Tuesday, November 22, 2011

August 11, 2011 School Board Minutes

Northfield School of Arts and Technology

School Board Monthly Meeting Agenda

August 11, 2011

6:30 pm

ARTech at 1719 Cannon Road, Northfield

1. Call meeting to order at 6:43pm

2. Verify Quorum

PRESENT: Jake Roberts, Chris Bashor, Tammy Prichard, Jan Rohwer,Lisa Malecha, Janine Nelson

Additionally present: Rebecca McMullen (Business Manager), Ryan Krominga (Director)

3. Approve Agenda

Motion to approve: Janine Nelson

Second: Jan Rohwer

Motion passed: unanimous

4. Approve Minutes of June 9, 2011

Motion to approve: Jan Rohwer

Second: Chris Bashor

Motion passed: unanimous

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.

None

6. Consent Agenda: None

7. Reports

(a) Financial Report (see attached MN Dept of Ed State Aids Payment Schedule)

Rebecca presented the table, discussed the new payment schedule that was past during the special session of the state legislature. Holdback has moved from 30 to 40%. Rebecca believes that the new payment structure will benefit us in light of how we manage our finances. She also showed us a spreadsheet laying out month–by-month projections to illustrate that we will need to use the line of credit less.

(b) School Director Report (Report attached)

Review of current enrollment status, table on the report, 126 currently enrolled. After August 1^st the director choose to over enroll a few grade levels (7^th, 8^th, 10^th). Staff return August 25^th. High school staff have been reviewing MN education standards to prepare for contract renewal. Handbook reviews occurring. New hire for high school math/advisor, Lindsey Nibbe. Have posted for a part-time Spanish and a full-time paraprofessional. Reviewed building status, slow start due to permit process as it relates to the government shutdown. Working with the construction company to help with attempting to minimize the impact on students when school starts. Ryan will bring a timeline to the next board meeting regarding to the renewal process. Authorizer will be out more frequently as a result of changes in Charter School Law.

Board training, board member recruitment, policy committee, board committee involvement, board survey, and board retreat (check for dates).

(d) Committee Reports: None

(e) Student Report: None, will need a new student representative. Thanks to Ginger Coleman for her year of service to the board and her role for the students at ARTech.

8. Discussion and Action Items:

(a) Approve contract for Advisor/Math, Lindsey Nibbe, first year teacher working with Scott in Red.

Motion to approve: Lisa Malecha

Second: Jake Roberts

Motion passed: unanimous

(b) Formation of Policy Committee

Motion by Jan Rohwer that a policy committee be formed by the board.

Second: Janine Nelson

Motion passed: unanimous

(c) First Reading of Board Term by Laws Change; The term of office for parents and community members is 3 years. The term of office for licensed employees of the school is 2 years.

Discussion – hoping this will help with staff involvement on the board. Staff are more able to step in with their knowledge as an employee of the school.

(d) Approve Election Notice (see attached)

Motion to approve: Janine Nelson

Second: Jan Rohwer

Motion passed: unanimous

(e) Motion by Lisa Malecha to move the September meeting from the current September 8^th date to the September 15^th.

Second: Janine Nelson

Discussion regarding having only one meeting in August – review when setting calendar.

Motion passed: unanimous

(f) Lisa shared information regarding the Charter School Law Conference, see Lisa for details and copies of information if interested.

9. Announcements:

(a) New Student and Parent Orientation – August 23

(b) Next Meeting – August 25, 2011

(d) Family Picnic – September 1

(e) First Day of School – September 6

(f) Funding for Promise Fellow, ARTorg is willing to pay $3,000 toward this position. Lisa will be work with Ryan, Dave (from ARTorg), Zach Pruitt and others to create a draft of a plan.

(g) National Charter School Conference June of 2012 in Minnesota.

