New Member Orientation

1. New Member Orientation Mosaic Academy Governing Council

2. Mosaic Academy The journey

3. In the Beginning • Fall of 2004 – Suggestion that in order to continue multiage classrooms we might start a charter school • November 2004 – 11 people on the founding committee begin the writing of the Charter • August 2005 – Submit preliminary charter to AMSD • November 2005 - Charter authorized by AMSD with three provisions to be “fixed” by January • January 2006 – Revisions to charter complete and accepted. • August 2006 – Opened our doors to students • December 2010 – Reauthorized until 2014 • December 2013 – Reauthorized until 2019

4. Mission Statement Mosaic Academy will create an environment characterized by a passion for learning, purposeful inquiry and expectations of excellence. The educational community of Mosaic Academy will support each learner in achieving personal goals and academic success and becoming a fully contributing member in society.

5. Vision for Student Success Through a focus on the whole child, differentiation of instruction, integration of curriculum, and inclusion of innovative instructional strategies, the community of Mosaic Academy will support students as they develop and hone capabilities in the following areas:  • recognition of connections between areas of study, texts, experiences, individuals and environment • metacognition • thoughtful literacy • inquiry • critical thinking skills • intrinsic motivation • understanding how to access information • self-assessment resulting in the identification of areas to improve, the formulation of a plan to address these areas, and the initiation of changes in these areas • acceptance and value of diversity • recognition of individual areas of strength and weakness • respect for self and others • acceptance of responsibility for self and resources • exhibition of socially appropriate behaviors • mentoring others • acceptance of mentoring from others • sharing areas of expertise, writing, thoughts, accomplishments with peers, other students, and important adults • establishment and valuing of appropriate relationships with peers, with differently-aged students, and with adults at school, at home and in the community • working cooperatively and understanding of the value of collaboration • maintenance of high expectations for self • their understanding and use of technology • service learning • understanding and use of technology

6. Original Charter Goals Students will experience academic success. Student uniqueness (in interests, learning styles and areas of intelligence) will be respected, encouraged and valued. Students, parents and teachers will collaborate to create and support Mosaic Academy as a community of learners.

7. Goals for the Renewed Charter of 2014 • All goals are now outlined in the Schools Educational Plan for Student Success commonly referred to as the EPSS. This is a living document that is tied to the District’s EPSS and reported to the state on a state data base. This document will be reviewed annually by the Governing Council for approval.

9. Friends of Mosaic, Inc. is a recently formed non-profit foundation who is in the process of receiving its 501c3 status. Facilities

10. 2013-2014 Enrollment and Lottery

11. LIVING AREAS OF MOSAIC ACADEMY STUDENTS

12. Special Education Representation in 2013-2014

13. LEP Students

14. Ethnicity representations 2013-2014

15. Economically Disadvantaged 2013-2014

16. Gender of students 2013-2014

17. 2009 Reauthorization On December 10, 2009 the Aztec Municipal School District (AMSD) unanimously voted to reauthorize Mosaic Academy for four years. Although we had requested a five year renewal, the recommendation from the superintendent was to authorize for four years due to concerns regarding the New Mexico Standards Based Assessment scores. Our charter is in place until June of 2014. On December 12, 2013 the AMSD School Board approved our renewal application for five years. A new part of the process we are currently negotiating the terms of the contract that will bind us for the length of the charter renewal. This new document will be brought to the Governing Council for ratification in January or February of 2014.

18. Governance The Role of the Governing Council and Council Members

19. “Charter school boards govern schools in the sense of a trust. This is why board members are sometimes referred to as trustees – people who control something on behalf of the owner. Charter school trustees have the authority to govern the school on behalf of the public.” Brian L. Carpenter, CEO National Charter Schools Institute

20. Governance • Define what objectives it wants to achieve • Establishes boundaries (through policy) from which objectives can be achieved • Evaluates and holds management accountable for achieving the defined objectives • Management • Determines howto achieve the defined objectives • Provides direct supervision of teachers, staff and students • Runs the school on a day-to-day basis “The difference between managing and governing a school is like the difference between coaching an NFL team and owning one. Although it’s not a perfect analogy, in football, a coach is hired by the owners to run the team – and he’s held accountable on the basis of the team’s performance. With perhaps a notable exception or two, the owners of the team do not tell the coach which plays to call or otherwise how to do his job.” Brian L. Carpenter, CEO National Charter Schools Institute Governancevs.Management

