Monday, December 26, 2011

January 12, 2012 School Board Agenda

Northfield School of Arts and Technology

School Board Monthly Meeting Agenda

January 12, 2012

6:30 pm

ARTech at 1719 Cannon Road, Northfield

1. Call meeting to order

2. Verify Quorum

3. Approve Agenda

4. Approve Minutes of December 8, 2011

5. Speaker's Corner: This is an opportunity for community members to address the ARTech 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

(d) Committee Reports: Facilities Committee

(e) Student Report

8. Discussion and Action Items:

(a) Self-study discussion

(b) Name Discussion

(d) F1 Visa Status

9. Announcements:

(a) Arts for Martin – Friday, January 13

(b) No School – Workshops – Monday, January 16

(d) Board Retreat – Saturday, January 28

(e) Next Board Meeting – February 9, 2010

10. Adjourn

Sunday, December 4, 2011

December 8, 2011 Agenda

Northfield School of Arts and Technology

School Board Monthly Meeting Agenda

December 8, 2011

6:30 pm

ARTech at 1719 Cannon Road, Northfield

1. Call meeting to order

2. Verify Quorum

3. Approve Agenda

4. Approve Minutes of November 10, 2011

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

6. Consent Agenda: None

7. Reports

(a) Financial Report

(b) Directors Report

(d) Committee Reports: Education (College Prep) Committee

(e) Student Report

8. Discussion and Action Items:

(a) Self-study discussion

(b) Name Discussion

9. Announcements:

(a) Benefit Concert for the Marroquin-Haslett Family – December 16 at 6:00 at the Ballroom

(b) End of 2^nd Quarter/Presentation Night – December 22

(d) Next Board Meeting – January 12, 2012

(e) Board Retreat – January 28

10. Adjourn

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

October 13, 2011 School Board Minutes & Agenda

Northfield School of Arts and Technology

School Board Meeting Minutes

October 13, 2011

1. Call meeting to order at 6:39pm.

2. Verify Quorum: Tammy Prichard, Tim Goodwin, Chris Bashor, Jake Roberts, Maria Musachio, Jan Rohwer. Also attending: Ryan Krominga, Lori Urke, Rebecca McMullen

3. Motion to approve Agenda: Tim Goodwin, second Jan Rohwer, approved unanimously.

4. Motion to approve Minutes of September 15, 2011, Tim Goodwin, second Jake Roberts, approved unanimously

5. Motion to approve Minutes of September 28, 2011: Tim Goodwin, second Jake Roberts, approved unanimously.

6. Speaker's Corner: Lori Urke thanked ARTech for the opportunity to present a lesson as a Community Expert, and let us know she has received an award for her work.

7. Consent Agenda: None

8. Reports

(a) Financial Report: Rebecca McMullen reported that the financial audit, completed Sept. 22^nd, went well and no problems were brought to her attention by the auditor. Review of the revised 2012 budget detailed adjustments that reflect changes in financial balances. Fund balance for the current budget is $27,375 which is on track to meet the Board's mandated fund balance requirement for 2012. Motion to approve the revised budget: Chris Bashor, second Jan Rohwer, approved unanimously.

(b) Director Report: Annual Report, authored by director Ryan Krominga, presented to the Board. The Annual Report was presented to the Northfield School Board last Mon. The annual report highlights ARTech's educational program, student demographics, school finances, and MCA and Graduation Standards test statistics.

(d) Committee Reports: Art Committee has not met yet this year. Committee will be recruiting new members now. The committee would like to focus on writing a grant called "Arts Learning", offered through the MN State Arts Board. The grant would fund an Artist in Residence program and is due Sept. 2012.

(e) Student Report: None

9. Discussion and Action Items:

(a) Motion by Tim Goodwin to certify election results from Oct. 4^ththat elected Anne Klawiter/teacher to a 2 year term, Sheri Acosta/parent to a 3 year term, Laura Stelter/community member to a 3 year terms to the ARTech School Board, second Jan Rohwer, approved unanimously.

(b) Self-Study discussion led by Ryan Krominga, director. ARTech will be applying for renewal of their charter during this school year. A request was made for board members to assist with staff interviews, information gathering, and report writing. Anne Klawiter, Sheri Acosta, Olivia Paulson and Tim Goodwin volunteered to assist with this process.

