INTERNATIONAL SPANISH LANGUAGE ACADEMY
ISLA BOARD MINUTES
June 12, 2007
CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:08 PM
ISLA BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Karen Terhaar (Start-Up Coordinator), Melody Brombacher, Rolf Brombacher, Lily Johnson, Kerry Krawczyk-LeMieux, Mark Mathison, Patrick Peters, Molly Quinn
HOPKINS REPRESENTATIVE PRESENT:
VISITOR(S): ISLA BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Jenny Brockman, Angie Cabrera
MOTION TO APPROVE PREVIOUS BOARD MINUTES
Mark moved, Melody seconded, passed.
MOTION TO APPROVE TONIGHT’S AGENDA
Patrick moved, Rolf seconded, passed.
OPEN AGENDA
ENROLLMENT
Numbers are down slightly,
STAFFING
Jorge Gonzalez is from Colombia, is licensed to teach music, will also teach PE..
Briana Boeser, experience teaching in Germany and immersion.
NEW BOARD MEMBERS
Founders make decision as to bringing on new members according to our by-laws.
There are 3 people interested in joining our Board at this time.
Currently there are 10 members including Karen, who will become an ex-oficio member as of July 1, and Angie.
Our by-laws currently state that our Board will have no fewer than 5 and no more than 11 members. Founders will determine which of the 3 will sit in the vacant positions on the Board and which will take Angie’s place until she is ready to return.
MOTION
Kerry moved that we contact the 3 applicants interested in serving on the ISLA Board and welcome them to serve on the Board commencing June 26, 2007 as part of the interim Board.
Patrick seconded.
Mark suggested amending it to read as of tonight.
Motion carried.
Karen called for a vote on the main motion.
Main motion seconded, and motion carried.
3RD/4TH GRADE
Currently 10 students enrolled in 4th, 16 enrolled in 3rd.
Some support the dual grade level classroom, some oppose it. There were some withdrawals after the initial communications. Some communicated concerns at first but then responded that they were in favor of the 3rd/4th combination.
Either grade level on its own would not provide the funds needed to support its own classroom, especially since the current numbers may not yet be solid. Together the numbers provide the student enrollment necessary for 1 classroom teacher.
Future combo classroom:
As the two grade levels progress through the years they will continue as a combo through the 5th/6th year. When the 2007-2008 3rd graders reach 6th grade we may be looking at a smaller class total and can plan for the financial challenge.
MOTION
Rolf moved that the Board approve combining 3rd/4th grade for the 2007-2008 school year subject to maximize enrollment of that class being 26 students.
Patrick seconded, no further discussion, all in favor, motion carried.
UNIFORM SURVEY
31 responded thus far, 23 in favor, 5 against, 3 neutrals.
Options: invite parent group to take charge of this discussion by way of soliciting info from families, investigate fundraising/logo clothing/on-line shop, include 3rd/4th graders as part of discussion and decision making process. Board needs to create a dress code independent of the uniform decision. Someone needs to formulate a proposal and present it to the Board.
MOTION
Mark moved that we communicate to the parents that the Board has expressed its sense that the school should adopt a relatively narrow dress code with the following features: limiting mix and match colors to 4 or fewer, pants/skirts/shorts/collared shirts, no text on clothing except for ISLA logo, group of parents would use that sense of the Board to develop the details of the dress code and its implementation, bring it back to the Board for its July Board meeting. Karen added friendly amendment to invite 3rd and 4tgh grade students to participate in decision. A narrow dress code policy that provides a sense of uniformity. Board has requested a liaison Board member to participate in policy and implementation plan.
Patrick seconded, all in favor, motion carried.
INSURANCE
Mark moved that the Board authorize Rolf to continue working with the broker to purchase all appropriate insurance to meet the school’s needs subject to Board approval.
Melody seconded, all in favor, motion carried.
Karen asked as to whether or not Rolf needed help. He stated that he did not need help at this time.
Our by-laws state that we have a policy for contract signing - Board authorizes designated persons to sign said documents. Who will sign policy for Board insurance, school insurance? Need to determine at later point.
Liability insurance which we estimated to be at $1,000,000 might need to be at $3,000,000. Mark indicated that he would be more comfortable with $2,000,000 if the additional cost was not significant.
Tort liability clarification?
Landlord being insured – we included text indicating that they will need to insure themselves.
Rolf had some concerns regarding the lease and had e-mailed Mark with the concerns.
HIRING: CONTRACTS OF TEACHER, DIRECTOR
Need to formulate the contracts in order for those who are prepared to sign contacts may do so ASAP.
MOTION
Patrick moved that we develop at-will contracts for executive director and professional staff and authorize the personnel committee to offer and enter into contracts.
Melody seconded, all in favor, motion carried.
Employee handbook will address policies (not a contract).
Karen entered into the record that “I am resigning my position as Board Chair and as voting Board member effective June 30, 2007.”
MOTION
Rolf moved to accept Karen’s resignation as Board Chair and voting Board member effective June 30, 2007.
Mark seconded, all in favor, motion carried.
Director Salary:
Mark proposed that we decide upon a salary with which we are comfortable.
MOTION
Mark moved that we offer Karen a base salary for a 12 month contract of $65,000 annually for the position of ISLA School Executive Director with an additional $7,000 signing bonus payable upon execution of the contract and receipt of funds with contract effective as of July 1, 2007.
Rolf seconded. Discussion
Rolf made a motion to amend initial motion to say that signing bonus is contingent upon having enrollment of at least 100 students by September 4, 2007 and payable on the first payroll period after October 1, 2007.
Patrick seconded, all in favor, motion carried.
Initial motion carried.
Discussion: personnel committee will work on benefits package. Already agreed on ---, now need to address paid time off, etc.
April Board meeting indicated that specific offer would be contingent upon the following points: The McDowell background check has already come back, licensure is up to date.
LEASE WITH FAITH CHURCH
Monthly check will be paid on the 16th of the month, while August & September will be paid upon receipt of the lease aid. Lease needs to be signed by Friday, June 15, 2007.
Need to present amendments to proposed lease in order to submit in time. We will negotiate some points. Currently states that lease will cover August 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008 but would much prefer a 12 month lease from August 1, 2007 through July 31, 2008. We will pay $1200 per student for lease aid plus amount per student per month to be determined for utilities. Delayed submission of lease will probably result in later receipt date of lease aid funds.
MOTION
Melody moved that the Board authorize the facilities committee to work out the terms of the lease agreement and enter into that contract, Karen signing on behalf of the Board.
Discussion.
Mark seconded, all in favor, motion carried.
NEW BOARD CHAIR
MOTION
Mark moved that Melody be the new Board Chair.
Patrick seconded, all in favor, motion carried.
MOTION
Patrick moved that Lily be the new Board Vice Chair.
Mark seconded, all in favor, motion carried.
MOTION
Rolf moved that Mark draft and the Board adopt a conflict of interest policy consistent with state and federal guidelines.
Melody seconded, all in favor, motion carried.
NEXT MEETING
Tuesday, June 26, 2007, 7:00pm Crystal City Hall
MOTION TO ADJOURN
Moved to adjourn at 11:02pm, all in favor, motion carried.