THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF
MINUTES
OF
APRIL MEETI= NG
The Board of Directors of Vance Charter School held its regular meeting on Monday April 25th 2010. The following members were present and constituted a quorum:
Jill Pike, Chairperson= &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; Gina Harris
Janet Gruchacz, Vice Chair= person &= nbsp; Harrison Ford
Pat Olmert, Treasurer &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Karen Bobbitt
Jay Andrews, Secretary= &nb= sp; = Bill Sattwhite
Susan Johnson, Faculty Representative &n= bsp; Cydne Sharpe
Tom Betts &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Clem Seifert
Also present was Principal Sean Connolly.
WELCOME
Jill Pike called the meeting to order at 7:05p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Pat Olmert made a motion to approve the minutes from the March meeting. Tom Betts seconded. The minutes were approved.
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
Sean Connolly made a recommendation that Wendy Goodwin= be hired to fill a part time position as a Science/Social Studies instructor f= or the Middle School for the upcoming school year. Tom made a motion to accept= the recommendation. Gina Harris seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Connolly stated that he would like to hire an EC t= eacher assistant to combine some instruction while also providing self help needs = to the children. Cydne Sharpe asked how the parent= s of the children might feel. Bill Satterwhite recommended that it should be loo= ked into further before a decision is made.
Mr. Connolly reported that the K-3 teachers are asking= about the possibility of hiring a reading specialist for those students who need help, but do not qualify for the EC program. Janet Gru= chacz recommended that all budget issues (including state cuts to funding) be resolved before addressing this kind of request.
Mr. Connolly stated that he has begun contract prepara= tions for the coming year.
Cydne made a motion to give $750.00 as a retention bonus (Leandro funds) to all full time employees and= a pro rata rate for part time employees based on the previous year’s salary. Tom seconded. The mot= ion passed unanimously.
LONG RANGE PLANNING
Clem Seifert reported that the committee has not heard= back from Hock Development since last month’s meeting. It appears their interest has waned.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
Karen Bobbitt reported that the school has received $6= 800 in contributions so far this year. Information will be sent out to the parents= of new students before the beginning of the fall.
FINANCE
Jill Pike reported that bids for auditing services wen= t out to several accounting firms, but there has been only one so far.
Pat Olmert reported that M= r. Connolly and the committee would be coming up with a budget for the 2010-20= 11 school year soon. Some of the main concerns for next year’s budget include items such as funding field trips completely and correcting connectivity issues within the building.
Cydne stated that it would be a good time for the new administration to revisit middle school field trips and make recommendations going forward. Some items such as giving teachers stipends rather than comp= time for attending overnight field trips should be considered. There should be s= ome freedom to change field trips from year to year if the teachers feel passio= nate about a different destination.
Other items for budget consideration include new chair= s for the cafeterias, additional lockers for the middle school, and whether to replace worn carpet with new carpet or tile.
STUDENT RECRUITMENT
Bill Satterwhite stated that according to Gene Kraft f= rom the Office of Charter Schools, our policy requiring prospective applicants = for admission to attend informational meetings in order to receive an applicati= on is not legal. Therefore we will go back to making applications available fr= om January 10th 2011 through February 18th 2011. We will then hold two informational meetings in which prospective applicants should attend.
Bill further stated that the committee is considering = moving the lottery to a Saturday which should allow more people to attend.
POLICY AND PERSONNEL
No report.
Jill stated that someone wanted to rent the multipurpo= se room for a non -school function. At this time we do not have a rental polic= y in place.
BUILDING AND GROUNDS
Harrison Ford stated that if additional classrooms for= the coming year are needed, now is the time to start planning for them. Mr. Connolly stated that he thinks we should just do a little rearranging or ma= ke use of the vacant space next door that is currently for rent.
Karen Williams has been speaking with the technology representative from DPI about suggestions to correct our connectivity issue= s. Clem made a suggestion to have someone perform a survey of the building and make recommendations. It is important to get these issues resolved. Cydne, Bill, and Clem offered to search for someone t= o help with these issues.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
No report.
NEW BUSINESS
Jill stated that FOVC has requested we donate money fo= r gift cards for Teacher Appreciation Week. Tom Betts made a motion to donate $650= for the gift cards. Clem seconded. The motion passed.
Cydne asked if there was a=
nything
planned for honoring
Susan Johnson stated that Peggy Pegram needs more proc= tors for the upcoming EOG tests. Cydne suggested get= ting parents to call other parents about helping out.
OLD BUSINESS
Jill reminded the Board that elections for two of the = four Board seats will be held on May 20th at the FOVC. She would like some Board members present to assist with the election.
Bill made a motion to go into closed session to discuss personnel issues. Gina Harris seconded.
Later Cydne made a motion = to come out of closed session. Bill seconded.
With nothing further to report, C=
ydne
made a motion to adjourn.
Respectfully submitted,
Jay Andrews, Secretary