Board Mission:
The Board of Directors exists on behalf of the public to ensure that Great River School achieves the student outcomes for which it is chartered and provides exemplary stewardship of resources while at all times operating within all required parameters. Accordingly, as the governing body of the school, our intent is to refrain from co-managing. Read more including board parameters and vision here.Board Members and guests gathered on January 28th at 6PM for the first meeting of 2015. Note: All Board documents can be reviewed in detail here at any time.
All GRS Board Meeting agenda items fall into three areas:
- How are the students doing?
- Is everything occurring appropriately?
- Board assessment and development
How are the students doing?
MCA math testing scores were in focus; Great River 7th & 8th-grade scores are somewhat lower than MN state averages; by 11th grade the scores increase and are higher than state averages. The math department is working with this data and developing recommendations. The Board discussed that when Great River accepts new 7th graders, the MCA score data from previous schools do not arrive with the student; previous schools are not required to provide them. If the state does mandate the sharing of previous MCA scores, Great River will be able to track student progress; this would allow Great River to measure the progress of incoming students. The Student Achievement Committee reported about working with students and the inspiration of hearing from students on the importance of the Great River community to the students; the student survey also reflected this. Great River students clearly value the importance of community!
The Pedagogy Committee reported on their work and about how the committee may transition from a board committee to a school working group in the future.
Is everything occurring appropriately?
Finance Report and FY16 Budget revisions were approved with discussion of some budget line items. Policy Committee reported on recommendations around faculty computer use. The Consent Agenda was approved. Charter renewal was discussed; it was top of mind for the board because the authorizer Novation Education Opportunities (NEO) completed their site visit on Monday of this week.
Board assessment and development
The Executive Committee reported on planning work with incoming Head of School, Katie Ibes and Sam O'Brien, current and continuing Head of School. A decision was made to have four open Strategic Plan Working Group meetings to prepare the plan for board review next month.
