BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Thursday June 19th, 2014

North Star Academy (Library)16700 Keystone Blvd. Parker, CO 80134

Board Members in Attendance: Rich D’Amato, Courtney Buck, Heidi Thompson, Greg Cann, Jessica Larsen

Administration in Attendence: Kendra Hossfeld, Mary Hoffmann

Public Members in Attendance: Leslie Dykman, Jeanette Bruno, Kerrie Derosia, Cat Bauer, Lori Wood, Mary Edwards, Patty Moser, Christine Clemons, Jennifer Kellogg, Katherine Pickering, Bobbie Garcia, Carla Smith, Kristin Steadman, RhondaleaLapierre, Julie Morrison, Mireya Fong, Greg Quillin,Alicia Schick, Marisa Simon, Heather Fratino, Jeni Reilly

Regular Board Meeting

  1. Call to Order:Meeting call to order at 6:05pm by Mr. D’Amato
  1. Mission Statement:North Star Academy provides a Core Knowledge education with an integrated Spanish language program that challenges students to meet their highest potential through differentiated academic instruction and rich social and cultural experiences within a safe, orderly and nurturing environment.
  1. Public Comment: (Public comments are limited to 5 minutes each; comments will not be immediately addressed but will be considered as future agenda items).

Mr. D’Amato gave a brief description of how public comment works. He explained that there would be no additional comment on Ms. Hensey’s resignation. He also stated that comments may not immediately be address, but the Board would respond either via email or at the next public board meeting if necessary.

Mrs. Derosia stated that some things relating to the principal selection committee may need to be changed. She suggested that NSA and the Board look within the school for the next leader. Mrs. Derosia also stated that NSA needs to constantly groom its staff and look for grants relating to education and licensing in order to do so. She expressed not wanting to lose the culture as NSA moves forward.

Mrs. Bauer asked if it is legally possible to only hire from within.

Mrs. Woods asked who the interim principal would be and how would they be chosen. She also asked if there would be a principal in place for the next school year.

Mrs. Lapierre explained that she was a newer parent to the school and stated that she was pleased with the way Mrs. Hossfeld and Mrs. Hoffmann led the school during the previous year.

Mrs. Kellogg stated that she feels Mrs. Hoffmann should run the elementary school and Mrs. Hossfeld should run the middle school. She also explained that 8th grade students helping with character education is good, but that the program should be run/taught by an administrator.

Mrs. Pickering stated that character education was lacking this year and needs to be brought back. It is the program that sets our school apart from others.

Mrs. Fong inquired about Ms. Haws returning. Mrs. Hossfeld responded that she was certain Ms. Haws was enjoying retirement and was busy with other projects and would not come back.

Mrs. Garcia said that she was interested in the process of selecting a new principal.

  1. Acceptance of Agenda:Mrs. Buck motioned for acceptance of the agenda, Mr. Cann seconded.Mr. D’Amato suggested the order of committee review and core agenda be switched in order for public to hear discussions relating to leadership. All board members agreed.
  1. Minutes Approval:Mr. Cann motioned to accept the 6/16/14 minutes, Mrs. Buck seconded.
  1. Core Agenda:
  2. Sponsorships (Jessica Larsen, Patty Moser)

Mrs. Larsen and Mrs. Moser presented ideas regarding parent/business directory and sponsorships. Mrs. Larsen agreed to draft guidelines.

  1. Budget Review (Heidi Thompson)

Mrs. Thompson reviewed the budget. PPR looks accurate and still may increase. Bottom line looks the same.

  1. Interim Principal Discussion

Mr. D’Amato explained that last time we ran the school with co-principals. He suggested naming just one interim principal and suggested tenure be the deciding factor, therefore Mrs. Hossfeld will take the position, once the Board votes at the end of the meeting. Mrs. Hossfeld stated that the Board needs to sign new teacher contracts and meeting needs to be set in order to do so.

  1. NSA Leadership Discussion

Mrs. Hossfeld and Mrs. Hoffmann had discussed earlier the skills they felt were needed in administration. A principal needs to focus on the big picture, to the keep the mission in mind. More clearly defined lines need to be established so staff know who to go to.

Mr. D’Amato stated that bylaws needed to be followed and a principal selection committee (PSC) will need to be created. He explained that we do not have to post the opening for external candidates and a search for internal candidates could begin once the PSC was formed.

