Regular Meeting

Odyssey Charter School

6201 Noble Ave. N

Brooklyn Center, MN 55429

September 26, 2007

6:00 PM

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, Tim Hedberg, John Sedey, Steve Skramstad, Rochelle Gredvig, Jeni Holm and Heather Wincek. Ken Wright attended as an ex-officio member. Jeoffrey Reed, Dean of Students.

I. Call to order and roll call at 6:03 P.M.

II. Additions to agenda: VII.B.i;VIII.C;VIII.D

III. John moved and Rochelle second to accept agenda. Motion passed.

IV. Acceptance of minutes from August meeting. Steve moved and John second to accept minutes. Motion passed.

V. Community Comment: None

VI. Introduction of Jeoffery Reed, Dean of Students: Beginning of school going well. He has met with every child who had issues last year. Spending time interacting with the kids in the halls. Feeling positive about behavior and talking with kids about choices in behavior.

VII. Presentations and Special Reports

A. Odyssey School Building Organization: No one to report.

B. Director’s Report: New Leadership Model: Work sessions have been productive with staff. Continuation of implementing a communication and access plan for Executive Director, Dean of Students, Business Manager and Office Manager/HR Coordinator in process. Personnel: Staff handbook has been updated and distributed. Continuing search for long term sub replacement for grade 3. Once finalized, will work with parents of students and three teachers to insure smooth transition. Finalizing paraprofessional assignments and schedules to be completed in the next 30 days. Teacher observations and evaluations to begin with initial classroom observation of each teacher prior to next board meeting. Curriculum/Educational Program: Focusing on 1) improving math curriculum in grades 6-8; 2) Family groups structure and activities; 3) framework for Project Based Learning. School Improvement Committee to work on areas listed in Sponsor’s report of May 2007. Facility: Dean of Students assuming administrative oversight of facility issues. Low rating received by health inspector on food service program. Most are District 279 or ARENA issues. Dean of Students and Kari Mitchell working with the health inspector to clarify which issues are ARENA’s responsibility. School Culture: Dean of Students developing school culture through direct actions with kids, Family Groups, routines, emphasis on morning meetings in grades K-8 and focus on middle school attitudes and leadership of students. Dean of Students to continue to develop relationship and routines with high risk students. Initiate early intervention with “wanna-be” students. Board Development/Board-Executive Director-Staff: Board policies ready for final or first reading. Request reexamination for Board Retreat. In the next 30 days, revise retreat/ planning session. Complete policy development. Sponsor Relationship: Executive Director met with District 279 Contract Oversight Committee. Agreement on process for 2007/2008 renewal and language to be presented to Odyssey and District 279 Boards for extending present contract. In the next 30 days, initiate School Improvement Committee work for 3-year contract renewal to be completed in April 2008.

i. Closed Session

C. Committee Report:

i. Community Action Committee: Family Fun Night went well as did “Spruce Up Odyssey”. Good turn out and night was quiet. Discussed questions for the survey for parents to take at conferences. Some topics include: what brings parents to Odyssey; what might send parents away; how can we recruit; maximum size for the school

ii. School Improvement Committee: Did not meet.

iii. Recruiting and Marketing Committee: Current enrollment at 165. Over 25 students on enrollment as of August 20 did not show or give notice. Working on communication and marketing plan. Options for incentive program while keeping student-school match in place. Continue with enrollment procedure to be clear with prospective parents on expectations and perceived match with the school’s program.

iv. Finance Committee: Fund balance is up due to lease packaging and cuts. Currently the school will be stable at 165 enrollments. Staff salary increase: clear to staff that increase to be based on enrollment. Will look at setting a pay schedule that meets fair pay based on experience, length of time at Odyssey, etc.

VIII. Consent Agenda:

A. Payment of bills, including payroll: Jeni moved and Steve second to approve. Motion passed.

B. Approval of hiring recommendations:

C. Student/Staff handbooks:

D. Charter Extension:

IX. New Contracts: None

X. Old Business:

A. Second reading and approval of boilerplate Board Policies to be added to Policy Governance Policies: Jeni moved and Steve second. Motion passed.

B. Rethink Board Planning Retreat timeline based on new possibilities of School Design and OSBO report. Look at possible Oct. dates meeting on a Friday evening/Saturday.

XI. New Business:

A. First reading of six Board Policies to be added to Policy Governance Policies: Jeni moved and Steve second to accept. Motion passed.

B. Upcoming Board election. Heather to get nomination forms ready and delivered to families.

XII. Adjournment: Steve moved and Jeni second to adjourn meeting at 9:30 P.M. Motion passed.