Corrales International School: BACKPACK EXPRESS

Dear CIS community,

It has been an honor to serve on the CIS Governing Council. From the early days as a founder and member at large to my more recent term as GC chair, I have seen our school grow from a dream-idea to a real live school. It has been a wonderful, life-changing journey.

I warmly acknowledge the service and commitment of the founding members of the Governing Council: Catherine Lukes, Laura Erickson, Katie Hutchinson, Melissa David and Patty Parks-Wasserman. It was Carlos Pagán who conceived of the school, and he who initiated the founding of the Governing Council. I am proud to have worked and served with each and every one these extraordinary individuals.

With great delight, I welcome the new co-chairs of the CIS Governing Council, Heather Balas and Jennifer Salisbury, both of whom have extensive leadership experience that is a great asset to the GC and the school. Jennifer and Heather will contribute to this newsletter on a regular basis to keep the school community updated. I hope you will join them to move our school forward to meet and surpass the goals we set when we founded the school.

It was a visionary move of the New Mexico Legislature to pass The Charter School Act in 1999, permitting the creation of charter schools in our state. With that legislation came new regulations governing these new public schools. One of the requirements was that each charter school was to have its own governing body. Below is information that covers the basics of charter school governance in New Mexico. For more information about GC meetings and GC members, please visit the governance page on the school website: http://corralesinternationalschool.org/governance.html.

Thank you for your thoughtful and committed participation in our wonderful school, and for being the courageous risk-takers that you are-students, parents, staff, teachers and volunteers alike-you are the school, and you are making it happen.

Respectfully,

Sharon Berman
CIS Founder and GC member, March 10, 2007 - September 15, 2010

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Governing Council FAQ

What is the responsibility of the Governing Council?
The Governing Council (G.C.) sets policy, approves the budget, and monitors the progress the school makes toward attaining the goals outlined in the charter.

To whom is the G.C. accountable? The G.C. is accountable to the school community it serves, its authorizer (APS) and the New Mexico Public Education Department (PED).

Where can I find information on Governing Council meetings? Information regarding dates, times and location of Governing Council meetings can be found on the school website, in the school newsletter, and on the G.C. bulletin board at the school.

Where do I find G.C. minutes and agendas? Hard copies of the minutes and agendas are kept at the school for reference. Agendas for the most recent or upcoming meetings are posted on the website as well as on the G.C. bulletin board in the front hallway.

Is the Governance Council the same as the Local School Board?
No. There is only one local school board per school district.