Announcements

• Administrator Training, August 25th, Effective Time Management taught by J. Lynn Jones. Location TBD
• APPEL Meeting, August 31st, Zoom, 10-11am for all administrators over APPEL candidates. 11am-12pm for all mentors of APPEL candidates. Zoom details will be sent out.
• Book Group-would love any suggestions of academics-focused books for discussion this year. Book groups are held over the lunch hour .

Meeting Sponsor

• Red Apple Finance. Jeff Beisinger spoke about the financial services that Red Apple provides. 

Utah Board of Education

• Jim Moss, District 12, introduced himself and his background. He understands the value of charter schools as part of a larger educational system to show flexibility and innovation. He has been on the USBE for 6 months and the board discussions have focused primarily on Covid-19 related issues and racial issues.  He shared that what is needed is to empower the people closest to students to decide what's best to support students. He welcomes input.

Utah Department of Health

• Maggie Graul, Program Manager, Covid-19 K-12 School Testing Coordination
• Powerpoint Slides 
• https://coronavirus.utah.gov/education/

Announcements

• Training Opportunities register here
  • Administrative Training: September 21st, 11am-1pm, School Culture: Teacher Student Relationships, Staybridge Suites, 3038 South Decker Drive, West Valley City
  • Board Training: September 21st, 7-9pm, Successful Governance Seminar: Governance & Management, Location TBD, Zoom will be available
  • Board Lunchtime Seminar, 12pm, Board Calendar & Structure, Zoom link here
  • Administrative Training: October 4th, 11am-1pm, Collaboration to Support Teachers-PLCs, George Washington Academy, St. George, Zoom will be available
  • Board Training: October 4th, 7-9pm, Board Committees, St. George, Zoom will be available
  • Fall Convening, October 20th, 9am-1pm, Gathering for administration, board members, business managers, and counselors for training, meaningful discussion, and networking.

Utah State Charter School Board

• Vice-Chair Bryan Bowles shared his background and educational experience with us. He was the Davis School District superintendent for 14 years following work as a high school teacher, principal, and Vice-President at the Polynesian Cultural Center at BYU-Hawaii. He is currently an associate clinical professor at BYU-Provo in the McKay School of Education. He would like to duplicate the great things happening in charters. He believes the State Charter School Board (SCSB) needs to promote innovation and provide communication of the good things happening in charter schools and the variety of opportunities they provide to students. He sees the SCSB portfolio managers as intending to be helpful to schools and communicate well to help them do more.

Meeting Sponsor

• Academica West- Kim Dohrer shared that Academica West provides management services so that charter school administrators can focus on the academics of the school. They have a staff to provide service in the following areas: accounting, legal, human resources, education specialties, reporting & compliance, board support, and facilities. They have worked with many of their schools since opening, but also work with existing schools. They seek to provide services that administrators and boards request. Contact Kim for more information.

Utah State Board of Education

• Janet Cannon shared with us her background and discussed current issues before the Board. Member Cannon has been on the state school board since 1995 minus a 4 year hiatus. She was a speech language pathologist and has been involved in schools at all levels. She was a liaison between the State Board and the Charter School Board when charter schools were established in the state and read many applications for new charter schools. She promoted that every charter school be accredited. She is the president-elect of the National State Boards of Education. Current issues facing the State Board include being sure to provide equity of resources to the lowest performing students including low income, minority, disabled, and English language learners. She hopes the rule R277-328 addressing Educational Equality will do that while not overstepping bounds. She stated that the Board is asking the Legislature for a 4% increase in the WPU for 2022. The Board builds its budget around the Strategic Plan which includes the following priorities: 1) Early Learning 2) Personalized Teaching & Learning 3) Safe & Healthy Schools and 4) Effective Educators & Leaders. When asked an issue of concern, Member Cannon responded that the Standards & Assessments committee is looking at state and federal laws in regards to gender identity. The intent is support students and to check the rights of parents, students, and FERPA requirements to provide a guidance document for teachers when a gender identity issue arises. She shared the the US Department of Education is looking at Utah about making sure the rights of disabled children are being met when attending school while there is no masking mandate in the state. The Board takes the recommendations of local health departments and districts when determining masking in schools. This, and vaccinations, are ongoing issues. She said that we all have the goal of doing what's best for kids and keeping them safe and healthy.