Regular Meeting
Odyssey Charter School
6201 Noble Ave. N.
Brooklyn Center, MN55429
October 15, 2003
6:30 P.M.
Members in attendance: Dave Rand, Janice Sandberg, Jeni Holm, Jon Sedey, Kari Mitchell, Susan Dougherty, Rick Fletcher, Steve Skramstad. Absent: Nathan Disch.
Ex officio and others: Barbara Mahowald, Bryan Rossi, Andrew Adelmann, Lori Bona, Mary Thome; Odyssey attorney Blessing Rugara and his colleague Katie Getman.
Note: All votes were unanimous unless otherwise stated.
1.Call to Order and Roll Call – the meeting was called to order by the chair, Sandberg, at 6:30, with all members except Disch in attendance.
2.Additions to Agenda - there were no additions.
3.Acceptance of Agenda – Mitchell moved approval of the agenda as presented; Holm seconded, and the motion carried.
4.Community comment – Rugara spoke, described his work representing Odyssey and other charter schools. He praised the Odyssey Board for its high level of functioning and reminded board members of the duties of care and of loyalty.
5.Consent Agenda - there were no consent agenda items.
6.Approval of Minutes - September 17 Minutes were distributed electronically and at the meeting. Mitchell moved approval of the Minutes as presented; Rand seconded, and the motion carried.
7.New Business
7.1 Annual Meeting. Status from Election Committee – Bona reported on their activities, and distributed four drafts of ballots for the upcoming Board election. Election committee favored a three-column ballot, providing for one vote for a community member position, a staff position, and a parent position. Board reviewed status of nominations - at present there are only two nominees, Lori Bona (parent) and Dave Rand (community member), for three open spots on the Board (terms of Nathan Disch, Jeni Holm and Dave Rand are expiring). There is also the option of writing-in for other candidates. An election announcement and nomination form were sent out with the school newsletter. Board discussed pros and cons of different ballots. It was clarified that biographical information on the candidates will be mailed out with the ballots. Each ballot draft will be included in board documents, to be available for reference in the future.
After this discussion, Dougherty moved approval of the three-column ballot; Fletcher seconded, and the motion carried.
Sandberg noted, the November meeting will be the Annual Meeting, and will include electing officers for the next year.
7.2 Administrative Report update for the following
7.2.1 Long Term Technology Plan for the school – addressed in administrative report (item #8).
7.2.2 Leadership Model Proposal – addressed in administrative report (item #8).
7.2.3 IA Salary and Benefit – Mahowald reported, there was no motion to change the benefits, so they will stay the same. Holm noted, this was also the HR committee’s recommendation.
7.3 Committee reports
7.3.1 Educational Programs - has not met.
7.3.2 Human Resources (their meeting Minutes were sent out with the Board packet) – committee considered issue of increases in benefits cost, which amounts to $16,800 for the year. They recommended absorbing the increase by reducing the fund balance, rather than having staff pay a portion or all of the difference. School year has started, and contracts have been signed. Sandberg described Flexible Spending Accounts; this may be a benefit Odyssey wants to offer in the future. Committee also discussed dental insurance - small cost increase, which the committee recommends the school absorb.
After discussion, Sedey moved additional cost of benefits be absorbed in the budget rather than paid by staff; Skramstad seconded, and the motion carried.
7.3.3 Community Action (their meeting Minutes were sent out with the Board packet) - no Board members attended their meeting Monday. Holm attended a fundraising meeting, which is a subcommittee of the CAC.
7.3.4 Finance Team - a Financial Presentation prepared by Judith Darling Wegner of Designs for Learning was presented. This projects concluding the year with a surplus of $108,000, for an ending fund balance of $78,000. Board discussed the budget, especially the food service program section. Audit will be completed soon and auditor’s report provided for the Board. Sandberg suggested this be part of the December meeting, unless the audit contains news the Board needs to hear right away.
8. Administrative Report – Mahowald distributed her report, which addresses the following 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. Board reviewed.
Board discussed options for having a retreat and creating a strategic plan. Staff have had fall goal-setting conferences with parents. Enrollment is currently 217. Mahowald also reported, Excell Academy sublease will be changed, for them to rent the entire space at 6510 Zane beginning 10/1/03. Will seek to negotiate termination of Odyssey's lease on this building. Other items included revision of Title I budget to provide for a Title I teacher rather than educational assistant; and technology plan status (Mahowald plans to get a technology plan and three-year technology budget projection in place by March 31). Administrative Report also includes a commendation for Kari Mitchell, and a report on an audit conducted by the Minnesota Dept. of Economic Security (this found no significant issues).
9. Old Business
9.1 By-laws Update. Sandberg reported, this is still being reviewed.
10. Adjournment - Rand moved adjournment at 7:50; Dougherty seconded, and the meeting was adjourned.