On March 29, 2012 at 4:50pm Bruce Harger, Director for the Charter School Office of Lake Superior State University (LSSU) contacted Jennifer Jarosz, President of Rural Education Matters, to announce the Charter Authorization Committees recommendation to contract a Charter Authorization for the Charleton Heston Academy for the 2012-2013 school year.
A Charter Contract from a major university has been the goal of Rural Education Matters for three years following the closing of St. Helen Elementary. The board, known as the schools “Development Team” have sat through hours of training, met with many legislatures, toured other charter schools, and networked with many individuals in the charter school profession.
Harger anticipates that Charlton Heston Academies Board of Directors will be approved and final legal contracts should be complete in time for the school to open stating in his correspondence “I (Harger) will begin writing a draft of the contract within the next couple of weeks. We (LSSU) will try to wrap everything up before Independence Day”.
Jarosz reminds parents that a charter school is another school of choice. Charter schools are mandated by the state to provide the same services for special needs students as all other public schools. Charter schools, as public schools, do not charge tuition. Jarosz stated “this is a historical day for our community and our children. Thank you to our development team, our network of consultants and supporters, our legislatures, and most importantly, our community for supporting us through this long, difficult process. We knew it would pay off and today is our day to shine. We are excited to work with Lake Superior State University (LSSU).” Further information will be released as it develops.
Rural Education Matters will continue to meet on the 1st Thursday of each month at 7pm in the Richfield Township Hall. They can be reached at contact@ruraleducationmatters.com.
Four members of REM sat before the House Education Committee, surrounding by opposing organizations and groups, ans organization president Jennifer Jarosz laid out our story. It was a moment in history, an honor to be asked, and a privilege to share in our communities desires regarding the education of our children.
LISTEN TO TESTIMONY HERE
I would like to share this correspondence with you from Nichole Wells Stallworth, Community Outreach Director of MAPSA, regarding an invitation for me to speak in front of the House Education Committee as a representative of Rural Education Matters.
Hi Jennifer
I was given your contact information by my colleague Heather Gardner at MAPSA. She indicates you have an extremely innovative plan for Charlton Heston Academy. Soon, the legislature will be hearing testimony on a package of legislation what could expand parental choice and charters in Michigan, and therefore, I would like to invite you to Lansing to testify before the House or Senate Education Committees outlining your plan for innovation, and discussing some of the challenges you’ve faced in obtaining easy access to a suitable facility, funding vs costs, and etc., in addition to sharing your story about why there is a need for your school, what the school’s mission will be, and why this legislation would be important.
We would like you to to testify on one of the below dates:
Senate:
September 14th 12:00-1:30
September 21st
House:
October 12th 9:00-10:30
October 19th 9:00-19:00
Please let me know if you can be available by next Wednesday, August 31st? Once I know more particulars regarding specifics in the legislation, I will let you know.
Nicole Wells Stallworth
Director of Community Outreach
Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA)
105 W. Allegan, Suite 300
Lansing, MI 48933
Nichole,
Thank you for contacting me with this exciting news, we have put an email campaign together asking community members, parents and teachers to contact their legislators regarding this very important package that could expand our choices. I would be honored to speak on behalf of our cause to put our children first and give our parents better educational choices in our area. I would love to speak to either of the educational committees, as I am available for any of the dates listed below.
Please let me know what the next steps are to ensure we get our say in Lansing!
Thank you again! Look forward to hearing from you soon.
Jennifer
It is important that I gather any concerns regarding your current educational choices. Weather you are a parent, grandparent, guardian, educational professional, student, business owner, or community member your input is very important, as I wish to represent all in this great opportunity. Feel free to contact me jenniferjarosz@aol.com or speak to me in person 989-632-1114.
Our next meeting is tomorrow Thursday September 8th at Richfield Township Hall 7:00pm. Where we will be discussing this further.
Thank you for your continued support!
Jennifer Jarosz
President Rural Education Matters
Curriculum and Instruction Committee Chair: REM Secretary Veronica Bridson
Purpose: Participates in review and evaluation of educational programs- curricular and extra-curricular; works with school officials and staff to guide development and review of curricular goals as outlined in the school’s School Improvement Plan, informs and directs the Board’s annual approval of learning goals, in support of the school’s educational mission; and guides the Board in periodic assessment of progress toward achievement of these goals.
Student Assessment, Data Management and Reporting Committee Chair: REM President Jennifer Jarosz
Purpose: to develop recommendations about district-wide assessment tools, benchmarks and timelines, to develop recommendations for data warehouse and student information system content, user support and reports, to monitor and make recommendations about the gathering and coordination of data reporting needs, and to make recommendations for building school and district capacity to gather, analyze and report data.
