Monday, October 29, 2012

Committees Update



Greetings, again!

              In a follow-up note to the e-mail sent last week, I'd like to give some more information about the committees.  These committees are crucial to many of the goals and plans of the school, and we need parents and staff members who are willing to help.  As you read through the committee descriptions, you may find yourself wanting to be a part of the work they are doing.  Feel free to contact me (Tammy Prichard) if you have any questions.

FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY … 
A Ten-Year Celebration Committee!
                Many may not be aware that this fall we started our 10th year of operation; the school opened its doors in September, 2003.  With a new name, 2 new classrooms and a new-ish director, we’d like to celebrate our growth and this particular milestone.  However, we can’t do it without a lot of help from our Arcadia family.  We not only need some brainstorming and organizational help, but we also will need help with practical tasks.  Please consider how you can put your talents and abilities to work in order to help us celebrate the life and accomplishments of the school.

Arts Committee
                The purpose of the Arts Committee is to work with the Director, staff, and Board to support the arts faculty; encourage the students to express themselves artistically; explore additional funding; coordinate and activate community members; and research and recommend art opportunities.  In that last 2 years the committee has set up a visiting artist program for the students.  This has been a great opportunity for the students and the Northfield art community.  This year, we’d like the committee to continue this project as well as exploring more ways to enhance the art experience at Arcadia.

Development & Marketing Committee
                This is a new committee and its purpose is to work with the Director and the Board to raise awareness and develop connections in the community and to raise funds to support the school’s mission.  The Marketing Subcommittee is to develop materials to promote the school to the community and to promote the school to potential students.  With a new name and the end of our first decade as a school, these are essential tasks for the school. 

Education & College Prep Committee
                The purpose of the Education & College Prep Committee is to work with the Director, staff, and Board to promote and encourage academic success; research educational opportunities and methods; and monitor and evaluate the school’s progress.  Last year, the committee explored areas of social curriculum and leadership development and gave the results of their research to the staff.  The College Prep subcommittee developed a database of secondary school options in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin.  This year, the goals include further work in college readiness and preparation, social curriculum and areas of academic need.


Facilities Committee
                The purpose of the Facilities Committee is to work with the Director and Board to maintain the building as a good learning environment and to coordinate volunteers to help with building needs.  With our new lease and the build-out of the new classrooms, the Facilities Committee has done a lot of work during the past 2 years.  Our needs at this time are maintenance and upkeep of the building.

Finance Committee
                The purpose of the Finance Committee is to work with the Director, Business Manager, and Board Treasurer to create the upcoming fiscal year’s budget; monitor the current year’s budget; present budget recommendations to the Board; recommend revisions to the budget; and recommend appropriate policies and practices for management of the school’s assets.  This committee meets monthly to review the budget, check register, and cash flow concerns. 

AND REMEMBER,
                We will be holding another election this spring. If you think you might be interested in the School Board, committees are a great way to get acquainted with some of the work that the board does.

Have a great week!
Tammy Prichard, chair
Arcadia School Board

October School Board Newsletter



Greetings from the School Board!
Welcome to New School Board Members!
            At our last board meeting, we certified the election results and are excited to welcome four new members to the Board:  Gary Braun (teacher ), Sara Line (parent), Lindsey Nibbe (teacher), and Dawn Taggart (parent).  They are joining Sheri Acosta, Tim Goodwin, Anne Klawiter, Laura Stelter and myself (Tammy Prichard).  We are very pleased to have a quality group of people willing to serve the school in this capacity.  We have also been fortunate to have the leadership and expertise of Janine Nelson, Jan Rohwer, and Jake Roberts who have diligently served full terms and contributed significantly to the welfare of the school.

