Regular Meeting
Odyssey Charter School
6201 Noble Ave. N.
Brooklyn Center, MN55429
September 17, 2003
6:30 P.M.
Members in attendance: Dave Rand, Jeni Holm, Kari Mitchell, Jon Sedey, Susan Dougherty, Janice Sandberg, Rick Fletcher, Steve Skramstad. Absent: Nathan Disch.
Ex officio and others: Barbara Mahowald, Bryan Rossi, Andrew Adelmann, Lori Bona, Mary Thome.
Note: All votes were unanimous unless otherwise stated.
1. Call to Order and Roll Call – Board chair Sandberg called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
2. Additions to Agenda – there were none.
3. Acceptance of Agenda – Rand moved acceptance of the agenda as presented; Holm seconded, and the motion carried.
4. Community comment – Board heard comments from Odyssey parent and founding member Mary Thome, which concerned the resignation of Instructional Assistant Joni Anderson, Odyssey’s Title I program, and level of compensation for IA’s. Board discussed budgeting process, procedure by which positions were cut, and fund balance. Sandberg requested an administrative review of 1) long-term technology needs for the school; 2) IA salaries and benefits package; and 3) leadership model (review last year’s model and generate a proposal for this year).
5. Consent Agenda - there were 2 items on the consent agenda: Resignation of Joni Anderson; and signed contracts for Kari Anderson and Rick Fletcher (two contracts which were not addressed previously). Sedey moved acceptance of the consent agenda; Mitchell seconded, and the motion carried.
6. Approval of Minutes - Mitchell moved approval of the Minutes as presented; Rand seconded, and the motion carried.
7. New Business
7.1 Designs for Learning presentation on other services they provide – Designs staff distributed copies of the services contract between Odyssey and Designs; Rossi updated the Board on the service areas provided. Odyssey has purchased financial and human resources services for 2003-04; there is also a service area including board support, evaluation, government reporting & grant writing were approved. A previous contract for interim director services was to conclude June 30, but there was a further meeting in July for Board planning. Board discussed the possibility of doing a Board planning workshop after the fall Board elections; also issues of improving communication with Designs.
7.2 Annual Meeting. Begin Preparation for the Upcoming Election. Rossi distributed a recommended Board Election Process for Odyssey, and reviewed its contents for the Board. The Election Process document addresses legal aspects of charter school board elections, discusses how Boards work in general, provides recommended nomination/election procedures, and shows Odyssey board members' terms. It was clarified that Board member terms are three years, with one-third being elected each year. Terms of Holm, Disch, and Rand expire this fall. After discussion, Skramstad moved creation of an election committee; Rand seconded, and the motion carried. Election committee members were identified: Sandberg, Holm, Mitchell, and Odyssey parent Lori Bona.
Dougherty moved Bona chair the committee; Fletcher seconded, and the motion carried. The committee is charged with creating an appropriate nomination form, generating a list of eligible voters, creating ballots, making sure the ballots are sent out, and counting the ballots once returned. Rossi will email Board Election Process document to the Board for reference.
7.3 Pledge of Allegiance at Odyssey – Mahowald reported, state’s requirement for reciting the Pledge was discussed at a staff meeting, and a memo was sent home to families describing the law and how the school is addressing it. Pledge is being done weekly over the intercom, with students requested to stand. Parents had the option of signing a form to indicate if their child did not wish to participate in the recitation.
7.4 Committee reports
7.4.1 Educational Programs – Holm noted, technology issues she was going to speak on were already addressed; mission statement is later on the agenda.
7.4.2 Human Resources - Sandberg reported, a meeting needs to be set. Members are Sandberg, Mitchell, Dougherty, and Mahowald. Rand requested the rest of the Board be informed of meeting times.
7.4.3 Community Action
7.4.3.1 See attached report (was sent out in advance, and distributed at the meeting) – Board discussed issue of school logo and clarified that the need is not for a new logo but for identifying a single logo that will always be used.
7.4.4 Finance Team - Skramstad referred the Board to the Financial Presentation prepared by Judith Darling-Wegner of Designs, which was distributed. Adopted budget called for 240 students; projection calls for 215 students, and concluding the year with a $153,000 surplus. Board discussed issues around the sublease with Excell. Mahowald is negotiating changes to the lease – they will sublease all but 1200 sf this year; she is making progress in resolving differences from last year.
8. Administrative Report - Mahowald distributed her report, which is organized around state superintendent licensure requirement areas: Leadership and School Culture; Policy and Governance; Communications and Community Relations; Organizational Management; Curriculum Planning and Development; Instructional Management; Human Resource Management; and Values and Ethics of Leadership. There have been five out-of-school suspensions. Enrollment is at 222 as of 9/17. Benefits costs are going up 26% with Medica, the current provider. A HealthPartners bid came in at the same rate; BlueCross has been asked for a bid but isn’t expected to offer a lower cost.
Board discussed the benefits issue. There was one clarification to the report, that the referenced contract with Dave Rand for transition technology services has not been agreed upon.
9 Old Business
9.1 Mission Statement
9.1.1 Review Mission Statement - Holm distributed prospective mission statements (four versions). Designs for Learning helped start the process of revising the mission statement, and information was solicited from parents, students and staff. The Community Action Committee developed four draft statements, and has determined that there is the most support for the version stating: Odyssey Charter School is committed to providing a nurturing, innovative, and challenging environment emphasizing independent thinking, active learning, high academic achievement, and social responsibility through partnerships with families, teachers and community. After discussion, Sedey moved approval of this as the Odyssey mission statement; Fletcher seconded, and the motion carried.
Board also discussed issues around merit pay and student assessment.
9.2 By-law Update - Sandberg reported, current Bylaws seem out of date; she has asked Designs to come up with a recommendation for revised Bylaws. Will review this for differences with the current Bylaws.
10. Adjournment – Rand moved adjournment at 8:50; Holm seconded, and the motion carried.