December 2, 2003

3:00 p.m.

Board members present: Dr. Sherryl Johnson, Jason Kerkow, Heidi Neff, Tracy Quarnstrom, Brenda Swanson

Visitors: Carol Harris; Heide Miller, Director of Business Services ISD 2144; Amanda Brett, Learning Manager;

1. Chair Quarnstrom called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. Roll call was taken. Johnson moved to approve the agenda, Swanson seconded the motion, motion carried.

2. Swanson moved to approve the minutes of October 28, 2003 as written with a spelling correction, Neff seconded, motion carried.

3. No one was present for open forum.

4A/5C The balance sheet summary for period ending December 31, 2003 shows a balance of $280,557.15. A sub-committee will meet in January to revise the budget expenditures, as needed. Miller gave a report on the 2003-04 budget and discussion was held. Kerkow moved to accept the 2003-04 budget proposal, Johnson seconded, motion carried.

4B. Swanson made a motion to approve payment of detailed register check #1176-1184 totaling $19,545.06 as submitted. Kerkow seconded the motion, motion carried.

Old Business:

5A. Johnson made a motion to approve hand payable check #10012 in the amount of $5,000 to pay the MN Association of Charter School annual dues. Swanson seconded the motion, motion carried.

5B. Johnson explained the Title V 2003-04 Grant Application. Swanson made a motion to approve the Title V Public Charter Schools Program Implementation Continuation Request for 2003-04 in amount of $150,000. Neff seconded the motion, motion carried.

5D. Tracy Quarnstrom, Brenda Swanson, Sherryl Johnson and Tom Dickhudt met with Chisago Lakes High School Principal, Dave Ertl, and Assistant Principal, Sara Johnson. Wolf Creek seniors will be in the Chisago Lakes High School yearbook, receive a Chisago Lakes graduation diploma and take part in senior activities for 2003-04 and 2004-05 per the Wolf Creek contract with Chisago Lakes Schools District #2144.

New Business:

6A. Johnson explained that the future goal is for Tracy Quarnstrom to move to the position of Director of TRIO Wolf Creek. Quarnstrom checked with other charter schools to get a model contract and salary amounts. Quarnstrom left the room at-will while discussion was held. Johnson suggested removing the paragraph regarding termination. Quarnstrom returned to the meeting. Swanson made a motion to approve Tracy Quarnstrom’s contract as Director of Wolf Creek for January 5, 2004 through August 31, 2004 at an annual salary of $70,086.38, deleting the statement “This Memorandum of Agreement may be terminated by the Board of Directors or the Director at any time with a thirty (30) day notice by either party.” Neff seconded the motion, motion carried. Quarnstrom abstained from voting due to a conflict of interest.

6B. Policy #613- Graduation Requirements – first reading was tabled until the meeting on January 6, 2004.

6C. Policy #615- Basic Standards Testing, Accommodations, Modifications, and Exemption or IEP, Section 504 Accommodation and LEP Students – first reading was tabled until the meeting on January 6, 2004.

6D. Policy #617- Charter School Ensurance of Preparatory and High School Standards – first reading was tabled until the meeting on January 6, 2004.

Communication:

7A. Brett gave a report on the NovaNET conference that the three Learning Managers attended in Florida. She reported that the conference was very informative. They visited a large charter school, Florida Virtual Academy. She distributed a handout, “Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants” that explains how today’s students are much more technology oriented and schools need to adapt their teaching.

7B. Discussion was held regarding the Charter School Board election process. Ballots will be mailed to parents of each Wolf Creek student on Thursday, December 4, 2003 and must be returned by January 5, 2004 at 3:00 p.m. A self-addressed, stamped return envelope will be included to accommodate the process. The Learning Managers and Director also cast a ballot. Ballots will be counted and results approved at the board meeting on January 6, 2004.

Swanson and Quarnstrom plan to attend a conference, “School Government Training: Building Strong and Effective Charter School Boards” on December 5 and 6, 2003.

The next TRIO Wolf Creek board meeting will be Tuesday, January 6, 2004 at 3:00 p.m. in the Chisago Lakes District Office Board Room.

Swanson moved the meeting be adjourned, Kerkow seconded the motion, motion carried with no vote by Johnson as she had to leave at 3:40 for another meeting. Meeting adjourned at 4:12 p.m.

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Chair, Tracy Quarnstrom Date