The Common Ground Board of Directors
Common Ground is governed by a Board of Directors – volunteer community members who provide oversight and support to the organization so it can fulfill its mission as a community non-profit organization and public charter high school. Board members come from different backgrounds and reflect the rich diversity of our community.
Alexis Smith, Chair. Executive Director of New Haven Legal Aid, Email
Jeff Carter, Treasurer, owner of Westmount Group, Email
Terri Snell, Secretary, Email
Kyeen Andersson, Public Health Policy Analyst, Email
Aubrey Bido, Common Ground High School Student Representative
Jennifer Burke, Common Ground High School Reading Teacher, Email
Gioia Connell, Roche Dinkaloo and Associates, Email
Lizanne Cox, Retired Common Ground High School Director, Email
Alisha Crutchfield, Owner: Bloom, Email
Monique Frasier, Assistant Principal Hartford Public Schools, Email
Shelly Hicks, VP of Education at UWGNH, Email
Brian Kelahan, Retired Common Ground Teacher, Email
Beth Klingher, Artist & Educator, Email
Monica Maccera Filppu, Common Ground’s Executive Director, Email
Clouds Mutale, Common Ground High School Student Representative
Peter Ludwig, Connecticut Green Bank, Email
Carly Osborne, Pootatuch Watershed Association and Go Fish Memorial Fund, Email
Robert Parker, Retired School Principal & Communications Executive, Email
Michelle Sepulveda, Dropout Prevention Officer at New Haven Board Of Education, Email
Common Ground is Seeking New Board Members
Each year we recruit a class of 3-4 members to serve a 3 year term. Board members are expected to attend monthly public board meetings, contribute to meetings of one of our standing committees (Audit, Development, Finance, Governance, School), and support fundraising efforts (including by contributing to the organization at a level that is personally significant). Board members find that they spend an average of 10 hours a month on board-related tasks and can attend most meetings virtually. If you’re motivated and excited to help Common Ground serve our community and contribute to a just and sustainable world, please email Board chair Alexis.Smith@nhep.com with a resume or bio to express your interest.
Common Ground Board of Directors Meeting Schedule 2023-2024
All in- person meetings will be located at the Hilltop Picnic Pavillion at 358 Springside Ave. New Haven, CT unless otherwise noted. In person meetings include: August, October, March and June.
- August 28th *In Person
- September 18th *On Zoom Video
- SPECIAL MEETING regarding Collective Bargaining Agreement: Oct. 2 *On Zoom Video
- October 30th *In Person
- November 27th *On Zoom Video
- December 18th *On Zoom Video
- January 29th *On Zoom Video
- February 26th *On Zoom Video
- March 25th *In Person
- April 29nd *On Zoom Video
- May 20th *On Zoom Video
- June 24th *In Person
- Annual meeting June 25th *On Zoom Video
Board Subcommittees
- School (Committee Minutes)
- Finance & Development (Committee Minutes)
- Governance (Committee Minutes)
- Audit (Committee Minutes)
- Personnel (Committee Minutes)
Board of Directors Meeting Agendas
Common Ground Board Meeting Agenda for March 25, 2024
This Meeting will be held in person March 25th 5:30pm In person at Common Ground - Hilltop 109 Welcome Public Comment (5:30) (two minutes per person for a total time limit of 30 minutes, or
Common Ground Board Meeting Agenda for Feb. 26, 2024
This Meeting will be held By Zoom February 26th 5:30pm Join Zoom Meeting Welcome Public Comment (5:30) (two minutes per person for a total time limit of 30 minutes, or by email; see instructions below)
Common Ground Board Meeting Agenda for Jan. 29, 2024
This Meeting will be held By Zoom January 29th: 5:30pm Join Zoom Meeting Welcome Public Comment (5:30) (two minutes per person for a total time limit of 30 minutes, or by email; see instructions
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
DRAFT- Common Ground Board of Directors Meeting Minutes: Meeting March 25, 2024
This Meeting was held in person March 25th 5:30pm In person at Common Ground - Hilltop Room 109 Present: Alexis Smith, Michelle Sepulveda, Teri Snell, Brian Kelahan, Clouds Mutale, Kyeen Andersson, Peter Ludwig, Alisha Crutchfield,
Common Ground Board Meeting Agenda for March 25, 2024
This Meeting will be held in person March 25th 5:30pm In person at Common Ground - Hilltop 109 Welcome Public Comment (5:30) (two minutes per person for a total time limit of 30 minutes, or
Common Ground Board of Directors Meeting Minutes: Meeting Feb. 26, 2024
This Meeting will be held By Zoom February 26th 5:30pm Zoom Recording Present: Alexis Smith, Brian Kelahan, Liz Cox, Keen Andersson, Aubrey Bido, Clouds Mutale, Aubrey Bido, Monique Frasier, Terri Snell, Jen Burke, Jeff