1. Nov. 8, 2017 Board Retreat Discussion
Charter School
Nov. 8, 2017
Board Retreat Discussion

2. Proposed resolution
RESOLVED, that Riveredge Board of Directors authorizes the conceptual study of the potential implementation of a nature-based K-5 Charter School on the Riveredge property beginning in the school year, including planning discussions with Riveredge stakeholders and the Northern Ozaukee School District.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that it is anticipated that a proposed charter document for such Charter School will be presented to the full Board in the Spring of 2018 for a detailed review, discussion, and potential authorization of next steps in the creation of a Riveredge Charter School.

3. Questions we will discuss tonight
Since the last board meeting, what has occurred surrounding this proposal?
Why are we doing this?
What is the staff capacity for this project?
Can we fill the charter school?
Financial review, including worse-case scenario & breaking point
Plan B Use of Education Building without the Charter School
Benefits to Neighboring School Districts
What does the vote of intent mean?
What details would be included in the Charter?
Review of timeline. When will we have the final decision?

4. Since the last Board meeting, what has occurred surrounding this proposal?
ESRS Committee discussed proposal and offered further points of discussion
The “Projected Impact of a Charter Riveredge on Participation Numbers & Building Usage” was created and shared with ESRS & Executive Committees.
Ted had a preliminary “in concept” discussion about the charter school with the Northern Ozaukee School District Superintendent
Executive Committee further discussed proposal and points of clarification needed for the Board Retreat

5. Why are we doing this?
It is the one of, if not the, strongest strategies for achieving the BHAG.
A nature-based, public charter school intentionally blurs the line between nature and society. It will:
Create a partnership with the formal education system of Wisconsin to transform learning not only at Riveredge and not only with the charter’s school’s students
Serves as a catalyst, inspiration, and education for teachers and administrators throughout the region through the sharing of its successes, challenges, and strategies
Heighten visibility of Riveredge throughout the region
Attract attention, drive visitation, increase membership, increase participation, and make Riveredge a leading Midwest Destination
Provide financial support for Riveredge facilities and existing staff members – helping fulfill a need for $60,000+ of additional revenue each year to have a financially sustainable budget

6. What is the staff capacity for this project?
Executive Director
Director of Education
Advise as needed (financial support to supplant involvement from planning grant)
Capital Campaign
Director of Development
McDonald Schaefer Consultants
Campaign Cabinet
Architect Design Process
CORE Leadership Team
HGA
Don Stauss
Beyer Construction
Charter School
Ad Hoc Advisory Group
Additional Staff Member (lead teacher) for Planning process
CESA 6 Support for Planning Grant
Financial Support to supplant funding for Director of Education position during initial planning phase
Riveredge Education Team
On-boarded and Running Education Managers (Education Management Team)
Nature-based 4K Partnership up and running

7. Can we fill the charter school?
The 2 nature-based charter schools located at environmental organizations in Wisconsin have waiting lists and increasing demand each year:
Wildland Beaver Creek Reserve; 7 – 12 grades (60 students)
Tomorrow River Community Charter UWSP’s Central Wisconsin Environmental Station; 4K – 6th grade + virtual school option
2 years of Riveredge nature-based 4K students = 80 ‘alumni.’ In , we will have had 3 years of this program or 120 alumni. At that time, these 40 alumni from each year will be entering K, 1st, and 2nd grades. Parents of these students are already asking for this school. Each grade is planned to have 16 spaces.

8. Financial review, including worse-case scenario & breaking point
Review of Financial Projection sheet
If assuming about $20,000 a year on utility costs for the new building + some additional custodial hours, the breakeven point is at approximately 2 grades (K-1 = 32 students)
If we open with four grades (K-3), we would need at least 56 of the desired 64 students to enroll to ensure $20,000 in support to Riveredge.
Worse Case Scenario = not enough students enroll.
Strategies to increase chance of success:
Conduct thorough needs assessment/community interest in planning phase
Open only the number grades during the first year that we feel have a solid audience base
Invest, through planning grant, in significant marketing and visibility efforts
Worse Case Scenario = donations not received for Education Building
Strategies:

9. Plan B Use of Education Building without the Charter School
Simultaneous usages of building would still occur (see Projected Impact of Charter School document)
Without a Charter School…
School field trips, nature-based 4K, and homeschool would use education building exclusively – instead of using classroom space in the nature center
When the remodeling of the nature center occurs, the vision would probably remain the same as in the master plan – to use that building as more of a community space, meeting area, and hands-on exhibit area. In the event of a charter school, the remodeling of the nature center would be reimagined to have a continued emphasis on space dedicated to classrooms.

10. Benefits to Neighboring School Districts
Professional development resource
Opportunities for middle and high school engagement with school
Increased regional visibility of nature-based learning & partnerships
Pipeline of students interested in outdoor-based learning
Opportunities to create a nature-based middle and high school charter school
Encouragement to integrate more use of the outdoors in their curriculum
Invitation to co-sponsor a Scientist in Residence with Riveredge to partner with them to inspire, coach, and assist in integrating the outdoors within their curriculum

11. Review of timeline. When will we have the final decision**?
If vote of intent is positive tonight, next steps include:
Creation of Ad hoc Advisory Group
Further discussions with Northern Ozaukee School District
Facilitation of Dream Session with Stakeholder groups (December)
Completion of charter application to be presented to Northern Ozaukee School District (Dec – January)
Conversations with Northern Ozaukee School District School Board (Jan – Feb)
Approval of Charter by Riveredge Board of Directors and Northern Ozaukee School District (Feb – March)**
Planning Grant Submittal Process (March – May)
Check points along the way – rigorous state mandated planning process is designed to ensure success

12. What does the vote of intent mean?
It does mean:
Riveredge leadership (Board & staff) study of the concept of creating a K-5 nature-based charter school on Riveredge property
Details, which will be included in the proposed charter, will need to be further approved by the board
We would like to include the possibility of a charter school in verbal discussions with silent phase capital campaign donors but with the caveat that a formal decision will not be made until Feb – March.
It does NOT mean:
That a charter school has not been approved at this time.
We will formally include charter school language in the capital campaign – that would only occur when the charter is approved by both the Riveredge Board and the Northern Ozaukee School District

13. Details included in charter
Mission/Vision
School teaching philosophy
Governance
Liability
Student transportation
Student services provided (food service, etc)
Other curriculum included: music, gym, art, etc
Class size
Testing

14. Proposed resolution
RESOLVED, that Riveredge Board of Directors authorizes the conceptual study of the potential implementation of a nature-based K-5 Charter School on the Riveredge property beginning in the school year, including planning discussions with Riveredge stakeholders and the Northern Ozaukee School District.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that it is anticipated that a proposed charter document for such Charter School will be presented to the full Board in the Spring of 2018 for a detailed review, discussion, and potential authorization of next steps in the creation of a Riveredge Charter School.