SY 2026-27
Board Minutes
Board Meeting August 6, 2026
Horizons K8 Board Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors
Date: August 6, 2026
Time: 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Location: In person and Google Meet
Facilitator: Michael Joseph
Minutes recorded by: Shoshana Kressler
Attendance
Board members present (in person): Ryan Conrad, Jessica Slatus, Eric Altman, Erin Hess, Joel Gratz, Jim Freund, Caroline Long, Shoshana Kressler, Adam Brink, Kate Bachtel
Also present (in person): Kristin Hauger, Interim Head of School; Julie Cohen, TOSA; Lori Patterson, Director of Finance; Tim Farmer, charter negotiation update
Present online: Melissa Rossback, HR Consultant; Lynn Pence, teacher; Teran Sittner, teacher; Fran Cohen, teacher and former Board member
1. Call to Order and Public Comment
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. No public comment was received.
2. Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Motion: Approve the June 11, 2026 meeting minutes.
Disposition: Approved by concordance.
3. Charter Renewal Negotiations
Discussion: Tim Farmer reported on BVSD charter renewal negotiations, including a proposed three-year term, special-education and English language learner funding under the parity model, purchased services, and remaining contract language. The Board expressed support for the parity model and identified cost predictability and enrollment in both student populations as
priorities. The Board also received guidance on limits applicable to email and shared-document communications among Board members.
Motion: Approve the charter renewal agreement as presented by Tim Farmer on August 6, subject to final approval of the Board Chair, attorney, and Head of School on the final contract wording.
Disposition: Approved by concordance.
Follow-up: Tim Farmer will provide the statutory language regarding cost predictability.
4. Interim Leadership Reporting and Accountability
Discussion: The Board reviewed the interim leadership reporting and accountability structure for Kristin Hauger, Caley Gallison, and Julie Cohen, including shared responsibilities, ongoing teacher support, and behavioral support coverage.
Action: No action was taken.
5. Interim Leadership Success Metrics
Discussion: The Board reviewed draft measures for evaluating the interim leadership model, including family engagement, student progress, staff and student engagement and retention, and financial support for the model. Kate Bachtel proposed an additional metric concerning evidence-informed Tier 2 literacy and math instruction. The Board considered the distinction between interim leadership measures and longer-term school outcomes.
Motion: Michael Joseph moved to adopt the proposed success metrics, plus the additional metric proposed by Kate Bachtel, as Version 1 of the success metrics for evaluating the interim leadership model, with the understanding that adjustments will be made over time.
Disposition: The initial vote did not reach full concordance; the motion passed by supermajority. Following further discussion, the Board reached concordance on the approach of presenting a shorter list of criteria at the September meeting to inform evaluation of the interim leadership model ahead of the November Board meeting.
Follow-up: Caley Gallison will create a tab for future considerations and a process for
amending and updating the success metrics. The shorter list of priority criteria is expected at the September meeting.
6. Board Objectives
Discussion: The Board reviewed proposed annual priorities concerning a sustainable leadership structure, a five-year strategic plan with financial assumptions, governance
improvements, aligned governing documents, and efficient meetings. Additional topics included role clarity, communication, Board evaluation, and faculty participation in strategic planning.
Action: No motion adopting the objectives was recorded.
Follow-up: Michael Joseph and Jessica Slatus are developing a new-member onboarding process. Board members were encouraged to review Colorado League of Charter Schools Board training units.
7. Other Business
No other director items were raised. Jim Freund provided the process observer report.
8. Adjournment
Michael Joseph moved to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Board Meeting Sept 10, 2026
Horizons K8 Board Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors
Date: September 10, 2026
Time: 6:00-8:05 p.m.
Location: In person and Google Meet
Facilitator: Michael Joseph
Minutes recorded by: Eric Altman
Attendance
Board members present (in person): Ryan Conrad, Jessica Slatus, Eric Altman, Joel Gratz, Jim Freund, Caroline Long, Kate Bachtel
Present online: Shoshana Kressler; Melissa Rossback, HR Consultant
Also present: Kristin Hauger, Interim Head of School; Caley Gallison, Assistant Head of School (departed following the Success Metrics presentation)
1. Call to Order and Public Comment
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. No public comment was received.
2. Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Discussion: The Board requested revisions to the August 6, 2026 minutes to conform to its customary format.
Action: Approval was deferred to the next meeting.
3. Charter Renewal Report
Discussion: Kristin Hauger and Michael Joseph reported on the approved three-year BVSD charter renewal through June 30, 2029. The Board identified diversity, special-education and neurodiverse student needs, and outreach to English language learner students as matters to address before the next charter negotiation.
4. Interim Leadership Success Metrics
Discussion: Kristin Hauger and Caley Gallison presented proposed measures for assessing the interim leadership model, including stakeholder satisfaction, staff retention and well-being, community participation, schoolwide initiatives, financial solvency, student behavior, and special-education systems. The Board reviewed potential evidence sources and survey options.
Action: No action was taken.
5. Interim Head of School Evaluation Framework
Discussion: The Board reviewed a proposed 2026-27 evaluation process based on annual goals, leadership competencies, evidence, stakeholder feedback, a midyear review, and a final evaluation for Board approval. The proposed process distinguishes the HOS evaluation from the decision on the 2027-28 leadership structure, due November 30, 2026.
The Board requested legal and HR review of whether new evaluator-training requirements apply to principal or head-of-school evaluations.
Action: No action adopting the proposed framework was recorded.
6. Head of School Evaluation Committee
Motion: Form an HOS Evaluation Framework Committee authorized to develop and coordinate the annual evaluation framework and calendar; recommend the evaluation instrument, rubric, competencies, evidence sources, and synthesis method; coordinate HOS goal setting and stakeholder feedback; maintain the confidential evidence file; conduct the midyear review; review the HOS self-evaluation and eligible Board input; prepare a draft evaluation for full Board consideration; facilitate delivery of the final evaluation; and coordinate related professional-development, Board-support, and transition planning.
Disposition: Approved by concordance.
Committee members: Jessica Slatus, Chair; Shoshana Kressler; Ryan Conrad; Jim Freund
7. Board Objectives for 2026–27
Motion: Adopt the Horizons Board Objectives for the 2026-27 school year.
Disposition: Approved by concordance.
Discussion: The adopted objectives address:
1. A sustainable long-term leadership model 2. A 2027-2031 strategic plan
3. Governance and organizational alignment 4. Board effectiveness
5. Communication and community trust
6. A strong and sustainable Board
The Board agreed to address Objectives 1 and 2 through a full-day working session with full Board and faculty participation. Working-group assignments were established as follows:
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Objective 3: Michael Joseph, Caroline Long, and Kristin Hauger, representing the interim leadership team
Objective 4: Jordan Logan and Ryan Conrad
Objective 5: Shoshana Kressler and Kate Bachtel; Julie Cohen will be invited to
represent the interim leadership team, participation pending
Objective 6: Jim Freund, Jessica Slatus, and Kristin Hauger, representing the interim leadership team
Working groups will define scope and priorities, engage stakeholders and subject-matter experts, develop recommendations, and report progress. Final decisions remain with the full Board.
8. Other Business
The Board identified Frasier Meadows feedback, the summer watering plan, and the status of half-day outdoor education for future updates. Ryan Conrad provided the process observer report.
9. Adjournment
Michael Joseph moved to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.