Nova Classical Academy Board of Directors
Board Member Roster
Email: board@novaclassical.org
This email is received by the Board Chair and may be distributed to all members of the Board of Directors. Contents received at this email address will not be included in the Public Comment section of the board packet.
Colleen Hansen, Member | chansen@novaclassical.org
Colleen is the proud parent to three Nova Classical scholars, one in Lower School and two in Upper School. She, her spouse, and children have been a part of the Nova Classical community since 2016.
Colleen earned her BA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master’s of Library Science from the University of St. Catherine, St. Paul. She is currently employed as an Archivist, but has worked in public, law, and special libraries in the past. Colleen is also currently the communications/secretary board chair of the Inver Grove Heights Lacrosse Association. In the past, she held two different chairs for the SPPS ECFE Parent Advisory Board, managed a hockey association, and also volunteered for the NPTO doing social media and web maintenance.
Colleen is excited to be able to give back to the Nova Classical community that has given so much to her family and hopes to help Nova Classical remain virtuous and exemplary into the future. Term Expires: June 30, 2025.
Shannon Hooge, Member | shooge@novaclassical.org
Shannon has been at Nova Classical as a Special education teacher since 2017. He became a teacher late in life due to a career change away from Data Security and Information Technology to teaching. He has a Masters of Art in teaching and is Licensed as a Special Education teacher. He is interested in using data and research to better serve students in their educational journey. He is passionate about developmental psychology and using the Trivium to leverage student success based on their developmental capacity. Shannon has two children at Nova, one recently graduated, and one in school of Rhetoric. Both children have been at Nova since Kindergarten. “I look forward to serving Nova as we move forward in the implementation of the strategic plan, and in complying with State mandates while maintaining our special identity and process as a Classical School.” Term expires: June 30, 2025
Becky Lund, Secretary | blund@novaclassical.org
Becky has been at Nova Classical since it opened its doors in 2003 and has served on several committees during her tenure here including the Curriculum Committee and the Governance Committee. Becky received her BA in Elementary Education from Augsburg College and her MA in Education from Hamline University. She also received an additional license in K-12 Reading from Hamline. Term Expires: June 30, 2025.
Heather Meeker, Member | hmeeker@novaclassical.org
I have three kids attending Nova Classical and I have always been actively involved in their education. Last year I served as the chair of the school’s PTO and I’m committed to fostering a strong community for students and families. I own and operate a century-old multi-unit apartment building in the Merriam Park neighborhood of St. Paul and actively manage my family’s real estate investments, including agriculture assets and multi-unit apartment buildings in Austin, Minnesota, and Mitchell, South Dakota. I have expertise lies in work as a fund manager, where she oversees her family’s diverse investment portfolio. In this role, she is adept at reading and analyzing complex financial data, reviewing legal documents, and negotiating terms with private equity firms to ensure the strategic growth and success of the portfolio. Term Expires: June 30, 2027.
Suzanne McInroy, Board Chair | smcinroy@novaclassical.org
Suzanne McInroy and her husband, Mark, are the proud parents of three Nova Classical Academy students. They have been involved with Nova Classical since their oldest child started Kindergarten in 2017 and they especially appreciate the classical education model, dedicated teachers and staff, and the supportive community. Professionally, Suzanne works in the field of communications with almost 20 years of experience working in the non-profit sector, mostly for colleges and universities. Suzanne received her B.A. in journalism from Messiah University in Pennsylvania, her M.A. in international relations and communications from Boston University, and is currently completing her Ed.D. in higher education leadership from Bethel University in St. Paul. Term Expires: June 30, 2025
Todd Sample, Treasurer | tsample@novaclassical.org
Todd is the proud parent of three Nova scholars who span both the Upper and Lower Schools. Todd’s family has been a part of the Nova community since 2018, and he is a passionate advocate for the classical education model. Todd has over 20 years of strategic planning experience in both the private and public sector. He is the founder and principal consultant of Riverview Strategies, a consulting firm that specializes in strategic planning, executive coaching, and positive culture change. Todd is the Nova Board’s Treasurer and Chair of its Budget & Finance Committee. Todd also serves as Co-Chair of his church’s Capital Campaign and as a voting member of its Finance Committee.