Volunteer Opportunities
            The School Board has established a number of committees that work to further the goals of the school.  Composed of parents and staff, these committees have researched designated topics, compiled helpful resources, and completed various specific tasks.  Currently, we have the following committees:  Arts, Development (with a Marketing subcommittee), Education (with a College Prep subcommittee), Facilities, and Finance.  In September the Board approved goals for each committee that fit in with the needs and goals of the school. 
            Committees are a great avenue for getting involved with the school; they make significant contributions to the school.  We have room on all of the committees for interested parents.  Consider serving on committee this year. 


Change in Elections
            Since the board approved changes in our bylaws and in our election policy, we will have two elections this year.  We had a successful election this fall and appreciate our newly-elected board members as well as those who were a part of the voting process.  Our second election will be in the spring and will allow new members to get oriented and to be a part of the planning process for the upcoming school year.  Our ballot in the spring will need 3 parents and 1 teacher.   If you’re interested in serving on the school board for Arcadia, please contact Ryan Krominga or Tammy Prichard.

October 11 School Board Agenda



Arcadia Charter School
School Board Monthly Meeting Agenda

October 11, 2012
6:30 pm
1719 Cannon Road, Northfield


 1.       Call meeting to order
 2.       Verify Quorum
 3.       Approve Agenda
 4.       Approve minutes of September 13, 2012.

 5.       Speaker's Corner:  This is an opportunity for community members to address the Arcadia School Board on subjects related to the school. Please limit comments to three minutes.

 6.       Consent Agenda: none

 7.       Reports
(a)    Directors Report
(b)    Financial Report
(c)    Chair Report – none
(d)    Committee Report – none
(e)    Student Report – none

 8.       Discussion and Action Items:
(a)    Certify Election Results
(b)    Approve Annual Report
(c)    Approve the Assurance of Compliance
(d)    Approve Girls’ High School Basketball activities
(e)    Review the following policies:
 i.            407 – Employ Right to Know
 ii.          408 – Subpoena of a School District Employee
 iii.         410 – Family and Medical Leave Policy (reviewed 3/12)
(f)     Assigned Fund Balance – postponed until the November meeting
 i.            730 Fund Balance Policy
 ii.          730.1 Assigned Fund Balance Policy
(g)    Board Manual Distribution
(h)    Homework: 
 i.            “What information do I need to be a better ambassador?”
 ii.          Review next month’s policies:  412, 413, 414

 9.       Announcements:
(a)    October 16 – Picture Day
(b)    October 17 – PLAN & PSAT tests
(c)    October 18 & 19 – Fall Break
(d)    October 29 – Beginning of Term 2
(e)    November 5 – No School/ Teacher Workday
(f)     Next Meeting:  November 8

 10.   Adjourn


September 13 School Board Agenda



Arcadia Charter School
School Board Monthly Meeting Agenda

September 13, 2012
6:30 pm
1719 Cannon Road, Northfield


 1.       Call meeting to order
 2.       Verify Quorum
 3.       Approve Agenda
 4.       Approve minutes of August 23, 2012.

 5.       Speaker's Corner:  This is an opportunity for community members to address the Arcadia School Board on subjects related to the school. Please limit comments to three minutes.

 6.       Consent Agenda: none

 7.       Reports
(a)    Directors Report
(b)    Financial Report
(c)    Chair Report
(d)    Student Report

 8.       Discussion and Action Items:
(a)    Present Annual Report
(b)    Review Policy 209 and Code of Ethics
(c)    Approve Board Calendar of Actions
(d)    Approve Schedule for Policy Review
(e)    Set and approve Board goals
(f)     Approve Committee goals
(g)    Committee membership

 9.       Announcements:
(a)    September 20 – Parent Volunteer Information & Orientation Night
(b)    Election Schedule
            September 21 – Applications for the School Board due.
            Mailing of Ballots – September 28
            Deadline to return Ballots – October 8
            Count Ballots – October 9
            Certify election results – October 11
(c)    Next Meeting:  October 11


