Shared Leadership
It takes a village! CORE’s vision and day-to-day operations only happens with the shared collaboration and leadership of three primary bodies. The combined effort of these groups makes decisions affecting everything from textbooks, instruction to facilities. In June of 2007 the Butte County Board of Education approved the petition for CORE Butte Charter School. There are now two governance boards. The Camptonville Academy Board is the decision making body for CORE@ The Camptonville Academy. The CORE Inc. board is the decision making body for CORE Butte Charter School
The Charter Board
The Charter Boards meet on a regular basis in order to develop policies, approve the budget and assist in making major governance decisions regarding the school operations. Both Boards, TCA, Inc. and CORE, Inc., are comprised of community members and parent members.
TCA Inc. Board Members:
Michele Edwards - Board President
Walt Watson - Secretary Treasurer
Liz Lundberg - Community Member
Dave Connell - Community Member
Carrie Cortes - Parent Member
Board Member Biographies
Michele Edwards
President, Board of Directors
I am a parent of 2 CORE students who are currently in the 8th and 11th grades (07-08 school year). I have taught both of my children at home since they were in Kindergarten. We have been with CORE since 1998. I joined our school board in 2000.
It has been exciting to watch the school grow as it made its way through the myriad of uncertainty surrounding charter schools to become one of the best and most innovative Personalized Learning facilities in California. I’m proud of our school for its commitment to integrity in business practices, its devotion to excellence in education, it visionary leadership in the Personalized learning movement, its diligence in assisting and enabling parents in their goals for educating their children, and its genuine heartfelt concern for the students themselves.
I’m honored that I have been able to be a part of CORE’s metamorphosis, and I look forward with excited anticipation to where our school will go from here.Liz Lundberg
Board Member, Community Member
I started as a Board member for CORE as an opportunity for community service. I now am familiar with the business method of CORE. It is evident that there is a very strong, spirited, talented and intelligent group of people that make up the driving force for CORE. I feel privileged to be among these people, where I can stretch and grow while watching the school do the same. CORE is becoming the answer to modern education through personalized learning. Beginning with a child, the school helps in meeting and exceeding educational goals throughout the first twelve years and having students university-ready.
Dave Connell
Board Member, Community Member
Dave was raised in Ventura, CA. and attended Ventura Junior College. He transferred to Humboldt State where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management. He began working for the U.S. Forest Service in 1966 as a full-time Wildlife Biologist in Santa Barbara (Los Padres National Forest), where he remained for five years before transferring to Nevada City in 1971, where he worked for the Tahoe National Forest. Dave retired from the Forest Service in 1997.
In 1967, Dave married Dianna, his wife of 38 years, and they now have two daughters.
Dave serves on the Board of Directors as a way to give back some of the benefits he received through public education. His goal is simply to help the school prepare students for a successful life through an alternative learning environment that was not available just several years ago.Carrie Cortes
Board Member, Community Member
Our family has lived in the Yuba-Sutter area for the past fourteen years. We have home-schooled with CORE for five years and have been very pleased with the results. While CORE is redefining the learning experience, it is at the same time returning to the roots of education. CORE believes learning starts at home in a family environment and they fully and support and encourage complete involvement in the child’s education.
I am excited to be part of CORE’s Board of Directors. The school as achieved many great accomplishments already and I am eagerly looking ahead to the bright future of the school.
CORE, Inc. Board Members:
Neil Bledsoe, Board President, Community Member
Nancy Calkins, Secretary, Community Member
Lori Hansen, Treasurer, Parent Member
Doug LaMalfa, Board Member, Parent Member
Neil Bledsoe, Board President
Neil Bledsoe has had a career as an educator in Alaska as a School Administrator and a School Counselor. He has worked as a financial planner, trust manager and scholarship advisor in his own agency, Bledsoe Financial Services. He was the Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Nevada County, and he has also served as Board president on numerous boards including, Nevada City School of the Arts Governance Council, Southeast Alaska Youth Services, and the Alaska School Counselors Association. Neil is married to Karen, who is also an educator, and together they have raised three children ages 18, 20 and 24.
Nancy Calkins, Secretary, Community Member
Nancy Calkins is a graduate of California State University, Chico, and is a marriage and family therapist. She serves as the supervisor at Counseling Solutions in Chico. She is a practiced public speaker and is very involved in educational drama and local productions highlighting the history of Chico. She is also an experienced playwright.
Lori Hansen, Treasurer, Parent Member
Lori Hansen has a BS in Psychology from CSU, Chico. She minored in Conflict Resolution, and is a certified mediator. She is the proud mother of three sons, all of whom attend CORE@TCA. The Hansen’s are entering their 6th year with CORE, and enjoy being actively involved in the school community. Lori works as a tutor in her free time, and enjoys reading and traveling with her family.
Doug LaMalfa, Board Member
A member of the California State Assembly and a lifelong resident of Butte County, Doug LaMalfa is a 4th generation rice farmer, and is married with 4 children. Assemblyman LaMalfa serves as Whip on the Republican Leadership Team, in addition to his duties as Vice Chair of the Natural Resources Committee and membership on Governmental Organization, Utilities and Commerce, State Mandates, Arts, Entertainment, Tourism, Sports and Internet Media, and Joint Legislative Audit Committees. Mr. LaMalfa’s oldest children, who are 11 and 9, are in the personalized learning program at CORE@TCA. His wife Jill is a teacher by trade, and has schooled their children through CORE@TCA since kindergarten. The LaMalfa’s also have 2-year-old twins.