21. Organizational Structure

22. Key Areas of Governance • Provide Oversight • Charter Integrity • Financial Accountability • Student Achievement • Set Policy • Enact • Review and Revise • Monitor Compliance • Meet Regulatory Requirements • Employ and Evaluate the Principal • Perform Council Self-Evaluation

23. Meetings Open Meetings and public records Acts Bylaws meeting structure Annual cycle & long range planning Meeting Schedule

24. Open Meetings and Public Records Acts - Check • The Law • Annual Notice and Public Notice • Published in the Aztec Talon Annually • Type of Meeting • Regular – Annual schedule is published and information on how to access agendas is provided • Special – Notice is required three days in advance and the purpose of the meeting is limited – i.e. interview and select a GC member • Work Session – Meeting to discuss issues. NO ACTION MAY BE TAKEN • Emergency – Called in extreme circumstances, must be advertised 24 hours in advance.

25. Open Meetings and Public Records Acts • Open vs. Closed Meeting • All action must occur in an open meeting • A public body may only move into a closed meeting for specific exclusions as set out by law. (limited personnel matters, confidential issues regarding students, litigation) • The body must approve the closure by a majority vote of a quorum of the policy making body. The reason for the closure and the subject to be discussed shall be stated with reason able specificity in the motion. Only those subjects announced or voted upon prior to closure may be discussed in the closed meeting.

26. Open Meetings and Public Records Acts • Agendas • A list of specific items of business to be discussed or transacted at the meeting • Action items should be noted in some predetermined manner such as an *. In the rare event that an item is not marked but is listed on the agenda, action could be taken. • Anything can be discussed, but NO ACTION can be taken unless the item is listed on the agenda. • Agenda items should be specific – especially when action will be taken • If discussion meets the criteria for a closed session, the Council can move into executive session, even though it is not listed on the agenda.

27. Open Meetings and Public Records Acts • Minutes • Draft of minutes must be available to the public within 10 days of the meeting. • Minutes must reflect an accounting of what occurred during the meeting. They must be specific and document accurately any action taken. • Only actions of the Council are legal. These are legally documented in the minutes. • Minutes are not official until they are duly approved in a sanctioned meeting of the Council.

28. Open Meetings and Public Records Acts • Public Records • ALL records are public unless they are exempt by law • Exemptions include: letters of reference concerning employment, matters of opinion in personnel files or student cumulative files, attorney client privileged communications, or “as otherwise provided by law” – FERPA, Audit reports (10 day rule) and countervailing public policy such as social security numbers. • What are Public Records? • Computer records • Emails • Building plans • Tape recordings of Council Meetings

29. Resources The NM Open Meetings Act http://www.ago.state.nm.us/divs/civil/OMAFifthEdition.pdf The NM Inspection of Public Records Act http://www.ago.state.nm.us/divs/civil/IPRAFourthEdition2003.pdf

30. Bylaws • Table of Contents • I Purpose • II Membership • III Authority and Power • IV Officers • V Committees • VI Meetings • VII Records and Reports • VIII Amendment of Bylaws • IX Construction • Officers • President – Diane Haralson • Vice-President – Karin Guikema • Secretary – Charlotte Bradshaw

31. Membership Expectations • It is important to remember that individual Governing Council Members have no authority. Only when a quorum of members take legal action in a meeting do they have any legal capacity. • If at any time there is a quorum of council members present - they may not discuss any school business. • Attendance is important to the operation of our school. Members are encouraged to attend all meetings unless an unavoidable conflicts arise. • In the event that a member cannot make a meeting he/she needs to contact the president or if you cannot reach the president you may contact the principal by phone prior to the meeting.

32. Membership Expectations • Preparation – in an effort to have meetings run smoothly and efficiently, it is imperative that members review the packets as thoroughly as possible prior to the meetings. This eliminated the need to read documents during the meeting. • The law requires Governing Council Members to receive a minimum of five hours of training in the first year. Three of these hours must meet the PED requirement for financial training. These requirements can be met by a variety of conferences and trainings available through the New Mexico Coalition of Charter Schools. Dates of trainings will be provided as they come up.

33. Meeting Structure • Agenda Development – • Developed by the President and the Principal. Members can request items to be placed on the agenda. • Council Packet – Typically available online on the Mosaic Academy website. • Timelines • Draft Agenda is out by the Wednesday of the week prior to the meeting, packets are available on line the Friday prior to the meeting – in the event that online is not available hard copies will be made available.

