
Dr. Norman Lorenz
President
Dr. Norman Lorenz
President
Dr. Norman Lorenz is a tenured Professor of education studies, teaches Human Development, and is the college coordinator for Professional Development with the Center for Learning and Teaching at Sacramento City College in Sacramento, CA. This office works in collaboration with the overall institutional plans of Student Equity and Success as the office programs professional development for higher education professors, classified employees, and administration. I possess over 42 years of education and experience within school systems, including 26 years direct service in Montessori primary and elementary education, the direction of a post secondary Montessori teacher education institution, and combined part and full time faculty dedication of 21 years with the California community college system using Montessori in higher education. My interests include research where I share interests, contributions, accomplishments, and projected goals as a professional in education leadership. Included across more than 42 years of educational experiences are founded in Montessori pedagogical principles, where I have developed career skills in educational standards, business supervision, and management leadership.
These abilities include classroom teaching in Montessori environments for young children and directing teacher education training certification programs for these types of teacher educators. As an administrator, I have formed, owned, and operated “For” and “Non” profit organizations, which comprised of six Montessori infants through middle school programs, which were affiliated and accredited. In 2000, I became a cofounder of a Montessori charter public school, The California Montessori Project, Charter Public School and, and a past board member and President of River Montessori Charter School. In all, these sites for learning serve over 2,500 students, Transitional Kindergarten-8th grade in the public school arena. Most recently in 2017-18, I consulted with the former Inspire Schools as the charter petitioners to found the first Montessori Inspired Technology Based High School in the Sacramento region, known as The Cottonwood School, in which I am a governing board member. They offer a multi-disciplinary approach using Montessori educational programs covering multiple subjects in early childhood, Kindergarten through 8th grade and secondary 9-12 grade programs.
I have consulted with programs and contracts ranging from early education state preschool/head start contracts to secondary schools along with experience in accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education. In my current role as a professor of education studies, I teach across the Educational framework with the lens focused through Psychology and Sociology related courses concentrating on industry based leadership using a flipped model of instruction that is rooted in my dissertation research exemplifying relationship based Montessori higher education research, teaching, learning, and industry service.
Additionally over the past eight years, I have been involved with Sacramento City as the college coordinator for Professional Development in collaboration with Student Equity & Success. This role has manifested many activities across the college where pedagogical and andragogical principles and values are key to increasing awareness around student equity, success across programs, and college completion based on focused efforts relating to race, culture, ethnicity, along with socio economically disadvantaged students. Inclusive with these duties, the Montessori methodology directly and fully informs these contributions to the field of higher education leading to graduation and post college workforce success.

Deborah Hibbard
Treasurer
Deborah Hibbard
Treasurer
Deb Hibbard has a Master’s in Business Administration from CSU Sacramento and a Bachelor’s in Accounting from San Francisco State. Deb has worked in accounting and finance for over 20 years and she brings her passion for student success, along with a leadership and management background to the board.
Deb has two sons, one a Cottonwood School high school student, the other a recent high school graduate who was just accepted into the Air Force. She enjoys living in Folsom close to the lake and the foothills, where she spends time with her family paddleboarding, kayaking, hiking, and cycling. She has traveled to over a dozen different countries, enjoys watching and coaching soccer, and loves dogs.
Deb understands the need for school choice, values diversity, honesty, and integrity, and is looking forward to making a positive impact on The Cottonwood School.

Teresa Lyday-Selby
Secretary
Teresa Lyday-Selby
Secretary

Christine Cordero
Member
Christine Cordero
Member
Christine Cordero is native to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has spent time as a special education teacher there, as well as in Virginia, Maryland, and Southern California. She has been in special education as a teacher and administrator for 28 years. Most recently, she is a Director of Special Education at a public charter school.
To contact the school board, email board@cottonwood.school.
Board Vacancy
The Board is announcing a Board Member vacancy. A call for applications and more information can be found here.
Board Meeting Calendar, Agendas & Materials
To access board meeting agendas, packets, minutes, and policies, visit:
Click here to access the next board meeting agenda.
Board meeting agendas are posted here 72 hours before a regular scheduled board meeting and 24 hours before a special board meeting.