Policy and Legal Committee Chair: REM Treasurer: Pam Cobly
Purpose: Develop, adopt and review policies, which guide the operations and educational mission of the school. Review and ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements, and address specific legal issues as they arise.
Finance and Operations Committee Chair : REM Trustee John Brownfield
Purpose: Assist with development and adoption of annual budget; periodically review financial management reports; provide strategic direction for funding decisions; collaborate with district officials and staff to guide the budget process, including presentation of information to the community; review facilities’ and equipment condition and adequacy; address other financial issues as needed
Human Resources Committee Chair: REM Trustee Richard Wood
Purpose: guide hiring processes for Superintendent; oversee the negotiation of contracts with management company and school personnel; establish evaluation systems for school department staff and the Board itself; periodically review and update job descriptions.
Communications Committee Chair: REM Trustee Scott Marshall
Purpose: identify current formats, methods and types of communication, identify and document current communication methods of the board with various stakeholders, identify current methods for stakeholder communication to the board, review recommended industry practices and identify improvements and supports needed, and recommend a communication plan to be adopted by the Board.
Duration: All committees shall meet as needed and all meetings will be noted on the school web site.
Structure and Composition: The committees shall be comprised of members appointed by the board with volunteers solicited. The composition of the committee shall include:
- Board Members
- Administrators
- Teachers
- Staff Members
- Community Members
- Parents (currently have students at CCS)
Limitations:
There is no authority vested in the committees. The committees shall not make interim decisions nor direct employees, faculty or staff of the school without the approval of the Board.
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Committee Criteria
The Board will consider the following criteria in selecting committee members:
- Big picture thinker with the ability to work out details
- Ability to successfully work on a team
- Effective communicator
- Professional experience
Ability to deal with complex systems and issues
Rural Education Matters Receives Notice of Acceptance by Grand Valley State University for Elevation to Phase II of the Application Process .
Grand Valley State University has Awarded Rural Education Matters Phase II Application Status to Open the Charlton Heston Academy in St. Helen, Michigan.
- St. Helen, MI, June 9, 2010: The Michigan, Non-Profit Corporation named Rural Education Matters (REM) received notice today from Grand Valley State University that its charter school application to open a new K-8 public school in St. Helen, Michigan has been accepted and elevated to Phase II status. While movement to Phase II status does not guarantee that REM will ultimately receive a charter authorization, their board president, Jennifer Jarosz feels confident that their application are worthy of consideration. According to a letter from Grand Valley received earlier today, REM was one of eight applications of 57 that were considered in the last review cycle. Jarosz said she thought this notice was a reaffirmation of the efforts of local community members that comprise the majority of the Charlton Heston Academy development team.
- Members of the Charlton Heston Academy development team have been working with a number of local community members, MidWest Management Group, Incorporated from Commerce Township, Michigan, and Essayons Consulting Services from Lansing, since November 2009 to create a new K-8 charter school in St. Helen, Michigan. This initiative was spawned when the Roscommon Area Public School District decided to close the St. Helen Elementary School at the end of this school year, thereby leaving the St. Helen without a public school. If successful with GVSU, the new Charlton Heston Academy will open in September 2011.
MINUTES of Rural Education Matters
Meeting date: May 6, 2010
Call to order: A meeting of the Rural Education Matters was held in St. Helen, Michigan on May 6, 2010. The meeting was called to order at 7:13 p.m., President Jennifer Jarosz.
Members in attendance: Jennifer Jarosz, John Brownfield, Richard Wood, Scott Marshall, Jan Waltz, Pam Colby and Veronica Bridson.
Minutes: Motion was made by Richard Wood seconded by Jan Waltz to accept the minutes of the April 1, 2010 regular meeting as presented. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: Motion was made by John Brownfield and seconded by Richard Wood to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented. Motion carried.
Adjournment: Motion was made by Richard Wood and seconded by Jennifer Jarosz to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
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Legislature Passes Landmark Teacher Retirement Reform At 4:17 am this morning, the Michigan House of Representative voted 56-45 to concur in the conference report for SB 1227 (Gilbert), the teacher retirement reform bill. At 1:30 am the State Senate voted 21-14 to accept the conference report as well. The legislature also passed HB 4073, whicvh creates the Retiree Health Care Key features of the bill include the following:
Please click here for the Senate Fiscal Agency analysis of the conference report. Passage of these reforms are intended to save school districts over $3.0 billion in the next 10 years. MAPSA owes a debt of gratitude to all of our supporters and advocates who contacted key legislators during the past month. Your pro-active grassroots communication was a key to this legislative victory. Click here to read a MIRS article about the legislation.