10. Adjourn at 8:14pm

Motion to approve: Jan Rohwer

Second: Janine Nelson

Motion passed: unanimous

June 9, 2011 School Board Minutes

Northfield School of Arts and Technology

School Board Meeting Minutes

6/9/11, 6:30 pm

ARTech at 1719 Cannon Road, Northfield

1. Call meeting to order at 6:44

2. Verify Quorum

Present: Tammy Prichard, Jan Rohwer, Lisa Malecha, Evelyn Hoover, Janine Nelson, Maria

Musachio, Jake Roberts, Tim Goodwin

Additionally present: Simon Tyler/Director, Ryan Krominga, Rebecca McMullen

3. Approve Agenda

Motion to approve: Janine Nelson

Second: Lisa Malecha

Motion passed: unanimous

4. Approve Minutes of May 5, 2011

Motion to approve: Maria Musachio

Second: Jan Rohwer

Motion passed: unanimous

5. Approve Minutes of June 2, 2011

Motion to approve: Tim Goodwin

Second: Janine Nelson

Motion passed: unanimous

6. Speaker's Corner: No speakers

7. Consent Agenda: None

8. Reports:

(a) Finance Committee and Financial Report – Janine Nelson:

July 31^st payment may be delayed due to possible state gov. shut down. Bank will give us a loan if needed.
No Promise Fellow funding has been offered by the state. ARTech has not found $6,000 in its budget to fund this position if we were assigned a Promise Fellow. ARTech will not commit funds at this time.
Finance committee recommends using the federal stimulus money to give a staff bonus of 2.5% on Aug. 31^st, and to increase the school’s fund balance by approximately $7,000.
Finance committee recommends creating a Staff Development line item to be funded annually. It is not sustainable at this time., so is not in the proposed 2011-2012 budget.
FY12 budget proposed

(b) Board Chair Report- Tammy Prichard:

Thanks to the Search Committee for completing the process of hiring a director. They met their goal to have a director hired before the end of the school year.
Thanks to Simon Tyler for his leadership in navigating the ARTech through very difficult financial times, supporting staff, initiating technology improvements, renewal of lease, and building expansion, among many other positive contributions to the school during his three years of service as executive director.
Board training will be hosted by School Business Solutions. All school board members who have not yet received training will attend on June 14^th.
School board will be retiring 3 members in Oct.: Lisa Malecha, Chris Bashor, and Maria Musachio. 3 new members will be elected in the fall.

i. Thanks to the school Board for their leadership with facility, building expansion, financial direction, and support.

ii. Enrollment and Waiting Lists: Currently enrollment is at 119.

iii. Curricular Initiatives: May Term is going well. High school graduation is Fri. 6/10. Twenty students will graduate.

iv. Building Status: (see Facilities Committee report by Tim Goodwin)

v. External Relations: Boat Project was in the paper.

(d) Committee Reports:

Facilities Committee – Tim Goodwin: Build out project will begin mid-June. Budget had to be revised and additional negotiation will happen when we know how much money is left. Construction should be complete by Oct. 13^th.

9. Discussion and Action Items:

(a) Admission Policy (see attached)

Motion by Janine Nelson to approve new Admissions policy

Second: Evelyn Hoover

Motion passed: unanimous

(b) Executive Director employment agreement

Motion by Janine Nelson to approve Executive Director employment agreement for Ryan Kromenga

Second: Jake Roberts

Motion passed: unanimous

Motion by Tim Goodwin to approve staff contracts

Second: Evelyn Hoover

Motion passed: unanimous

(d) Approve Q-Comp report

Motion by Lisa Malecha to approve Q-Comp report submitted by Simon Tyler

Second: Jan Rohwer

Motion passed: unanimous

(e) Approve the FY11 budget

Motion by Tim Goodwin to approve FY11 budget

Second: Evelyn Hoover

Motion passed: unanimous

(f) Approve FY12 budget

Motion by Evelyn Hoover to approve FY12 budget

Second: Tim Goodwin

Motion passed: unanimous

(g) Approve the School board Meeting calendar

Motion by Lisa Malecha to approve School Board calendar

Second: Evelyn Hoover

Motion passed: unanimous

10. Announcements:

(a) Presentation of May Term groups June 10^th, 9:30 am

(b) Last day of school for students June 10^th, last day for staff June 15^th.