Meeting Date | Time | Agenda | Packet | Minutes |
Special Board Meeting - July 17, 2020 | 3:00 p.m | Agenda |
- | Minutes |
Special Board Meeting - July 21, 2020 | 5:30 p.m. | Agenda |
Packet |
Minutes |
Board Meeting - July 21, 2020 | Closed Session: 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Open Session: 7:00 p.m. |
Agenda |
Packet |
Minutes |
Special Board Meeting - July 30, 2020 | 9:00 a.m | Agenda |
Packet |
Minutes |
Board Meeting - August 18, 2020 | Closed Session: 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Open Session: 7:00 p.m. |
Agenda |
Packet |
Minutes |
Special Board Meeting - September 8, 2020 | 6:00 p.m. | Agenda |
Packet |
Minutes |
Board Meeting - September 15, 2020 | Closed Session: 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Open Session: 7:00 p.m. |
Agenda |
Packet |
Minutes |
Special Board Meeting - September 29, 2020 | 5:00 p.m. | Agenda |
Packet |
Minutes |
Board Meeting - October 20, 2020 | Closed Session: 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Open Session: 7:00 p.m. |
Agenda |
Packet |
Minutes |
Special Board Meeting - November 3, 2020 | 6:00 p.m. | Agenda |
Packet |
Minutes |
Board Meeting - November 17, 2020 | 7:00 p.m. |
Agenda |
Packet |
Minutes |
Special Board Meeting - December 2, 2020 | 6:00 p.m. | Agenda |
Packet |
Minutes |
Board Meeting - December 8, 2020 | Closed Session: 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Open Session: 7:00 p.m. |
Agenda |
Packet |
Minutes |
Board Meeting - January 19, 2021 | Closed Session: 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Open Session: 7:00 p.m. |
Agenda |
Packet |
Minutes |
Special Board meeting - January 27, 2021 | 6:00 p.m. | Agenda |
Packet |
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Board Meeting - February 16, 2021 | Closed Session: 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Open Session: 7:00 p.m. |
Agenda |
Packet |
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Board Meeting - March 16, 2021 | Closed Session: 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Open Session: 7:00 p.m. |
Agenda |
Packet |
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Special Board Meeting - March 23, 2021 | 5:00 p.m. | Agenda |
Packet |
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Board Meeting - April 20, 2021 | Closed Session: 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Open Session: 7:00 p.m. |
Agenda |
Packet |
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Board Meeting - May 18, 2021 | Closed Session: 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Open Session: 7:00 p.m. |
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Board Meeting - June 15, 2021 | Closed Session: 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Open Session: 7:00 p.m. |
Due to COVID-19, all Board Meetings are being held via Zoom. Please review the agenda for the Zoom information. When meetings resume in person they will be held at 3840 Rosin Court #200, Sacramento, CA 95834.
2019-2020
Meeting Date | Agenda | Packet | Minutes |
Special Board Meeting - July 11, 2019 | Agenda | Packet | Minutes |
Special Board Meeting - July 24, 2019 | Agenda | Packet | Minutes |
Special Board Meeting - August 14, 2019 | Agenda | Packet | Minutes |
Board Meeting - September 21, 2019 | Agenda | Packet | Minutes |
Board Meeting - October 24, 2019 | Agenda | Packet | Minutes |
Board Meeting - November 21, 2019 | Agenda | Packet | Minutes |
Board Meeting - January 23, 2020 | Agenda | Packet | Minutes |
Special Board Meeting - January 30, 2020 - Cancelled | Agenda | Packet | - |
Special Board Meeting - February 4, 2020 | Agenda | Packet | Minutes |
Board Meeting - February 18, 2020 | Agenda | Packet | Minutes |
Board Meeting - March 3, 2020 | Agenda | Packet | Minutes |
Special Board Meeting - March 17, 2020 | Agenda | Packet | Minutes |
Special Board Meeting - April 1, 2020 | Agenda | Packet | Minutes |
Special Board Meeting - April 17, 2020 | Agenda | - | Minutes |
Board Meeting - April 21, 2020 | Agenda | Packet | Minutes |
Board Meeting - May 19, 2020 | Agenda | Packet | Minutes |
Special Board Meeting - May 19, 2020 | Agenda | Packet | Minutes |
Board Meeting - June 16, 2020 | Agenda | Packet | Minutes |
Board Meeting - June 25, 2020 | Agenda | Packet | Minutes |
Special Board Meeting - June 30, 2020 | Agenda | Packet | Minutes |
2018-2019
Meeting Date | Agenda | Packet | Minutes |
Special Board Meeting - April 18, 2019 | Agenda | Packet | Minutes |