 10.   Adjourn

September 13 School Board Minutes



Arcadia Charter School
School Board Monthly Meeting Minutes

September 13, 2012
6:30 pm
1719 Cannon Road, Northfield


 1.       Called meeting to order at 6:39 pm
 2.       Verify Quorum (7 member board)
(a)    Present: Jan Rowher, Sheri Acosta, Tammy Prichard, Tim Goodwin,
(b)    Also present: Ryan Krominga, Rebecca McMullen
 3.       Approve Agenda
(a)    Motion to approve: Tim Goodwin
(b)    Second: Jan Rohwer
(c)    Unanimous approval

 4.       Approve minutes of August 23, 2012.
(a)    Motion to approve: Sheri Acosta
(b)    Second: Jan Rohwer
(c)    Unanimous approval

 5.       Speaker's Corner:  This is an opportunity for community members to address the Arcadia School Board on subjects related to the school. Please limit comments to three minutes.

 6.       Consent Agenda: none

 7.       Reports
(a)    Directors Report
 i.       126 total students; PSEO numbers lower than projected; Families continue to express interest in touring the school and learning about the school; Kim McMillan was hired for open special education paraprofessional position; Construction of storage closets/walls are completed awaiting final inspection; Ryan is attending a conference regarding interpreting MCA, NWEA and MMR data.
(b)    Financial Report
 i.       16.67 % through fiscal year, with 12.31 % of budget expended
 ii.     Confirmed approval of REAP grant of $20,000.
 iii.    Unaudited data has been uploaded to MDE
 iv.   Current cash flow is good, projecting using an extra line of credit for a month next summer
 v.     Did meet 2% fund balance goal for FY2012
 vi.   Finance committee would like board to consider creating an assigned fund balance.
(c)    Chair Report
 i.            Working on letter to editor about 10th year and name change
(d)    Student Report
 i.            None

 8.       Discussion and Action Items:
(a)    Present Annual Report
 i.            Ryan presented a draft of the annual report
(b)    Review Policy 209 and Code of Ethics
 i.            The board reviewed the MSBA Code of Ethics for Board Members
(c)    Approve Board Calendar of Actions
 i.            Motion to approve: Sheri Acosta
 ii.          Second: Tim Goodwin
 iii.         Unanimous approval
(d)    Approve Schedule for Policy Review
 i.            Motion to approve: Tim Goodwin
 ii.          Second: Jan Rohwer
 iii.         Unanimous approval
(e)    Set and approve Board goals
 i.            The board will create and follow through with a plan to engage with the school and the greater community as ambassadors on behalf of Arcadia.
 ii.          The board will take steps to improve communication between the staff and board
 iii.         The board will complete a strategic plan of long-range goals for Arcadia.
 A.   Motion to approve: Jan Rohwer
 B.   Second: Sheri Acosta
 C.   Unanimous approval
(f)     Approve Committee goals
 i.            The board approved goals for the individual board committees
 A.   Motion to approve: Jan Rohwer
 B.   Second: Sheri Acosta
 C.   Unanimous approval

 9.       Announcements:
(a)    September 20 – Parent Volunteer Information & Orientation Night
(b)    Election Schedule
            September 21 – Applications for the School Board due.
            Mailing of Ballots – September 28
            Deadline to return Ballots – October 8
            Count Ballots – October 9
            Certify election results – October 11
(c)    Next Meeting:  October 11


 10.   Adjourn at 8:30 pm
(a)    Motion to adjourn: Sheri Acosta
(b)    Second: Jan Rohwer
(c)    Unanimous approval

August 23 School Board Minutes



Arcadia Charter School
School Board Monthly Meeting Minutes

August 23, 2012
6:30 pm
1719 Cannon Road, Northfield


 1.     Call meeting to order at 6:35 pm.

 2.     Verify Quorum
Board Members Present: Sheri Acosta, Jan Rohwer, Tammy Prichard, Anne Klawiter, Tim Goodwin, Janine Nelson; Laura Stelter arrived at 7:30
Also attending: Ryan Krominga, Rebecca McMullen, Lisa Malecha

 3.     Approve Agenda
Motion to approve: Sheri Acosta; Second, Jan Rohwer, Unanimous Approval

 4.     Approve minutes of August 9, 2012.
Motion to approve: Janine Nelson; Second, Sheri Acosta; Unanimous Approval

 5.     Speaker's Corner:  This is an opportunity for community members to address the Arcadia School Board on subjects related to the school. Please limit comments to three minutes.

