Watershed Community Council
May 10, 2006
Present: David Woolley (co-chair), Endel Kallas (co-chair and interim scribe),Leslie Wilson, Leslie Kallas, Scott Cole (Administrator), Nell Ubbelohde , Kari Olson, Bob Anderson (faculty), Barbara Clarity, Bina Nikrin, Michelle VanRyn
1. Welcome, Introductions, Verse
Endel Kallas noted that the meeting was titled “Moving forward, reaching back”. This reflects that while we are/have been looking forward to next year (council role, workplan, school calendar and plans etc.) this meeting also incorporates consideration of the council’s past its foundation, mission and original role as articulated in the now established repository of council materials. In many cases, these materials reflect the heart and soul of the council. It was noted that one of the council’s founders (Leslie Wilson) was present and that her role and contributions are greatly appreciated. The 10/11/03 statement of the council’s vision/mission served as the group reading.
2. Approval of last meeting's minutes
Scott Cole noted the misspelling of a name. Last meeting's minutes were then approved as revised.
3. Agenda Review & Additions
Michelle VanRyn requested that a Culture Committee report be added to the agenda. It was added under Committee reports.
4. Action Item Update –Endel Kallas/Others (Update Noted after >>>)
· Communications Committee to progress updated volunteer list >>>Current updated list is available to faculty. Next year a user-editable field will be added to Centerpoint/Sips Contact Information record.
· Communications Committee to address progress on syllabus initiative >>> Will be addressed as part of Centerpoint\SiPS faculty standards and training initiative.
· Pam Lien to forward a copy of the faculty communications survey (spreadsheet) to the Communications Committee for posting on-line)>>>Received and posted in committee. Redistribution under review (It was requested that it be redistributed. Distribution in Snippets was discussed).
· Endel Kallas to compile a list of active committees noting their sponsorship, mandate, and membership. >>> Updated list distributed in meeting. Further completion in progress.
· Endel Kallas to follow up with Events Committee Chairs re: membership and next year’s schedule>>>Draft calendar was distributed. Still need to add events such as Silent Auction. Events Committee will meet in summer to gather events materials, create repository, and set schedule.
· Endel Kallas to request electronic copy of community council materials from Bina for creation of a repository (agendas, committee lists, class rep/class sponsor materials etc.) >>>Completed
· Endel Kallas to prepare and distribute an initial draft of survey questions for further consideration (this should include work plan items)>>>Completed, Survey is published.
· Carryover item -Michelle VanRyn will investigate a possible individual for the role of volunteer coordinator>>> Still in progress as a possibility in the coming year..
5. Admin Update – Scott Cole
The current operational focus includes the completion of senior projects, and preparation for the upcoming graduation activities. The Faculty continues to work hard on resolving budgetary questions.
An administrative assessment is in progress (review of structure and effectiveness). This has included inventorying every administrative task by job category and dovetails with an admin review undertaken/requested by the board. The administrative circle is proposing to change Scott’s role, currently defined as 70% administration and 40% development to 80% development and 30% administration. This proposal would also bring bookkeeping in-house (currently handled by outside party). Doing so would provide funds for a full-time, 100% dedicated administrative assistant. This position would cover the front desk and serve Scott and Jamie, Pam , Jane, and Christina. With the realignment of tasks. Scott would become more involved in working on community partnerships and fundraising. This is not a done deal yet, it is still being massaged by the faculty, but there appears to be a clear recognition of the need for a focus on fundraising.
With one year remaining in the current facility, we are coming to the realization that a change in campus venue is likely sites, possibilities etc. We have also received a State Department of Education $10,000 planning grant for researching and preparing a facilities renovation submission at the end of September. If received, this grant could provide up to $500,000 for renovation and could be applied to a new facility. Scott would be interested in hearing about/from members of the community who are aware of facilities or have special competences in the areas of facilities/resource planning arena..
The faculty is trying to crystallize a vision statement to serve as a clear target to help align the practical aspects of where we want to take the school . This is something beyond pedagogy, curriculum, and the mission statement etc. that provides direction for lining up all of our actions.(e.g. we are a school that focuses on sustainable living practices). Scott has advocated moving toward “the environmental side of the equation” given the success of the environmental philosophy class, and the recent “Living Green Expo and how they have been resonating so well with students. This would also position us well for receiving financial support for all of our programs.
6. Faculty Update – Bob Anderson
Frisbee teem is doing great! There has been a definite improvement in abilities since last year. It has been particularly successful in developing teamwork and sportsmanship. General excitement and energy level is up amongst students as we approach the end of the school year (prom, graduation etc.). The 9th and 10th grade both had recent positive “paint-ball” outings.
In response to a question from Bina regarding the success of closed campus, Bob asserted that it had been very successful. By in large, most students are appreciative of closed campus because it has created a sense of community. One improvement would be the provision of a better/cheaper lunch. In response to later questions about student behavioral changes, Bob noted that interpersonal contact and behavior had improved as a result of closed campus interactions but that he felt that success in reducing the use of tobacco and other controlled substances as well as improved behavior towards teachers were largely the result a firm and fair attitude exhibited by staff.
In response to a question from Michelle regarding progress in searching for replacements for departing faculty, Scott responded that the faculty co-chairs are reconstituting the personnel committee. There has been some resume gathering and a couple of interviews. Michelle reiterated an interest in getting a parent volunteer involved in the process (personnel committee?) Scott indicated that an appropriate parent representative would be welcome to participate and that it may primarily be a matter of scheduling with respect to committee meetings, interviews etc.
In response to a question from David, Christina spoke to the successes of recent restorative justice efforts.