(d) New Exec. Director role starts July 1st

(e) Next School Board Meeting: August 11, 2011

11. Adjourn

Motion to adjourn: Lisa Malecha

Second: Jan Rohwer

Motion passed: unanimous

Meeting adjourned at 8:44pm

June 2, 2011 Special Board Meeting Minutes

Northfield School of Arts and Technology

Special Board Meeting Agenda

June 2, 2011

6:30pm

1719 Cannon Road, Northfield, MN

Call meeting to order at 6:35
Board members attending: Tammy Prichard, Jeanine Nelson, Lisa Malecha, Evelyn Hoover, Maria Musachio, Tim Goodwin, Jan Rowher, Chris Bashor

Others in attendance: Simon Tyler,

Approve Agenda

Motion to approve: Evelyn Hoover

Second: Tim Goodwin

Approved: Unanimous

Discussion and Action Items:

a) Search Committee Report: search committee recommends Ryan Krominga for the position of ARTech Director

b) Board Action on the recommendation

Motion to offer the job of Executive Director for ARTech Charter School for the 2011-2012 academic year: Tim Goodwin

Second: Jan Rowher

Approved: Unanimous

c) Negotiate contract for Director

Motion to authorize the Board Chair, Tammy Prichard, and Board Treasurer, Janine Nelson, to negotiate a contract with the Ryan Krominga, commensurate with his experience and within the parameters of ARTech’s budgetary constraints, with assistance from Simon Tyler in setting goals for the contract year. Tim Goodwin

Second: Lisa Malecha

Approved: Unanimous

d) Tammy Prichard will send out a press release to local media and ARTech families.

5. Adjourn meeting at 7:20

May 5, 2011 School Board Minutes

Northfield School of Arts and Technology

School Board Meeting Minutes

5/5/11, 6:30 pm

ARTech at 1719 Cannon Road, Northfield

1. Call meeting to order at 6:36

2. Verify Quorum

Present: Tammy Prichard, Jan Rohwer, Lisa Malecha, Evelyn Hoover, Janine Nelson, Maria

Musachio, Chris Bashor, Tim Goodwin

Additionally present: Simon Tyler/Director, Rebecca McMullen, Ginger

Coleman/student representative,

3. Approve Agenda

Motion to approve: Jeanine Nelson

Second: Lisa Malecha

Motion passed: unanimous

4. Approve Minutes of 4/9/11

Motion to approve: Tim Goodwin

Second: Evelyn Hoover

Motion passed: unanimous

5. Speaker's Corner: No speakers

6. Consent Agenda: None

7. Reports:

(a) Finance Committee and Financial Report – Janine Nelson:

Thank you to Rebecca McMullen and Auction Committee for successful fundraiser, raised over $10,000 at the Auction on Apr. 16^th.
Final budget is due at June/11 board meeting.
Landlord has agreed to contract for some repairs to the building to prevent water seeping in.
Cost for Sp. Ed. Director through ISES was negotiated for the upcoming year. Increase from $9,350 to $10,850 for the 2011-12 school year.

ARTech has an opportunity to accept a Promise Fellow. Healthy Community Initiative in Northfield arranged the Promise Fellow opportunity. The cost to the school is $6,000 for the upcoming year, 8/29/11 through 8/28/12. Finance Committee recommends that this be included in the 2011-2012 budget.

Motion by Tim Goodwin to add a line item in to the FY12 budget for a Promise Fellow.

Second Jan Rohwer.

Motion passed: unanimous

ARTech received a MN Dept. of Ed. School Finance Award. Thanks you to Rebecca McMullen for attention to fiscal responsibility.

(b) Board Chair Report- Tammy Prichard:

Report on Search Committee process and progress towards hiring a director. Committee has sought input from parents, students, staff. Job was posted on 4/26/11. Committee is in the process of reviewing application. Goal is to have a finalist before the end of the school year.
Search Committee members appointed by the board chair are:

Tim Goodwin, Maria Musachio, Janine Nelson, Joe Pahr, Tammy Prichard, and Simon Tyler

i. Enrollment and Waiting Lists: Wait lists for all grades

ii. Curricular Initiatives: Ryan Krominga has arranged for 10^th grade students to take the PLAN assessment, a college and career readiness assessment, on May 10^th. This has been researched and approved by the Education Committee.

iii. Building Status: Build out project is on track with approval from City Hall to proceed.

iv. External Relations

v. Professional Development

(d) Committee Reports:

Communications Committee – Lisa Malecha: Committee requests that board members look at the new ARTech website which has been built by students under the direction of Todd Thompson. That group wants to set a date for the “Launch”, so is looking for feedback from viewers.

