Regular Meeting- March
Odyssey Charter School
6201 Noble Ave. N.
Brooklyn Center, MN55429
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
6:00 P.M.

Odyssey Board Mission:

The purpose of the Board, on behalf of Odyssey Charter School membership, is to create sustainable conditions in which Odyssey Charter School achieves desired results for students, parents and staff in a financially responsible manner.

Members in attendance: Mike Auld, Jessica Driscoll, Rochelle Gredvig, Tim Hedberg, Jeni Holm, John Sedey, and Steve Skramstad. Jim Redfield attended as an ex-officio member.

I. Call to order and roll call at 6:05 P.M.

II. Additions to agenda: Mike’s email re: policy governance. Time to be set at next Board Meeting. Brainstorm ideas on ways to handle complaints being sent directly to Mike.

III. John moved and Jeni second to accept agenda. Voted and passed.

IV. Acceptance of minutes from January meeting. Jess moved and Steve second to accept minutes. Voted and passed.

V. Community Comment: None

VI. Presentations and Special Reports

A. Odyssey School Building Organization: Jess reported that the budget as is does not allow for moving forward with purchasing the building. Per Norm Chaffe, we are on “borrowed time”. OSBO is requesting a meeting with the Odyssey Board.

B. Director’s Report: Jim reported that he is cautiously optimistic that we are doing well on special education. It looks like the school will do well under the new tuition billing system. The information from the Dept. of Ed. Looks good for this year on our federal dollars. He also reported that we are up for our charter renewal this year, and he will work with Osseo on this. They have been showing the building to representatives from different charter schools as a thought that two charter schools could share the space. Jim also reported that he’s put together a leadership committee to help work on a number of issues.

VII. Committee Report:

A. Community Action Committee: Mike Auld reported the committee met with prospective fundraising companies. Representatives from the companies came in and “pitched” their company and benefits. Decision to be determined next meeting on next year’s calendar and fundraising activities.

B. School Improvement Committee: Did not meet.

C. Recruiting and Marketing Committee: Steve reported that their meeting was “fruitful”. Steps being taken are working with the newspaper to stay active with getting name out. Information packet is being worked on with updating. Will look into signs both yard and school. City was contacted as possibly posting name of school on Noble Ave. City responded with “no”. Rochelle to contact LEAD regarding help with developing a Marketing Plan.

D. Motion: Motion by Tim that Board requests from Marketing Committee a Marketing Plan for 2007/2008 school year by May board meeting with a progress report/rough draft at April’s meeting. Jess second motion. Voted and Passed.

E. Finance Committee: John reported the budget for next year to be started. Currently revenue is down $50,000 on forecast. This leads to a year end deficit of $1467. Cuts of $5000 need to be made.

F. Financial Report: As part of Finance Committee report. John moved to accept financial report and Rochelle second. Voted and passed.

VIII. Consent Agenda: Jeni moved to accept and John second. Voted and passed.

IX. New Contracts: None

X. Old Business:

A. Board to take action to modify school calendar for 2006/2007 to have two less teaching days for 2/5/07 and 3/2/07. Jeni moved and Tim second. Voted and passed.

B. Grant writing discussion. Need to allow Kari time to work on grant writing. Request for written report on time spent/progress by next meeting. Tim moved and Steve second. Voted and passed.

XI. New Business:

A. Action to adopt school calendar for 2007/2008. Jess moved to accept and Rochelle second. Voted and passed

B. Approve agreement with Caravan Kids for catering lunch 2007/2008. Motion to table. Jess to check other options. Tim to check with PACT on their catering services. Jess moved and Tim second. Voted and passed.

C. Action to reduce budget expenditures. Finance Committee recommends Jim be directed to find $5000 in cuts. John moved and Tim second. Voted and passed.

D. Math position for Spring 2007. Jim provided information on possible hire for position. Discussion as to how the hire affects current budget issues. Hire deemed wash out with current teacher on leave therefore math position hire a go.