Special Meeting
Odyssey Charter School
6510 Zane Ave. N.
Brooklyn Park, MN55429
May 1, 2002
6:30 P.M.
Call to Order A special meeting of the Odyssey Charter School Board of Directors was held on Wednesday, May 1st, 2002 in room six at Odyssey Charter School. The meeting was called to order at 6:40 p.m. and was facilitated by Tim Wollenzien.
Roll Call The following Board members were present: Jeni Holm, Nathan Disch, Tim Wollenzien, and Lyle Clemenson.
Additions to Agenda There were no additions to the agenda dated May 1st, 2002
Acceptance of Agenda A motion by Tim Wollenzien, seconded by Jeni Holm, to accept the printed agenda. The motion carries unanimously.
Approval of Minutes A motion by Lyle Clemenson, seconded by Jeni Holm, to accept the minutes of the February 20 regular board meeting. The motion carries unanimously.
Community Comments There were no comments from the community.
Consent Agenda A motion by Jeni Holm, seconded by Lyle Clemenson, to accept donations worth $12,053.25. Motion carries unanimously.
Old Business Board Nominations- Motion by Jeni Holm, seconded by Lyle Clemenson, to appoint Karen Johnson, Stephanie Dess, Lori Bona, Mark Hunter, and Rick Wolfe to the Odyssey Charter School Board of Directors. Motion carries unanimously.
Merit Pay Process- There was discussion about the merit pay process. Lyle Clemenson suggests that the process be maintained as is for this year, and possibly redesigning the process for next year. Anne Lindgren also recommends maintaining the process as is, but suggests that administrative oversight into the evaluation process is required.
Motion by Karen Johnson, seconded by Lyle Clemenson, to form a committee to monitor and observe the merit pay process this year, and to meet over the summer in order to make a recommendation to the board at the September 18th meeting. The motion carries unanimously.
Karen Johnson, Steph Dess and Mark Hunter will be on the committee, and Jeni Holm and Lyle Clemenson will be alternates.
2002-2003 Calendar- Motion by Lyle Clemenson, seconded by Karen Johnson, to accept the attached calendar for the 2002-2003 calendar. Motion carries unanimously.
2002-2003 Budget- The attached budget, based on moving into the Orchard Lane building with 228 students, was discussed. The attached projected cash flow information was also discussed. Motion by Lyle Clemenson, seconded by Mark Hunter, to accept the attached budget without the projected EIC Grant budget attached. Motion carries unanimously.
Banking procedures- Mary Beth Frank asked that more board members be added to the checking account as authorized check signers. Motion by Jeni Holm, seconded by Lyle Clemenson, to add Steph Dess and Tim Wollenzien to the checking account as authorized check signers.
New Business Social Worker Contract- Anne Lindgren explained she would like to contract with Catholic Charities for a social worker two full days a week for the 2002-2003 school year. The social worker would cost Odyssey $11,000 for the year. Motion by Steph Dess, seconded by Karen Johnson, to approve and sign the contract with Catholic Charities. Motion carries unanimously.
MACS Special Education Project- Anne Lindgren asked for a motion from the board to continue Odyssey’s relationship with the Minnesota Association of Charter Schools Special Education Project. This relationship would cost $3,000 for the next school year. Motion by Nathan Disch, seconded by Rick Wolfe, to continue the relationship with MACS Special Education Project. Motion carries unanimously.
Administrative Report- Anne Lindgren, Executive Director, presented the attached job descriptions and decision making flow chart. She then discussed the possible move to the Orchard Lane building. She presented a letter of intent from Excell Academy to occupy the 6510 Zane building. Excell is interested in occupying part of the building at this time. Sam Thorpe is willing to rewrite the lease with a new tenant.
She also discussed possible steps that will need to be taken in order to move to the Orchard Lane building. She said that Odyssey could move to Orchard Lane with 220 students, and then do marketing to increase enrollment to 290. We could then use lease aid for 290 students to pay the lease at the Orchard Lane building and part of the lease for the 6510 Zane building.
Anne Lindgren recommends securing legal counsel before moving forward with the process of writing a lease. Lyle Clemenson suggests we sign a lease for no fewer than three years, and suggested that we pursue an option to purchase the building. Anne Lindgren would like to send a letter of intent to the Osseo School District.
Motion by Lyle Clemenson, seconded by Steph Dess, giving Anne Lindgren authorization to begin the process of the intent to occupy the Orchard Lane building.
Friendly amendment, added by Lori Bona, to note that this would be the continuation of the process rather than the beginning of the process.
Lyle Clemenson rescinds his motion, Steph Dess rescinds her second, and Lori Bona rescinds her amendment. Motion by Tim Wollenzien, seconded by Karen Johnson, to rescind the original motion. Motion carries unanimously.
Motion by Karen Johnson, seconded by Steph Dess, to authorize Anne Lindgren, on behalf of the Odyssey Charter School Board of Directors, to go to the Osseo School District to notify them that we intend to occupy the Orchard Lane building and to begin negotiations. Motion carries unanimously.
Business Manager’s Report- Mary Beth Frank discussed the attached benefit package information. Motion by Lyle Clemenson, seconded by Nathan Disch, to accept the attached benefit package.
Friendly Amendment, added by Jeni Holm, to make two days personal days rather than sick days.
Anne Lindgren asserts that the matter needs more consideration. Steph Dess suggested that the matter be discussed during the Staff Development day on the May 3rd.
The motion was not passed.
It is agreed that Steph Dess, Jeni Holm and Lori Bona will discuss the benefit package with the staff during the staff development day.
Accounting package- Mary Beth Frank discusses the attached information about Skyward accounting system. She states that the current accounting system, Peachtree, is not state compliant. Skyward, on the other hand, is state compliant. She stated that the cost would be based on the number of students enrolled. At this time the cost would be $20 per student. She stated that this accounting system would cut down on the fees Odyssey pays to Nonprofit Solutions.
Motion by Nathan Disch, seconded by Karen Johnson, to use Skyward as our accounting system. Motion carries unanimously.
Kari Mitchell will mail out the agreement for Skyward to all board members
Adjournment: Motion by Tim Wollenzien, seconded by Jeni Holm, to adjourn at 8:40pm.
Next meetings: Regular meeting to be held May 15th, 2002, at 6:30pm at Odyssey Charter School.