BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
October 7, 2009
Board: Rita Brincat, Raymond Carey (via phone), Bernyce Edwards, Roberta Richard,
Timothy Yoe
Excused: Pamela Paglino
Staff: Angela Johnson, James Baroli, Terry Lajiness
Guest: Michael Boisvenu, Karen Hildebrandt, Blandina Rose
I. Call to Order
Chair, B. Edwards, called the meeting to order at
II. Approval of Meeting Minutes
A motion was made and seconded (Richard/Brincat) to accept the Meeting Minutes of June 24, 2009 and July 15, 2009. Motion carried.
III. Audited Financial Statements as of June 30, 2009
M. Boisvenu presented the information noted in the Internal Use Document¾intended solely for the use of the Finance Committee, Board of Directors, and Management of Casa Richard Academy; two suggestions were noted. He then made page-by-page references to the financial statements for fiscal year ending June 30, 2009. A salient point of reference was that the Academy had an increase in fund balance of $266,627 due to the reduction in debt by writing off of long term accounts payable in the capital improvement fund, and additional cost savings from restructuring. In addition, the general fund balance increased $219,603 to $571,720 due to expense reductions imposed by the Academy for fiscal year 2008-09.
K. Hildebrandt presented the following resolution for adoption by the Board:
Be it resolved, that the Board of Directors of Casa Richard Academy, has agreed to write-off stale construction payable balances related to the building renovation in the amount of $47,023.76, as of June 2009.
A motion was made and seconded
(Brincat/Richard) to accept the debt write-off resolution.
Motion carried.
A motion was made and seconded
(Richard/Brincat) to approve the Audited Financial Statements as of June 30,
2009. Motion carried.
IV.
Building and Facility Report
J. Baroli reported that he received a 35 page document from Flame Heating and Cooling on the control specifications of a building automation system replacement. The document was intended to give Mr. Baroli the information he would need to put the bid out on the HVAC system repairs. To date, Mr. Baroli has not had an opportunity to fully review the material.
In an effort to comply with Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) requests, J. Baroli has made contact with AKT Peerless Environmental and Energy Services who are willing to determine what activities will be required to bring the Academy into alignment with AHERA compliance. They have submitted a proposal to perform the following scope of service:
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October 7, 2009
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· Review abatement files to determine compliance with AHERA requirements.
· Perform a cursory review of field conditions.
· Prepare and submit Exclusionary Statement management plan submittals for the State of Michigan.
J. Baroli requested approval to contract with AKT to perform the aforementioned scope of services, at the cost of $500.
A motion was made and seconded (Yoe/Richard) to approve contracting with
AKT Peerless. Motion carried.
Because of water coming in from the roof, the flooring in the 3rd floor girls’ bathroom is lifting, and needs to be replaced. Mr. Baroli volunteered to perform the work; however, it will have to be done during a scheduled school break.
The Academy received a $6,734.46 ARRA National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grant. The funding was used to purchase a commercial refrigerator, milk cooler, microwave, and proofing oven for the food service area.
The Academy continues its relationship with the Ford Motor Company,
High School Partnership Program; 2009/2010 activities will include:
Mock Interviews, Job Shadowing, Crash Demo, Career Development,
Ford Literacy/Credit Drives
America, and a Diversity Presentation.
Research is being conducted to
build pandemic flu (H1N1) plans into the Academy’s comprehensive emergency
plan.
A motion was made and seconded
(Richard/Yoe) to accept the Building Facility Report.
Motion carried.
V. Principal’s Report
The Academy’s Annual Report is due to Wayne RESA by October 15; inasmuch, a draft report was distributed to those present for approval. After review, several suggestions/modifications were made. It was determined that administration would incorporate the said changes, and submit the annual report as scheduled. A copy of the final document will be emailed to Board members for review, prior to submission.
A motion was made and seconded
(Brincat/Richard) to approve the Annual Report (with suggested
modifications). Motion carried.
We began the school year with 155 students; enrollment is now 138. We also began the year fully staffed; two new staff members accepted other full-time positions. We are currently seeking a part-time Math and Spanish teacher; both positions have been posted on the RESA website, and the local paper. Substitute teachers are currently assuming the positions.
Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA) recognized 10 public charter schools for 15 years of service (including Casa Richard), at a rally held at the State Capitol, on Thursday, September 24. Foundress, Marilyn. F. Lundy, accepted the award on our behalf.
