REGULAR MEETINGMINUTES
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Hope academy charter school
Meeting Address: 57725 Twentynine Palms Highway #403, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
Location: Hope Academy Board Meeting Room
Meeting Date and Time:December 8, 2015 at 5:00 PM
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PRESENTATIONS TOTHE BOARD BY PARENTS AND CITIZENS
Hope Academy Charter School (“School”) welcomes your participation at the School’s Board meetings. The purpose of a public meeting of the Board of Directors (“Board”) is to conduct the affairs of the School in public. Your participation assures us of continuing community interest in our School. To assist you in the ease of speaking/participating in our meetings, the following guidelines are provided:
1.Agendas are available to all interested persons at the Hope Academy Charter School office at least 72 hours for Regular Meetings and 24 hours for Special Meetings prior to the start of the meeting, and to all audience members at the door to the meeting at the time the meeting starts.
2.“Request to Speak” forms are available to all audience members who wish to speak on any agenda items or under the general category of “Oral Communications.” “Oral Communications” is set-aside for members of the audience to raise issues that are not specifically on the agenda. However, due to public meeting laws, the Board can only listen to your issue, not respond or take action. These presentations are limited to three(3) minutes and total time allotted to non-agenda items will not exceed twelve (12) minutes. The Board may give direction to staff to respond to your concern or you may be offered the option of returning with a citizen-requested agenda item. Any charges or complaints against employees should be submitted to the Superintendent who will address the charge or complaint in accordance with School policy.
3.You may also complete a “Request to Speak” form to address the Board on Agenda items. With regard to such agenda items, you may specify that agenda item on your “Request to Speak” form and you will be given an opportunity to speak for up to three (3) minutes when the Board discusses that item.
- When addressing the Board, speakers are requested to state their name and address and adhere to the time limits set forth.
- Any public records relating to an agenda item for an open session of the Board which are distributed to all, or a majority of all, of the Board members shall be available for public inspection at 57725 Twentynine Palms Highway #403, Yucca Valley, CA 92284.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and upon request, Hope Academy Charter Schoolmay furnish reasonable auxiliary aids and services to qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals who require appropriate alternative modification of the agenda in order to participate in Board meetings are invited to contact theHope Academy Charter School office at (760) 820-4725. Please contact the office at least forty-eight (48) hours before the scheduled meeting so that the School may make every reasonable effort to accommodate you.
I.PRELIMINARY
A.CALL TO ORDER
The President of the Board called meeting to order at 5:01 PM.
B.ROLL CALLPresentAbsent
David Nelson Yes______
Ted Smith Yes______
Jean Lundin Yes______
Dianne Swella Yes______
C.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
D.APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
The Board will review, discuss, and possibly take action on the agenda.
Motion:Dianne Swella; Second:Dave Nelson; Vote (4-0-0-0):
Aye:4
No:0
Abstain:0
Absent:0
II.COMMUNICATIONS
- ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: Non-agenda items: no individual presentation shall be for more than three (3) minutes and the total time for this purpose shall not exceed twelve (12) minutes. Ordinarily, Board members will not respond to presentations and no action can be taken. However, the Board may give direction to staff following a presentation.
Tammy Slaten spoke regarding concerns and rumors about the school closing, payroll issues, feels vision of Hope Academy is gone. Why was charter submitted and then pulled, and why are so many administrators gone? Many teachers are applying elsewhere. Wants to know if Hope Academy is closing, wants questions answered, and if there’s a backup plan if we lose accreditation. She didn’t realize that her questions could not be answered at the board meeting.
Steve Gilliam spoke and feels there’s an element of fear in existence now. He introduced himself and gave his history with HA, currently in the arts program. Has concerns with art program, but cannot bring them up now due to time. Has concern with the paycheck issue. Explained process and timeline of renewing charter, and possibility of having to go to the county if charter is not renewed. Says without renewal, funding will run out soon. Said that students are missing in Calpads. Budget is based on number of students. Other schools are calling because of SARB duties to perform, but aren’t able to locate students. Budget changes have not been clearly explained. Problems are presented such as cell phone bill, but no solutions presented. Brown Act violation due to lack of multiplebids on service contracts. Payroll delay has been communicated by email only, not directly. Calling for vote of no confidence in administration, suggests emergency meeting to review Brown Act practices, full budget examination, Calpads examination, charter examination regarding whether administration duties have been fulfilled.
Gudrun Mecham spoke regarding lack of communication. Says phone calls and emails are not answered in a timely manner. Students and staff are not happy and are leaving. Negative direction, staff lives in fear of their jobs. She received a certified letter notifying her of termination, but no communication prior. She urged the Board to take immediate action to replace current superintendent with Steve Gilliam.
Ann Sholtz introduced herself as a volunteer CFO at Hi-Desert Arts Academy. Concerns regarding several Brown Act violations. Board meeting documents were not available on the website. Minutes should reflect whether action voted on. Says minutes should be amended. Wants item 12.3 amended. Recommends having attorneys explain procedures of board meetings. Stated that November 19th meeting was held illegally because of lack of notification prior to meeting and anything done in that meeting can be void.
III.CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
All matters listed under the consent agenda are considered by the Board to be routine and will be approved/enacted by the Board in one motion in the form listed below. Unless specifically requested by a Board member for further discussion or removed from the consent agenda, there will be no discussion of these items prior to the Board votes on them. The Superintendent recommends approval of all consent agenda items.
Item No. / Description / Reference1. / Approval of minutes of November 10, 2015 regular Board meeting. / III-1[JR1]
2. / Approval of minutes of November 19, 2015 special Board meeting.[DR2][KE3] / III-2
3. / Approval of budget expenditures. / III-3
Motion: Dianne Swella; Second: Jean Lundin; Vote (4-0-0-0):
Aye:4
No:0
Abstain:0
Absent:0
Dr. Swella wanted to make sure that everyone understands that all consent items are approved at one time and any questions are thoroughly looked at.