Facilities Committee – Tim Goodwin: Final construction plans are going out to Northfield Construction, the chosen contractor, tomorrow. On 5/20 Northfield Construction will present a hard bid based on the final building plan. Construction should start 6/13/11 and will hopefully be completed by the start of the next school year.

8. Discussion and Action Items:

(a) MACS membership: presented by Tammy Prichard

Motion by Lisa Malecha to renew membership to MN Association of Charter School and pay the annual fee of $2,813.

Second: Evelyn Hoover

Motion passed: unanimous

(b) Admissions policy: presented by Lisa Malecha

This is a first reading of ARTech’s Admissions policy, which includes an amendment. The Board is asked to review current policy and amend to allow that ARTech students who enroll in Northfield school dist. in order to attend summer school are ensured placement in the Fall without going through ARTech’s waiting list. Second reading will be at June board meeting.

Two trainings were cancelled this past winter due to weather. There has been difficulty finding training opportunities for the three required areas of training: Finance, Governance, and Legal Requirements. Tammy Prichard will arrange for training for new board members. The new director will be included in the training.

9. Announcements:

(a) Next School Board Meeting: June 9th at 6:30 pm

(b) Senior Presentation Nights: 5/10 and 5/12 at 6:30pm

(d) School play, Midsummer Night’s Dream, will perform May 20^th and 21^st at 7:30pm

(e) No school May 20^th, teacher workday

10. Adjourn

Motion to approve: Lisa Malecha

Second: Jan Rohwer

Motion passed: unanimous

Meeting adjourned at 8:36pm

April 14, 2011 School Board Minutes

Northfield School of Arts and Technology

School Board Meeting Minutes

4/14/11, 6:30 pm

ARTech at 1719 Cannon Road, Northfield

1. Call meeting to order at 6:40.

2. Verify Quorum

Present: Tammy Prichard, Jan Rohwer, Lisa Malecha, Evelyn Hoover, Janine Nelson, Maria

Musachio, Chris Bashor, Tim Goodwin, Jake Roberts

Additionally present: Simon Tyler/Director, Peter Schmeltzer, Ginger

Coleman/student representative,

3. Approve Agenda

Motion to approve: Jan Rohwer

Second: Evelyn Hoover

Motion passed: unanimous

4. Approve Minutes of 3/10/11

Motion to approve: Chris Bashor

Second: Lisa Malecha

Motion passed: unanimous

5. Speaker's Corner: No speakers

6. Consent Agenda: None

7. Reports

(a) Finance Committee and Financial Report – Janine Nelson

Proposal to approve FY2011 Proposed Budget presented with adjustments that account for actual revenue and expenditures.

Motion to approve the FY 2011 Budget: Tim Goodwin

Second: Jake Roberts

Motion passed: unanimous

(b) Board Chair Report

i. Enrollment and Waiting Lists

ii. Curricular Initiatives: Staffing Updates

iii. Building Status: See report on lease status and building expansion from the facilities committee

iv. External Relations

v. Professional Development

vi. Director Simon Tyler read a letter stating he has accepted a position as director at Prairie Creek charter school that will begin in July of 2011.

(d) Committee Report:

i. Education committee: Simon Tyler

Committee has developed a Middle School handbook, which will be presented to the board next month. There is discussion about Professional Development, which has led to ideas such as a Catalyst Fund for extended professional development projects, reallocation of Q-comp funds, and a re-licensure Coordinator to track on teachers’ licensure status. High School schedule is being discussed, looking at a more structured plan for delivering curriculum required by state standards.

College Prep Sub-committee (six Education committee members): has created a task list for providing concise information to post secondary institutions that demonstrates the rigor of the ARTech program.

ii. Facilities committee: Peter Schmeltzer

Diagram of the school’s building plan was viewed and discussed. Plans include the addition of two new classrooms fitted with plumbing, and gas for science lab space. Some additional storage space may be added depending on how the bids come in. The landlord is willing to allow parent volunteers to construct the storage spaces. Peter Schmeltzer was thanked for his extensive involvement in planning and designing this project.

