UNAPPROVED DRAFT

Board Meeting Minutes December 2, 2010

Our Mission: Noah Webster Academy assists parents in their stewardship of developing the hearts and minds of children by creating a safe and nurturing environment of classical education that fosters patriotism, cultural literacy, moral virtue, individuality, self-government, and excellence, thereby, inspiring a lifelong love of learning, leadership and service.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special accommodations (including auxiliary communicative aids and services) during this meeting should notify NWA at 426-6624 at least three working days prior to the meeting.

MEETING INFORMATION /
Date: / December 2, 2010
Time: / 7:15- 10:00pm
Location: / Noah Webster Academy, 205 E 400 S, Orem, UT 84058
Next Meeting: / Thursday, January 27, 2011
ATTENDEE INFORMATION
Board Members Invited Guests
Attended Name Attended Name
Excused Kevin Wilson
Excused Brad Daw
X Karen Matthews
Arrived @ 7:33pm Megan Gygi
X Margo Gaisford
X Matt Draper
X Lisa Winegar
X Linda Christensen
X Rick Kempton (NWA Director) / Community Visitors
Attended Name
MOTIONS AND APPROVALS
# / Motion made by: / Motions / Vote
1 / Karen / Karen motion to amend the agenda to add a new business item under Directors Report to approve the Education’s Job Fund. / Approved by M. Gaisford,, M. Draper, L. Winegar, L. Christensen, and K. Matthews
2 / Matt / To approve the amended agenda for Dec 2, 2010. / Approved by M. Gaisford,, M. Draper, L. Winegar, L. Christensen, and K. Matthews
3 / Karen / To approve the minutes of October 28, 2010. / Approved by M. Gaisford,, M. Draper, L. Winegar, and K. Matthews
L. Christensen abstained
4 / Megan / I motion that we amend the agenda to allow Tara Wagley to present on the School LAND Trust right now instead of regularly schedule. / Approved by M. Gaisford,, M. Gygi, M. Draper, L. Winegar, L. Christensen, and K. Matthews
5 / Megan / I move that we approve the 2009-2010 school LAND final report presented by the chair of the School LAND Trust Committee, Tara Wagley. / Approved by M. Gaisford,, M. Gygi, M. Draper, L. Winegar, L. Christensen, and K. Matthews
6 / Karen / Karen motioned that we approve this plan and authorize Margo to approve the final version of how the assurance is written and that we scan and send the document to all the board members for their information. / Approved by M. Gaisford,, M. Gygi, M. Draper, L. Winegar, L. Christensen, and K. Matthews
7 / Matt / To adjourn. / Approved by M. Gaisford,, M. Gygi, M. Draper, L. Winegar, L. Christensen, and K. Matthews
Action Items
Name / Action Item / Due Date
Margo / Will verify with Kevin that board meeting will be on the 4th Thursday of the month.
Margo / Will start an email discussion on the NWA excellence model
Each Committee Chair / Will come to January meeting with their objective from the NWA excellence model
Chair / Will put the LAND Trust Committee on the February agenda to approve the progress report.
Rick / Will email Margo a soft copy of Rick’s job description.
Margo / Will follow up with Kevin to see if the board needs to approve non-solicit agreement in January or if this can take place in February.
Rick / Will follow up with Vicki to make sure Linda and Lisa have background checks.
Margo / Will ensure that Linda and Lisa have signed the necessary
Karen / Will ensure that she has signed the necessary documents.
Rick / Will update the finance report per Margo’s suggestions.
Chair / Will add a goal and where the committee is with the goal into the curriculum committee report.
Rick / Will put language arts in the title of the RtI report since this is the focus.
Rick / Will add a line graph showing historical trends to the RtI report.
Rick / Will add “why did you choose to come to NWA?” to the NWA enrollment report.
Rick and Brad / Will create an enrollment procedure.
Margo / Will get a card for Lindsay Harris.
Time / Presenter Topic/Subject Discussion Action Items / Motions /
7:15 pm
Margo / Welcome
Conducting, Margo Gaisford / Welcome, Roll Call, Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance
7:17 – 7:22 pm
Chair / Agenda and Minutes Approvals:
Approve December 2, 2010 Agenda
·  Agenda was modified
Approve October 28, 2010 minutes / Motion: Karen motion to amend the agenda to add a new business item under Directors Report to approve the Education’s Job Fund.
Approved by M. Gaisford,, M. Draper, L. Winegar, L. Christensen, and K. Matthews
Motion: Matt moved that we approve the amended agenda for Dec 2, 2010.
Approved by M. Gaisford,, M. Draper, L. Winegar, L. Christensen, and K. Matthews
Motion: Karen motioned to approve the minutes of October 28, 2010.
Approved by M. Gaisford,, M. Draper, L. Winegar,and K. Matthews
L. Christensen abstained
7:22 – 7:22 pm
Chair, Public / Open Microphone
No one came forward.
7:22 – 8:10 pm
Chair / Board Administration / Business:
2011 Meeting Schedule
Board meetings will be held on the 4th Thursday of the month.
The meeting in January will be for the revised budget.
Board/teacher lunches
These will be held on January 21st.
Committee Assignments
- Matt and Linda will work together on fundraising, community outreach, and PR for NWA.
- Lisa will work on accreditation, the charter, and the bylaws.
- Megan will head the curriculum committee.
- Brad will head the policies committee.
School Open House
The open house will be held February 10th. Lisa and Linda will work together to assist the administration in organizing this.
NWA Excellence