IV.ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR INFORMATION
- For Information: Superintendent’s Report(s)
This is a presentation of information by the Superintendent regarding the following:
Payroll/funding issues: Mr. Hannah provided information regarding costs this year and compared them to several months last year. Explained construction costs. Will save over $41,000 a month by changing back office providers, terminating car leases, Apple Valley lease, and Duplo machine lease. SavanTech is included in SavantCo contract. HA is paying rent on room in Yucca Valley that is not being used. Motor home was bought for roughly $68,000 and was sold recently for $9,000. There was a glitch in payroll due to the intercept form not being in place. Mr. Hannah was notified right before payroll was due. Form was signed and overnighted to the funding company. Another form was signed and Mr. Hannah personally delivered it to CAM. Said investors were now requiring this form.
Charter Renewal: Janelle Ruley from YM&C has been working on the revised charter documents. Final document should be submitted at next board meeting as an action item. The document was pulled back for revisions which was recommended by the law firm.
Enrollment: Some sites have waiting lists, enrollment staying steady, but slow growth. Total enrollment is about 2,000 students.
- For Information: Reports from Board members
Copper Mountain College Scholarship explained by Jean Lundin. Flyer can be provided.
- For Information: Presentation by SavantCo
This is a presentation of information regarding monthly updated budget information.
John Arndt presented budget information, was surprised that payroll didn’t fund as planned. HA spending about 1.1 million a month. 37% of budget is spent on payroll. Requesting another 1.2 for December, already sold March receivable. Stated funding should run out by February. Mr. Nelson asked why this information has not been provided to the board prior to tonight. Says SavantCo emails were blocked – auditors were not getting their emails and responses. Audits will be done next week and should be reconciled within 2 weeks.
- For Information: Presentation by Integrity Tech
This is a presentation regarding a proposal for IT services.
Presentation given. Documents available.
- For Information: Presentation by Konica Minolta
This is a presentation regarding a proposal for IT services.
Presentation given. Documents available.
- For Information: Presentation by Desert Image
This is a presentation of information regarding copier services.
Presentation given. Documents available.
V.ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR ACTION
Item No. / Description / Reference[DR4]1. / The Board will review, discuss, and possibly take action on the Mountain View Studios proposal for tenant improvements for the Beaumont Center.
Motion:Dave Nelson; Second:Ted Smith; Vote (4-0-0-0):
Aye:4
No:0
Abstain:0
Absent:0 / V-1
2. / The Board will review, discuss, and possibly take action on the proposals for IT services by Integrity Tech and Konica Minolta.[DR5]
Motion:Dianne Swella;Second: Jean Lundin; Vote (4-0-0-0):
Aye:4
No:0
Abstain:0
Absent:0
Konica Minolta was awarded the contract for IT services. / V-2
3. / The Board will review, discuss, and possibly take action on revision of the Grading Policy.
Motion: Dave Nelson; Second: Ted Smith; Vote (4-0-0-0):
Aye:4
No:0
Abstain:0
Absent:0 / V-3
4. / The Board will review, discuss, and possibly take action on revision of the Cell Phone Policy.
Motion: Dianne Swella; Second: Dave Nelson; Vote (4-0-0-0):
Aye:4
No:0
Abstain:0
Absent:0 / V-4
VI. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Item No. / Description / Reference1. / The Board will review items for future consideration by the Board.
Board member site visits will be discussed at next board meeting in January. Possibly changing the day of the month for meetings. Possible workshop for charter renewal before board meeting in January. Copier demo next month. Discuss request for no confidence vote. Mr. Hannah should discuss with legal counsel first. / None
VII. CLOSED SESSION
Item No. / Description1. / The Board will publicly announce the reasons for closed session.
The Board adjourned to closed session at 7:25 PM.
2. / Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release
3. / Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9: 1 case
VIII. PUBLIC SESSION
Item No. / Description / Reference1. / The Board will reconvene to public session.
The Board reconvened to open session at 8:48 PM. / None
2. / The Board will publicly announce actions taken in closed session and the vote or abstention of every member in closed session.
Action taken was to give direction to legal counsel to pursue the matter of anticipated litigation. The Board voted 4-0-0-0. / None
IX. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at8:51 PM.
Motion: Dave Nelson; Second: Jean Lundin; Vote (4-0-0-0):
Aye: 4
No: 0
Abstain:0
Absent: 0
The next regular Board meeting will be held onJanuary 12, 2016 at 5:00PM at Hope Academy Charter School, 57725 Twentynine Palms Highway #403, Yucca Valley, CA 92284.
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Regular MeetingMinutesDecember 8, 2015
Hope Academy Charter SchoolPage 1 of 7
[JR1]The “reference” column is intended to correspond to the Board packet. Here, since the Board will be approving meeting minutes, a draft of those minutes should be included in the Board packet under the tab or cover sheet of “III-1.” The Roman numeral corresponds to the section of the agenda, and the Arabic number corresponds to the agenda item number.
[DR2]We suggest including approval of the minutes on the consent agenda. However, approval of the minutes can be moved to another section.
[KE3]
[DR4]Please modify the reference column as needed to account for materials in the Board packet.
For example, if the Board will be presented with materials regarding the Mountain View Studios proposal, retain V-1 in the reference column next to that item and include the proposal in the Board packet under a tab or cover sheet of “V-1.”
[DR5]This item combines the discussion of the proposal for IT services by Integrity Tech and Konica Minolta so that the Board can discuss the merits of both proposals and reach a decision regarding both.