Todd’s prior professional experience includes being VP of Strategy at Thomson Reuters and serving as a strategic planner for the Department of Homeland Security and US Air Force. Todd served two years in the US Peace Corps in Africa as a high school teacher. He received his B.A. in English with honors from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his M.A. in Economics from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, DC. Todd loves spending time with his family, cross country skiing, running, swimming, reading, and writing fiction. Term expires: June 30, 2026
Chris Shepard, Member | cshepard@novaclassical.org
For over ten years, I have taught history, civics, and economics to students in the Upper School. Prior to teaching, I worked for several years in the field of economic development in New York City. My wife and I also have two children who attend Nova, both in the Upper School.
Outside of my teaching role, I have served the Nova community in several capacities. For years, I took part in several board committees, namely Budget and Finance. I also did a brief stint with Academic Excellence, and I am currently on the Governance Committee where I have spent the last two years. I served one three-year term as Chair of the Upper School History Department, and I have worked in various extra-curricular roles with students, including the Model Assembly delegation leader and the SoR Student Senate leader. Term Expires: June 30, 2027.
Bavi Weston, Vice Chair | bweston@novaclassical.org
Bavi Weston has an undergraduate degree in Community Education, a Master’s degree in Higher Education, and is ABD in an Ed.D. in Organization Development. Bavi has worked in education for over 25 years in elementary, middle, high school, and now higher education. Through all those experiences she has learned, seen, and experienced the impact that education has on the lives of students and their communities. Schools are a staple in creating connection points for people in our communities and in building the future of our world. Bavi is a Nova Classical parent of a lower and a middle school student and brings a commitment to our school into this role and in building our commitment to, understanding of, and practices of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. Term Expires: June 30, 2027.
Board Meeting Information
Board Meeting Information (prior to 2015)
Board packets for SY 2015-16 and before are housed below. Please click the “download” button below to download a ZIP file of all records from the corresponding school year.
| File | Action |
|---|---|
| 2015-16 School Year | Download |
| 2014-15 School Year | Download |
| 2013-14 School Year | Download |
| 2012-13 School Year | Download |
| 2011-12 School Year | Download |
| 2010-11 School Year | Download |
| 2009-10 School Year | Download |
| 2008-09 School Year | Download |
| 2007-08 School Year | Download |
| 2006-07 School Year | Download |
| 2005-06 School Year.zip | Download |
| 2004-05 School Year | Download |
MN Finance Award
The Minnesota Department of Education’s Finance Award recognizes schools that exhibit sound fiscal health and financial management policies and procedures. The criteria for earning a School Finance Award is based on compliance with state statute on a number of financial related issues and other means of demonstrating fiscal health. Nova has received this award for the following years: 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010.
Annual Reports
In accordance with Minnesota Statute 124D.10 subd. 14, a charter school must report to its authorizer the information required by the authorizer.
| File | Action |
|---|---|
| Annual Report NCA 2022-2023 | ViewDownload |
| Annual Report NCA 2021-2022 | ViewDownload |
| Annual Report NCA 2020-2021 | ViewDownload |
| Annual-Report NCA 2019-2020 | ViewDownload |
| Annual Report NCA 2018-2019 | ViewDownload |
| Annual Report NCA 2017-2018 | ViewDownload |
| Annual Report NCA 2016-2017 | ViewDownload |
| Annual Report NCA 2015-2016 | ViewDownload |
| Annual Report NCA 2014-2015 | ViewDownload |
| Annual Report NCA 2013-2014 | ViewDownload |
| Annual Report NCA 2012-2013 | ViewDownload |
| Annual Report NCA 2011-2012 | ViewDownload |
| Annual Report NCA 2010-2011 | ViewDownload |
| Annual Report NCA 2009-2010 | ViewDownload |
District Expenses and Revenues Form
The 2024 election to fill two seats on Nova Classical’s Board of Directors will begin soon.