A discussion took place on how the board is going to improve and implement the Excellence Model. It is the goal that all discussion that take place in board meetings will follow the goals that the board decides to implement. / Action Item: Margo will verify with Kevin that board meeting will be on the 4th Thursday of the month.
Action Item: Margo will start an email discussion on the NWA excellence model
Action Item: Each committee chair will come to January meeting with their objective from the NWA excellence model
Motion: I motion that we amend the agenda to allow Tara Wagley to present on the School LAND Trust right now instead of regularly schedule.
Approved by M. Gaisford,, M. Gygi, M. Draper, L. Winegar, L. Christensen, and K. Matthews
8:10 – 8:32 pm
Tara Wagley / LAND Trust Committee
Tara presented the progress report for the 09/10 school year.
The committee is maturing, just as the school is maturing. Each year there is improvement. They are currently working on getting digital cameras in each classroom K-3rd. / Action Item: Chair will put the LAND Trust Committee on the February agenda to approve the progress report.
Motion: I move that we approve the 2009-2010 school LAND final report presented by the chair of the School LAND Trust Committee, Tara Wagley
Approved by M. Gaisford,, M. Gygi, M. Draper, L. Winegar, L. Christensen, and K. Matthews
8:32 – 8:45 pm
Chair / Items for Follow-up:
Action Item Review
The action items from prior board meetings were reviewed and refined. /
Action Item: Rick will email Margo a soft copy of Rick’s job description.
Action Item: Margo will follow up with Kevin to see if the board needs to approve non-solicit agreement in January or if this can take place in February.
Action Item: Rick will follow up with Vicki to make sure Linda and Lisa have background checks.
Action Item: Margo will ensure that Linda and Lisa have signed the necessary documents.
Action Item: Karen will ensure that she has signed the necessary documents.
8:45 – 8:52 pm
R. Kempton / Finance:
2010-11 Business Financial Review
The finances were reviewed and accepted by the board members.
The budget review will take place in January’s board meeting. / Action Item: Rick will update the finance report per Margo’s suggestions.
8:52 – 8:56pm
Karen Matthews / Parent Organization:
Update
The activities that took place in November were successful and very community building.
Upcoming activities in December include Christmas around the world and Christmas stockings for the teachers.
The read-a-thon will take place in January.
8:56 – 9:14 pm
Chair / Committee Reports:
Curriculum – Megan
The board reviewed Megan’s report.
The state is changing its core curriculum to the standard curriculum. The expectations are being raised to a higher standard. NWA will have no problem meeting the expectations in math, but scores will have to increase significantly in language arts. The board needs to create an environment where the teachers and administration can succeed in order to meet these standards.
Development/Fundraising – Matt
Matt is excited to work with Linda on this committee.
Policies – Margo
With the additional board members, Margo is planning on helping Brad with the policies committee. / Action Item: The chair will add a goal and where the committee is with the goal into the curriculum committee report.
8:53 – 9:14pm
R. Kempton / Director’s Report:
RtI/504/Special Education Review
RtI scores were explained concerning language arts.
The special education report was also reviewed.
Activities Calendar
Calendars were provided for all board members. The NWA open house was moved to February 10th.
Enrollment Report
The enrollment report was reviewed by the board.
For the benefit of the teachers, Rick wants to move the last day that new scholars are accepted to the last day of the first term.
USOE letter re: Pupil Accounting Rules
NWA was congratulated on their compliance with pupil accounting rules.
2011-12 Lottery
The board discussed the enrollment process. The lottery needs to be changed regarding siblings who are in the lottery and also the wait list period.
It was suggested that a policy be made regarding the enrollment process.
Squire’s annual audit
The audit was pass out and reviewed by the board.
Attendance Procedures and Behavior Plan/Procedures
These two topics will be discussed in the next board meeting.
Personnel Update
Lindsay Harris had her baby and is doing well. She is planning on coming back in January.
Requests
The board discussed developing a simple, flashy mission statement which the kids can understand and which can easily be memorized.
One idea was to have a contest for the parents/students in developing this mission statement. / Action Item: Rick will put language arts in the title of the RtI report since this is the focus.
Action Item: Rick will add a line graph showing historical trends to the RtI report.
Action Item: Rick will add “why did you choose to come to NWA?” to the NWA enrollment report.
Action Item: Rick, working with Brad, will create an enrollment procedure.
Action Item: Margo will get a card for Lindsay Harris.
9:45 – 10:00pm
Chair / New Business:
Education Jobs Program
NWA has been given money from the state to be used for salaries that must be spent by September 2012. / Motion: Karen motioned that we approve this plan and authorize Margo to approve the final version of how the assurance is written and that we scan and send the document to all the board members for their information.
Approved by M. Gaisford,, M. Gygi, M. Draper, L. Winegar, L. Christensen, and K. Matthews
10:00 pm / Adjournment / Motion: Matt moved to adjourn.
Approved by M. Gaisford,, M. Gygi, M. Draper, L. Winegar, L. Christensen, and K. Matthews

Recorder- Brandi Hales

Secretary who has reviewed the minutes- Margo Gaisford