8. Discussion and Action Items:

(a) Search Committee formation to seek a school Director to begin in school year 2011-2012:

Motion to form a search committee, appointed by board chair Tam Prichard, consisting of 4

school board members and one (non-board member) teacher, Tim Goodwin.

Second: Lisa Malecha

(b) School Calendar

Motion to approve the school calendar for school year 2011-2012, Jan Rohwer.

Second: Tim Goodwin

Motion passed: unanimous

Motion to authorize the board chair to sign a ten-year building lease, Maria Musachio

Second: Jan Rohwer

Motion passed: unanimous

(d) Parent survey (Lisa Malecha)

Results of a Parent survey were viewed. Aprox. 41% response from parents, a total of 60 parents responded. Responses were displayed in a power point with pie graph summary of each of the 26 survey questions. Responses show general satisfaction with ARTech program and staff.

9. Announcements:

(a) Next School Board Meeting: May 5 at 6:30 pm

(b) Sat. April 16 – ARTech Auction, 7pm

(d) School play, Midsummer Nitght’s Dream, will perform May 20^th and 21^st

10. Adjourn

Motion to approve: Jan Rohwer

Second: Chris Bashor

Motion passed: unanimous

Meeting adjourned at 9:25pm

March 10, 2011 School Board Minutes

Northfield School of Arts and Technology

School Board Meeting Minutes

3/10/11, 6:30 pm

ARTech at 1719 Cannon Road, Northfield

1. Call meeting to order at 6:40.

2. Verify Quorum

Present: Tammy Prichard, Jan Rohwer, Lisa Malecha, Evelyn Hoover, Janine Nelson, Maria

Musachio, Chris Bashor, Tim Goodwin, Jake Roberts

Additionally present: Simon Tyler/Director, Rebecca McMullen/Business mgr., Ginger

Coleman/student representative,

3. Approve Agenda

Motion to approve: Jan Rohwer

Second: Janine Nelson

Motion passed:unanimous

4. Approve Minutes of February 10, 2011

Motion to approve: Lisa Malecha

Second: Chris Bashor

Motion passed: unanimous

5. Speaker's Corner: No speakers

6. Consent Agenda: None

7. Reports

(a) Finance Committee and Financial Report – Janine Nelson

Board reviewed the FY 12 budget prepared by the Finance committee. 2% fund balance is on track. Proposed FY 2012 Budget is based on 119 students. Compensatory Revenue for next year will be decreased for next year due to the makeup of the student body. Board training costs budgeted for next year. Salary freeze continued for all employees. Art coordinator service added, $3,000 for the year.

(b) Board Chair Report – Students went to Charter School Day at the Capitol with T. Prichard/Board Chair and K. Beiswanger/Math teacher. A board calendar is being prepared for next year that will schedule annual requirements for the board.

i. Enrollment and Waiting Lists:

February 10, 2011 School Board Minutes

Northfield School of Arts and Technology

School Board Monthly Meeting Minutes

February 10, 2011

6:30 pm

ARTech at 1719 Cannon Road, Northfield

1. Call meeting to order at 6:36

2. Verify Quorum

Present: Janine Nelson, Tammy Prichard, Lisa Malecha, Tim Goodwin, Maria Musachio, Jake Roberts

Additionally present: Simon Tyler, Rebecca McMullen, Chuck Rinkey

3. Approve Agenda for 2-10-11

Motion to approve: J. Nelson

Second: L. Malecha

Motion passed: Unanimous

4. Approve Minutes of 1-13-11

Motion to approve: M. Musachio

Second: T. Goodwin

Motion passed: Unanimous

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. None present.

6. Consent Agenda: None

7. Reports

(a) Auditor’s Report

Chuck Rinkey, auditor, presented the school board with the 2010 Financial audit which he conducted. Summarized, the school did a good job of increasing it’s fund balance and managing its assets over the past year. ARTech managed to survive and thrive during a year of cutbacks.

(b) Finance Committee and Financial Report

Finance committee has reviewed a draft of the FY12 budget. The draft does not meet the Board’s mandate of 2% of revenue toward the school’s fund balance. That mandate requires $26,770 of next year’s budget go toward the fund balance. The committee will continue to adjust the budget to achieve a balance of revenues and expenses.