34. Meeting Structure • The Meeting • Walk Thru Agenda • Reports • Action/Discussion Items* • Parliamentary Procedure • Public Input

35. Sample Meeting Agenda • Mosaic Academy Governing Council • Regular Meeting Agenda • Date: December 18, 2031 • Time: 4:30 p.m. • All action items are indicated with an asterisk* • Call Meeting to Order • Pledge of Allegiance and Welcome • Adopt Agenda* • Approve Minutes

36. Reports • Principal’s report • Director of Instruction’s report • Audit and Finance Committee report • Action/Discussion Items* • Approve Financial Documents* • Old Business • New Business • Announcements • Next Meeting • Adjournment*

37. Annual Routine Meeting CycleAnnual Strategic Events

38. Long Range Planning

39. Meeting Schedule Third Wednesday of Every Month 4:30 PM Mosaic Academy *Specific Dates on Copy of 13-14 School Calendar

41. Policy Manual Overview

42. Mosaic Academy Policies as Adopted by the Governing Council To replace the policies for which it was granted waivers from the Aztec Municipal District Policies Table of Contents Section A – Foundations and Basic Commitments Section B – Governing Council and Governance Section C – Administrative Goals Section D – Finance Policies Section E – Support Services Policies Section G – Personnel policies Section I – curriculum and Instructional policies Section J – student policies Section K – school/community/home relations AMSD policies are available on line at: http://lp.ctspublish.com/nm/public/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=main-h.htm (Click on the red + next to Aztec)

43. Principal Evaluation

44. May The GC and Principal meet to review strategic plan in addition to setting clear goals for the upcoming school year The Principal Annual Cycle The GC meets with the Principal for formal annual performance evaluation and determine contract status The GC meets with the Principal to provide feedback, review and informal assessment of the Principal’s Performance March November

45. C-0652 Mosaic Academy • Professional Goals and Development Plan for the 2012-2013 • Identify a minimum of twoshort term goals to work to achieve over the 2012-2013 School Year

46. Dear Participant, • The Mosaic Academy Governing Council invites you to participate in the evaluation process of the Principal. We deeply value your feedback and thank you in advance for taking the time to respond. • The Principal is evaluated on an annual basis by the Governing Council. A copy of the Principal’s qualifications and responsibilities are attached for your review. • A key component of the Principal’s evaluation is the 360 review process. The 360 review process provides an opportunity for a variety of individuals to participate in providing confidential feedback to the Governing Council in regards to the development of the Principal’s annual evaluation. • The Principal is required to select individuals from the following groups: • 1-2 Individuals from the Community (excluding employees, parents and students of Mosaic Academy) • 1-2 Individuals from the Aztec Municipal School District, one required from the Superintendent • 3-4 Parents of Students at Mosaic Academy • All Staff at Mosaic Academy • Please complete the attached “Principal Evaluation” and return in the enclosed envelope to Sherry Candelaria. If you have no knowledge or are unable to rate the Principal in any of the bulleted criteria in the evaluation, please do not complete that item and leave it blank. In addition, comments are encouraged. Please feel free to make comments with bulleted items or under recommendations at the end of the evaluation. Individual responses will remain confidential and your signature is not required. • The Governing Council will meet in an executive session to review and summarize the responses received. Once summarized, the individual responses will be destroyed to ensure confidentiality is maintained. The summary of responses will be considered by Governing Council in development of the annual evaluation and shared with the Principal at the time of annual evaluation. • Your feedback is very important! Please ensure your responses are received by _February 20, 2013_. • If you have questions regarding any of the above, please feel free to contact us at the numbers below: • Jennifer Hurst, President (505) 716-8372 • Thank you again for your time and willingness to participate! An addressed stamped envelope is included for your convenience. • Mosaic Academy Governing Council

49. Based on these findings, it is my intent to • Establish 2 to 3 goals to address weaknesses • Go back to the staff to determine why these weaknesses occur • With staff CONCENSUS develop a plan for addressing goals • With the staff establish measurements for how we would know if the goals were being met and a timeline for monitoring it • Establish a timeline for coming back to the goals with the data to determine if revisions are needed for the goals. • Where in this may take some staff time, it appears necessary to do this Plan, Do, Study, Act approach and other methods have not been successful. The following are the exact comments as turned in by the staff.