TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School

Board Meeting Minutes

March 7, 2006

3:00 p.m.

 

Board Members Present:  Tracy Quarnstrom, Brenda Swanson, Tom Plocher, Tom Doyle, Stacy Bender, and Denise Warndahl,

 

Absent:  Sandra Flint and Jeff Vitali

 

Visitors:  Sheryl Palmquist

 

1.  Chair Tom Plocher opened the meeting at 3:10 p.m. Swanson made motion to approve the agenda with the changes, Plocher seconded, motion carries.

 

2.  Roll call was taken.  Swanson made motion to approve January 10 and February 7,  2006 board minutes, Doyle seconded, motion carries.

 

3.   No one present for Open Forum

 

4.  A.  In Miller’s absence, Quarnstrom reported on the expenditures.  Total expenditures equal $27,840.85.  Bender made motion to approve payment of detailed register check #’s 1316001668 to 1316001680 for the amount of $27,840.85.  Swanson seconded, motion carries.

 

4.  B.  Due to Miller’s absence, the financial report will be held until April 4, 2006.  Miller will report on both the March and April financial report.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

5.  A.  Quarnstrom reports that TRIO Wolf Creek is soliciting three proposals from different companies for revisions to the website.  Board members will be asked to come to a decision by April 4th, so that we can sign contracts and get this project started.  The goal is to have the website completed by July 1st so it is ready for the fall enrollment for 2006.

 

 

5.  B.  Board retreat was held on Wednesday, March 1, 2006 at the new Chisago Lakes Library from 10:00 - 2:00.  All members agreed that it was a good idea to meet to discuss how things are progressing at the charter school.  A suggestion was made that the board should have two retreats per year.   At Quarnstrom’s request, Chair Plocher appointed the following committees to work on individual projects.
1.) Special Education Services committee.  Committee members will include: Tracy Quarnstrom, Elizabeth Lenz, and Kim Gibbons. 
2.) Graduation Credits committee.  Committee members will include: Brenda Swanson, Stacy Bender, Denise Warndahl, and representative from Chisago Lakes Senior High School.

 

 

5.  C.  Quarnstrom reported that the first phase of the Minnesota Facilities planning grant was completed and sent in.  She noted that TRIO Wolf Creek’s was the first one that was received by MDE and we are hopeful for a positive result from the proposal.

 

5.  D.  Quarnstrom opened a discussion on the providing enrolling population at TRIO Wolf Creek.  Previous to this meeting the providing enrolling population was set at only 5% of enrollment.  Discussion took place to see if this needs to be adjusted or not.  It was decided that for 4th term TRIO Wolf Creek will provide unlimited enrollment to providing enrolling students until enrollment is full.  Swanson made motion to approve, Bender seconded, motion carries.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

6.  A. 1.  Quarnstrom reported on staff professional development request.  Sandra Flint requested to attend a Mathematics conference in Duluth, MN.  Approximate cost will be $500 to include: registration, hotel, food, and mileage.  Tracy Quarnstrom requested to attend a NovaNET conference in Chicago, IL.  Approximate cost will be $500 to include: registration, air plane ticket, and food.  She will not need hotel as she will be sharing with other attendees at the conference.  Swanson made motion to approve, Bender seconded, motion carries.

 

     A. 2.  Quarnstrom reported on class rank for Wolf Creek students.  The class rank for Wolf Creek students will be calculated using only Wolf Creek students as markers.  Providing-enrolling students will be given a class rank at their enrolling district.  Bender made motion to approve, Plocher seconded, motion carries.

 

6.  B.  Quarnstrom mentioned that further discussion will take place on Wolf Creek providing a 403B to employees.  At a future board meeting representatives will be brought in from financial companies to discuss the specifics.

 

6.  C.  Bender gives update on Class Server.  She will be running a Class Server training for parents and students on April 4th at 5:30, after the April board meeting.  Board members are encouraged to stay and participate.  In addition Bender will be creating a discussion board for board members to try out class server in the next week.

 

6.  D.  Policy 103 – Complaints, first reading.  Swanson made motion to approve the first reading with the necessary changes.  Bender seconded, motion carries.

 

6.  E.  Policy 504 – Student Dress and Appearance, second reading.  It was decided to change II. C. 1. to read: “Clothing that does not cause distraction to other students and staff, also with keeping in community and school standards.”   Swanson made motion to approve.  Bender seconded, motion carried.

 

6.  F.  Policy 423 – Employee Student Relations, second reading.  Swanson made motion to approve.  Bender seconded, motion carried.

 

 

6. G.  Pilot Truancy Policy – Quarnstrom and Swanson are creating a letter that will go out to Wolf Creek families.  The policy will state the following; if a student is not meeting expectations, conditions of enrollment at Wolf Creek could include extended lab hours above the five hours that is expected.  If a student is meeting requirements than a lab wavier may be granted.  Swanson made motion to approve, Bender seconded, motion carries.

 

6.  H.    A brief discussion on a graduation rates article was held.  CLHS has a graduation rate near 93% but we are unsure how they are arriving at that number.  Wolf Creek has a fluctuating graduation rate as it has been calculated in several different ways in past years.

 

6.  I.  Plocher adjourned the meeting at 4:15 pm.  Bender made motion to accept, Swanson seconded, motion carries.

 

                       

 

The next TRIO Wolf Creek board meeting will be held on:

Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at 3:00 p.m.
in the Wolf Creek Blue Lab at 11725 Stinson Ave., Chisago City, MN.

 

 

 

________________________________________          ________________

Chair, Tom Plocher                                                            Date