Wednesday, August 15, 2012
3:30 p.m.
New Century Academy
“Education: a debt due from present to future generations” – George Peabody
Our Mission is to engage students in critical thinking and teamwork that empowers them toward life-long learning and global citizenship.
Our Vision is to provide a school that creates an inclusive community working together to support student achievement and builds a strong sense of self-worth.
I. Call meeting to order by Dohery-Schooler at 3:34 PM
II. Recognize visitors and review visitor/speaker protocol: Dawn Jenkins
III. Register roll call: Sheila Hendricks, Cindy Haugland, Tiffany Doherty-Schooler, Chris Kraft, Nicole Williams, Director Vold, Jason Coyle Absent: Barb Haugen
IV. Pledge of Allegiance
V. Consent Agenda Items
a. Approve minutes of July, 2012 Board Meeting: Approved by Doherty-Schooler, Second by Hendricks, all Aye
b. Approve July Financial Statement
VI. Make additions/changes to the agenda
VII. Approve the agenda: Approved by Doherty-Schooler, Second by Kraft, All Aye
VIII. Signing Board Compliance Forms: Signed by all present members
IX. School Insurance Update: Director Vold has met with Rich Westland to find more options for Insurance for staff members. Rich will provide proposals to staff members. Director Vold said that teacher contracts are available; however, insurance options may change how the contracts are written.
X. Construction Project Update: Director Vold presented that the project is moving along quickly and under budget. 90 new computers are in the building and 160 new black lockers are ordered and will be put in each classroom. Lockers are replacing the file cabinets. Lockers will not be in the hallways due to fire code. Square footage of the building needs to be reviewed once the project is complete. NCA will not have a library next school year and NDMA is allowing NCA to have the past library as a classroom.
XI. Board Policies for MDE: Director Vold asked if wording was changed in certain policies (religious data practice policies) and he would like a copy of the current policies. Gene Wilenius has all current policies and will be contacted by Director Vold. Chair Doherty-Schooler said that the school board does not need to update policies for another three years. Director Vold will contact Gene Wilenius to get copies of the policies. Discussed how to keep track of when to review policies. Next board policy review: August 2014.
XII. Board Policy First Reading, II.1.C, II.1.D:
Board Policy Second Reading, II.1.A., II.1.B.
Moved to approve by Doherty-Schooler, second by Kraft. All aye.
XIII. Reports
a. NCA Director Report: Excited about the upcoming school year. Good staff coming back and good new staff coming on board. New staff handbook created and will be signed by all staff members. State published “Growth Points” which are used each school year and are the new MMR (Multiple Measures Ratings). During the 2011-2012 school year NCA had a 64 growth points score. Director Vold believes we will see a higher growth points score during the 2012-2013 school year. Professional Development will include three speakers, staff will have tie-dye t-shirts for the ice cream social event and there will be a book signed during the event. NCA has 42 students with IEP’s. NCA is hiring another Special Education Teacher and two additional paraprofessionals. NCA is in compliance with the state of MN except for the policies requested above. NCA will offer four Advanced Placement classes for the 2012-2013 school year. There will not be a booth at the Mcleod County Fair this year. NCA lacrosse team members and NCA students will help with the Whopper Wagon at the fair. Projected student count for 2012-2013 school year: 148-155, budget set for 140 students.
b. Finance Committee Report: Finance committee met today, paid $56,000 in property taxes, previously reported that NCA was $24,000 over budget and now the report is $56,000 over budget. Hutchinson district 423 billed NCA $22,000 which was not in the budget. Northern Star is over $4,000- five students and whether they dropped or not NCA was still billed for the classes. Our success rate was 4/18 classes passed. Director Vold will contact Northern Star about their contract and policies about dropping classes and billing practices. Proposed that students sign an agreement stating that the student will pay for the course if it is not completed successfully or dropped. Director Vold said we will have an online policy created for the school year. Current fund balance: $107,000 (6.6%). Budget is set for 140 students for the 2012-2013 school year and we will end $137,500 (8.2%) if are stable with 140 or more students. Director Vold is asking that the finance committee keep a close eye on the budget this school year and continue with checks and balances to stay within the budget. We need to keep Dawn Jenkins in the loop before purchases are made. The agreement with Hutchinson district 423 will need to be revised. Director Vold also talked about PSEO being another reason that NCA is over budget. Director Vold said we will have a PSEO policy in place for the school year. Ideally we need to be at 12% fund balance. A kitchen will be installed from the TRJR loan and will bring in revenue and reduce the price of lunches. Dawn Jenkins recommends that the contract with Hutchinson district for activities be reviewed each year. NCA students participated in the following activities during the 2011-2012 school year: soccer- 1 student, musical- 1 student, speech-1 student, swimming-1 student($15,000 bill) and choir-2 students ($7,000 bill). Next finance committee meeting is September 19 at 2:00 PM.
c. Sustainability Committee Report: Nothing to report
d. Joint Facilities Committee Report: Director Vold reports that we are building a relationship with the construction company. He reports that we may not be responsible for the property taxes. Director Vold provided board members with a letter from Hans regarding the property taxes. Chair Doherty-Schooler proposed bringing in our legal counsel to look at the lease and talk about zoning. Doherty-Schooler moved to approve the use of legal counsel for the lease and property taxes with maximum legal fees of $5,000 unless further approved. Second by Kraft, All aye.
e. Director Review Committee Report: The director review needs to be completed in September when the data is available. The committee needs to look at the rubric and possibly re-design it.
f. Alumni/Foundation Committee Report: Nothing to report
g. Marketing/PR Committee Report: Asked if the “radio shows” are necessary for marketing NCA, proposed going to Rotary for advertising, TV advertisements are successful.
h. Board Chair Report: September 19 is the scheduled day for the board workshop which will take place after the board meeting. Location TBD. Board goals will be discussed and revised at this workshop.
XIV. Additional items
a.
b.
c.
XV. Future meetings:
a. Finance Committee Meeting
b. Policy Committee Meeting
c. Joint Facilities Committee Meeting
XVI. Debriefing
a. Director Vold will ask Gene W. to provide the board with policies & manuals by September 19, 2012.
b. Each board member should give the Conflict of Interest forms to Dawn Jenkins
c.
XVII. Adjourn meeting at 4:48 by Doherty-Schooler, Second by Coyle, All aye
Respectfully Submitted,
Nicole Williams
Board Secretary