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The Academy’s contract with RESA is up for renewal in 2010, their review team was on-site visit on October 2nd; comments made about their observations were as follows:
(1) Lacking Classroom Feel – things on walls etc.
(2) Lacking Rigor and Relevance – sub plans were not challenging the students.
(3) Lacking Technology usage in the classrooms.
The comments made were primarily because we had subs in several classrooms; for the most part they seemed to be satisfied.
The Academy has not made AYP for five consecutive years based on the MME results. There are three components to making AYP; percent of students taking MME, proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math; and the Graduation Rate. This year, we had 100% of our students tested; we made AYP for ELA, and reached Safe Harbor for Math, but did not reach the required 80% graduation rate. The graduation rate is based on a 4-year cohort; meaning that every student entering into high school as a ninth grader, is expected to graduate within 4 years. In order to address the issue of the graduation rate, we have extended the school day to include an 8th hour class, which will begin on October 13th. We have also gone over all of the students’ transcripts in order to determine if they are on-track to graduate within the required timeframe, and added to the curriculum, night school classes to accommodate those students who are in need of intensive credit recovery. Night school will be conducted two days per week from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.; the cost is $200 per class. Allowances will be made for students receiving free or reduced price lunches. K. Hildebrandt noted that we could use Title 1 School Improvement funds to offset student costs, or request that some of the scholarship funds be redirected.
One of the many challenges we are
facing is student reading skill levels.
Results (based on the Jamestown
Press
Skills Assessment) are, as follows:
83/103 or 81% of the students are below grade level in reading.
27/103 or 26% of the students seem to be at, or below, a 5th grade
level in reading.
ESL: Of the 12 ESL students who took the reading
assessment: 10 are reading below grade level;
Fortunately this year, we were able to re-hire our former Reading Specialist, Ms. Allen, to work with the students who exhibit severe deficiencies. Forethought is being given to incorporate differentiated instruction, and to creating individual learning plans for each student, into the curriculum next year.
A motion was made and seconded (Brincat/Richard))
to accept the Principal’s.
Motion carried.
VI.
Finance Report
Deferred to next meeting.
VII.
New Business
Dr. Rose noted that
the Academy’s contract with Wayne RESA is up for renewal in 2010.
Because the Academy is up for a full review this year, she
anticipates that RESA’s review team will be conducting frequent onsite
visits. A discussion ensued.
A. Johnson reported
the Timothy Constant has assumed his new position, as Vice Principal.
VIII. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
ANNUAL ORGANIZATIONAL
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
July 15, 2009
3:30 PM; Phone Conference
Board: Bernyce Edwards, Pamela Paglino, Roberta Richard, Timothy Yoe,
Excused: Rita Brincat, Ray Carey
I.
Call to Order
Chair, B. Edwards, called the meeting to order at 3:40 p.m.
II.
Roll Call
Roll Call conducted and quorum determined.
III.
Nomination of Temporary Chairperson
Those present nominated Pamela Paglino to act as temporary Chairperson for the Annual Organizational Meeting, held on July 15, 2009.
IV. A temporary oath of office was read and verbally affirmed by P. Paglino.
V.
Election of Officers
P. Paglino called for nominations for the following slate of officers (nominated/seconded as a continuing slate by Yoe/Richard):
President:
Bernyce Edwards
Vice President:
Roberta Richard
Treasurer:
Timothy Yoe – pending appropriate paperwork to be filed with RESA
Secretary:
Raymond Carey
Motions Carried.
VI.
Compliance with all Laws, Rules and Regulations
The following resolution was offered by P. Paglino:
Resolved: The Academy Board will comply with all Laws, Rules and Regulations applicable to school districts.
A motion was made and seconded
(Edwards/Yoe) to approve the aformentioned resolution.
Motion Carried.
VII.
2009/2010 Academy Board Meeting Schedule / Posting
The following resolution was offered by P. Paglino:
Resolved: The Academy 2009/10 Board Meting Schedule is as follows:
(Official posting in the Academy’s first floor display case)
July
15, 2009
Organizational Meeting
3:30 p.m.
Conference Call
August
19, 2009
Board Meeting
3:30 p.m.
Academy Conference Room
September 16, 2009
Board Meeting
3:30 p.m.
Academy Conference Room
October 21, 2009
Board Meeting
3:30 p.m.