In response to a question from Bina, details of the prom were discussed, (time, location, no-readmittance policy).
7. Board Update – Leslie Wilson
After a focus on disciplinary and budget matters the last couple of months, the most recent meeting included an introduction to the proposed administrative changes, the crystallization of the vision, and the possibility of an environmental focus (See Admin Update above).. Leslie felt that the board was very interested and receptive to these possibilities and was waiting to hear more in the upcoming meeting. (May 18).
In response to a question on the school’s financial health, Scott responded that it was very good, especially considering our situation relative to some of the other charter schools (we have had strong, consistent leadership and through careful fiscal management have been able to get more out of less funding.). We still face the challenge of raising our per student funding ($2700 per capita gap). There are several avenues to explore. For example, next year we will be focusing on fully utilizing the reduced lunch program and making a concerted effort to enroll all eligible students. (This program is the key for several funding sources and even a 30% enrollment would cover the $2700 gap.). This goes hand in hand with establishing a school lunch program, (something we did not have this year and was requested by several families).
As part of a general discussion of pluses and minuses of the current lunch arrangements, Michelle brought up the possibility of the council sponsoring a scholarship to help students who could not afford to buy or bring lunch on their own. Bina pointed out that during the first all-school pot luck about $300 dollars was raised, initially as seed money for the student council that could be put toward something.. Scott also recalled that there had been an “earmarked contribution to the annual fund.
Leslie Kallas raised a point she had made earlier in the year regarding a wish list and how targeting or specifying specific items makes it easier for some people to make contributions. She suggested maintaining an ongoing list that was accessible to parents throughout the school year. David suggested that the web site might be a good place to maintain such a list. Endel suggested that it would go hand in hand with a volunteer “help wanted” listing we had discussed in an earlier meeting. .
8. Committee Updates
Culture Committee - Michelle VanRyn
Current focus is on student government. Have been having some difficulty finding a time when a teacher can attend. They have had three meetings (Fridays at 10:30). Mark Magarrough has attended some. Regular attendees are Michelle, Jane Landes and Jamie Hepner. Jamie is not convinced he is the right person given his disciplinary role with the students. To get things going a student governance planning group was formed with a small group of kids who volunteered. This group recruited more students. Meetings have been effective, positive and a great educational experience. .Minutes have been taken, and plans and rules are being formulated (e.g. motions will require a 2/3 majority to pass). . The students are drafting desired characteristics of faculty and parent advisors and the hope is to have them in place for next fall. They are also addressing student membership guidelines and possible representation at faculty and Community Council meetings.. The challenge is to achieve a “critical mass” by the end of this school year so that momentum will carry over into the fall.
There was a brief discussion of the faculty perspective on faculty meeting participation by students. Issues and items could be submitted to the faculty co-chairs for placement on the agenda. Students would then be welcome to attend portions of the meeting pertinent to progressing and discussing their agenda items.
Communications Committee
- On-line surveys – 27 responses received as of this meeting (21 days). Respondents are split between regular attendees and those who have never attended a council meeting. (Already we are reaching a broader audience and gathering broader input).
- Next Year’s Calendar - A draft of next year’s calendar was distributed. Target for finalizing calendar is end of this school year. A general consideration of the finalization process ensued. Broader distribution and solicitation of input was discussed. Christina cited a lack of precedent and several concerns about opening up the process too broadly and assured the group that care had been taken to consider various religious periods etc. Scott suggested that input might best be focused through council attendees, class reps, and the events committee. Later in the meeting, Bina suggested that there was a general precedent for charter schools allowing for significantly more community input.
It was noted that there was a need to add council meetings (continue on first Wednesday of the month). In response to a comment by Bob (strong student preference), Christina acknowledged that spring break had been aligned with other public schools.
In response to questions about “all school” meetings, Scott stated that they should be considered a “community council event (organized and scheduled by the council for the benefit of the parent community and that faculty would be happy to support and attend them. Hopefully this would energize the community and ensure good participation.
9. Parent Education – Christina Beck
Christina provided an introduction to Waldorf methods and the challenges of adapting them to the public (charter) school setting at Watershed High School. She presented several models and metaphors used to articulate the developmental stages of the high school aged student and explained how our curriculum was designed to address these stages throughout the four high school years.
Challenges and opportunities for ongoing parent and teacher education and training were also discussed. Web-links for parents, internal training for teachers, more community sessions were cited as opportunities that could be developed.
10. Closing
The meeting closed with Scott leading a significant and heartfelt discussion ranging from Waldorf education opportunities that arose from the crystallization of our vision and plans for Watershed faculty and the overall school community to the valued and critical nature of the partnership between parents, faculty, and administration within the community council .
11. Action items
· Scott to take up the possibility of sharing the administrative activities list with the school community,
· Endel Kallas to follow up with Events Committee Chairs re: membership and scheduling next year’s silent auction
· Community Council to address scheduling of next year’s all-school potluck meetings
· The communications committee to determine the best means for redistributing the faculty communications survey (Snippets? Re-mailing?)
· The communications committee to address the maintenance of a donations wish list and a volunteer help-wanted listing
· Endel Kallas to continue work on list of active committees noting their sponsorship, mandate, and membership
· The communications committee to add next month Council meeting to the school calendar
· Carryover item -Michelle VanRyn will investigate a possible individual for the role of volunteer coordinator
Pursuant to a discussion on summer meeting it was agreed that the council would continue meeting the first Wednesday of the month. The next Community Council meeting will be Wednesday, June 7th.
Respectfully submitted, Endel Kallas, Interim Community Council Scribe