Odyssey Academy
Board of Directors
Regular Meeting
6201 Noble Avenue North
Brooklyn Center, MN 55429
WEDNESDAY May 27, 2009
6:00 P.M.
Odyssey Board Mission:
The purpose of the Board, on behalf of Odyssey Academy membership, is to
create sustainable conditions in which Odyssey Academy achieves desired
results for students, parents and staff in a financially responsible manner.
Membership in Attendance: Mike Auld, John Sedey, Heather Wincek, Jessica Driscoll, Roshelle Amundson, Rochelle Gredvig, Notetaker: Sheila Prokott
Absent Members: Jodie Hardenbrook, Tim Hedberg, Dorothy Washington
Community members in Attendance: Paul Zondo, school staff
1.
Call to order and roll call at 6:10 p.m. by Mike Auld.
2. Additions to agenda at Board Meeting: No additions were made to the agenda.
3. Approval of Agenda:
Jessica Driscoll approved the proposed meeting agenda. Heather
Wincek seconded the approval. All Board Members present agreed with
the motion and
the agenda was approved.
4. Approval of minutes from April
29, 2009 Board Meeting. Mike Auld motioned to
approve the April 29, 2009 Board Meeting Minutes. Roshelle Amundson
seconded the
motion. All Board Members present agreed with the motion and the
Board Meeting
Minutes submitted for April 29, 2009 were approved and passed.
5.Community comments. Paul Zondo,
an Odyssey Staff Member addressed the School
Board with the following concerns.
--inquired about when current staff will know that a position is
not filled and open
for application and when current positions won’t be available
for the 2009-2010
school year.
--asked about whether grant writing would be done so activities and
programs Odyssey
thought they could do this year, would be possible for the next
school year. He
specifically inquired about after-school activities and
transportation for after-school
activities and school band program.
5. Community comments continued:
--concerns were shared about Middle School related to parent
complaints Mr. Zondo
has received about negative influences on children that have
occurred this year.
6. Closed Meeting as needed. No
closed meeting was needed or held.
7. New Business. No new business was addressed by Board Members.
8. Reports:
8.1 Odyssey School Building
Organization (OSBO):
John Sedey reported for OSBO. He stated that Greg Gredvig
from OSBO has
indicated that a lease extension for the building is in place
with Osseo Schools.
A verbal confirmation with Osseo has been made. In addition,
John reported that
Osseo Schools have been informed that Odyssey continues to have
interest in
purchasing the current school building and wants to keep
discussion going
related to school building purchase process.
8.2 Community Action Committee (CAC):
Mike Auld reported for CAC. Mike recapped events CAC
organized during the past
month.
A. Brooklyn Center (BC) Reads Event at Brookdale Mall:
This event was successful, but participation by more
Odyssey families
and staff would have made it better.
B. Adventure Trips. Adventure Trips to the
Audobon Center for students
in grades 1-5 and Kelly Farm for Kindergarten students
were successfully
completed. The Adventure Trip for students in grades 6-8
to Wolf Ridge
Environmental Center and Camp were being finished this
week. Students who
did not go to Audobon or Wolf Ridge participated in
special events and local field
trips at Odyssey during Adventure Trip weeks.
C. Open House. The last formal Open House event
was on May 21, 2009 and
was successful.
D. Track and Field Day. This event was held on
Friday May 22, 2009.
Jessica Driscoll commented that KARE-11 television
visited that day in the
morning and their visit with students, staff, and parents
went well.
E. Project Demonstration
Night and Picnic Dinner: The last Project Night
Demonstration Night is scheduled for Monday June 1,
2009. A picnic dinner
will be served to those attending this event.
8. Reports:
8.2 Community Action Committee (CAC) continued:
F. Last school day is June 4, 2009. CAC has reviewed
the 2009-2010 calendar for
scheduling all school events and fundraising
activities.
8.3 Finance:
Mike Auld and John Sedey reported.
All Board Members present were given a copy of a current financial
report for April
2009 for review and reference.