 6.     Consent Agenda: none

 7.     Reports
(a)    Directors Report: Report same as August 9th except enrollment updated to 124 students

(b)    Financial Report
Finances are on track; Audit prep is being done and audit is scheduled; School received finance award from department of education.

(c)    Chair Report
None

(d)    Student Report
None

 8.     Discussion and Action Items:
(a)    Parent and staff Survey Results – Lisa Malecha
 i.       Parent survey had 73 respondents.  General tone of the responses was favorable to very favorable about the experience their child has had as well as the family interaction with the school.
 ii.     General tone of the staff survey is that morale is solid, the staff communicates well, and feel that leadership is strong. 
(b)    Approve Bylaws
Motion to approve: Anne Klawiter; second, Jan Rohwer; Unanimous approval

(c)    Letter of Resignation from Evelyn Hoover
Motion to accept: Tim Goodwin; Second, Janine Nelson; Unanimous approval

(d)    Building Update
Closet/dividing walls in northeast corner of building in progress

(e)    Student & Employee Handbooks
Student and employee handbooks were presented to the board

(f)     Board Survey results
Survey results of board self-study were presented and discussed

(g)    Board goals planning
Need for goals for the board and possible areas of goals to address was discussed.  Further discussion
will occur at the next board meeting.

(h)    Board elections
Notices to community about board elections going out and process is underway

(i)      Committee membership
Board members were asked to consider possible committee participation

(j)      Name change addendum to contract with sponsor
Motion to approve: Tim Goodwin; Second, Sheri Acosta


 9.    Announcements:
(a)    Workshops & conferences:  August 20 – 29
(b)    Arcadia Family Picnic:  August 29
(c)    School Starts:  September 4
(d)   Next Meeting:  September 13


 10.   Adjourn
Motion to adjourn at 8:35: Jan Rohwer; Second, Janine Nelson; Unanimous approval

Respectfully submitted by Tim Goodwin, Board Secretary

Monday, September 10, 2012

Election Policy


202    School Board Election Process 


I.          PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to clarify the procedure and schedule for the election of school board members and officers.

II.        GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY

According to the bylaws, “the membership of the school board consists of at least nine elected directors, and according to Minn. Stat. § 124D.10, Subd. 4g will consist of at least one  licensed teacher employed at the school, one parent or guardian of student(s) currently enrolled at Arcadia, and one interested community member who is not employed by Arcadia and does not have a child enrolled at the school.  The board will aim to balance the number of teachers and parents.  The term of office for parents and community members is three years. The term of office for licensed teachers employed by the school is 2 years. The Board shall not include more than one member of a family; this includes spouse, partner or children.”

III.       ELECTION SCHEDULE

A.        The following schedule will be used for the election of school board members and officers:
1.      Notification of elections:  2nd Friday in April
2.      Application for election deadline:  2nd Friday in May
3.      Ballots mailed to Arcadia community:  3rd Friday in May
4.      Deadline for ballots:  Monday before the scheduled June board meeting (2nd Thursday)
5.      Counting ballots:  Tuesday before the scheduled June board meeting (2nd Thursday)
6.      Certify election results:  Scheduled board meeting/ 2nd Thursday in June
7.      Election of board officers:  Annual Meeting (September board meeting/ 2nd Thursday in September)

B.         Newly-elected persons will be “board members-elect” and will begin their terms at the September board meeting.

