THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF
MINUTES
OF
SEPTEMBER MEETING
The Board of Directors of Vance Charter School held its regular monthly meeting on Monday, September 21st 2009. The following members were present and constituted a quorum:
Jill Pike, Chairperson Cydne Sharpe
Janet Gruchacz, Vice Chairperson Gina Harris
Pat Olmert, Treasurer Michael Johnson
Jay Andrews, Secretary Harrison Ford
Susan Johnson, Faculty representative Bill Satterwhite
Karen Bobbitt Clem Siefert
Also present were Dr. John von Rohr and Caroline Upchurch.
PUBLIC COMMENT
WELCOME
Chairperson Jill Pike called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
Jill welcomed Susan Johnson as the new Faculty Representative for the coming school year.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Janet Gruchacz made a motion to accept the August minutes. Cydne Sharpe seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
Dr. John von Rohr reported that the annual response to SACS recommendations has been forwarded and all actions have been completed except for the purchase of land for a new facility. It was reported that the fund raising is still an ongoing process and that a purchase of land could take place in the near future.
Dr. von Rohr stated that around 500 free and reduced lunch forms had been reviewed and only a few remained to be received. Lunch process went well last week.
The cage area has been cleaned and will continue to be cleaned on a regular basis along with the green space in the rear.
The hope that some additional lockers would be provided for free has fallen through and it is recommended that 24 additional lockers would be purchased at an approximate cost of $1500.00. Clem Seifert asked Dr. von Rohr where the money should come from. Clem also stated that Acadia Northstar told him that they had no input as to the make up of the budget. Cydne Sharpe contested that statement explaining that she, Dr. von Rohr and then Treasurer Tom Betts regularly consulted with Kathy Davies or Tom Williams of Acadia on the specifics of most if not all line items in the budget. Dr. von Rohr concurred. Cydne stated that this was a different because so many cuts were required to meet the expected reduction in state funds. Jill asked if anyone had a recommendation as to which line item the funds should come from.
Janet Gruchacz asked Dr. von Rohr about the status fo adding a new EC teacher. He stated that only one qualified candidate has been identified and that the process is still ongoing.
Bill Satterwhite asked about the status of the AIG program. Caroline Upchurch responded that she has a project planned for the AIG students that have been identified. At this time, approximately 70 have been identified with more to be added after the ITBS scores are received. Ms. Upchurch stated that she would like to introduce a rubric for daily use in class. Then she passed out a mock template of a schedule which includes flex time for AIG students. Ms. Upchurch projected that eventually 2 more staff members would be required to implement the program completely.
On another topic, Ms. Upchurch reported that families of children that have been identified as eligible for the Duke TIPS program have been notified.
A handout of the EOG results was distributed and Ms. Upchurch reported that the overall performance looked great, especially compared to the State average.
Dr. von Rohr mentioned that the phone issues are close to being resolved and that a person should be answering the phone up until 4pm.
Karen Bobbitt asked about whether the state requirements for PE were being met. She was assured that all PE requirements were being met at this time.
Susan Johnson then presented a letter from the K-5 teachers to the Board some additional PE equipment for the elementary grades. Clem recommended that the Building committee meet with Mrs. Johnson and confer as to what kind of equipment is needed and where it should go.
LONG RANGE PLANNING
No report.
FINANCE
After an extensive discussion concerning the adjustment of salaries for this year, Pat Olmert made a motion that all teachers will be paid at contract with a 2% bonus to be spread out through the year. The recommendation passed unanimously. Bill Satterwhite also recommended that the teachers need to be individually informed as to the status of their corrected paychecks.
Cydne then made a motion as follows: the teachers that did not get paid state salary scale last year, allow the finance committee to figure out the difference and to pay them accordingly. Janet seconded. After extended discussion, the Board voted 3 in favor, 5 against, and 2 abstentions. The motion does not pass.
Bill made a motion to appropriate funds to purchase student lockers. Gina Harris seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Michael Johnson made a motion to buy two additional basketball goals for the lower school playground. Bill seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
STUDENT RECRUITMENT
Bill Satterwhite reported that the committee was looking at revamping the enrollment process and hoped to have more information to present at next month’s meeting.
BUILDING AND GROUNDS
No report.
PERFORMANCE
Janet Gruchacz read through the original charter and wrote a summary which will be e-mailed to Board members at a later date.
Janet spoke to Ms. Upchurch and will try to make the report cards more consistent for each grade level. When report cards go out, Ms. Upchurch also stated that late afternoon and early evening would be available for parents to meet teachers and if one on one meeting is required it can be scheduled later. Parents will be expected to turn in volunteer hours when they pick up their child’s report card.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
No report.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
OLD BUSINESS
Cydne asked Dr. von Rohr about a job description for a contract guidance counselor. Dr. von Rohr stated that Tammy Juntunen, who filled in at times last year, is willing and available again this year.
Jill mentioned that things are moving along for the 10th Anniversary reception. The invitations are ready. Former students will be asked to speak and the Beta Club will assist with guided tours and other duties.
Cydne made a motion to go into closed session to discuss
personnel issues. Karen seconded. Later Mike made a motion to come out of
closed session.
Respectfully submitted,
Jay Andrews, Secretary