Message from Judy Mark, President Governing Board
Open Magnet Charter School
As President of the Governing Board, I welcome you to the Open Magnet Charter School website.
The Governing Board consists of 25 members including teachers, administrators and 12 elected parents. The Board makes major decisions for the school such as approving an annual budget and overseeing the many committees at the school.
At Open School, all of us are unified in the belief that our children deserve an extraordinary education – and that education should be in a public school. A public school where the student body truly represents the city in which we live – with students of all economic backgrounds learning together with the same opportunities; with kids of every race playing together without prejudice; with children raised by single parents, same gender parents, grandparents, or a mom and dad growing together in our nurturing community.
We believe in a public school with teachers who have a deep passion for their job and a deep love of their students. We believe in a public school where children learn to design objects on a computer, play the violin, sing in a choir, paint portraits, make a free throw, and preserve our environment.
But attending a public school during this time is a challenge. A challenge because the citizens of the State of California and some of our elected officials have not prioritized education – and this has led to drastic cuts in funding for our school district, and, ultimately, for Open School. Last year we lost two teachers to layoffs and increased our class sizes. We lost half of our librarian time, one of our administrative staff, and one of our two after school supervisors – all to budget cuts. Our incredible principal and dedicated Governing Board struggle with how and whether to make up for these shortfalls; shortfalls that not only compromise our children’s education but also their health and safety.
We organize parents to write to their elected representatives to say, “Public education is about the future of all of us. “ But, so far, our words have fallen on deaf ears. And this school year promises to bring more significant cuts to education.
But we won’t give up on the principle of free, quality public education. We still believe in the ideals of equal opportunity and diversity -- the same ideals by which this school was founded over 30 years ago.
The Governing Board invites you to get involved in the school to keep these ideals alive. Volunteer in your child’s cluster, get involved in a Governing Board committee, and PLEASE give till it hurts to Friends of Open School.
Together, the parents, teachers and staff of Open School have overcome adversity before and we always come out stronger. Please join us for this year’s adventure. I look forward to meeting and working with all of you. Thank you.
About the Open School Governing Board
The Open Magnet Charter School is governed by three groups - teaching staff, administration, and parents. Meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of every month (please check the Calendar page for times). Childcare is provided. The agenda is constructed two weeks prior by the parent officers and representatives from both the teaching and administrative staff.
All parents are both welcome and encouraged to attend Governing Board meetings. It is here that all school committees report on their ongoing progress and we, as a collective body, have the opportunity to be a part of the process of planning and evaluating. You don't need to be a member of the governing board to work on one of the committees. Get involved - It's what makes our school great!
Your 2009-10 Governing Board Parent Officers
- President - Judy Mark
- Vice President - Emily Magruder & Elizabeth Dennehy
- Treasurer - Daniel Ruiz
- Secretary - Joslyn Treece
- Friends President - Allison Dworetzky
- Parent Members - Mark Burton, Antoinette Cass, Holly Clark, Caryn Dalessandro, Darlene Jones, Joyce Mann, Lisanne Sartor (alternate)
Standing Governing Board Committees
- Budget
- By-Laws & Charter
- Communications
- Technology
- Curriculum
- Library
- School Safety
- Multicultural
- BAC/ELL
- Site
- Staff Selection
Ad Hoc Governing Board Committees
Governing Board Amended By-Laws - January 2008
Governing Board Meeting Archives