The nominations period will run from March 1 until 4:00 pm on Friday, April 5, 2024.
The voting window will go from Monday, April 29 through 4:00 pm on Monday, May 13, 2024. Questions about the election or recommendations for potential candidates should be directed to the Governance Committee at governance@novaclassical.org.
Please vote!
Public Comment: publiccomment@novaclassical.org
The School Board welcomes input from community members and staff. A “Citizen Participation” time is available at the beginning of each board meeting. Please adhere to the following guidelines outlined in Policy 203:
- Input should be short (approx. 3 minutes or less)
- Comments should be germane to the agenda and respectful.
- Repetition should be avoided if possible; new input is best.
- Under Policy 203, public comment must not be discriminatory in nature. The Board Chair has the authority to stop any comments that violated Nova’s policy or are discriminatory.
- When the Business section of the meeting begins, citizen input should cease. Occasionally, if a topic is controversial, the Board Chair may choose to allow more citizen input during that particular agenda item. The Board Chair may also request input from the citizens if more expertise or clarification is needed on a topic.
Written public comment can be submitted via email to publiccomment@novaclassical.
Approved Policies for Nova Classical Academy
Section 1 | Legal Authority for Policies, Establishment, & Implementation of Policies
Section 2 | Board of Directors, Recruitment, Meetings, Agenda, Committees, Training
| File | Action |
|---|---|
| NP 201 | Role and Responsibilities | ViewDownload |
| NP 202 | Expectations and Obligations of Board Members | ViewDownload |
| NP 203 | Board Meetings | ViewDownload |
| NP 204 | Election of Board Members | ViewDownload |
| NP 205 | Committees | ViewDownload |
| NP 206 | Board Orientation, Training | ViewDownload |
| NP 208 | Development, Etc. of Policies | ViewDownload |
| NP 210 | BoD Member Conflict of Interest | ViewDownload |
Section 3 | Applications, Admission, and Enrollment
Section 4 | School Administration
Section 5 | Curriculum
Section 6 | Student Life
Section 7 | Finance & Budget
Section 8 | Mandatory Policies
| File | Action |
|---|---|
| 102 | Equal Educational Opportunity | ViewDownload |
| 110 | Data Retention | ViewDownload |
| 214 | Out-Of-State Travel | ViewDownload |
| 401 | Equal Employment | ViewDownload |
| 402 | Disability Nondiscrimination | ViewDownload |
| 406 | Public and Private Personnel Data | ViewDownload |
| 406F | Consent to Release-Request from an Individual | ViewDownload |
| 407 | Employee Right To Know - Hazardous Substances | ViewDownload |
| 410 | Family and Medical Leave | ViewDownload |
| 412 | Expense Reimbursement | ViewDownload |
| 413 | Violence and Harassment | ViewDownload |
| 414 | Mandated Reporting | ViewDownload |
| 417 | Chemical Use and Abuse | ViewDownload |
| 418 | Drug-Free | ViewDownload |
| 418F | Acknowledgment to Drug-Free Workplace/Drug-Free School | ViewDownload |
| 419 | Tobacco-Free Environment | ViewDownload |
| 427 | Workload Limits | ViewDownload |
| 501 | School Weapons Policy | ViewDownload |
| 502 | Search of Student | ViewDownload |
| 504 | Student Appearance | ViewDownload |
| 505 | Speech and Distribution of Materials | ViewDownload |
| 505 | Forms | ViewDownload |
| 506 | Student Discipline | ViewDownload |
| 506F | Reporting Form—Student Discipline | ViewDownload |
| 514 | Bullying Prohibition | ViewDownload |
| 515 | Protection and Privacy of Student Records | ViewDownload |
| Public Notice Regarding Policy 515 | ViewDownload |
| 515 | Form | Download |
| 516 | Student Medication | ViewDownload |
| 516.5 | Overdose Medication | ViewDownload |
| 521 | Student Disability Nondiscrimination | ViewDownload |
| 522 | Title IX Policy | ViewDownload |
| 522F | Reporting Form—Student Sex Nondiscrimination | ViewDownload |
| 524 | Internet Acceptable Use | ViewDownload |
| 524F | Agreement form—Internet Acceptance Use and Safety | ViewDownload |
| 526 | Hazing Prohibition | ViewDownload |
| 531 | Pledge of Allegiance | ViewDownload |
| 532 | Use of Peace Officers | ViewDownload |
| 533 | Wellness Policy | ViewDownload |
| 534 | Unpaid Meal Charge | ViewDownload |
| 609 | Religion and Religious and Cultural Observances | ViewDownload |
| 614 | School District Testing | ViewDownload |
| 709 | Student Transportation Safety | ViewDownload |
| 709F | Student Transportation Form | ViewDownload |
