International Spanish Language Academy
ISLA Board Minutes
January 23, 2007
Called to order: 7:05
Present: Karen, Patrick, Lily, Kerry, Molly, Mark, Melody, Rolf
Hopkins representative: Michele
Absent: Helen, Angie, Jenny
MOTION
Kerry moved, Patrick seconded to approve December minutes, minutes approved.
MOTION
Patrick moved to approve tonight’s agenda, seconded and approved.
Start Up Coordinator Update will be added at end of tonight’s meeting.
Start Up Coordinator Update will be added to all agendas in future meetings.
Reminder: every action taken should be on agenda.
FACILITY COMMITTEE
Patrick summarized: Very busy last few weeks working with broker to search out property appropriate for our use. It was determined that there were some suggested sites which were zoned as industrial sites and would not accommodate a school. Conditional Use Permit could be a 45-60 day prospect if we were in fact to pursue a site not appropriately zoned.. Best would be to find a property already zoned as school. Reality is that it is very difficult to find such a property which is not already in use in some way. Regarding Curren, we are still in conversation with Hopkins as a possibility. At the moment we are completing the application for the possibility of leasing Curren. Churches, realty companies, middle school charter (Minnesota International) and another grades 3-8 private school have asked for packets. The middle school charter is just beginning and would possibly be hoping for possible expansion space for future growth, just as we would. There may be some advantages for us, as far as being flexible, in sharing of space and creating further possibilities, for instance, transportation, staff development.
Mark pointed out that Hopkins approved last week to begin 2 sections of Chinese immersion at the Kinder level which will be housed in the elementary school located at the Eisenhower site. Boundaries are currently being redrawn and therefore a number of things are in flux at the moment. Boundaries will be announced mid-March. The current situation affects not only Hopkins but ISLA and others as well. The proposal for leasing Curren is due Jan 30. A presentation of the recommendation will be given Feb 15. Minnetonka dates are thought to be Feb 15 which will also impact us. A possible tour of Curren is being arranged for Friday, January 26, after school. Once recommendation is made to Hopkins Board then presentations will be made on behalf of those organizations who wish to lease.
All Board members are invited to brainstorm possibilities and step out of the box as we search for a viable location.
Places to investigate?
Karen noticed a location near the Perpich Center for the Arts. Available space? And another location with a sign out front, not many cars normally, and another right next door on Laurel Ave, 287 has programs located there at present. Share space with a church, IHM for example.
We will investigate with Julie the possibility of calling around and asking about availability even when nothing has been posted.
Strip malls? Zoned as commercial versus industrial? Only city that would allow such a possibility in Hopkins School District would be St. Louis Park.
We must have a classification of “E” rating, allow for movement of buses and proper zoning. Daycares may be located in industrial zones in order to make it more accessible to workers. Adult care programs can also be located in industrial zones.
Hopkins boundary map is available on district web site. Patrick can e-mail the official zoning map to all so that we can have all ears to the road. Send any possibilities to the committee. Perhaps look even further south, for instance south of International School on Crosstown, Hwy #62.
COMMUNICATIONS
No lottery was necessary as of January 16. Will continue filling to capacity.
Future Information Meetings: Feb 20 Hopkins Library and Mar 26 Ridgedale Library.
Kinder – 44
1st – 17
2nd – 13
3rd – 12
4th – 8
Potentially we could add a section of Kinder and/or add a section of Full Day.
Could we contract with Hopkins regarding Community Ed and full day kinder as well as before/after school care? Karen will investigate.
Karen contacted adoption organizations who would be interested in passing out flyers, passing on info.
We have been reluctant to spend much money on advertising up to this point. Karen has gotten more calls since the lottery deadline – people who are “in” are talking and spreading the word.
General Mills parent group participant called and offered to include our info in a communication.
Contacted preschools? Brochures have been left at many daycare facilities. Karen will ask Katie about leaving brochures at parent/child locations through Hopkins. Montessori, daycares.
Transportation will be a deciding factor for some – out of district families, especially
Web site now includes the Board minutes. There are a number of different levels of web sites – due to cost basic set ups are not uncommon.
FINANCE
Karen will e-mail Jenny regarding specific information for our next year’s budget. We need to get things in place for teacher packets and need to know details. Contacted state dept but got vague answers. Per pupil allotment provides for salaries but there is still a portion of it that is set aside for other things, for example, transportation and $30 per student charge. Suggested to speak with someone at Mainstreet to help answer these questions. Q-comp would provide extra money per pupil. Hopkins has Q-comp and has gone well. A type of merit pay and money for staff development combination – Nick Lightfoot and John wrote the proposal for Q-comp and are in charge of program.
Stenmark – Mark will speak with Josh this week to finalize.
Policy for spending money – we are accountable for every cent given in grant and can only spend it on specifics. Up to this point have only spent money on MACS membership and advertising. Annual charter school meeting next week still requires fee of over $100. Today there was some type of workshop – broker who works with charters “Facility Strategies” – 2:00-5:00 in St. Paul, no fee.
501(c) 3 – Mark and Karen will discuss and determine a process to be used. Requires more than just a form to be filled out. Before we an accept donations we must have paperwork completed first.
Now that we have enrollees we are ready to recruit volunteers. Send an e-mail communicating some basic needs and asking for any skill strengths.
Barb Westmoreland – at Hopkins district office – head volunteer coordinator can give us head start.
PERSONNEL
Leave of Absence for district teachers to work in a charter school---Notice must be given 90 days prior to beginning back to work in order to be granted by district.
At-Will contracts are most often encouraged in charter schools but due to our specific skill needs there is a concern that it would make it even more challenging.
Molly will investigate the TA company, create a job description and application form for teaching staff
Dennis Dahlman – Hopkins – Kerry will contact him regarding possibility of ISLA participating in Hopkins health care package. Karen Charles at Mainstreet would also be a good contact.
How do we determine how much money there is to put into the teacher package, then fringe benefits such as participating in Hopkins district plans (Mainstreet), sick days, work days, Q-comp,
STRATEGIC PLAN
On track. Continue to monitor our progress.
MOTION
Molly moved to adjourn, Kerry seconded and approved at 9:11.