Connecting Waters Charter School

219 N. Reinway Ave.

Waterford, CA 95386

Parent Council Meeting

Tuesday, December 6, 2005

ADOPTED MINUTES

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 6:35 pm, 219 N. Reinway Ave., Waterford, CA.

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Approval of Agenda

Olga Keihl, the Parent Council President, requested that there be a motion to move the action item (#10) to immediately after the hearing of the public. Boyd Wilson motioned to move the action item. It was seconded by Denise Davis. There was an unanimous vote to move the item.

4. Roll Call

The parent council members present were Jonelle Bateman, Denise Davis, Caroline Elness, Olga Kiehl, Krista Larragoitiy, Kathryn Larsson, Denise Lindvall, Karen Loughman, Ron Mayo, Pat Nesbitt, Wanda Patton, Kathy Phillips, Rebecca Plaud, Leah Ramirez, Lita Theodore, Boyd Wilson, Darla Wincentsen, Toni Wirkkala and John Young.

Absent parent council members were Paul Andrew, April Cavanaugh, Josie Cotillon, Carin Devin, Amanda Hall. Elizabeth Hamamoto, Paula Langley, Kerri Saarloos, Sheila Sisco, and Tina Troglione.

5. Election of Officers / Committee Members

1. Council Treasurer (This member will be responsible to do reports for the Parent Council meetings and come to the Waterford office and prepare deposits.)

Wanda Patton volunteered for the position with no other nominations. Denise Lindvall motioned to have Wanda Patton as the council treasurer. It was seconded by Kathryn Larsson. There was an unanimous vote to elect Wanda Patton as the new Parent Council Treasurer.

6. Consent Calendar

Approval of Minutes

1. Unapproved Minutes of the September 13, 2005 meeting were reviewed and approved. Wanda Patton motioned to approve the September 13, 2005 minutes. It was seconded by Denise Lindvall. There was an unanimous vote to approve the September 13, 2005 minutes.

7. Hearing of the Public

None

8. Information Items

A. Accreditation / WASC Report

The Accreditation / WASC Report was reviewed.

B. Assessment Report

The Assessment Report was reviewed.

C. Attendance Report

The Attendance Report was reviewed. Denise Lindvall asked if there was a cap on our enrollment for this year. Sherri Nelson, the Executive Director, explained that we would not want to enroll more than 1,600 for this year.

D. Curriculum Director’s Report

The Curriculum Director’s Report was reviewed.

E. ES Support Division Report

The ES Support Division Report was reviewed.

F. Graduation Report

The Graduation Report was reviewed.

G. Group Education Activity Report

The Group Education Activity Report was reviewed.

H. Guidance Department Report

The Guidance Department Report was reviewed. Jonelle Bateman asked if there are a lot of students using AP Courses. She explained her difficult experience of trying to get AP books and testing for her children. Krista Larrogoitiy suggested that maybe Mary Halter, the High School Counselor, could get AP testing for all students. Sherri Nelson, the Executive Director, explained that we will provide these opportunities for our students. Jonelle Bateman explained how wonderful Mary Halter and the Waterford High School Counselor were at helping set up AP testing for her children. Sherri Nelson, the Executive Director, explained that Mary Halter recently had a Delta and MJC College which were poorly attended. Krista Larrogiaty explained that the timing was not good for her children. Boyd Wilson suggested that field trips to colleges may work out better for the volume effect. Jonelle Bateman shared that there was a Math Competition last year, where the students took 4^th place, against Modesto High School’s IB team and it was a wonderful experience for the students. It’s not about the winning, it is the experience and it looks great on a college application. Ingrid Kiehl mentioned that she is in the Literacy Club, that they are on their third novel and encouraged others to join.

I. Learning Center Report

The Learning Center Report was reviewed.

J. Literacy Specialist Report

The Literacy Specialist Report was reviewed.

K. Math Specialist Report

The Math Specialist Report was reviewed.

L. Treasurers Report

The Treasurers Report was reviewed.

