GOVERNANCE COUNCIL
Get to Know Us
OUR GOAL: UPHOLD THE MISSION
AS A TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS AND AMBASSADORS, WE LOOK TO THE MISSION OF THE SCHOOL TO GUIDE OUR DECISIONS, CONSIDER IMPACT, AND SEEK OUT MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, TO CREATE A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR THE SCHOOL.
A charter is a contract between the governing body of the school and an authorizer. Our authorizer is the School District of Waupaca, we are considered a district instrumentality charter school. The contract describes the method and delivery of instruction, measures of success, services, and terms of the contract.
Megan Sanders
President
Term 2: 2021-2024
Background: Education
(Project-Based Learning and S.T.E.M.)
Member since 2017
Email: msanders@waupacaschools.org
MEETINGS OCCUR ON THE FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH,
12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
IN THE COMMUNITY ROOM AT CEC.
THE GOVERNANCE COUNCIL HOSTS A MINIMUM OF 10 REGULAR MEETINGS A YEAR, SPECIAL MEETINGS AS NEEDED, AND AN ANNUAL MEETING IN JUNE. PUBLIC COMMENT IS AVAILABLE AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH MEETING. AGENDA IS POSTED 72 HOURS IN ADVANCE.
Sandy Robinson
Vice President
Term: 2021-2024
Background: Former School Board Member,
Finance, Education
Member since 2021
Autumn Beese
Treasurer
Term: 2020-2023
Background: Small Business Owner
Member since 2020
Becky Lange
Secretary
Term 2: 2021- 2024
Background: Environmental Education, Youth Minister Leader SMM
Member since 2017
Email: rlange@waupacaschools.org
MaryKaye Ristow
Member
Term: 2020-2023
Background: Environmental Education, Project-Based Learning
Member since 2020
Email: mkristow@waupacaschools.org
JOIN US!
MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
THE GOVERNANCE COUNCIL IS A DIVERSE TEAM DEDICATED TO STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH A PROJECT-BASED MISSION AND VISION. OUR BOARD IS MADE UP OF A MINIMUM OF 5 AND A MAXIMUM OF 9. THE INITIAL TERM IS AN UNPAID, TWO-YEAR TERM.
Christa Hemmila
Member
Term: 2022-2024
Background: Nursing, Medicine
Member since 2022
Email: chemmila@waupacaschools.org
Kayla Van Dyke-Griena
Member
Term: 2022-2024
Background: Nursing, Medicine
Member since 2022
Email: kvandyke@waupacaschools.org
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
JOIN A COMMITTEE.
CONSIDER SERVING ON A COMMITTEE AS A NON-VOTING MEMBER IF YOU ARE SHORT ON TIME. WE VALUE YOUR VOICE. SEATS ARE OPEN TO ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS. EACH GC MEMBER SERVES ON AT LEAST TWO ACTIVE COMMITTEES.
Ben Warren
Member
Term: 2022-2024
Background: Comedy and Adventure Guide
Member since 2022
Email: bwarren@waupacaschools.org
MEETINGS OCCUR ON THE FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH,
12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
IN THE COMMUNITY ROOM AT CEC.
THE GOVERNANCE COUNCIL HOSTS A MINIMUM OF 10 REGULAR MEETINGS A YEAR, SPECIAL MEETINGS AS NEEDED, AND AN ANNUAL MEETING IN JUNE. PUBLIC COMMENT IS AVAILABLE AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH MEETING. AGENDA IS POSTED 72 HOURS IN ADVANCE.
The Governance Council Guidebook is a resource for all GC members. It is meant to add clarity to the role and provide sustainable and consistent practice. If you have interest in joining the Council please read the "Recruitment and Application" section and fill out the linked application.
STANDING COMMITTEES
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE COMMITTEE
Regular Monthly Meetings: 1st Tuesday of month @ 10:00-11:00 a.m., Remote Link
The mission of the Academic Excellence Committee is to monitor and evaluate student achievement through growth, curricular alignment, and charter benchmarks while staying true to the original mission, vision, and intention with which the charter was established.
We meet regularly to monitor learning outcomes listed in our charter contract. We evaluate the effectiveness and progress to support student success by looking at data and our measurable. All meetings are open for all to attend.
Interim Chair- Megan Sanders
Members: MaryKaye Ristow & Sandy Robinson
EVOLVING EXCELLENCE COMMITTEE
Regular Monthly Meetings: 3rd Friday of the month @ 11:00-12:00 p.m., CEC Community Room
The mission of the Evolving Excellence Committee is to uphold the mission of the Chain Exploration Center and the Governance Council through continuous exploration, recommendation, and implementation of governance best practices, policy-making, and cultivating positive relationships with our authorizer, our district, and the community at large.
We meet regularly to monitor our progress and effectiveness as a board. Regular topics include contract work, Bylaws, and evaluation methods.
Chair: Sandy Robinson
Members: Becky Lange & Christa Hemmila
COMMUNITY GARDEN COMMITTEE
Regular Meetings Spring-Fall
The mission of the Chain Community Garden is to create and manage a place and space to provide fresh produce and agricultural opportunities to students and the community of Waupaca.
We meet regularly to plan, plant and harvest the garden. We coordinate a vast network of volunteers to help deliver to many donation sites in the greater Waupaca Community. Last year we donated over 5,000 pounds of produce.
Chair: Mary Kaye Ristow
Members: Becky Lange & Ben Warren
FINANCE AND FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE
Meetings Scheduled as Needed
We meet to discuss fundraising and financial opportunities as they develop. This committee helps to plan the CEC Golf Classic, our annual golf outing.
Chair: Ben Warren
Members: Kayla Van Dyke-Griena & Autumn Beese
