Board of Directors Meeting, February 20, 2025 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 20, 2025
Board of Directors Meeting Agenda
Board Room 111

Board Attendance:
Sara Fromm
Andy Lyman
Tina Barak
Aaron Lundblad
Abdi Ismail
Carie Essig

Administrative Attendance:
Eric Skanson
Nathan Schwieters
Angie Lichy

School Mission Statement:
STRIDE Academy nurtures individuals while fostering leadership and empowering students to attain their highest potential in a family-centered environment.

I. Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, and Roll Call

II. Mission Statement of STRIDE Academy

III. Conflict of Interest Declaration
No member of the board of directors, employee, officer, or agent of a charter school shall participate in selecting, awarding, or administering a contract if a conflict of interest exists.

IV. Approval of Agenda

V. Consent Agenda
A consent agenda is a streamlined approach to handling routine matters in meetings, allowing multiple items to be approved together without extensive discussion or debate, saving time for more important topics. Board members have the option to pull specific items from the consent agenda for separate consideration by indicating their request during the meeting.

1. Approval of January 16, 2025 Meeting Minutes

2. Approval of February 2025 Financials

3. Recommend Acceptance of Resignation of Judy Theisen, HR Assistant, Effective 6.4.2025

4. Recommend Acceptance of Resignation of Heather Peterson, Media Paraprofessional Effective 3/14/2025

5. Recommend Acceptance of Resignation of Judi Larsen, Special Education Speech Effective 6.2.2025

6. Recommend Acceptance of Resignation of Taylor Zitur, 1st Grade Teacher, effective 2/28/2025

7. Recommend Acceptance of Resignation of Anna Bard, Special Education Paraprofessional, effective 2/24/2025

8. Approval, Rachel Carlson, Special Education Paraprofessional 1.0.

VI. Public Comment
The School Board welcomes input from community members and staff.
Each person addressing the council shall give their name for the record. Each person making a public comment is limited to three minutes. Comments should be kept courteous and professional and directed to the board. After the speaker makes their statement, they will be seated without further comment, dialogue, or debate.

VII. Reports

A. Executive Director Report
The Executive Director, Dr. Eric Skanson, will provide updates on current programs and key events at STRIDE Academy.

B. Leadership Reports

1. Elementary Principal Angie Lichy will report and provide updates on K-4 programming.

2. Middle School Principal Nathan Schwieters will report and update on 5-8 programming.

C. Standing Committee Reports

1. Academic Excellence Committee

2. Governance Meeting – 

3. Finance Committee

   1. Enrollment Update – 

VIII. Unfinished Business

A. Policy Updates: Second Reading

1. SABP 601 – School Curriculum and Instructional Goals

2. SABP 602 – Organization of School Calendar and School Day

3. SABP 603 – Curriculum Development

4. SABP 609 – Religion

5. SABP 614 – School Testing Plan and Procedure

6. SABP 615 – Testing Accommodations

7. SABP 616 – School District System Accountability

8. SABP 619 – Staff Development for Standards

9. SABP 620 – Credit for Learning

10. SABP 624 – Online Learning

IX. New Business

A. Enrollment Strategy Discussion

Analyze current trends, marketing efforts, and retention strategies to ensure sustainable student growth and alignment with STRIDE Academy’s long-term enrollment goals.

Sections
Review and adjust grade-level sections based on projected enrollment, staffing capacity, and resource allocation to maintain balanced class sizes and instructional effectiveness.

Class Size
Assess optimal student-to-teacher ratios to enhance learning outcomes, support differentiated instruction, and ensure compliance with STRIDE Academy’s educational standards and space capacity.

B. Admissions and Enrollment Policy 715/ Early Admission to Kindergarten 715a

Review and refine policy to ensure equitable access, clear guidelines, and alignment with STRIDE Academy’s mission, supporting sustainable enrollment growth. Also, consistent language should be aligned between 715 and 715A. Recommend change based on discussion from item A in 715, also recommend Policy Repeal of 715a after discussion with administration/ PUC.

C. Food Service Update

Provide an overview of program performance, menu enhancements, and operational adjustments to improve student nutrition, efficiency, and overall meal experience after meeting with New Horizon.

D. Stride Virtual Academy

Discuss program development, curriculum design, and implementation strategies for an online learning option to expand accessibility and educational opportunities. Recommend approval to move forward, as this initiative enhances flexibility for students and broadens STRIDE Academy’s reach.

E. Preschool Expansion 2026-2027

Evaluate feasibility, funding, and logistics for growing preschool offerings to enhance early childhood education and increase STRIDE Academy’s future enrollment pipeline. Recommend approval to move forward, as this expansion supports long-term enrollment stability and strengthens foundational learning.

F. New Positions:

1.  Literacy Intervention/ Coach

Review the need for specialized literacy support roles to improve student achievement, provide targeted interventions, and strengthen instructional coaching for educators. Funded by ADSIS grant. Recommend approval to move forward, as these positions will directly enhance literacy outcomes and instructional quality.

2. Employee Services Coordinator (Job Reclassification)

Review the reclassification of the HR Assistant position to Employee Services Coordinator to reflect expanded duties. Added responsibilities include substitute coordination and operational ordering, in addition to payroll, benefits, and employee services. Approval is recommended to align the role with organizational needs and improve operational efficiency.

G. 2025-2026 Calendar Discussion

The board will review and discuss the proposed 2025-2026 academic calendar, considering instructional days, breaks, professional development, and alignment with district priorities.

X. Announcements

• March 20, 2025 – Board Meeting

XI. Adjourn