(c) Name change discussion led by Anne Klawiter. The name ARTech may not clearly reflect what we do well. We might find a name that improves our ability to market ourselves more effectively and that will improve our recognition in this community. Motion to charge Anne Klawiter with bringing discussion of a name change to the ARTech staff and to report back to the Board at November Board meeting, second Chris Bashor, approved unanimously.

(d) New Board members Sheri Acosta, Anne Klawiter, and Laura Stelter are welcomed as newly elected ARTech School Board members. Olivia Paulsen is welcomed as a non-voting student representative. Than you to Maria Musachio, Chris Bashor, and Lisa Malecha who will be retiring from the Board this month.

10. Announcements:

(a) 11^th grade PSAT – October 12

(b) No School October 20-21 – Education MN Conference

(d) No School, teacher work day – October 28

(e) Early Release for Conferences – November 3

(f) Thanks-Give – November 18

(g) Next Board Meeting – November 10

11. Motion to adjourn Jan Rohwer , second Maria Musachio, approved unanimously.

Adjourn at 8:47

_____________________________________________________________

Northfield School of Arts and Technology

School Board Monthly Meeting Agenda

October 13, 2011

6:30 pm

ARTech at 1719 Cannon Road, Northfield

1. Call meeting to order

2. Verify Quorum

3. Approve Agenda

4. Approve Minutes of September 15, 2011

5. Approve Minutes of September 28, 2011

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

7. Consent Agenda: None

8. Reports

(a) Financial Report

(b) Director Report: Annual Report

(d) Committee Reports: Art Committee

(e) Student Report: None

9. Discussion and Action Items:

(a) Certify election results

(b) Self-study discussion

(d) New member orientation & board manuals

10. Announcements:

(a) 11^th grade PSAT – October 12

(b) No School (Education Minnesota) – October 20 - 21

(d) No School – October 28

(e) Early Release for Conferences – November 3

(f) Next Board Meeting – November 10

(g) Thanks-Give – November 18

11. Adjourn

September 28 Special School Board Meeting Minutes

Northfield School of Arts and Technology

School Board Minutes

Special Meeting

September 28, 2011

1. Call meeting to order at 9:20

2. School Board members in attendance: Tammy Prichard, Jake Roberts, Jan Rohwer, Maria Musachio, Janine Nelson

Also in attendance: Ryan Krominga, Sheri Acosta

3. Approve Agenda: Motion to approve agenda, Jan Rohwer, second Janine Nelson, approved unanimously.

4. Discussion and Action Items:

(a) Read and approve the annual report: Motion to approve the Annual Report with changes and corrections, Janine Nelson, second Jan Rohwer, approved unanimously.

5. Motion to adjourn: Jan Rohwer, second, Jake Roberts, approved unanimously.

Adjourn at 9:52

September 15, 2011 School Board Minutes

Northfield School of Arts and Technology

1719 Cannon Road, Northfield

School Board Meeting Minutes

Sept. 15, 2011

1. Call meeting to order at 6:44

2. Verify Quorum, in attendance: Tami Prichard, Evelyn Hoover, Jan Rohwer, Maria Musachio, Tim Goodwin, and Lisa Malecha. Also attending: Ryan Krominga, Director, Rebecca McMullen, Business manager, Lori Urke, parent.

3. Motion to approve Agenda: Lisa Malecha, second Evelyn Hoover, approved unanimously.

4. Motion to approve Minutes of August 25, 2011: Evelyn Hoover, second Jan Rohwer, approved unanimously.

5. Speaker's Corner: No speakers

6. Consent Agenda: None

7. Reports

(a) Financial Report, Rebecca McMullen: Finance committee met Tues. 9/13. Committee will look for new members as two members end their term of service. Tech budget was used to buy 9 new desktop computers. A special ruling allows MN Charter schools to receive 75% of the state's hold back funds on July 15^th while traditional schools receive their money later in the fiscal year. This is beneficial for maintaining a positive bank balance. Renewal of ARTech's line of credit is due Jan. 2012 and a preliminary discussion with Community bank suggested increasing the line of credit to cover this year's state holdback of 40%, up from 30% last year, will be approved. ARTech's financial audit will be completed next week.

