TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School

Board Meeting Minutes

February 7, 2006

3:00 p.m.

 

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

 

Visitors:  Heide Miller, Sheryl Palmquist, Elizabeth Lenz, Michael McLoughlin, Melissa Chapman, Stephanie Walbridge

 

 

1.  Chair Tom Plocher opened the meeting at 3:04 p.m. Swanson made motion to approve the agenda, Bender seconded, motion carries.

 

2.  Roll call was taken.  January minutes were passed out; Plocher tabled the January minutes until the March 7, 2006 meeting to give appropriate time to read them. Flint seconded, motion carried.

 

3.  Mike McLoughlin, Superintendent for School District #2144 introduced himself to board members and described his connections with TRIO Wolf Creek Charter School as the superintendent of our sponsoring agent.  Students, Melissa Chapman and Stephanie Walbridge presented to the board their reasons for wanting to enroll in the CNA program and requested funds from TRIO Wolf Creek to pay for the course and test.  (Letters provided at the meeting.)  Quarnstrom thanked all participants of the Open Forum and informed them that all matters may be moved on later in the meeting.

 

4.  A.  Miller reported on the expenditures.  The total includes the amount of $24,443.92.  Swanson makes a motion to approve payment of detailed register #’s 1316001644– 1316001667 for the amount total of $24,443.92.  Plocher seconded, motion carried.

 

4.  B.  Miller gave totals for the TRIO Wolf Creek financial report for January, 2006.  Total revenues = $332,768.12, total expenditures = $299,582.16.  Revenues over expenditures = $33,185.96.  Cash on hand as of January 31, 2006 = $303,476.50.  Audited fund balances = $337,874.28 and unaudited fund balances as of June 30, 2005 =$273,603.85.  Flint made motion to accept the financial report, Bender seconded, motion carries.  Miller reported that the monies formerly taken from MDE for the lease aid dispute have been reinstated as per the letter included with the board packet.

 

4.  C.  Quarnstrom reported that she, Miller, and Swanson meet to go over 2005-2006 budget and enrollment numbers and that TRIO Wolf Creek is still running on a budget of 100 ADM’s.  A date will be set for Miller, Plocher, Swanson, and Quarnstrom to meet to discuss budget for the FY07 school year.

 

4.  D.  Quarnstrom reported that some TRIO Wolf Creek Staff members requested being offered the option of having payroll direct deposited.  If the majority voted for this option that all members of the staff would have to comply to justify the cost.  Vitali made motion to approve direct deposit for TRIO Wolf Creek Staff, Plocher seconded, motion carries with Swanson opposed. 

 

5.  A.  Swanson reported on graduation committee updates.  TRIO Wolf Creek will be holding its commencement on Friday evening June 9^, 2006 at Lindstrom Community Center/ Lions Park in Lindstrom, MN.  The senior student numbers are still fluctuating. Diplomas will be ordered next week. 

 

5.  B.  Swanson reported that she, Quarnstrom and Doyle, meet with a representative from Seward Incorporated to redesign TRIO Wolf Creek’s web site.  Board members were given a copy of the proposal, Plocher tabled this until the March board meeting to give time to review current proposal and gather others.  Quarnstrom will continue to seek other proposals from other companies as we move toward a decision on this matter.

 

5.  C.  Miller and Quarnstrom reported that we received a letter from MDE in regards to the lease aide dispute. It stated that MDDE now intends to cover the lease aide amount that they had first approved for the FY05 school year.  To comply in FY06 and FY07 Miller is working with Fairview to rewrite the lease in appropriate terms for tenant improvements as needed.

 

5.  D.  TRIO Wolf Creek students, Stephanie Walbridge and Melissa Chapman came to the board meeting to present their reasons for wanting to enroll in the CNA program at Parmly.  Both students provided an essay stating the reasons why they want to become CNA’s, as well as, their reasons for needed tuition support.  Both students would start the CNA program in March of 2006 or the next available time it is offered.  The CNA course fee is $575.00 per a student and $140.00 per student to take the CNA test. ($715.00 per a student to cover the full cost).  Swanson made motion to cover the cost for each of these students with a small stipend to be required on the part of the student themselves.  Bender seconded, motion carries. 

 

6.  A.  Discussion took place on Director contract.  Revisions will be made and new contract will go from 1/1/2006 to 12/31/2006.  Director evaluations will be done in the month of November for the FY07 school year.  A stipulation was made that the salary will be increased on August 1, 2006 at the same rate of increase that all staff receive when contracts are finalized. 
TRIO Wolf Creek will be offering students music instruction on Fridays from 9-1.  There will be eight- 30 minute sessions.  The instructor will be Troy Warndahl and a contract will be done upon receiving a letter of understanding, application and background check.

 

6.  B.  Plocher made motion to accept the agenda for the board retreat on March 1, 2006.  Retreat will be held at Chisago Lakes Library from 10-2.  Lunch will be provided by Famous Dave’s.  Bender seconded motion, motion carries. 

 

 

6.  C.  Quarnstrom reported on the Minnesota Facilities Improvement Grant Project.  Quarnstrom has written the first grant proposal and will be sending it to MDE by March 1^st.  Quarnstrom is requesting $9,400 for the purpose of hiring an architect and working with indoor air quality tests in our school area.  Vitali made motion to accept the planning grant proposal, Plocher seconded, motion carries.

 

6.  D.  TRIO Wolf Creek will be holding a “Health Relationships” theme week for students on February 14^th & 16^th.  On both of these days we will be providing lunch to the students and will be having a public health nurse from Chisago County coming to speak to the students.  We will also be having games, a wear RED day, and P.J. day.

 

6.  E.  Policy 504 – Student Dress and Appearance, first reading.  Swanson made motion to approve the first reading.  Plocher seconded, motion carried.

 

6.  F.  Policy 423 – Employee Student Relations, first reading.  Swanson made motion to approve the first reading.  Plocher seconded, motion carried.

 

6. G.  Quarnstrom reported on admission requirements and the procedures for an admissions lottery.  A lottery would be held in the event that Wolf Creek were to be over-subscribed with applications to the school.  Elizabeth Lenz reports on the student newsletter that she will be doing on a monthly status for students.  This letter will be e-mailed to all students.

 

6.  H.  Quarnstrom announced that she was appointed to sit on the Governor’s OLL Advisory Council for a three year term.

 

6.  I.  Plocher adjourned the meeting at 4:29 pm.  Bender made motion to accept, Vitali seconded, motion carries.

 

                       

 

 

 

The next TRIO Wolf Creek board meeting will be held:
Tuesday, March 7, 2006 at 3:00 p.m.
in the Wolf Creek Blue Lab at 11725 Stinson Avenue

In Chisago City, MN.

 

 

 

________________________________________          ________________

Chair, Tom Plocher                                                            Date