The school’s line of credit was renewed through the Community Bank for next year.

(d) School Director Report – see attached

i. Enrollment and Waiting Lists

ii. Curricular Initiatives

iii. Staffing Updates

iv. Building Status

v. External Relations (Northfield School District, MDE, community, etc.)

vi. Professional Development

vii. Status of Academic and Non-Academic Goals

(e) Committee Report:

i. Facilities Committee report: The committee has presented a draft lease to the landlord. The lease will include funding for increasing the school’s square footage. The staff has participated in a discussion of priorities for adding on to the building. The committee is requesting a 10 year lease.

ii. Education Committee report: The committee has formed a subcommittee to explore what colleges look for from students and from school records. Committee will report their findings to the board and will make recommendations.

8. Discussion and Action Items: Employee handbook discussion is tabled until next month due to the absence of Chris Bashor.

9. Announcements:

· Feb. 27 Open House, 2pm

· Mar. 1 Charter Day at the Capital

· Mar. 10 Next School Board meeting

· Mar. 14&15 NO SCHOOL, middle school conferences

· Mar. 19 ARTech auction, 7pm

· Mar. 24 End of 3^rd quarter, Presentation Night: discussion about changing Presentation Night to Mar. 24, the Thursday before Spring Break begins. This decision will be made by the director.

· Mar. 28-Apr. 1 NO SCHOOL, Spring Break

10. Adjourn

Motion to approve: T Goodwin

Second: J. Nelson

Motion passed: Unanimous

Meeting adjourned at 8:35pm

Director’s Report

Director Report

January 2011

i. Enrollment and Waiting List

A wait list has been started for next year’s 6^th grade. Currently there are four applications on file.

Grade	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Total
Enrollment	18	17	15	17	24	13	20	124
Waiting List	1				1

ii. Curricular Initiatives

· Middle School students are engaged in group projected creating videos of interviews. They are interviewing community members as part of their “walking in your shoes” theme.

· The next Presentation Evening will be held on January 27 at 6:30pm.

· ARTech’s annual performance of Arts for Martin will be held this Friday at 7pm.

· ARTech will host a College Information Night for parents on Jan 18. The presentation will be hosted by Lisa Malecha and Ryan Krominga.

· There will be a field trip to The Guthrie for high school student on February 8 to see a performance of Winter’s Tale.

iii. Staffing updates

No Updates

iv. Building Status

· The facilities committee will present the board with a draft lease document for review.

v. External Relations

· Simon Tyler and students Gabby Frenstad and Arye Lovestrand were interviewed on the ArtZany KYMN show about the upcoming Arts for Martin event. Arts for Martin has also been featured in several other local media outlets including Northfield.Org, Northfield Patch and the Northfield News.

· The Northfield School District has been approved as an authorizer of charter schools by MDE. ARTech will now continue its relationship with the district.

· Three St.Olaf students are participating in an Interim class that involves projects at ARTech. Two of the students are mentoring seniors who are engaged in their senior projects, one student is preparing an Alumni Directory and a survey that will collect data on alumni progress since graduating from our school.

· Jerry Smith from the Northfield News visited the school to research an article on ARTech and our initiatives in the curricular area of math as well as the strategies we have employed to maintain programming in challenging financial times for schools.

· Simon Tyler and Tami Kasch-Flugum will lead a workshop at the MDE Q Comp conference on January 27 on the topic of project-based staff development.

vi. Professional Development

· Lisa Malecha, Annie Klawiter and Lori Coleman led a staff workshop on bullying and harassment. The staff also reviewed the proposed changes to the ARTech Bullying Prevention Policy.

· Peter Schmelzer has been leading a series of small group conversations with staff about building improvement needs. These conversations will inform a possible building expansion as part of the new lease currently under negotiation.

· On January 17, staff will attend a presentation at the Northfield high school on the topic of cyberbullying. The speaker will be Aimee Bissonette, an attorney with Little Buffalo Law in Minneapolis.

Staff will also meet with Peter Schmelzer on January 17 for further discussions on ways to improve the facility.