III.       ELECTION NOTIFICATIONS

A.        Notices announcing school board elections and inviting candidates to file for election will be posted no later than the 2nd Friday of April in at least the following places:
       Parent Meetings
       Northfield News, Northfield.org, Northfield Patch
       Arcadia website
       Arcadia
       Newsletter to parents
III.       ELECTION PROCESS

A.        The election ballots will be mailed by the 3rd Friday in May with directions that completed ballots be received at Arcadia no later than the Monday immediately prior to the scheduled board meeting in June.  The election ballots may be mailed through the United States Postal Service and/or electronically by the Board Chair with support of school staff.

B.         The Board Secretary will count the ballots on the Tuesday immediately prior to the scheduled board meeting in June.  If the Secretary is unable to count the ballots, then the Board Chair will count the ballots. If the Board Chair is unable to count the ballots, then the Board Vice-Chair will count the ballots.  Ballots received after the second Monday in June will be disqualified and may not be counted.

C.        The election results will be reported to the Board at the June board meeting and the Board will verify and accept the results of the election.  Newly-elected persons will serve as board members-elect and participate in a non-voting capacity in orientation, goal-setting, and any other meetings prior to the beginning of their terms in September.

D.        The board will aim to balance the number of teachers and parents serving on the board.  In the notifications for the election, openings for positions needed to maintain this balance will be listed.  In the event of a shortage of either interested parents or teachers, the board will maintain the required number of at least 1 teacher, 1 parent, and 1 community member.


III.       BOARD VACANCIES

A.        A vacancy caused by a member being unable to serve on the board and attend its meetings for not less than 90 days because of illness or prolonged absence may, after the board has declared such vacancy to exist, be filled by the board at any regular or special meeting for the remainder of the unexpired term, or until such ill or absent member is again able to resume duties as a member of such board, whichever date is earliest. When the ill or absent member is able to resume duties as a member of the board, the board must by resolution declare such person to be again a member of the board, and the member appointed by the board to be no longer a member.

B.         Any other vacancy in a board must be filled by board appointment at a regular or special meeting. The appointment shall be evidenced by a resolution entered in the minutes and shall continue until an election is held. All elections to fill vacancies shall be for the unexpired term. 

III.       IMPLEMENTATION

            Due to the change in the election policy, two elections will be held in the 2012-2013 school year.  The first election will be held in the fall as per the old policy; the second election will follow the new schedule and be held in the spring.  The first year of the terms for board members elected in the fall of 2012 will begin at the board meeting in November, 2012 and end prior to the board meeting in September, 2013.  Any board members whose terms were to expire in October, 2013 will expire prior to the board meeting in September, 2013.  Hereafter, terms will begin at and expire prior to the September board meeting.

 

Legal References:      Minn. Stat. § 124D subd.4(d)
Minn. Stat. § 124D subd.4(g)
Minn. Stat. § 123B.09 subds. 3, 4

 

OLD POLICY -----------------------------------------------------------------------

202    School Board Election Process 


The following schedule will be used for the election of school board members and officers:
Notices announcing school board elections and inviting candidates to file for election will be posted no later than the fourth Friday of August in at least the following places:
·      Parent Orientation meetings
·      Northfield News
·      Northfield.org
·      Arcadia Website
·      At Arcadia
·      Newsletter to families
The deadline to file for election to school board positions will be the third Friday in September.
The election ballots will be mailed by the fourth Friday in September, with directions that completed ballots be received at Arcadia no later than the Monday immediately prior to the Annual Meeting in October.  The election ballots may be mailed through the United States Postal Service and/or electronically by the Board Chair with support of school staff.
The Board Secretary will count the ballots on the Tuesday immediately prior to the Annual Meeting in October.  If the Secretary is unable to count the ballots, then the Board Chair will count the ballots. If the Board Chair is unable to count the ballots, then the Board Vice-Chair will count the ballots.  Ballots received after the second Monday in October will be disqualified and may not be counted.
The election results will be reported to the Board at the annual meeting and the Board will verify and accept the results of the election.


Legal References:      Minn. Stat. § 124D subd.4(d)
Minn. Stat. § 124D subd.4(g)