North Springs Charter High School Minutes

Governance Board Meeting

January 28, 2014

North Springs Charter High School, Sandy Springs, GA

Governance Board voting members present: Karen Allsteadt, Adam Berger, Carrie Carreras, Allen Devlin, Denise Kent, Betty Klein, Marc Komar, Marcy Louza, Shelly Michael, Dennis Nelson,Judy Roseman, Rick Sanders, Rob Stein, Lee Williams and Stephen A. Winter

Non-Voting current Governance Board members and Liaisons present: Dr. Eddie Ruiz, Carol Ciepluch, John Gresens and Michael Granish

Absent: Annie Brandt, Carolyn Dinberg,

Guests: Michael Kenig

Admin/Leadership: Dr. Genolia Johnson

Call to Order- Governance Board Chair Betty Klein called the meeting to order at 7:05 am; all guests were acknowledged and introduced.

Old Business

Approval of Minutes:

December 17, 2013 Minutes- J. Roseman moved to approve, D. Nelson seconded; approved unanimously

Principal’s Report - Dr. Ruiz highlighted the following from his principal’s report:

  • Thanked everyone for very successful open house.
  • Channel 2 News Stories –cafeteria story ( B. Watts has turned herself in, criminal investigation is ongoing), disrespectful parent
  • Cosmetology Pathway – exploring offering this pathway; would have to convert a science classroom and use preschool space. To offer in August, program would need to be approved by May
  • Personnel- new bilingual liaison has been hired and will begin in February; very qualified
  • Interrelated Resource (IRR) position will be available in February
  • Will be testing the “bring your own device” BYOD proposal with students taking the student health initiative survey- Krispy Kreme donuts to the first classes with 100% participation
  • Discussion about disproportionality with discipline; special education discipline issues have to be treated separately; one possible suggestion is have special ed students come to school for half day only until discipline issues resolved

360Survey Update – Rick Sanders

Charter Update –J. Roseman,

Committee Reports:

Academic Committee- C. Dinberg

Policy Manual – K. Allsteadt

New Business-B. Klein

Update on SPLOST IV Construction-M Granish-

Background: 1½ years ago FCS conducted a survey in preparation for SPLOST IV voting. Based on data they rated each school and compared each with its peer schools as a method of prioritizing needs and funding. The high school average was an 83 – NSCHS came in at a 75. The County is looking at making some real improvements at NS-priorities include bathrooms, safety for students and visitors, a new entrance and addition to front lobby area. SPLOST IV providesa little more flexibility –stakeholder groups also identified major concerns- traffic circulation is very poor- bus lane improvements are needed; vehicular parking is roughly 100 parking spaces shy of what it should be (our campus is only 25-30 acres compared to 60 acres standard now and we are relatively land locked) new science labs, ADA compliant bathrooms and more asthetically pleasing less institutional looking building. In December a meeting was held with Gail Dean, Julia Bernath, FCS operations Patrick Burke, Tim Dunn head of technology, Karen Cox, Laura Stowell and representatives from stakeholder groups to discuss concerns and planned renovations. NS asked FCS to stop some of planned renovations and instead focus on building a new school in the next two years. FCS denied this -the renovations will continue as planned but FCS will consider the possibility of a new school if NS can demonstrate strong stakeholder support from all constituents and overcrowding based on enrollment from our attendance zone only.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:23am with a motion by A. Berger and 2nd from S. Michaels. Members were reminded to attend the Sunday, January 12th Open House.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol Ciepluch, secretary