(b) Director Report, Ryan Krominga: Enrollment is at 119. There is a waiting list for 10^th and 11^th grades. A new Spanish teacher, Jon Witt, has been hired at .4 FTE and has begun classes for beginning and intermediate Spanish language. The building expansion is moving along well. Preliminary results for state MCA and graduation standards tests have been sent and a full report is expected soon. ARTech's preliminary scores in Reading and Math far exceed state's average. ARTech's preliminary Math scores are somewhat below the state average. See Director's Report, attached.

(d) Committee Reports: None

(e) Student Report: None

8. Discussion and Action Items:

(a) Strategic plan for the 5 committees, Art Communication, Education, Facilities, and Finance, has been written with participation from committee members. See attached. Motion to approve committee goals as presented: Tim Goodwin, second Evelyn Hoover, approved unanimously.

(b) Ryan Krominga, Director, presented annual goals for the 2011-2012 school year. See attached. Motion to approve goals as presented: Lisa Malecha, second Tim Goodwin, approved unanimously.

(c) High School Student Handbook has been updated as of Sept. 2011. Motion to approve the updated handbook: Tim Goodwin, second Evelyn Hoover, approved unanimously.

(d) Motion to have a special board meeting on Sept. 28^th at 9:15 to approve the annual report: Lisa Malecha, second Tim Goodwin, approved unanimously.

(e) Motion to approve contract for Spanish teacher, Jon Witt: Evelyn Hoover, second Tim Goodwin, approved unanimously.

9.Announcements:

a. Manitowish for 9^th and 11^th graders, Sept. 27-30

b. Next Board Meeting – October 3, 2012

c. No School Oct. 20-21, MEA

d. End of quarter Oct. 27

e. No school/Teacher workshop Oct. 28

Motion to adjourn: Tim Goodwin, second Evelyn Hoover. Meeting adjourned at 8:22pm.

Strategic Plan for Committees (2011/ 2012)

Art	Communication	Education	Facilities	Finance
· Review art foundation curriculum and how our students develop “focused knowledge” · Develop and implement a trial of visiting artist/open studio for one quarter. This model would incorporate a weekly visit from a community artist, followed by an after-school open art studio · Articulate vision statement and share with the community · Review new art standards from MDE · Define what is UNIQUE about the arts at ARTech · College Connections & Community Mentors · Media Literacy – explore	· Develop a school-wide database of parents & skills · Plan Parent Education events · Facilitate Parent Volunteers · Review and publish last year’s parents survey · Survey parents in the spring and compare results	· Review the High School and Middle School handbooks · Explore Professional Development opportunities, including “Catalyst Fund” · Use the parents skills database for connecting mentors · Review and evaluate the high school program · Publish survey of graduates · Explore Honors designations · Develop e-portfolios	· Manage the build-out · Develop a plan for maintenance of the building	· Explore viability of “Catalyst Fund” · Review the Benefits package · Explore fundraising and grant writing · Develop and write finance policies
	Marketing Sub-Committee · Develop a template for posters for advertising events · Develop a strategy for promoting the school, esp. for the middle school	College Prep Sub-Committee · Set monthly meetings for high school students and parents · “What does prepared look like?” · Develop new transcript and profile · Demonstrate and articulate vision and rigor of the school · Build relationships with regional school · Research requirements for non-traditional schools
2011/ 2012 Calendar for Reporting to Board Meetings
October, February	November, March	December, April	January, May	December, June

Director’s Goals 2011 – 2012

· Successfully renew ARTech’s contract.

· Complete the Annual Report.

· Analyze high school curriculum with regards to standards as part of the contract renewal process and to have included in the high school handbook.

· Implementation of the education committee’s recommendations for high school credits in order to meet the state’s and school’s credit requirements.

· Successfully renew ARTech’s contract.

· Collect and analyze data concerning Staff and Student contact time.

· Develop and implement strategies for college readiness.

· Seek out staff and other resources for best practices regarding student discipline.

– Attend a workshop or conference

· Develop a staff professional development plan that is unique to ARTech that supplements Q Comp.

· Work with the Communications Committee to develop strategies for marketing the school.

· Develop an Employee Handbook and Operations Manual

· Explore innovative opportunities for fundraising.

· Complete a credit analysis comparing projects and classes within the subject areas.