John Sedey reported current cash flow balance is $72,000 with a
current
outstanding balance of total expenses at $400,000. John stated the
following about the
current budget and financial report:
-- Odyssey may need to tap into the school’s line of credit.
-- A negative balance continues in the Food Service budget.
Lunchroom staff costs will
be placed in the general budget for 2009-2010.
-- “Kid’s Club” budget line currently shows a loss because some
families left Odyssey
with an unpaid balance.
-- Title I monies expected for the 2009-2010 school year have not
been plugged into the
budget and financial report given to Board members during this
meeting.
--Utilities are coming in as higher than expected costs.
--Transportation costs have been lower than expected for 2008-2009.
John verified
Odyssey will have a new transportation company contract for
2009-2010 and there
will be one fewer bus providing transportation for 2009-2010 than
was used during
the current school year.
Mike Auld reported that Odyssey is still feeling the financial hit from
last summer and
the current 2008-2009 school year. Mike stated the following about
the school budget:
--Odyssey fundraised more money this year.
--Charging more per meal is one way for Odyssey to get to a place
where our Food
Service Program isn’t showing a financial loss.
-- July 1, 2009 will start a new fiscal year.
9. Interim Director Report:
9.1 General comments.
A. Open House was held May 21st from 6:30 –
7:30 p.m.
Jessica Driscoll shared specifics about this event to the
Board. Staff members
were paired with visitors for personalized tours through
the school building.
One parent Ms. Driscoll gave a tour to asked for
additional enrollment forms
to encourage another family with several children to
enroll at Odyssey.
B. Staff Meeting Updates. John Sedey had no new
updates for the Board.
9. Interim Director Report continued:
C. Interviews. There are
several open staff positions that applicants have
been interviewed for during the past month. John stated
18 interviews have been
conducted for the following positions:
--Middle School Math and Language Arts
--Art
--Elementary Positions
John told the Board
postings for additional positions will possibly be made in the
future for the upcoming school year.
9.2 Activity Calendars for FY 2010.
John distributed a calendar for July 2009 through December
2009 to Board members
present for review and reference. He stated that he wasn’t sure
if all committees and
meetings are on the draft calendar he distributed.
9.3 Current enrollment for FY 2009 and FY 2010.
John distributed a chart with current enrollment
information broken down by grade
level for the current year and for 2009-2010 based on
enrollment registration forms
received. As of Monday May 18, 2009 264 students are
currently enrolled and
attending Odyssey and 288 students K-8 are registered to attend
Odyssey for the
2009-2010 school year. John stated capacity is 18 students in
each Kindergarten
class and 22 students in grades one through eight.
9.4 Preliminary FY 2010 Budget.
A copy of the 2009-2010 budget discussed at the last Board
Meeting was distributed.
John stated that budget proposal is based on 303 students and a
set of budget
planning assumptions. John distributed an “Addendum to Budget
Projections”
listing 13 assumptions used to create the proposed 2009-2010
budget.
John stated that Minnesota Legislature impact will affect
Odyssey’s new school year
budget. Based on information he has received, John stated that
the current amount of
hold back of funding from the state is 10% during the school
year and adjusted at the
end of the fiscal year. He indicated the Minnesota Legislature
is considering a 20%
hold back of funding for the 2009-2010 fiscal year and this
will impact Odyssey’s
cash flow during the new school year.
John stated that based on information he received from Kari
Mitchell, the Director
of Operations, Health Benefits for the 2009-2010 fiscal year
are anticipated to
increase between 5-10% of current costs.
This budget proposal is the same as the one on the 5 year
project budget plan
distributed previously this spring. Staff additions to the
budget will be a half–time
Health Teacher, a full-time Media/Technology Specialist, and
additional positions
9.4 Preliminary FY 2010 Budget
continued:
and parts of current positions due to anticipated additional
Title I and Stimulus
monies. Title I monies are required to go toward costs related
to remediation of
skills with students. A Peer Mentor position for teachers is
another position
possibility to be added to the 2009-2010 budget.