| 801 | Equal Access to School Facilities | ViewDownload |
| 801F | Use of Facilities Form | ViewDownload |
| 806 | Crisis Management | ViewDownload |
| 807 | Health and Safety | ViewDownload |
Envisioning our Future: 2023-2028 Strategic Plan
Approved by the Board in January 2023, our Strategic Plan will be implemented in stages over the next several years. It will guide the direction of our organization, lead us through complex challenges, and reaffirm our commitment to classical education. At its core, it ensures every student has a sense of belonging at Nova and feels supported in all areas of their education and well-being.
Our school mission, promise, and belief statements set the foundation of our strategic plan. The five focus areas — each with a set of goals and objectives — support that foundation to ensure our process and results align with our virtues and beliefs.
We are so grateful for our community’s input, ideas, and honest feedback as we developed our plan. We also thank all the teachers, students, parents, teachers, and community members who participated in our 35-person Strategic Planning Committee, setting the goals and direction for our plan.
Our Promise
Nova Classical Academy promises to be an inclusive community with a shared commitment to an exceptional, foundational education that teaches thought and expression of the mind and heart, resulting in compassionate and articulate graduates poised to engage as thoughtful global citizens.
Our Mission
In a supportive community and through a systematic, accelerated college-preparatory education in the classical tradition, Nova Classical Academy challenges its students to develop intellect, to attain the habits of learning and mastery, and to live a virtuous life of duty and ideals.
We believe:
- We believe we learn not for school but for life.
- We believe in the core virtues: justice, fortitude, prudence, temperance, and wisdom.
- We believe students learn how to learn in Nova Classical Academy’s classical education model.
- We believe supportive relationships between students, staff, and families are necessary for students to reach their full potential.
- We believe in fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment.
- We believe ethical and prudent financial decision-making ensures the continued existence of our model.
Each of the five focus areas is supported by specific goals and objectives.
What is a Strategic Plan?
A Strategic Plan is a deliberate effort to establish a holistic, evolving plan that guides an organization for 3-5 years. Strategic Planning provides the opportunity to engage in reflection — a critical habit of learning — and refocuses on relevant priorities and decision-making. Strategic Planning ensures an organization continually recreates itself to maintain its leadership position despite rapid changes in education, technology, and society.
What Does a Strategic Plan Do?
The plan reaffirms our commitment to a classical education and our virtues – Justice, Fortitude, Prudence, Temperance, and Wisdom. We will work to define the core components of our model to easily share its value and importance with interested families, teachers, and stakeholders.
The plan works to ensure every student has a sense of belonging at Nova Classical Academy and feels supported in all areas of their education and well-being. We can provide this support through respecting and celebrating cultural and ethnic traditions, positioning Multiple-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) to meet the emotional needs of students, and documenting our position on fairness and belonging.
Who Was Involved in Creating the Plan?
Planning began in October 2022 with community listening sessions and surveys that provided invaluable insight into how to strengthen our classical model, support our students, and prioritize focus through the next five years. In total, over 600 individuals provided feedback and input into the process.
Facility Needs Analysis
In January 2023, Nova Classical’s Board of Directors approved a 5-year strategic plan. The strategic plan identified 5 focus areas including facilities.. The strategic plan tasks us with providing classroom and extracurricular facilities which support our mission and also includes the measurable objective to ” … complete a comprehensive facilities review analyzing current and projected educational and extracurricular needs as well as identifying scenarios and options to address current and future facility needs.”
