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Board Meeting March 6 2025

Horizons K8 School
Board Meeting Minutes
Date:  3/6/2025

Google Meets Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87148402994?pwd=RC9kYjRXbllCdGJhdmY1cVB4MFh3Zz09

Facilitators:  Travis Lockhart
Timekeeper:  Emmy Kurtz
Process Observer:  John Bogosian
Secretary/Minutes:  Michelle Bargo

Call to Order: 6:05 PM

Present:  Travis Lockhart, Emmy Kurtz, Kristin Hauger, Fran Cohen, John Bogosian, Jim Freund, Mike Ashmore, Rob Horansky

Present Online:  Jasmine GBC, Adam Brink

Absent:  Rachel Clionsky

  • Quorum established 

Public Comment

  • None

Consent Agenda: 

Head of School Updates - Jasmine GBC

  • Job postings: 
    • Horizons has posted the Director of Operations position and the 5/6 teacher position.
    • BVSD has been slow at pushing all posts through their job postings system.
  • Reducing FTE in District Overall:  BVSD is reducing and restructuring positions.  BVSD is also considering laying off probationary staff.
  • Updates in Executive Orders:  An update was provided in Skylines regarding DEI executive orders.  We are protected by the First and Fifth Amendments for our inclusivity curriculum.  The administration plans to eliminate the federal Department of Education.
  • Advocacy with the Colorado League of Charter Schools:  Horizons is looking for community members to collaborate with the League to help champion charter schools.  We’ve been asked because the League wants families who strongly support charters.

HOS Evaluation - Travis Lockhart, Michelle Bargo

  • HOS Goals for Evaluation - Reviewed the HOS Evaluation Process for the year.
  • Survey Collection from Teachers - We are planning to use a free 3rd party survey tool and to administer surveys to stakeholders (faculty, front office staff, parent board members) immediately following spring break.  After data is collected from the surveys, we can meet with Jasmine GBC to discuss the results.

Board Committee Updates

  • Development Committee - Kristin Hauger
    • An Annual Report is being complied to help community members understand how Horizons’ funds are spent.
    • The gala committee is working hard to put on an amazing gala.  This year it has been more difficult to enlist sponsors.  We can’t wait to see you there!
    • Hawksbucks has raised nearly $90,000 so far this year!
    • #BigKidsPlayToo is still selecting a designer for the project.  Dig is coming to meet with Kristin and Lauren tomorrow.  The designer for Dig designed a wonderful outdoor play area at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.  CU has enlisted a class that will design another space on the school grounds.  Boulder Parks and Recreation is refreshing the Burke Pond space in tandem with our project.  We are trying to access another fund for charter school facility improvements.
  • Finance Review Committee (FRC) - Mike Ashmore
    • Today’s FRC meeting was very short.
    • Horizons 24/25 budget shortfall is expected to be approximately $50 K.  For 25/26 we are fully enrolled in all grades except first grade (because we’ve already reached our enrollment goal of 375 and don’t need to add more students).
    • The state budget is delayed, which means that we don’t know the state’s PPR or the BVSD numbers for COLA and raises.  For this reason we don’t have a true budget draft for 25/26 yet.

Board Intent to Return Survey

  • Discussion about John Bogosian and Mike Ashmore transitioning to roles as At-Large Board Members.  They can formally resign in May and then be appointed to the new roles.  What do we need to do to maintain balance on the board?  We will expect to recruit for 4 open parent board positions.
  • Faculty will have a similar discussion amongst themselves about who will step up to the board for 25/26.
  • Parents who have expressed interest in serving on the board beginning in 25/26 include: Michael Joseph and Joel Gratz.

Other Board Business

  • When is the Horizons community talking about big picture items?  The board has a financial purview but Council and faculty make many decisions.  The budget is such a large item to review and it can feel rushed.  Can we have a plan A and B to prepare for the budget uncertainties from the state and district?  Can we devote a greater amount of time to FRC review at Board Meetings and delve into the spreadsheet?
  • What is the Difference Between School-of-Choice and Charter?  This is an important conversation to have because what was true 20 years ago may have changed.  A charter has far more freedom and flexibility than a school-of-choice including curriculum and maintaining our own teachers.

Process Observer

  • John Bogosian:  This was a great meeting because the agenda was brief.  Everyone had enough time to discuss the topics that needed to be discussed.

Adjourn:  7:21 PM