John stated that David Rand continues to work as Odyssey’s
Technology
Coordinator on an hourly basis for now. He has provided a job
description to
John for this position. John stated Odyssey wants to have a
Technology
Coordinator/Media Specialist who is comfortable with children.
Depending on
the skills of the selected candidate, the new Technology
Coordinator/Media
Specialist may be working with students directly as part of
their job.
John stated that the 5% fund balance the Board has asked for at
the end of the
current school year is possible. Current total enrollment is
15 under the number
used to create projected budget.
Heather Wincek asked about the “ATP/Special Education” line on the
budget presented.
John stated there will not be an ATP line on the final budget proposal
and that the
dollar amounts given on the “ATP/Special Education” line will be used
for Instructional
Assistants in Special Education for the 2009-2010 school year.
John stated he is interested in more input about the budget from Board
Members.
No action or motions were taken by the Board related to the proposed
“Preliminary 2009-
2010 Budget” for Odyssey during this meeting.
Director Proposal from John Sedey:
Mike Auld distributed a copy of John Sedey’s time line and proposal
for 2009-2010
Director services and tasks he is willing to complete and services he
would provide to
Odyssey. Mr. Sedey’s proposal goes through the end of the 2009-2010
school year. He
stated this written proposal is a draft.
Mr. Sedey stated he will make a final draft and get it to Board
Members via email.
The final draft will then be a proposal for approval at the June Board
Meeting.
Board Member consensus was that it is acceptable to follow Mr. Sedey’s
proposed
process of getting a final draft of his Director’s Proposal to them
for approval during the
June 2009 Board Meeting. No motions or actions were taken by
Odyssey’s School
Board on the draft Director’s Proposal during this meeting.
9.5 Leadership Team Update.
John distributed an information list to the Board outlining
Positions, Qualifications,
and Responsibilities for Leadership Team Members for the
2009-2010 school year.
Qualifications for membership on the proposed information list
aren’t necessarily
final yet.
9.5 Leadership Team Update continued:
John stated two groups are not fully represented now on the
Leadership Team:
Specialists and Student Support Services (Special Education,
School Counselor,
and Title I).
Leadership Team currently meets Mondays from 3-4:15 p.m. and
there is a need for
longer meetings in the future. Leadership Team members will be
required to be
available to meet and attend training sessions in the summer.
The Leadership
Team Development Training dates on the proposed calendar John
distributed during
this Board Meeting are tentative. In addition, John stated
that members on the
Leadership Team will participate in staff development for
school staff. An
application process will be used to select members for the
2009-2010 Leadership
Team and a stipend may be provided for being on the Leadership
Team.
10. Action on first year non-licensed
staff.
John Sedey presented a proposal related to six non-licensed,
first year staff at Odyssey.
The proposal is to send a letter to all first year, non-licensed
staff on May 28, 2009
informing first year, non-licensed staff that their work contracts
expire at the end of the
current school and that they would have the opportunity to re-apply
for non-licensed
positions as they become available for the 2009-2010 school year.
Mr. Sedey stated
first year, non-licensed staff that do not have their work contracts
renewed would be
considered layoffs. John stated many of the non-licensed positions
are connected to
Special Education and service minutes of paraprofessionals on
Individual Education
Plans (IEPs). John stated this letter will be similar to the letter
given to first year,
licensed teaching staff the Board approved in April.
Brief discussion was held related to other support positions that are
non-licensed such
as office positions. John stated roles of office positions are
currently operating on some
assumptions. He stated office job roles need to be defined in
writing. John did state
that Office hours will be in place for the summer months, at least
two days a week.
Additional discussion was held regarding when current, non-licensed
staff will know
whether position openings may be available for application. Mr.
Sedey stated that all
current, non-licensed positions in place will not be filled for the
2009-2010 school year.
Student enrollment and educational needs will decide how many
non-licensed positions
are needed but everyone who currently holds a non-licensed position
and wants to apply
and interview for future positions will be given that opportunity.
