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GES Board
APPROVED Minutes
March 8, 2006


Board members in Attendance: Nina Simonowicz, Susan Miller, Patty Nordahl, Suzy Schweig, Dave Ingebrigtsen, Scott Pollock, Julie O’Neil, Amy Brown

Others present: Peter James, Kathryn Nelson-Pedersen

4:06 p.m. Call to Order/Welcome and Introduction

Reading of the Mission: Patty N. read the mission

Celebration sentences: All

Approval of Agenda: Susan moved to approve the agenda, Julie seconded. Ayes all.

Approval of Minutes: Patty moved and Scott seconded to approve the minutes with a few minor changes. Ayes all.

Director’s Report: Peter James handed out a written report. Pete reported on the federal grant. There have been a few Parent volunteers that have signed up to work on the implementation grant.
A 24 x 28 greenhouse has been donated to the school from Craig and Theresa Rantala. It will be moved to our property during Spring break. The Kennedy’s have given permission.
Open house in the K-2 classroom went well. There were several families that visited. We should do this again next year at the same time of the year for an hour and a half with a distinct starting and ending time, since most parents stayed for the entire time.
Suzy suggested the idea of having a volunteer available one day per week to give school tours.
Some information from parent ed night included a request for more information on extending learning at home.

Treasurer’s Report: Scott Pollock passed out invoices paid and invoices to be paid. Patty made the motion and Suzy seconded the bills with one minor amendment.
The finance committee met on March 1st and March 6th. Scott passed out 06-07 budget forecast.
Dave made a motion to get a $48,000 line of credit at 8% interest rate and Julie seconded. Ayes all
The committee has identified a need an educator on finance commitee, also Amy Henrickson will be joining the committee in late May.
Our second line of credit will be expiring soon so we are working with Grand Marais Bank, starting with a three month renewal.
The 06-07 Budget proposal was submitted and explained. REAP grant funding is included. $41000.00 of payroll has been identified as being funded through grants or outside sources. 7 wadams WADMs is what is needed to cover these expenses when the grants are no longer available. The main focus will need to be enrollment. The board will meet the Thursday the 1st week of break (March 23rd) at 5:30pm at school to finalize the 06-07 priorities, staffing and Operating Budget.

Educator’s Report: Amy submitted a written report; highlights of activities and projects taking place in each multi-age classroom. Then Amy did a presentation on how she differentiates instruction in mathematics.
Lastly, Amy mentioned that the teachers need an At Will contract that is renewed each year outlining roles and responsibilities, benefits, student-teacher contact days and personal days. Much of this needs to be determined and researched. The Policy committee will begin working on this

Enrollment/Community Relations:
Susan made a motion to make the application deadline April 28 for the 2006-2007 school year. Amy seconded. Ayes all.
Therefore, the kindergarten visit (jamboree) will be on the 18th of April, 2006.

Suzy made a motion to cap our 2006-2007 enrollment at 15 students per multi-age grouping. Susan seconded. Ayes all.

Strategy/Vision:
Nina described how a creation of a foundation would help us financially in the short term and the long term. If a foundation were formed, the foundation would be able to buy our school building. It would also eliminate our line of credit issues. We would then pay rent to our foundation.
Patty made a motion to support the creation of a foundation with the mission to improve the financial stability of GES Dave seconded. Ayes all.

Board Development- . Julie will be interviewing the new board members and exploring roles of board members, if they differ at all.

Sponsorship Renewal: Dave collated our accomplishments, areas of concern and immediate concerns. Immediate concerns were passed out to be worked on by the four committees. Committees also need to work on the three year goals.
The board looked at the memorandum of understanding and discussed the wording.

Adjournment: Amy moved to adjourn at 7:05pm , Suzy seconded. Ayes all.

Respectfully Submitted,

Susan Miller, board secretary

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