November 2010 Minutes

 

Board Meeting Minutes

Monday November 15, 2010, 7:00 p.m.

Location: PCCS Stage Meeting Room

 

 

	2010				2011
	Sept	Oct	Nov	Dec	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June
Jeanné Avery	✔	✔	✔
Tricia Ferrett	✔	✔
Bonnie Jean Flom	✔	✔	✔
Cynthia Gilbertson	✔	✔	✔
Paul Hager	✔		✔
Caroline Jones	✔	✔	✔
David Lefkowitz	✔	✔	✔
Laura Medwetz		✔	✔
Dean Paxton	✔	✔
Michael Viola	✔	✔	✔

 

Also in attendance:  Marianne Moser, Community Council Chair; Keith Johnson, Chief Financial Officer.

 

October Minutes

October minutes were approved with corrections.

Finance Report

• Keith presented a financial report, a copy of which is attached.
• Board raised questions about a few items and Keith acknowledged some items that he will adjust or correct.   
• The Board reviewed checks written since July 1st.  
• Keith suggests having a fund balance policy as part of a package of financial policies.  If we want to peg it where the auditor recommends, the policy would state that we want to keep the fund balance within 20% - 25% of projected expenditures.  
• Board asked Keith to move toward tracking the payroll expenses on a summary line (instead of breaking them down into many billing codes).  This change will make the expenditures easier to compare with the budget.

Director's Report

• We completed the audit; awaiting final results.
• Empty Bowls event took place and was delightful.  Children were very well behaved.
• Caroline attended the MACS annual meeting.  Heard report on what MACS has been working on and plans to work on.  MACS is working on a strategic plan.
• Give to the Max Day is tomorrow.  Development committee has been working on a letter.  A notice went out to parents.
• Monday 11/8 was a teacher work day.  Focus was on non-fiction writing.  Great day, well planned and lead by Kathy and Naomi.
• A few paperwork deadlines were met this month.  For example, free and reduced lunch was verified and submitted.  Compliance deadline was met to certify that we meet non-discrimination requirements.
• Board training was postponed because of the weather.  There will be another opportunity on December 4th.
• Wood chips got laid down on the play ground.  The Herons started the job and then someone was hired to finish it up.
• The Department of Education talked with Caroline (and others) about the Northfield School District's performance as authorizer.  It was a good conversation, and the State will be making its decision on NSD's application within a few weeks.
• Johanna Jones has been helping in the office, but she has resigned that job and has been replaced by Teresa.
• Caroline has been working with Simon Tyler to put together a meeting on cyber-bullying.  Will be attending a similar meeting herself in the next month or so.
• Pam McDonnell requested and was granted a leave of absence scheduled to end when school reconvenes after the holiday break.  Elise, who has been helping in Pam's room, will fill in as lead teacher in Pam's absence.  Caroline will hire someone to be an assistant for Elise while Pam is gone.  The Board directed Caroline to be sure that the expectations for all parties are clearly laid out, and that the school will be in a position to keep the classroom adequately staffed.  Caroline will document the arrangement  carefully in a way that is fair to the school and all parties involved. 

Policy Committee Report

Committee has drafted a resolution naming Caroline as the school’s responsible authority for data practices requests, and a drills policy to add to the Emergency Plan.  These documents will be distributed before the next meeting and a vote on them will be on the December agenda.

The teachers reported that they have found universal support so far among the staff for continuing the school’s practice of opting out of the Pledge requirement.  The required vote on this issue will be on the December agenda.

It is possible that other policies (or the revised By-Laws) will be ready in time to be discussed next month.  

Development Committee Report

Trish was not able to attend the meeting, but Caroline reported on her behalf that she is working on the Annual Fund letter.

Education Resource Committee Report

No meeting since last Board meeting.  A discussion at the staff meeting about ERC's ideas.  Ideas for parent education nights, probably in January and February.  An environmental educator, who did professional development workshop here, is being considered.  Discussed ideas about multicultural goal idea for next year, will take an online assessment to try to get on the same page about what that would look like. 

Outreach Committee Report

The Committee had its first meeting with Caroline.  Thinking about using parent newsletters to find members for the committee.  Talked about open houses and getting contact person at Northfield News and maybe at northfield.org as a way of getting events announced to the community.  Another meeting with Caroline is planned for next week.

Other Business

Currently there is no one in place to lead the Auction efforts.  Marianne and Caroline have been working on finding the right person for this important job.  No one  who has done it before is willing to do it again, and no one new has stepped forward.  Phoebe and Caroline will do an auction kick-off party to try to find someone who will do it.  Golf course is reserved for February 26th, but that date may be too soon given the current situation.  A Carleton spot has also been reserved.  That reservation is on the Friday before Spring Break.

Bonnie Jean requested that, when possible, the agenda include a note about what the committee reports will be about.  Committee chairs are asked to get Michael some nuggets of what they are going to report on before he sends out the agenda (usually a week before the meeting).

Adjourned:  8:45 p.m.

 

 

Minutes approved 12/15/10.