charter.
* A question was raised regarding transportation. It was explained
that, as a Charter school, transportation is not required; however,
depending on the needs, the group can work on a way to provide
transportation. Money is not received from the state to provide
transportation. (Note: Current Charter School budget allows for
some busing.)
She continued on to explain the Intent of a Charter School:
a) Improve pupil learning
b) Increase learning opportunities for all pupils, with special
emphasis on expanded learning for students who are identified as
academically low achieving
c) Encourage use of different and innovative teaching standards
d) Create professional opportunities for teachers, including being
responsible for the learning program
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e) Provide parents and pupils with expanded choices in the types of
educational opportunities available within public school systems
f) Hold schools accountable for meeting measurable pupil outcomes
and provides schools a method of change from rule-based to
performance-based. If a Charter School does not meet standards,
Charter School will be closed
g) Provides vigorous competition within public school systems
She discussed the growth of Charters since 1992 and explained the
difference in the way of thinking about charters from that of 10 years ago.
Now performance of students is much more important than what the
thinking was in the beginning. In the beginning, the flexibility and freedom
were what people were interested in.
California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) Mission statement:
Increase student achievement by supporting and expanding
California’s quality Charter School movement
Goals:
Ensure high quality school
Grow the movement
Radically increase statewide support
Ensure organizational strength
Build a strong membership organization
Other questions asked were:
What kinds of funds are available to FCS? She stated that CCSA had
a number of contacts regarding funds and that CCSA would provide
assistance in that area.
What happens to the gap of revenue from what the state provides
regular public schools as opposed to Charter Schools? Families do not pay
tuition or fees to cover those costs. An example of why the state provides
less funding is that Charter Schools are not required to provide
transportation.
She stated that there are many different avenues that need to be “tested” as
far as what FCS would be able to do, since we are in such a unique situation.
Jim Lockhart began discussing the Charter School petition, stating that it
could be filed on Monday, May 15, 2006. He was asked to catch everyone
up on the founders, the board and how operations should be working in the
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future. Even though this whole process has been so accelerated, the goal is
to build a charter school that best reflects our community.
Intend to file petition before the board meeting. Once submitted, the School
District has 30 days to hold a public hearing. Then they have 30 days to
approve or deny.
FCS would like to have as many people at the board meeting to show our
continued support of the Charter school petition.
FCS would like everyone to please wear blue or gold shirt to the meetings,
especially the public hearing.
Curriculum goal is to get all students up to the same level of learning and
that is going to take a lot of support by the community.
The first FCS Board will be appointed. Within a year and half it will be an
elected board however it will be open to parents, teachers, certificated staff,
and community members, to be nominated for the positions.
Fundraising:
Bake Sale: Very successful. We made $1500.00.
Yard Sale: Scheduled for June 3, 2006, on the church lawn. Flyers going
out soon.
Carnival: Scheduled for June 25th at Silverbend. Details still being worked
out.
Steve Heringer stated that an immediate influx of cash was needed to cover
some of the legal fees.
Communication:
The Web site is being completed.
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