Carabajal was on the Los Lunas School Board if Education from 2005-07. He said he was asked to join the School of Dreams Academy governing council a few times in the past, and this time is the right time.

"I like what they're doing," Carabajal said. "Every kid has potential. They (the charter school) have an alternative for students who aren't comfortable in a public school setting."

Carabajal also brings his experience from the Public Education Department.

He said he has friends and neighbors whose children attend the school. He has a vested interest in helping the school succeed.

"I've been working with (Kenny) Griego, (Benny) Hodges and (Mike and Teresa) Ogas," Carabajal said. "There's a good group of very intelligent people on this council. We're united to work together to make the school a success.

Carabajal was sworn in by Probate Judge Reyna Aragon.

In the founders report, Kathy Chavez reported she was working with the principal on the Graduate New Mexico program initiated by Gov. Bill Richardson.

The program is designed to bring back 10,000 dropouts and improve graduation rates in the state.

"You don't realize how many kids we have in our communities that have GEDs or they don't have a degree but they still want a high school diploma," said council president Kenny Griego. "It's important to them to get a high school diploma."

Somewhere in the area of 40,000 New Mexico students are dropping out each year, Principal Mike Ogas said.

"Trying to bring back 10,000 is conservative and very doable," he said.

SODA has agreed to participate in the initiative, and is working on a community event for the first part of August to kick it off.

In addition to the resources they already provide, Youth Development Inc. will provide a list of community resources with services for families to help students be successful.

There is no age limit; anyone who wants to make up the credits they need to graduate can enroll, Ogas said. SODA has already received calls from prospective students.

"We anticipate having a number of calls," said Ogas. "The governor's office has been working with the Public Education Department, and we had our first statewide meeting yesterday (June 8)."

The school will also expand its hours to include early evening classes and students can also take course online.

In the principal's report, Ogas presented the first reading of policies required by law the school will adopt.

The policies of the governing council basically set procedures for the governing council to adopt policy, Ogas said.

"Who they delegate to make procedures and study regulations, which you are basically relegating to my position," he said. "Some policies are required by law, for example things like student safety and complaint procedures."

The policy on complaint procedures deals with how parents or community members can issue complaints to the state department.

The student safety policy delineates regulations and procedures for fire drills and that type of thing, the principal said.

A background investigation is required on all staff including the principal: criminal background checks and finger prints.

The policy and procedure for part-time employment defines when an employee is eligible for benefits. Employees working 15 hours or more are eligible for benefits.

"The equal employment opportunity policy basically states that we do not discriminate in our employment practices," said Ogas. "It talks about disclosure of an employee under the Americans with Disabilities Act of Section 504 and calls for providing reasonable accommodations."

The employee code of ethics and conduct is taken straight out of the law and talks mainly about school personnel and their duties.

Conditions for employment are taken from the law and covers background investigations, information regarding medical as well as training on blood-borne pathogens, time and work, attendance. Very similar to the code of ethics, said Ogas.

The policy concerning employee records talks about what records the school keeps and what records employees are required to give to the school,

The salary policy requires the school to develop a salary scale.

Employee accidents are covered under worker's compensation. It is the duty of students and staff to report accidents and follow safety procedures.

"We'll probably need to do some training on safety procedures," noted the principal.

Another policy required by law is the drug-free school and workplace. Employees will be required to sign a form stating they received the training.

In the searches and seizures policy, if school administration has a reasonable suspicion, it can conduct a search.

The non-school employment policy is concerned with outside employment interfering with employment at the school. There is also a provision on tutoring, which states that teachers can't get paid for tutoring during regular school hours, only after school.

The gun-free schools act is standard, and a requirement in order for the school to receive Title I funds.

Student drivers must register with the school and give proof of their license, registration and insurance, Ogas said.

The parent-student grievance procedure outlines policy for parent or student to bring a grievance to the school from the lowest level up through the governing council.

The sexual harassment policy is standard. Sexual harassment will not be tolerated at the School of Dreams Academy.

Since taking his post, Ogas has been conducting interviews for instructional staff, both those who wanted to renew their contracts and new applicants. He said he has 90 percent of his instructional staff in place for the upcoming school year.

Looking to the upcoming school year, the principal will establish a firm foundation for the school's vision.

"We need to do a better job emphasizing we are an art school," Ogas said. "We'll bring out a full blown digital arts program this year, cool dance classes, band and visual arts programs."

Two areas of focus this year are continued student community involvement and the theme: Respect.

"We want students to be involved in the community in various ways, through art, performance and other projects to give back to the community," Ogas said.