Approved on8/24/2016

NEW HEIGHTS SCHOOLS, INC. Phone: 651-439-1962

614 W. MULBERRY STREET, STILLWATER, MN 55082 Fax: 651-439-0716

Board of Directors Meeting

Monday, July11, 2016

New Heights School – FACS Lab

9:00 - 10:30 am

MINUTES

  1. Opening of Meeting and Call to Order

President-elect MeganWiekercalled the meeting to order at 9:07a.m.

  1. Attendance:

Board of DirectorsEx-Officio

Lauren Adamic __A__Sam Taylor__P__Tom Kearney (Principal/Superintendent)

LorraineBusta__P__KathyVollmer__P__Lindsay Berberich (Bookkeeper)

AndyRakerd__P__Megan Wieker __P__Visitors

Mike Stahlmann __A__(no visitors)

  1. Welcome New Members/Guests/Visitors

President Megan Wieker welcomed all those present.

  1. Review of Agenda & Minutes
  2. Review Agenda

The agenda was reviewed with no changes recommended.

  1. Approval of the June8, 2016Meeting Minutes (action)

On motion by Andy seconded by Lorraine with all present voting yes, motion passed to approve the Board of Directors minutes of June8, 2016as presented.

  1. Financial Report
  2. Financial Review (Action)

Lindsay presented and answered questions on theJune 2016 Check Registerreport from the SmartBoard (available on common drive).

On motion by Andy seconded by Lorrainewith all present voting yes, motion passed to approve the Check Register as presented.

  1. Food Service Review (Information)

Lindsay presented and answered questions on the Food Service report from the SmartBoard (available on common drive).It seems that our new snacks are catching onas sales are increasing. We discussed eliminating a-la-carte next year. The income is insignificant and maybe our students will eat more of the lunch. This will be discussed at a later meeting.

  1. Old Business
  2. Officer Nominations - Discussion (July Meeting)

The following agreed to accept officer positions:

  • President: Megan
  • Vice-President: Andy
  • Secretary: Mike
  • Assistant Secretary: Lauren
  • Treasurer: Lorraine

A motion was made to approve the above board members for officer positions. The motion was made by Kathy and seconded by Andy with all members voting yes.

  1. New Business
  2. Board Member Oath

President Wieker read aloud the oath as members responded. All present answered in the affirmative and signed the oath.

  1. Staffing Update

Tom led a discussion on staffing for 2015-16 school year. Tom discussed the hiring of Christine Hogan as a K-1 teacher.

Tom discussed the hiring of Jennifer Rea as a 4th -5th Grade teacher.

Tom discussed the hiring of Amanda Vorwald as part-time art teacher.

On motion by Kathy seconded by Lorraine with all present voting yes, motion passed on the recommendation of our Principal Tom Kearney to approve the hire of Jennifer Rea, Christine Hoganas elementary teachers and Amanda Vorwald as part time Art Teacher.

  1. Meeting Dates & Times

Megan led a discussion on meeting dates and times. We agreed to meet on the third Wednesday of each month at 4:00 unless noted. August 16, Sept. 14, Oct. 19, Nov. 16, Dec. 14, Jan. 18, Feb. 15, March 15, April 19, May 10, Annual Meeting: May 24 (7:00), June 7 (9:00).

  1. Propose/Discuss Goals for 2016-17 (below is 2015-16)
  2. Improve board understanding of the contractual obligations of New Heights from our authorizer MN Guild
  3. Increase board understanding of legislative changes to Charter School Law 124E
  4. Form and review an Events Committee

Megan led a discussion on last year’s goals and agreed on the following goals for approval at the August 16th board meeting.

  1. Enhance board involvement in student achievement data and curriculum review.
  2. Create schedule and conduct monthly teacher board presentations.
  3. Review/increase board understanding of Q-comp process.
  4. Continue to review Charter School Law 124E and contractual obligations from authorizer The Minnesota Guild.
  1. Policy Review (action)
  2. Policy Revisions for Approval
  3. #214 – Out of State Travel by School Board Members (Andy)

Andy led a discussion reviewing this document and recommended no changes.

On motion by Andy seconded by Sam with all present voting yes, motion passed to approve the Policy #214 – Out of State Travel by School Board Members with recommended changes.

  1. #533 – Wellness (Lauren)

Lauren’s discussion of this policy was tabled for the next meeting.

  1. #404 – Employment Background Checks + Form(Mike)

Mike’s discussion of this policy was tabled for the next meeting

  1. #406b – Employee Information Security (Megan)

Megan led a discussion reviewing this document and recommend changes.

On motion by Megan seconded by Andy with all present voting yes, motion passed to approve the Policy #406b – Employee Information Security with recommended changes.

  1. Assign Policies for August
  2. #616 – School District System Accountability

Megan led a discussion on this policy. Megan agreed to review this policy.

  1. #504b – School Uniform Policy

Megan led a discussion on this policy. Megan agreed to review this policy.

  1. #406 – Public & Private personnel Data

Megan led a discussion on this policy. Mike agreed to review this policy.

  1. #417 – Chemical Use & Abuse

Megan led a discussion on this policy. Andy agreed to review this policy.

  1. #418 – Drug Free Workplace/School

Megan led a discussion on this policy. Andy agreed to review this policy.

  1. Administrator’s Report

Tom Kearney gave a report on the state of the school including the following:

  • Summary: Staffing is now complete, though subject to change depending on student enrollment this year. Tom feels confident about the new staff and is optimistic about the new school year. He discussed switching over to a new food service. He estimates that our enrollment will be around 140 students in the fall, and expects to bring in another 30 throughout the school year.
  • NHS Buildings: We had a grant approved to put in conservation flushers for many of the toilets in the building as well as some new toilet fixtures. We are awaiting approval for a grant to fund some new food service equipment. Tom is interested in exploring other sites in the event that we should have to prepare to move the school to another location.
  1. Receive Donations

On behalf of the NHS School Board President Megan Wieker thanked the following contributors:

  • $60.00 from Cheryl Graham
  • $625.00 Jon Neitzell
  • $122.57 Target Take Charge
  1. Other(not to exceed 5 minutes)
  • Nothing additional discussed.
  1. Set Agenda for Annual Meeting
  2. Date & Time (August 16, 4:00pm)
  3. Agenda
  4. Financial Review
  5. Board Member Oath (Lauren and Mike)
  6. Board Goals (Approve)
  7. Assign September Policies:304 & 501

Meganled a discussion on next month’s agenda as shown above.

  1. Adjournment

On the motion by Andy seconded by Kathy with all present voting yes, motion passed to adjourn the Board of Directors Meeting at 10:34 am.

Next Meeting

The next Board of Directors meeting will be on Tuesday, August16in the FACS Lab at 4:00 pm.