Board Meeting - June 8, 2019 | Agenda | Packet | Minutes |
Special Board Meeting - June 18, 2019 | Agenda | Packet | Minutes |
Board Policies
- FERPA Directory Policy and Opt-Out Notice Policy - adopted 6/8/19
- Homeless Education Policy - adopted 6/16/20
- Information Technology Policy and Procedures - adopted 6/8/19
- Identification of Individuals for 504 Policy - adopted 6/8/19
- Identification of Individuals for Special Education Policy - adopted 6/8/19
- Individual Education Program Administrative Regulation - adopted 6/8/19
- Individual Education Program Policy - adopted 6/8/19
- Parent-Student Technology Use Policy - adopted 8/18/20
- Suicide Prevention Policy - adopted 6/16/20
- Suspension and Expulsion Policy - adopted 5/19/20
- Transportation for Students with Disabilities Policy - adopted 6/8/19
- Education Records and Student Information Policy - adopted 6/8/19
- Anti–Harassment / Discrimination / Intimidation / Bullying / Retaliation Policy - adopted 1/23/20
- Policy Confirming No Funds or Thing of Value to Students, Parents or Guardians - adopted 6/8/19
- Kindergarten and TK Policy - adopted 6/16/20
- Administration of Medications, Anti-Seizure Medications, Emergencies and Head Lice Policy - adopted 9/21/19
- 9th Grade Math Placement Policy - adopted 10/24/19
- Independent Study Policy - adopted 10/24/19
- Promotion, Acceleration and Retention Policy - adopted 10/20/20
- Foster Youth Policy - adopted 1/23/20
- Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students Policy - adopted 1/23/20
- Work Sample Policy - adopted 6/16/20
- Educational Vendor Policies and Procedures - adopted 2/16/21
- Field Trip Policy - adopted 6/25/20
- Title IX, Harassment, Intimidation, Discrimination, and Bullying Policy - adopted 8/18/20
- Health Examinations, Immunizations and Oral Health Assessments Policy - adopted 8/18/20
- English Language Development Process - adopted 9/15/20
- Process to Access Additional Planning Amounts - adopted 9/15/20
- Policy on Differential Graduation and Competency Standards and Certificates of Educational Achievement for Students with Disabilities - adopted 1/19/21
- Policy & Procedure for Opting Out of State Testing - adopted 2/16/21
Staff Policies:
- Staff Information Technology Use Policy - adopted 6/8/19
- Anti-Nepotism Policy - adopted 6/8/19
- Policy Re Inconsistent, Incompatible or Conflicting Employment, Activity or Enterprise by School Personnel - adopted 6/8/19
- Teacher Induction Policy - adopted 10/20/20
- Teacher Certification Policy - adopted 4/21/20
- Compensation Policy 2020-2021 - adopted 1/27/21
- Leave of Absence Policy - adopted 9/15/20
- Professional Boundaries Policy: Staff/Student Interactions - adopted 10/20/20
- Reimbursement Policy - adopted 10/20/20
- COVID-19 Employee (Voluntary) Vaccination Policy - adopted 3/16/21
- The Charter School Documents Policy - adopted 6/8/19
- Immigration Enforcement Policy - adopted 6/8/19
- Immigration Enforcement Policy Related to the Deportation of Family Members - adopted 6/8/19
- Policy for Inspection of Public Records - adopted 10/20/20
- Fiscal Policies and Procedures - adopted 2/16/21
- Investigation of Inaccurate, Suspicious or False Addresses for Student Residency - adopted 11/21/19
- Non-Compliance Policy and Procedures - adopted 8/18/20
- Conflict of Interest Code - adopted 11/21/19
- Educational Materials and Restitution Policy - adopted 8/18/20
- School Closure Policy - adopted 1/23/20
- Residency Policy - adopted 1/23/20
- Public Random Drawing/Lottery Policy - adopted 3/16/21
- Withdrawal Policy - adopted 4/21/20
- Conflict of Interest Policy - adopted 9/15/20
- COVID-19 Reporting Process - adopted 1/19/21
- Disposal of Surplus, Obsolete, or Unneeded Books, Equipment, and Supplies Policy - adopted 1/27/21
Business & Non-Instructional Operations:
Comprehensive Plans:
- EL Master Plan 2020-2021 - adopted 9/15/20
- Comprehensive Safety Plan 2020-2021 - adopted 2/18/20
- Comprehensive Safety Plan 2021-2022 - adopted 2/16/21
- 2019-2020 SARC - adopted 1/27/21
Community Relations:
- Universal Complaint Policy - adopted 6/8/19
- Whistleblower Policy - adopted 6/8/19
- Procedural Safeguards and Complaint for Special Education Students Administrative Regulation - adopted 6/8/19
- Procedural Safeguards and Complaints for Special Education Policy - adopted 6/8/19
- Uniform Complaint Policy and Procedure Administrative Regulation - adopted 10/20/20