Academy Conference Room
November 18, 2009
Board Meeting
3:30 p.m.
Academy Conference Room
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July 15, 2009
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December 16, 2009
Board Meeting
3:30 p.m.
Academy Conference Room
January 20, 2010
Board Meeting
3:30 p.m.
Academy Conference Room
February 17, 2010
Board Meeting
3:30 p.m.
Academy Conference Room
March
17, 2010
Board Meeting
3:30 p.m.
Academy Conference Room
April
21, 2010
Board Meeting
3:30 p.m.
Academy Conference Room
May
19, 2010
Board Meeting
3:30 p.m.
Academy Conference Room
June
16, 2010
Board Meeting
3:30 p.m.
Academy Conference Room
A motion was made and seconded
(Richard/Yoe) to approve the aformentioned resolution.
Motion Carried.
VIII.
Depositories / Authorized Signatures for various funds and accounts
The following resolution was offered by P. Paglino:
Discussion: Keep same bank; no new signature cards for President and Vice President required.
Resolved: Designated Depositories for Chase Bank and Authorized Signatories thereof, are as follows (two signatures required):
President: Bernyce Edwards
Vice President:
Roberta Richard
Treasurer:
Timothy Yoe
Principal: Angela Johnson
A motion was made and seconded
(Richard/Yoe) to ratify the aformentioned resolution.
Motion Carried.
IX.
Bonding of Treasurer and Others
The following resolution was offered by P. Paglino:
Discussion:
Will continue to comply with auditor's recommendations on
compensating controls.
Resolved: The Academy Board Waives Bonding the Board Treasurer and Others as designated by the Board.
Discussion ensued:
compensating controls include monthly list of checks provided to
Board and kept within meeting minutes; require two signatures on checks; and
independent accountant and auditor.
A motion was made and seconded
(Edwards/Richard) to ratify the aforementioned resolution.
Motion Carried.
X.
Appointment of Legal Counsel
P. Paglino named Ruben Acosta, of William Acosta, PLLC, as the Academy’s designated Legal Counsel.
Resolved: Designated Legal Counsel for the Academy is Ruben Acosta .
A motion was made and seconded
(Edwards/Richard) to ratify the aforementioned resolution.
Motion Carried.
XI.
Appointment of Auditors
P. Paglino named Boisvenu &
Company, P.C., as the Academy’s designated Auditor.
Resolved:
Designated Auditor for the
Academy is Boisvenu & Company.
Discussion:
In 2010, Board to determine if competitive bid required for auditor
as fees rise annually.
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July 15, 2009
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A motion was made and seconded
(Richard/Edwards) to ratify the aforementioned resolution.
Motion Carried.
XII.
Board Member Salaries
The following resolution was offered by P. Paglino:
Resolved: The Academy Board Waives Board Member Salaries.
A motion was made and seconded
(Richard/Edwards) to approve the aforementioned resolution.
Motion Carried.
XIII.
Approval of 2009/2010 School
Calendar
The following resolution was offered by P. Paglino:
Discussion: As long as calendar remains in compliance with State Regulation.
Resolved: The Academy 2009/10 School Calendar is as (attached):
A motion was made and seconded
(Edwards/Yoe) to approve the aforementioned resolution.
Motion Carried.
XIV.
Acceptance of
FOIA Contact; Sexual Harassment
Contact; Title VI, Title XI and Section 504 Contact.
Discussion:
Based on discussion with
Resolved: The Academy will remain in compliance by accepting the Board's appointment of the Principal, Angela Johnson, as the appropriate Contact for FOIA, Sexual Harassment, Title VI, Title XI and Section 504.
A motion was made and seconded
(Richard/Yoe) to approve the aforementioned resolution.
Motion Carried.
XV.
New Business
Discussion: T. Yoe requested discussion regarding staff and faculty salaries; there have been no raises for added responsibilities or meritorious service. Depending on student count and affordability (budgeting), should Board consider wage increases for the faculty/staff? Board will need individual salary and salary history information.
Resolution: the Board resolved to request salary and salary history information along with annual budgeting information – and will go into conference during September 2009 meeting to discuss next steps.
XVI.
Return to Chairperson
P. Paglino returned Board Chair to B. Edwards who asked for further business
(there was none) and then entertained
a motion for adjournment (Paglino/Richard).
Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at
4:10 p.m.