M. Vendor Report

The Vendor Report was reviewed. Boyd Wilson expressed that a description of what the vendor does and website is desired for future reports. Sherri Nelson, the Executive Director explained that someone is working on getting more details for future vendor reports.

9. Director’s Report

The Report was given to the parent council for review and Sherri Nelson, the CWCS Executive Director, reviewed the information regarding the Charter Renewal this spring, and shared her excitement about the English Learners Classes.

10. Action Items

A. To approve the Parent Council by Laws

Recommendation: Approval of the Parent Council By Laws.

Sherri Nelson, the CWCS Executive Director, introduced the By Law committee members Pat Nesbit, Toni Wirkkala, Lita Theodore, Olga Kiel, and Darla Wincentsen and Arlie Capp, IEM Attorney who put the Bylaws in it’s format. The bylaws are a culmination of our Charter and prior parent council member’s decisions. Sherri Nelson, the CWCS Executive Director, explained that the Parent Council by Laws are written to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of the Parent Council Members. Olga Kiehl, the Parent Council President, announced that she would briefly read through the articles of the proposed by laws and that questions would be discussed and answered as they were reviewed.

2.01-Lita Theodore inquired the definition of the words “governed”. Sherri Nelson, the CWCS Executive Director, explained the by laws should clarify this throughout the document.

2.07-Boyd Wilson inquired about the conference phone being used for Parent Council Members not able to attend meeting in person. Sherri Nelson, CWCS Executive Director, clarified that this is only allowed under certain conditions. Arlie Capp, the IEM Attorney, confirmed that the provisions are outlined in the Brown Act.

2.10- Pat Nesbitt asked how the conference calls would work. Sherri Nelson, CWCS Executive Director, explained that there would have to be designated sites already set up for this to work. It would not be the same as a conference call.

2.15-Boyd Wilson suggested that we replace “IEM” with the word “Administrator”. This would ensure a longer life for the document for any future changes that may be needed if IEM was to be replaced.

After much discussion Boyd made a motion to replace “IEM” with the word “Administrator” it was seconded by Caroline Elness. By a show of hands, it was 9 in favor, 7 opposed and 3 abstained.

2.17- Boyd Wilson requested to know if CWCS would defend them in court or not. Arlie Capp, the IEM Attorney, explained that you would have to be acting as a Parent Council Member in this type of function and acted in good faith and not in a malice manner.

Certificate of Secretary-

Boyd Wilson motioned to approve the amended by laws it was seconded by Pat Nesbitt. All were in favor.

Toni Wirkkala asked if the completed by laws could be posted on the Website. Sherri Nelson, CWCS Executive Director, agreed to do so.

11. Discussion Items

A. Charter Renewal / Future of Learning Centers

Sherri Nelson, CWCS Executive Director, explained that due to the law the Manteca Learning Center is in jeopardy next year after renewal and will close unless the majority of our students enrolled reside in Stanislaus County (Which is very unlikely to happen prior to the law being changed.) Sherri Nelson, CWCS Executive Director, requested volunteers to research other alternate locations for possible new learning centers for the Stanislaus County area. The following members volunteered: Ron Mayo, Caroline Elness, Krista Larragoitiy and Pat Nesbitt. Items to research are locations from Salida to Hilmar, close to freeways, square footage of buildings, multiple room building or even a house. Churches were suggested and may be considered.

Toni Wirkkala requested to know if the additional monies that we have to spend have been used and could it been considered for a new piano at the learning center. Sherri Nelson will check into this possibility. Sherri Nelson, CWCS Executive Director, explained that we will be using some of the monies for incoming students that do not get the full instructional funding as others do at the beginning of the semester and for students that lack enough extra funding for A-G materials. This can be requested through your ES for additional funds needed. A library with a bar code system may be a good use of the additional monies. Any suggestions should be directed to Sherri Nelson, CWCS Executive Director for further consideration.

12. Council Comments

13. Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 8:22pm. A motion to adjourn was from Pat Nesbitt and seconded by Lita Theodore.

The next Parent Council Meeting: Our regularly scheduled meeting is March 14, 2006.