If you have any questions regarding this or any public policy issue facing charter schools, please contact Gary G. Naeyaert, MAPSA Vice President for Public Relations & Legislative Affairs, at 517-374-9167. |
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This e-mail was sent from Michigan Association of Public School Academies
MINUTES of Rural Education Matters
Meeting date: April 1, 2010
Call to order: A meeting of the Rural Education Matters was held in St. Helen, Michigan on April 1, 2010. The meeting was called to order at 6:59 p.m., President Jennifer Jarosz.
Members in attendance: Jennifer Jarosz, John Brownfield, Richard Wood, Janet Becker, Scott Marshall and Veronica Bridson.
Minutes: Motion was made by Richard Wood seconded by Scott Marshall to accept the minutes of the March 4, 2010 regular meeting as presented. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: Motion was made by John Brownfield and seconded by Scott Marshall to accept the verbal Treasurer’s Report. Motion carried.
Treasurer: Janet Becker has resigned as Treasurer as of March 25, 2010, via e-mail and verbally at this meeting.
Treasurer: Motion was made by Richard Wood and seconded by John Brownfield to nominate Pam Colby as Treasurer. Motion carried. Pam Colby accepted the nomination and motion.
Trustee: Motion was made by John Brownfield and seconded by Jennifer Jarosz to nominate Jan Waltz as Trustee. Motion carried. Jan Waltz accepted the nomination and motion.
Attorney: Motion was made by Jennifer Jarosz and seconded by Richard Wood to hire Attorney Arthur A. Busch as legal representation for Rural Education Matters. Motion carried.
Agreement: Motion was made by John Brownfield and seconded by Jan Waltz to accept the Agreement between Rural Education Matters and Tonya Perry, as Consultant. Motion carried.
Adjournment: Motion was made by Richard Wood and seconded by Jennifer Jarosz to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
Veronica Bridson, Secretary
Rural Education Matters
Congratulations to Brenda Milner and Kim Morley on their 2010 School Board Election victory!
Rural Education Matters – Public Announcement
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April 27, 2010
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Legislature Voting to Include Charters in MPSERS
Please contact your elected officials and maintain charter autonomy & flexibility Members of the state legislature will be voting THIS WEEK on SB 1227, a bill which intends to reform the public school employee pension system and save school districts millions of dollars. However, the version of the bill passed by the State House of Representatives this morning MANDATES the inclusion of all charter school teachers into MPSERS, regardless of who hires them!
As a charter school advocate, you know this language would be a huge detriment to the charter school movement. There are currently 454,000 active and retired teachers in MPSERS, and this bloated retirement system is in serious financial trouble. The employer contribution necessary to support MPSERS is going up to 19% of total payroll this year, and the House-passed version of the bill will force roughly 4,000 non-participating charter schools teachers into the system to help foot the bill. The cost of bailing out this pension program could bankrupt charter schools and leave charter students and families without educational choices.
Help MAPSA save your charter school’s autonomy and financial future! We need you to contact your Senator and Representative TODAY and let them know:
Please click here to contact your state Senator and State Representative — and let then know you care about this issue!
You can help to protect the independence and quality of your charter school!
Use your voice to keep charters with CHOICE |
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The Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA) has been the unified voice of the public charter school movement in Michigan since 1996. MAPSA represents over 110,000 students, 5,000 teachers, dozens of authorizers and more than 50 education service providers working in 243 public charter schools in the state. MAPSA assists the state’s public charter schools in their mission to deliver achievement, choice and accountability through our advocacy, communications, technical assistance and professional development services. For additional information, please visit www.charterschools.org MAPSA
215 S. Washington Square, Suite 135 Lansing, MI 48933 517.374.9167 p | 517.374.9197 f www.charterschools.org |
This e-mail was sent from Michigan Association of Public School Academies (mapsa@charterschools.org) and forwarded to REM Newsletter Subscribers.
Thank you to everyone that has been with us through this venture. It is an exciting time for St. Helen.
Be sure to visit Rural Education Matters Online.
Meet the new School Board Candidates April 29, 2010 7 pm at the Richfield Township Building
Next Board Meeting is on 5-6-2010 at 7pm at the Richfield Township Hall
Don’t forget to get out and vote for School Board Trustees and Millage Renewals on May 4th. Absentee ballots are available at the township hall.