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
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
Shelly Hicks, VP of Education at UWGNH, Email
Brian Kelahan, Retired Common Ground Teacher, Email
Beth Klingher, Artist & Educator, Email
Karen Jenkins, Common Ground’s Interim Executive Director, Email
Peter Ludwig, Connecticut Green Bank, Email
Carly Osborne, Pootatuch Watershed Association and Go Fish Memorial Fund, 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 and March.
- 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 *On Zoom Video @ 6pm
- 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 August 26, 2024
August 26, 2024 AGENDA By Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86299828728?pwd=NTIJhLqcxv37vrOfqiatLvnDqe5klU.1 Meeting ID: 862 9982 8728 Passcode: 609432 Welcome Public Comment (5:30) (two minutes per person for a total time limit of 30 minutes, or by email; see instructions
Common Ground Board Meeting Agenda for June 24, 2024
June 24, 2024 AGENDA By Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82984917713?pwd=NG5sZ0d2UmROVGVaYnUzeG1YR2djUT09 Meeting ID: 829 8491 7713 Passcode: 165927 Welcome Public Comment (6:00) (two minutes per person for a total time limit of 30 minutes, or by email; see instructions
Common Ground Board Meeting Agenda for May 20, 2024
May 20, 2024 AGENDA By Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82984917713?pwd=NG5sZ0d2UmROVGVaYnUzeG1YR2djUT09 Meeting ID: 829 8491 7713 Passcode: 165927 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
Common Ground Board Meeting Agenda for August 26, 2024
August 26, 2024 AGENDA By Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86299828728?pwd=NTIJhLqcxv37vrOfqiatLvnDqe5klU.1 Meeting ID: 862 9982 8728 Passcode: 609432 Welcome Public Comment (5:30) (two minutes per person for a total time limit of 30 minutes, or by email; see instructions
(DRAFT) Common Ground Board of Directors Meeting Minutes: Meeting June 24, 2024
June 24, 2024 Board of Directors Minutes Zoom Link Zoom Recording Present: Alexis Smith, Karen Jenkins, Liz Cox, Bob Parker, Peter Ludwig, Shelly Hicks, Jen Burke, Brian Kelahan, Terri Snell, Jeff Carter, Michelle Sepulveda. Staff:
Common Ground Board Meeting Agenda for June 24, 2024
June 24, 2024 AGENDA By Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82984917713?pwd=NG5sZ0d2UmROVGVaYnUzeG1YR2djUT09 Meeting ID: 829 8491 7713 Passcode: 165927 Welcome Public Comment (6:00) (two minutes per person for a total time limit of 30 minutes, or by email; see instructions