TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School

Board Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, September 11, 2007 at 3:00 p.m.

 

Board members present:  Stacy Bender, Sandy Flint, Cassie Piechowski, Tom Plocher, Brenda Swanson,    

                                         Jeff Vitali

 

Ex-officio member:  Tracy Quarnstrom

 

Absent:  No One No one

 

Visitors:  Heide Miller, Sheryl Palmquist, Lindsay Jarombek, Renee Mussetter, Kelly Legg, Ed Jordan, Mark Mansk

 

CALL TO ORDER AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA

TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School Board met in the school board room on September 11, 2007.  Tom Plocher called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m.  The agenda for the meeting was presented.  Quarnstrom added items 6.D – Contract with Designs for Learning, 7.A - Myths and Facts on Charter Schools, 7.B – Q-Comp, and 7.C – Summer School Statistics.  .Swanson motioned to accept the agenda with modifications, seconded by Piechowski, motion carried.              

 

ROLL CALL AND CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

Roll call was noted.  No changes were requested for the minutes from the August 14th Board Meeting.  Flint motioned to accept the minutes, seconded by Swanson, motion carried.  

OPEN FORUM

Nothing.

Nothing added.

 

CONSIDERATION OF CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS

4.A.    Miller presented the bills for the month of August in the amountand a bank balance of $132,544.37.  After the expenses were enumerated, Piechowski moved that the report of checks 1316002020 - 1316002040 be accepted, seconded by Vitali, motion carried. 

 

4.B.     Miller reported that revenues through August 31, 2007 totaled $180,281.18.  Expenditures through September 11, 2007 were $259,808.83, resulting in negative $79,527.65 expenditures over revenue.  Vitali moved for acceptance, seconded by Swanson, motion carried.     

 

OLD BUSINESS

5.A.    Swanson shared an updated floor plan and elevation drawing for the new building.  The next meeting with the construction company and architect is scheduled for September 20th at 9:00 a.m.  We should be getting a breakdown of costs at this meeting.

 

5.B.       Bender gave an overview of what marketing efforts have been taking place. 

            1)  We distributed approximately 500 pens with our logo on them at the MACS Booth at the       

                  Minnesota State Fair. 

              2)  We will be running at least two more ads this fall in the St. Paul Dispatch. 

              3)  Kim Insley with KARE 11 will be visiting us on September 27th to do a news story. 

              4)  We received a check from Riverbank in the amount of $276.00 from the Riverbucks Campaign in

                    August. 

              5)  We have approximately 120 ADM’s for this year.

            6)  The Marketing Committee will stay active this year to try and acquire approximately 155-160  

                  students for the new building next fall.

 

5.C.    Quarnstrom informed the group that we needed to modify our enrollment process to be in compliance with MDE.  She presented a modified Application Form and introduced a follow-up Enrollment Form.  Vitali motioned to accept both draft forms with the necessary changes, seconded by Bender, motion carried.

 

5.D.    Quarnstrom announced that we have met AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) in both reading and math.  However, our graduation rate did not meet the set criteria.

 

5.E.    Quarnstrom brought back the revised Employment/Outside Commitment Form.  It was agreed that this would be completed on an annual basis by each employee.  Piechowski motioned to accept the new form, seconded by Flint, motion carried.

 

5.F.    Quarnstrom informed the group that we would be compiling the School Board Ballot and have it mailed out at least 15 days prior to the Annual Meeting which is scheduled for October 9, 2007.  It was agreed that we will not be adding a student position to the Board at this time.  Teacher positions are for a two-year term. The parent position is a one year term.

 

NEW BUSINESS

6.A.    Policy 613 – Graduation Requirements.  It was suggested to bold all of the “OR” instances throughout the policy.  Also revise V.8. to read “one-half credit in health; 1 full credit for class of 2010 and hereafter”.  Delete V.D.2.c. (page 613-3).  Vitali motioned to accept the revised policy with noted changes, seconded by Piechowski, motion carried.

 

6.B.    Policy 624 – Online Learning Options.  It was indicated that we need to add information under

“Definitions” (III).  Also change the “Purpose” (I).  Any other changes should be forwarded to Quarnstrom.  As the second reading of this policy, Bender motioned to accept with necessary changes, seconded by Swanson, motion carried.

 

6.C.    Policy 806 – Crisis Plan (first reading).  Do to the large size of this policy, Quarnstrom asked that we review it online and forward any suggested changes to her for implementation.  She will bring the revised copy to the October meeting for discussion and approval.

 

6.D.    Quarnstrom asked for approval to enter into a contract with “Designs for Learning Services”.  This company would assist us through the decision making process for our new building.  The cost would be based on an hourly rate not to exceed $4,750.00 to begin September 11, 2007.  Swanson motioned to accept the contract, seconded by Bender, motion carried.

 

OTHER

7.A.     Quarnstrom shared a handout titled “Myths & Facts about Minnesota’s Charter Schools”.  This is useful in clarifying misconceptions about Charter Schools.

 

7.B.     Quarnstrom shared a handout from the MN Department of Education that explains QComp (Quality Compensation for Minnesota Teachers).

 

7.C.     Flint shared results with the group about our 2007 Summer School Program.  Fifty-two percent of our summer school students passed with a C- or higher, 9% passed with a D-, D, or D+, and 39% failed classes.

 

Flint motioned that the meeting be adjourned at 4:24 p.m., seconded by Piechowski, motion carried.

 

The next TRIO Wolf Creek board meeting will be held on:  Tuesday, October 9th, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. in the Wolf Creek Blue Lab at 11725 Stinson Ave., Chisago City, MN.  This will be the Annual Meeting and election results will be validated.

 

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Chair, Tom Plocher                                                                               Date