THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OF

VANCE CHARTER SCHOOL

MINUTES

OF

AUGUST MEETING

 

 

The Board of Directors of Vance Charter School held its monthly meeting on Monday, August 17th 2009.  The following members were present and constituted a quorum:

 

Jill Pike, Chairperson                                      Mike Johnson

Janet Gruchaez, Vice Chairperson                  Gina Harris

Jay Andrews, Secretary                                  Bill Satterwhite

Pat Olmert, Treasurer                                      Tom Betts

Karen Bobbitt                                                 Clem Seifert

Cydne Sharpe                                                 Susan Satterwhite, Faculty Representative

 

Also present were Dr. John von Rohr and Caroline Upchurch.

 

WELCOME

Jill Pike called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

 

PUBLIC COMMMENT

There was no public comment.

 

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

Cydne Sharpe made a motion to approve the minutes of the July regular meeting. Janet Gruchaez seconded. Motion passed.

 

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Dr. von Rohr noted that the finishing touches are almost complete in preparation for the upcoming school year. He reported a good turn out for the volunteer work day last Saturday.  He also reminded the Board of the parent and student orientation scheduled for next Monday.

Dr. von Rohr reported with great pride that Vance Charter School was officially named as a North Carolina Honor School of Excellence for the 2008-2009 school year. This means that 90% of our students achieved a level of three or four on the EOG test.

 

LONG RANGE PLANNING

No report.

 

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

No report.

 

 

FINANCE

Dr. von Rohr explained that the State of North Carolina is freezing the salaries of teachers as of last year, but they are still acknowledging their years of service. The question is do we want to include the step increase for our teachers this year?  Cydne made a motion to pay the teachers according to the DPI scale and refer to the Finance committee the issue of a step increase/bonus and they have a recommendation to present to the Board at the September meeting.  Pat Olmert seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Pat received a notice that an account at SECU that has $108,785.37 is subject to being escheated due to inactivity. Pat has removed it from this status, but he needs to know what if anything else must be done with the money.  Cydne said the account was started about eight years ago and that Sandra Durham and Kathy Davies with Acadia Northstar has been receiving statements.  

Pat recommends changing the terminology in the handbook from “malpractice insurance” to something more appropriate such as errors and omissions coverage. Cydne said Ray Pegram Jr. would advise them on the proper wording. Bill Satterwhite asked if the school was “actively shopping” items such as liability and property insurance stating that “the time was right because there are a lot of hungry businesses out there” and possibly some better deals. Jill stated that the insurance had recently been renewed. Cydne recommended that the Finance committee use a calendar to help track when these items come due for renewal. We need to shop these services whenever possible.

 

STUDENT RECRUITMENT

Bill reported that the current enrollment stands at 506 students and the school is considered to be at capacity for this year.

 

POLICY AND PERSONNEL

Cydne reported on some changes being made including two field trip and two staff protocols along with a new e-mail policy, putting a time limit on hearing grievances, the dress code policy for staff members, and cell phones. These changes will appear in the new handbook. There are some outstanding issues concerning the Staff Handbook such as the “malpractice” issue and problems with students being pulled out during last period just as a convenience to some parents. Cydne recommends that we agree on the e-mail policy and allow Policy & Personnel to finalize these issues before referring them to the Executive committee for final approval.

Clem noted that there are several policies in the current handbook that are not being followed correctly and should be followed as written or changed to meet the Board’s needs or intentions. Clem recommends that we continue to review the handbook and make revisions as needed. Cydne states that the Policy and Personnel committee recommends that the Board adopt the revised Staff Handbook. The Board accepts the recommendation unanimously.

Cydne reported that there are significant changes in the Retention and Discipline Policies in the Student Handbook. The Policy and Personnel committee recommends that the Board adopt the new Student Handbook including the changes previously mentioned. The recommendation is accepted unanimously.

 

BUILDING AND GROUNDS

Michael Johnson reported that Harrison Ford would have the front desk installed by Wednesday or Thursday of this week. The new doors for the middle school classrooms are complete.

 

PERFORMANCE

No report.

 

INCLEMENT WEATHER

No report.

 

OLD BUSINESS

Jill reminded the Board that the teacher’s breakfast is this Wednesday 8:00a.m. Board members should be there by 7:45a.m.

The Vance Charter School 10th Anniversary reception is scheduled for Sunday October 25th from 4-6p.m.. Formal invitations will be sent to founding members and former Board members will be notified as well.

 

Bill made a motion to go into closed session to discuss personnel issues. Karen Bobbitt seconded.

Later, Pat made a motion to come out of closed session. Mike seconded.

Cydne stated that the Policy and personnel committee recommends that the school should advertise locally for the Principal’s position, and then possibly expand the search using whatever resources the Board agrees upon. This should begin no later than September 15th. The recommendation is accepted unanimously.

Mike made a motion to adjourn. Bill seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Jay Andrews, Secretary