TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School

Board Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, November 14, 2006 at 3:00 p.m.

 

Board Members Present:  Sandra Flint, Elizabeth Lenz, Tom Plocher, Tracy Quarnstrom and Brenda Swanson, Jeff Vitali and Stacy Bender

Visitors:  Heide Miller, Sheryl Palmquist and Cassie Piechowski

 

1.  Chair Tom Plocher opened the meeting at 3:07p.m. Swanson made motion to approve the agenda, Plocher seconded, motion carried.

 

2.  Roll call was taken. Bender made motion to approve the minutes with changes from the October 3, 2006 board meeting.  Swanson seconded, motion carried.

 

3.   No one present for Open Forum.

 

4.  A.  Miller reported the total expenditures for October 2006 was $17,710.10.  Lenz made motion to approve payment of detailed registered checks number 1316001821 to 1316001841 in the amount of $17,710.10.  Bender seconded, motion carried.

4.  B.  Miller gave totals on the TRIO Wolf Creek financial report for October 31, 2006.  For October 2006:  total revenues = $255,092.77 and total expenditures $223,577.24.  Revenues over expenditures = $31,515.53. Cash on hand as of October 31, 2006 = $306,682.58.  Audited fund balances = $273,603.85 as of June 30, 2005.  Quarnstrom made motion to approve the financial report for October of 2006.  Vitali seconded, motion carried.

 

4.  C.  Miller and Quarnstrom reported on Lease Aid.  TRIO Wolf Creek should be receiving a check by November 15, 2006.  TRIO Wolf Creek is still in the process of appealing 2005-06 Lease Aid amount based on the decision on the part of MDE to not fund the portion entitled tenant improvements.   Miller will be submitting an appeal letter in the next week to MDE.

OLD BUSINESS

5.  A.  Quarnstrom reported on Q-Comp and the visit TRIO Wolf Creek had from Commissioner of Education, Alice Seagren and her assistant Ken Kaffine.  They visited on 11-9-06 and stayed a little over an hour.  They toured the facility, met with student council members, and checked on the progress made with the Q-Comp funds while meeting with staff.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

6.  A.A. Quarnstrom and Swanson led discussion on TRIO Wolf Creek’s current Attendance Policy.  The discussion was held around the definition of attendance for TRIO Wolf Creek students and how to proceed with the 5-10-15 day letters when a student is not in compliance with the policy.  Currently Wolf Creek follows state guidelines in dropping students on day 15 of nonattendance. Quarnstrom suggested that after a student receives a 10 day letter at least one time, that the student could be dropped at day 10 the second time, instead of day 15. A decision was made to bring the attendance policy to the school attorneys and Quarnstrom will bring back to the board at the next meeting.

 

6. A. Quarnstrom reported on the Assurance of Compliance report.  A brief discussion took place about the requirements of the report to MDE.  Quarnstrom made a motion to accept Tracy Quarnstrom as the Human Rights Coordinator, and the Title IX Coordinator and also to accept Holly Windram as the 504 Coordinator for TRIO Wolf Creek School.  Bender seconded the motion, motion carried.

 

6.  B.  TRIO Wolf Creek Bylaws were brought to the board for review.  Bender made motion to accept the first reading with changes made on the review for the bylaws.  Flint seconded, motion carried.  Quarnstrom was appointed by the board to work on the bylaws and revise for the second reading.

 

6.  C.  Quarnstrom reported that the High School Credits committee which consists of Tom Plocher, Stacy Bender, Brenda Swanson and Sheryl Palmquist will need to meet and discuss several issues around credits in the future.  The question for the committee at this point is: Will Wolf Creek consider a student a “freshman, sophomore…” when they reached a certain credit number or by progression in time? Plocher made motion to appoint Sheryl Palmquist to this committee.  All board members present were in favor and the motion carried.  A date for the meeting is pending.

 

6.  D.  A discussion was held on criminal background checks.  Criminal background checks are required when a staff member is hired.  The board decided to keep with the criminal background check that is in place as of now.  All staff or any person working with students directly will be required to have a criminal background check on file.  Another check would need to be completed if a person takes a leave and then returns to their position at TRIO Wolf Creek School.

 

6.  E.  The graduation committee members consist of Brenda Swanson, Stacy Bender, and Tracy Quarnstrom.  It was discussed to hold the 2007 graduation ceremony at the Lindstrom Community Center.  Swanson will reserve the hall for Friday, June 8, 2007.  Bender made motion to approve the date and place.  Flint seconded, motion carried.  A date will be set for the committee to meet and work out further details for the graduation ceremony.

 

6.  F.  An additional student stipend was suggested in the amount of $50.00 per student per a week for learning managers if they were to exceed their full student case load.  Plocher made motion to approve the stipend.  Vitali seconded, motion carried.

 

6.  G.  The mileage rate has increased.  TRIO Wolf Creek will still use the IRS recommended mileage rate.

 

6.  H.   First reading of Wellness Policy 534.  Flint made motion to approve the first reading with changes.  Vitali seconded and motion carried.

 

7.  Communications – Article on, “Creating a Safe School”.  Quarnstrom reported on the NCLB (No Child Left Behind) AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) scores for TRIO Wolf Creek.  TRIO Wolf Creek will be on the AYP list for reading test scores, however there are no consequences for this as the school does not accept Title I funds.

 

8.  Other –

 

9.  Plocher adjourned the meeting at 4:15pm.  Bender made motion to accept.  Flint seconded, motion carried.

 

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

Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at 3:00 p.m. in the Wolf Creek Blue Lab
11725 Stinson Ave., Chisago City, MN.

 

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Chair, Tom Plocher                                                            Date