January 2011 Minutes

Board Meeting Minutes

Monday January 11, 2011, 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:  Keith Johnson, Chief Financial Officer.

 

Public Comment

Michelle Martin spoke to the Board on three points:

 

•   She confirmed that the Board had received and read the letter from a group of teachers urging the Board to put teachers on the search committee, and stated her view that the progressive philosophy of the new director will be crucial and that teachers are uniquely suited to evaluate it.

•   She asked that the Board meeting agendas be more detailed, explaining that it is difficult to know when to be prepared to speak on particular topics.

•   She noted the formality of the public comment time and asked for a more informal meeting on a regular basis to discuss Board and school business.

December Minutes

December minutes were approved with one correction.

Finance Report

•   Keith presented a financial report, a copy of which is attached.

•   Dennis Hoogeveen (the auditor) could not make it tonight and will come to the February meeting.

•   The Board asked Keith to look at the numbers the state has for our final budget numbers the last couple of years to check them for accuracy and help us understand them.

Executive Committee

Michael initiated a conversation about how to find Caroline's replacement.  He proposed that a Committee be formed to take charge of the search process and said that by next month's meeting he would like to have a clear sense of how, where, and when we are advertising the position.

He roughed out the timeline and explained his view that we could be offering the position to someone by April to early May so that there is time for the person to work with Caroline on the transition.

A lengthy discussion was held regarding the composition of a search committee.  Eventually the Board agreed by consensus on a search committee comprised of Bonnie Jean, Cynthia, Laura, Michael, and one faculty member to be chosen by the faculty.  Caroline agreed to work closely with the committee and expressed her commitment to making sure that the school is left in good hands when she leaves.

The committee was asked to come to the next Board meeting with a more specific, complete timeline and a complete job description.  The committee was also instructed to get training on hiring practices.

Nomination Committee

Because of the connection between the future director and future Board members, the committee will plan to present a slate of nominees for the Board at the March meeting. 

Director's Report

•   Auction set for March 25th at Carleton.

•   Caroline has been observing teachers since Jan 15th, including observing during some parent-teacher conferences.

•   The site visit team is almost entirely in place.  The following individuals have been contacted: Walter Enloe to review our academic program, Ryan Krominga to look at finances and administration, Carol Knicker to review special eduction, and Rob Hardy to lead the team and review our school governance. 

•   New copier has arrived.

•   Audit was sent to our authorizer.

•   Many Board members have completed their training.  Caroline would like to get Cindy Lavarato to come do a training for the teachers. 

•   Keith is going to do a finance training for the teachers.

•   Changes are planned for the website.  We need to add something about the composting (due to the grant), so Josie Rawson and Nichole Day-Diggins are going to be calling a meeting on this topic.  We are currently investigating whether we want to make the site more interactive and how much it would cost to do so.

•   Caroline has been working with Simon Tyler on a cyber-bullying public service announcement.  A good model cyber-bullying policy is available and Caroline will get a copy for the Board to review.

Policy Committee Report

•   The comprehensive policy review is of secondary importance to the search for a new director.  In any case, Laura Booth's office is working on the publication of policies that are geared toward charter schools and these should be available around March or April.  They may be appropriate to adopt as is, which would make a review unnecessary.

•   The committee will continue to pursue some policies currently in the works.  These include a transportation policy, an attendance policy, and a fund balance policy. 

•   A Board member raised a question about whether we have a policy about accepting gifts or a policy about how we handle input that comes in from the public at a meeting.  These ideas came from the recent training.

Building and Grounds

•   PC Inc. is looking to hire one person to get some specific things done, and also to hire a person to do handyman work regularly, on an as-needed basis, come spring.  Caroline and Dean will be interviewing someone next week.

•   An ice dam on the roof is causing a recurring leak.  An expert came and looked at the damage and we are expecting a report from him soon regarding what should be done.  He recommended that after every snow we have someone clean the roof where the ice dam forms.

•   An electrical box needs to be moved. 

Development Committee Report

Trish is the co-chair of the Auction Committee with Phoebe, with help from Erik Warren.  She will draft an Annual Fund letter with the goal of getting it out by the end of January. 

Education Resource Committee Report

This committee has not met since the last Board meeting.  It is planning a parent art event incorporating the students' nature journal work. 

Outreach Committee

Caroline will help Bonnie Jean find more people for this committee.  Open Houses are planned; the first one is the last Sunday in January.

Other Business

Bonnie Jean will be spending time at the school on Tuesday.  

Adjourned:  9:43 p.m.

 

 

Minutes approved: 3/21/2011