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GES Board
APPROVED Minutes
September 30, 2005

The meeting was opened at 11:00 am.

Members present: Nina Simonowicz, Susan Miller, Barbara Nagle, Patty Nordahl

Nina read the school’s mission.

2004-2005 Annual report:
Nina moved and Susan seconded to accept the annual report for the 2004-2005 school year. Susan, Mica, Barbara, and Julie O’Neil all put in extra work to write the report which is a reflection of our 2nd year of operation. Ayes all.

The minutes of the 9/21/05 board meeting will be approved at the Oct 12th meeting.

Federal Grant:
Nina reported special education plans and information was sent to Cindy Murphy. Cindy required some changes and details. In essence, we can build the two special education spaces, but not the upstairs as initially planned. Mark and Suzy made some changes sent the info to the state.

Treasurer’s Report:
Nina moved and Patty seconded to approve the bills presented and other outstanding grant invoices. All ayes to approve the bills.

Academic and Non-academic goals for the 2005-2006 school year:

The board discussed plans to continue using MAP testing for measuring progress toward academic goals in 2005-2006. Based on two years of experience with the MAP test, the board believes it must work with NWEA to better utilize the MAP test for a more accurate reflection of GES student progress. Due to our small size, GES should reconsider using percentages when making academic goals. The GES philosophy is not to measure its students against others, but rather to ensure that each GES student achieves academic growth each year.

As of now, the academic goals for 2005-2006 are:
GES students in grades 2-8 will show progress in math skills as measured by MAP testing.
GES students in grades 2-8 will show progress in reading as measured by MAP testing.
All GES students will show progress socially and emotionally as measured by classroom teachers through observation, reporting checklists, and narrative progress reported on the personalized learning plans.
In establishing non-academic goals for the coming year, GES’s board was acutely aware of the need for suitable space for the 17 percent of students currently requiring special education services on a daily basis. The second goal was established based on input from parents and guardians and their expressed desire to learn more about the principles upon which GES was founded and operates.
The non academic goals for 2005-2006 are:
GES will create more usable space in order to accommodate the special education students and staff.
GES will host at least 6 parent education workshops during the year.

Adjourn
Patty moved and Susan seconded to adjourn the meeting at 12:24.

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