August 25, 2011 School Board Minutes

Northfield School of Arts and Technology

1719 Cannon Road, Northfield

School Board Meeting Minutes

August 25, 2011

1. Call meeting to order at 6:40

2. Verify Quorum, in attendance: Janine Nelson, Evelyn Hoover, Jan Rohwer, Maria Musachio, Tim Goodwin, Lisa Malecha. Also attending: Ryan Krominga, Director.

3. Motion to approve Agenda: Lisa Malecha, second: Evelyn Hoover, approved unanimously.

4. Motion to approve Minutes of August 11, 2011: Janine Nelson, second: Lisa Malecha, approved unanimously.

5. Speaker's Corner: No speakers

6. Consent Agenda: None

7. Reports

(a) Financial Report, Janine Nelson: No written financial report at this time. The committee reviewed expenditures and revenues and found no unexpected numbers. Employee contracts for new employees were signed. The committee discussed creating a succession plan for the business manager position should there be an unforeseen crisis.

(b) Director Report, Ryan Krominga: ARTech's Annual report is being written. State test scores are needed from the state in order to complete the report. See Director's Report, attached.

(d) Committee Reports: None

(e) Student Report: None

8. Discussion and Action Items:

(a) Second reading of board term bylaws change, motion to approve the new language in the bylaws regarding "length of term" for board members: Lisa Malecha, second Tim Goodwin, approved unanimously.

(b) Approve contract for new employee Ryan Trotman/Paraprofessional, motion to approve the contract: Tim Goodwin, second Evelyn Hoover, approved unanimously.

9. Announcements:

(a) Family Picnic – Thursday, September 1 at Seclar Park

(b) First Day of School – September 6

10. Motion to adjourn: Janine Nelson, second Evelyn Hoover. Meeting adjourned at 7:20pm.

Director Report

August 25^th, 2011

i. Enrollment and Waiting List

Grade	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Total
Enrollment	12	22	17	12	20	27	13	Middle School: 51 (3 Spots) High School: 72 (Full) All School: 123 *
Waiting List	0	0	0	0	3	3	2	8

** We have two students that are scheduled to be full-time PSEO, and 6+ students who are scheduled to be part-time PSEO.

*** We have two 5^th year seniors that are not included in these student numbers.

ii. Curricular Initiatives

· Staff Workdays begin on August 25^th, 2011

· Staff are examining the MN Education Standards and comparing them with the courses we offer and the projects students have done. The goal is to create one master document for the school and for the charter renewal process.

· We are currently reviewing the student handbook and the middle school & high school curriculum guides. We are planning to combine them to create a middle school and high school handbooks that include all of the school policies and procedures as well as the curriculum information.

iii. Staffing updates

· We offered a contract to Lindsey Nibbe, recent graduate from UW Riverfalls. She is licensed in mathematics, 5^th grade through 12^th grade.

· We posted the Spanish position, but have not had any applicants.

· I’ve been working on the employee benefits guide and the school board policies that pertain to staff to create an updated employee handbook.

iv.

Building Status

· Framing has become on the building.

· Construction is scheduling to be completed by mid-October.

· The shell of the new addition will be constructed prior to the start of school, as well as the Great Room framing and sheetrock

· The bathroom toilets have been replaced.

· We will be setting up a plan with Northfield Construction for where they can be during the school day and where students can be.

v. External Relations

· Met with Dr. Richardson to introduce myself and discuss the upcoming renewal process with our authorizer, the Northfield School District.

· Met with Tom Graupmann to introduce myself and discuss shared activities between Northfield School District and ARTech.

o Sent out an email to parent today to request information from anyone interested in extra-curriculars.

· Met with the landlord to discuss school finance changes with the new legislation adopted for this fiscal year and beyond.

· E-mailed Susie Rook with the Northfield News to request an article about our building expansion. This is later than originally planned because we’ve been waiting for visible progress with the building construction.

· Received information from the Star Tribune about the Back-to-School issue.

vi. Professional Development

· Staff has been working on the comparison of the Minnesota Standards and their own curriculum.

vii. Charter School Renewal

· Dr. Richardson would like us to complete our self-study during the fall and find our evaluation team.

· He discussed having our evaluation team come in January or February 2012, with them reporting to the Northfield School District possibly at one of the March 2012 meetings.

· I said we would be pursuing a 5 year contract and he was happy to hear that.

· With the new laws for authorizers, we discussed their need to monitor our school more often.