Mrs. Larsen and Mrs. Buck will start the PSC process.

Mrs. Hoffmann suggested adding a third administrator, at least for the interim.

  1. Home School Initiative Budget (Heidi Thompson)

Mrs. Thompson presented budget findings on home school initiative. This was the flip side of the discussion started by Maggie Crawford at the last meeting. Mrs. Thompson said the finance committee can dig in deeper. Mrs. Hoffmann mentioned that the draft of our charter renewal states that we don’t hold offsite classes. It was asked who is liable? Is it the principal? Mrs. Hossfeld will ask questions regarding charter renewal and will follow up with director of choice Tom McMullin.

  1. Landscape Proposals (Kendra Hossfeld)

Mrs. Hossfeld presented two bids for landscaping. Horizon Landscaping and the Outsiders.The BOD will authorize admin to select the best proposal and execute the work.

  1. Renewal Charter Contract (Kendra Hossfeld)

Board received extension for strategic plan until 6/30. Board/admin need to contact and ask for extension.

Mrs. Hossfeld and Mrs. Hoffmann will review charter renewal and find out the date that it is due. They will let the Board know and a special meeting will be called if needed for a vote.

  1. K-5 School and Middle School Report
  2. Enrollment Report (Kendra Hossfeld)

Mrs. Hossfeld and Mrs. Hoffmann gave a quick review on teachers that have been hired. There are currently 669 students enrolled with an additional 3 needing to get paperwork turned in. There are 1352 students currently on the NSA waitlist, which is the highest it has ever been. 6th grade will have three sections of 24, 7th grade will have one section of 18 and two sections of 19, and 8th grade with have a section of 30 and a section of 31. The decision to make the 8th grade classes bigger was made by the middle school teachers. It was explained that the reasoning is due to the teachers already knowing the students and their levels which will allow teachers to ability group in the most effective way. It was also mentioned that the 8th grade class is currently larger due to the “bubble” (when a fourth section was added to jump start the middle school a few years ago).

  1. Committee Review:
  2. Finance (Heidi Thompson)

Mrs. Thompson reported the next finance meeting is scheduled for 7/2/14. Ten people responded to her email seeking a volunteer position on the committee and she picked four. Mrs. Thompson is interested in looking at student counts and analyzing where PPR needs to be in order to lower class size. She will be reviewing financial reports with the committee and asked the Board what they wish to see from the committee. They also want to know what admin wants to see from the committee.

Discussion was had regarding class size and which grades to cut back first. Mrs. Thompson agreed to run numbers for different scenarios. She also offered for the finance committee to review student fees. Mr. Cann asked for an analysis on fees and how they compare to other schools. In light of the increased PPR, the BOD discussed that it would be a good time in the 2014-2015 school year to begin to scale back class sizes.

  1. SAAC (Courtney Buck)

Mrs. Buck reported that WhitneyGragg was elected and Danielle Wilson was reelected as voting members. NigelBrownjohn is compiling SAAC survey results in a better format. SAAC has been discussingthe option of adding more after school activities. They are trying to plan calendar/schedule better regarding afterschool activities so that multiple activities do not fall on the same day of the week.

  1. Marketing (Courtney Buck)

The new webpage mock up was shown at the meeting, including homepage and teachers page. Mrs. Buck stated that the site map is doing well. The new website will draw information from current website. It should be ready in July for teachers and registration in August.

  1. Decisions:
  2. Interim Principal

Mr. D’Amato motioned to appoint Mrs. Hossfeld interim principal, Mrs. Larsenseconded, and all were in favor.

  1. Reactivate Principal Selection Committee

Mr. Cann motioned to reactivate the PSC, Mrs. Buck seconded, and all were in favor.

  1. Landscape Proposals

It was proposed to allow admin to spend up to $80,000 on landscaping needs. Mrs. Buck motioned, Mr. Cann seconded, and all were in favor.

  1. Renewal Charter Contract

Vote was deferred until date and changes are made.

  1. Board Process:
  2. Review Task List; add new tasks
  1. Set date for strategic plan

Possible dates 7/30, 7/31

  1. Review Board Modules
  1. Grant Writing
  2. Fundraising Resources
  3. Capital Improvements
  4. Special Education
  5. Confirm next Board Meeting Date:

July 9th 6pm

  1. Adjournment:Mr. D’Amato adjourned the meeting 10:08