Rochelle Gredvig motioned to approve John Sedey’s proposal of not
renewing
contracts of first year, non-licensed staff. Mike Auld seconded the
motion. No further
discussion was held. All Board Members present were in favor of the
motion. No one
abstained or objected. The motion to not renew work contracts for
all first year,
non-licensed staff for the 2009-2010 school year was approved and
passed.
11. Post position vacancies:
11.1 1.0 Media Specialist
11.2 .6 Health Teacher. John Sedey corrected this position to .5
Health Teacher.
11.3Title I position (s). John Sedey stated this position
posting is being dropped at
this time.
11.4 1.0 Spanish Teacher. This is a position addition John Sedey
made during this
Board Meeting.
Jessica Driscoll motioned to post position
vacancies for a 1.0 Media Specialist, 1.0 Spanish
Teacher, and a .5 Health Teacher. Rochelle Gredvig seconded this motion.
All Board Members present were in favor of this motion. No one abstained or
objected.
The motion to post position vacancies for a Media Specialist, Spanish
Teacher, and Health
Teacher for 2009-2010 was approved and passed.
12. Consent Agenda
12.1 Payment of bills, including
payroll.
Heather Wincek moved to pay all bills including payroll.
Roshelle Amundson
seconded this motion. All Board Members present were in
favor of this motion.
No one abstained or objected. The motion to pay all current
bills and
payroll was approved and passed.
13. Old Business:
13.1 Wellness Policy.
Jessica Driscoll stated that Odyssey’s Board needs to
approve a Wellness Policy
today because of Minnesota Department of Education (MDE)
requirements
according to Odyssey’s Director of Operations, Kari
Mitchell.
A brief discussion was held about two sections of the
“Wellness Policy” draft
presented during May 2009’s Board Meeting and a need for
these sections to
be revised in the future.
Jessica Driscoll motioned to approve the “Wellness Policy
Draft”. Mike Auld
seconded the motion. All Board Members present were in
favor of the motion.
No one abstained or objected. The motion to accept the
“Wellness Policy
Draft” was approved and passed.
13.2 Board Training.
Jessica Driscoll reported she has made a contact with a
person from MACS,
a non-profit organization willing to do training with
Odyssey’s Board
Members. The fee for this person to do one training
session is $45.00.
13.2 Board Training continued:
Jessica Driscoll reported this person is only available
to do training on
June 22, 2009. Ms. Driscoll indicated that attendance for
any type of Board
Member training should be mandatory. Discussion about
Board Training
was conducted. Mike Auld indicated a need for training to
occur now.
Heather Wincek asked about new Board Member training after
November
2009 Board Elections. Suggestion was made to have Board
Training before
the next meeting and then shorten the monthly Board Meeting
in June.
Mike Auld motioned to move the
June 2009 Board Meeting from Wednesday
June 24, 2009 to Monday June 22, 2009 to allow for Board
Member training
starting at 5 p.m. Rochelle Gredvig seconded this
motion. All Board Members
present were in favor of this motion. No one abstained or
objected.
The motion to move the June 2009 Board Meeting to Monday
June 22, 2009
with Board Training to begin at 5 p.m. and regular monthly
meeting to
follow was passed and approved.
Discussion about July 2009 Board Meeting was conducted. John Sedey is not
available on Wednesday July 22, 2009, the currently scheduled Board Meeting
date. He is available to
to attend a Board Meeting on Wednesday July 29, 2009.
Roshelle Amundson motioned to move the July
2009 Board Meeting to July 29, 2009.
Heather Wincek seconded this motion. All Board Members present were in
favor of this motion. No one abstained or objected. The motion to change
the July 2009 Board Meeting to July 29, 2009 was passed and approved.
14. Action to adjourn
meeting was made by Rochelle Gredvig. Roshelle Amundson
seconded the motion. The School Board Meeting was adjourned at
7:30 p.m. .