Common Ground Board of Directors 2024-02-09T11:42:43-05:00
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

Alicia 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
Board of Directors Meeting Agendas
See all Board of Directors Agendas Here
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
See all Board of Directors Minutes Here