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
Kyeen Andersson, Public Health Policy Analyst, Email
Sarah Field, Common Ground High School Science Teacher, Email
Lizanne Cox, Retired Common Ground High School Director, Email
Alisha Crutchfield, Owner of Bloom, Email
Brian Kelahan, Retired Common Ground Teacher, 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
Clouds Mutale, Student Representative
Heaven McCrea Brown, Student Representative
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.
- September 30th *In Person
- October 28th *On Zoom Video
- November 18th *In Person
- December 16th *On Zoom Video
- January 27th *On Zoom Video
- February 24th *On Zoom Video
- March 31st *In Person
- April 28th *On Zoom Video
- May 19th *On Zoom Video
- Annual meeting June 30th *On Zoom Video
Board Subcommittees
- School (Committee Minutes)
- Audit & Finance (Committee Minutes)
- Development (Committee Minutes)
- Governance (Committee Minutes)
- ED Search (Committee Minutes)
Board of Directors Meeting Agendas
Common Ground Board Meeting Agenda for January 27, 2025
January 27, 2025 AGENDA By Microsoft Teams Join the meeting now Meeting ID: 240 000 422 943 Passcode: xt3PB3Ac Welcome Public Comment (5:30) (two minutes per person for a total time limit of 30 minutes,
Common Ground Board Meeting Agenda for January 10, 2025
January 10, 2025 AGENDA By Zoom Join the meeting now Meeting ID: 874 2573 1131 Passcode: 598904 Welcome Public Comment (5:00) (two minutes per person for a total time limit of 30 minutes, or by
Common Ground Board Meeting Agenda for December 16, 2024
December 16, 2024 AGENDA By Microsoft Teams Join the meeting now Meeting ID:255 150 800 405 Passcode: pz9yg6Gz Welcome Public Comment (5:30) (two minutes per person for a total time limit of 30 minutes, or
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Common Ground Board Meeting Agenda for January 27, 2025
January 27, 2025 AGENDA By Microsoft Teams Join the meeting now Meeting ID: 240 000 422 943 Passcode: xt3PB3Ac Welcome Public Comment (5:30) (two minutes per person for a total time limit of 30 minutes,
Common Ground Board of Directors Meeting Minutes: Meeting January 10, 2025 (DRAFT)
January 10, 2025 Board of Directors Minutes Microsoft Teams Link Microsoft Teams Recording Passcode: 1?1sKL3S Present: Alexis Smith, Alisha Crutchfield, Brian Kelahan, Jeff Carter, Kyeen Andersson, Liz Cox, Peter Ludwig, Sarah Field. Staff: N/A Public:
Common Ground Board of Directors Meeting Minutes: Meeting December 16, 2024 (DRAFT)
December 16, 2024 Board of Directors Minutes Microsoft Teams Link Microsoft Teams Recording Present: Alexis Smith, Alisha Crutchfield, Brian Kelahan, Carly Osborne, Clouds Mutale, Jeff Carter, Karen Jenkins, Liz Cox, Peter Ludwig, Sarah Field. Staff: