May 14,
2003
Special School Board Meeting Minutes
In Attendance:
Board :: Barb Nagle, Suzy Schweig, Nina Simonowicz, Tom Dwyer
Others :: Deb Dwyer & Terry Nagle
9:10 Call to Order
by Barb Nagle
Welcome to Scott Fleming, Accountability Project Director
and Grants Coordinator at the MN Ass'n of Charter Schools
(MACS), and Rod Haenke, Curriculum Instruction Assessment
Program Director at MACS.
Reading of the Mission and Fairness quote by Suzy and Deb.
9:14 Approval of Agenda
Motion: Nina Simonowicz moved
that we approve the agenda as amended; ayes all.
Amendments :: Move Personnel Committee and the following items
to noon; Finances, Staff Request, Grants.
9:25 Issues Discussion
Overview
Scott Fleming walked us through the differentiations between
stakeholders with suggestions to complete the following:
1) write a Board of Director job description
2) write job descriptions for each of the committees
3) draft a working but evolvable decsion-making matrix
4) plan on a time to invite staff to a meeting where the board
shares how it governs
5) note that tyhe board will really transition from founder
to governor in November when board elections take place
6) identify most essential learning outcomes
Grants & Fundraisers
Scott Fleming led a discussion that noted the board needs
to first identify WHAT we are fundraising for and then to
WHOM we can turn. Talked about the need for and difference
between Fundraising & Friendraising. Commented that the
best grants grow your foundation/infrastructure and noted
that the Walton Family Foundation grant applications will
be due June 30 with awards announced mid- to late-July and
dollars available mid- to late-September.
Curriculum
Rod Haenke presented a Student Learning model that identified
the elements, showed the interrelationship between elements
and acted as a framework for our curriculum.
Start-up Errors
When queried, Rod and Scott shared what they believe to be
the most typical charter school start-up errors, including:
1) not enough curriculum foundation & implementation;
2) not enought time devoted to planning & staff development;
3) not having strong leadership in curriculum instruction;
4) leadership is critical to fostering ownership by stakeholders;
5) strong financial management is a must; 6) enrollment doesn't
match school mission; and, 7) lack of prep for the kids who
walk through the door.
Hand Outs
Scott presented a variety of handouts to assist the board
in moving towards a succesful opening of Great Expectations.
12:30 Personnel
Suzy Schweig removed herself from the room for the following
discussion.
Motion: Upon recommendation from
the committee, Tom Dwyer moved that we hire Suzy Schweig as
an educator at Great Expectations School; Nina Simonowicz
seconded; ayes all.
Board requested the personnel committee to bring forth a recommendation
for or against a lead educator, and to provide a job description
if recommending the position. Suzy rejoined the board.
12:45 Staff request
Motion: Tom Dwyer moved that
the board approve Erin Endsley's request for permission to
participate in Research and Education: Volcanoes, Exploration
and Life (REVEL) Seagoing Research Experience July 27 - August
26 contingent upon her proposal, three community-building
experieinces with grades608 group, and that REVEL pay for
contracted time she misses; Suzy Schweig seconded; ayes all.
1:00 Finances
Motion: Nina Simonowicz moved
to approve the following bills; Suzy Schweig seconded; ayes
all.
Bills ::: Duluth News Tribune $326.29 educator ad
Johnsons Foods $ 89.51 food & supplies for family hike
Cook County Star $ 7.50 director ad
David Parsons $ 8.95 postage
MACS $3000.00 Special Education Director for 2003-2004 school
year
1:15 New Business
Terry Nagle recommended the reinstating of Patty Nordahl.
Motion: Suzy Schweig moved to
reinstate Patty Nordahl as a Great Expectations School Board
Member; Nina Simonowicz seconded; ayes all.
1:30 Grants
Board recognized and thanked David Parsons for the ardous
and outstanding effort on the Life Sports/Physical Education
grant.
Deb informed the board that Great Expectations has recieved
a grant for fees and expenses for 4 people to attend the Charter
Starter Conference to be held in Madison, WI June 17-19.
1:45 Adjourned
Motion: Nina Simonowicz moved
to adjourn; Suzy Schweig seconded; ayes all.
Respectfully submitted, Nina A Simonowicz
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