Link to Survey (The 2nd survey will close at 8:00pm on Sunday, January 7th, 2024)
FAQ
What is the purpose of this survey?
The purpose of this survey is to collect valuable insights from our school community, including students, parents, teachers, and staff, to understand the current needs and preferences of Nova Classical Academy. Your feedback will help us make informed decisions to enhance the overall educational experience and environment at our school.
Who can participate in this survey?
This survey is open to all members of the Nova Classical Academy community, including students age 16 and older, parents, teachers, and staff. We value the perspectives of all stakeholders, as they contribute to a comprehensive understanding of our school’s needs.
How long will it take to complete the survey?
The survey is designed to be concise and should take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Your time investment is greatly appreciated, as your feedback is crucial to our efforts to improve the school environment and meet the needs of our community effectively.
Is the survey anonymous?
Yes, the survey is intended to be completely anonymous. Your responses, including responder email address and IP address, will be collected by the third party conducting the facility needs analysis This information will be kept confidential and will only be used for the purposes of data analysis, identifying and purging multiple responses, and improving our school’s programs and services. Rest assured that your privacy is of utmost importance to us.
What will happen with the results of the survey?
The insights and data collected will be used to identify areas of improvement and to develop strategies and initiatives that align with the identified needs and priorities of the Nova Classical Academy community.
What are the next steps after the survey?
After the survey is completed, the consulting team will conduct several focus group meetings with key stakeholders, such as teachers, staff, and students. These focus group meetings will seek to add depth, breadth, and detail to the survey responses. Additional surveys of the entire community or selected groups may be conducted as well. The goal is to identify current deficiencies and future needs of the Nova Classical Academy facilities more clearly.
How can I provide additional feedback or ask more questions?
We encourage you to reach out if you have any additional feedback or questions beyond what is covered in this survey. You can contact us via email at facilities@novaclassical.org or call us at 651-209-6320 x 332. Your engagement and input are essential in our journey to create an enriching educational environment for all.
World’s Best Workforce Reports
| File | Action |
|---|---|
| Nova Classical Academy 2022-2023 World’s Best Workforce Goals | ViewDownload |
| Nova Classical Academy 2021-2022 World’s Best Workforce Goals | ViewDownload |
| Nova Classical Academy 2020-2021 World’s Best Workforce Goals | ViewDownload |
| Nova Classical Academy 2019-2020 Annual Report & World’s Best Workforce | ViewDownload |
| Nova Classical Academy 2018-2019 Annual Report & World’s Best Workforce | ViewDownload |
| Nova Classical Academy 2016-2017 World’s Best Workforce Report | ViewDownload |
Initial Board Training Opportunities
*All Board members must have training in governance, employment law, and finances during their first year of Board service. This training must be started within the first six months of service. The cost of these trainings is tax deductible or may be reimbursed by Nova. Once your training is completed, please provide a copy of the documentation to the Board Secretary.
General Information Resources
- Board on Track – general articles and webinars that cover topics like “The Top 10 Mistakes of Charter School Boards”
- The Center for School Change – general Board responsibilities for charter school boards and additional resources
- Office of the MN Attorney General – general fiduciary responsibilities for non-profit boards
- MACS – state and federal laws and policies affecting charter schools
- Robert’s Rules of Order Cheat Sheet – worth printing to have on hand
- Running Board Meetings – applies to running committee meetings as well
Standing Committees
- Academic Excellence Committee
- Budget & Finance Committee
-
Governance CommitteeChair: Becky Lund (blund@novaclassical.org)Meets: On the second Monday of each month from 6:00 – 7:00 pm in room 107 at Nova Classical or via Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/
86456436402, passcode: Governance Work: Includes reviewing Nova Classical’s board-level policies and Bylaws as well as holding the yearly election for the Board of Directors.
Administrative Committees
- Curriculum Committee
- Health & Wellness Committee (Minutes)
Board Committee Minutes
Board Packets (2015-present) including agenda/minutes are available here!