Back to Basics Charter School Foundation, Inc.
Board of Directors Meeting
September 13, 2006
7PM
Room 200
In attendance: Dr. Terrie Nolinske, Mr. Thomas Ries, Mr. Vinny Medero, Dr. Lew Kirk, Ms. Kelly Jo Lamb, Esq., Mr. Gil Schisler, Ms. Lynne Volpe, Mr. Andre Buford, Mr. Scott LaBaw, Ms. Alba Mas, Ms. Nancy Hutson, Dr. Steve Shivers, Mrs. Margie Lanoue and Gary Hocevar
1. Call to Order – the meeting was called to order by Mr. Gil Schisler, Board President, at 7:05PM.
2. Approval of Minutes – Mr. Schisler asked for a motion to approve the minutes. Ms. Mas requested a correction to the minutes (see attached). Dr. Nolinske requested that her name be changed to reflect the correct spelling; Dr. Kirk requested that his name be added to those who were in attendance, and the addition of a last name for a member of the Development Committee be made. Ms. Mas motioned that the minutes be approved as amended; Dr. Shivers seconded the motion. The board voted unanimously to approve the minutes as amended.
3. Treasurer’s Report – Ms. Nancy Hutson was not in attendance until later. Mr. Schisler deferred the report until her arrival. When Ms. Hutson arrived, she presented the report (see attached).
4. Principal’s Report –
a. School-wide book – Mr. Hocevar introduced Ms. Judith Turner, faculty member, who will be coordinating this school year’s symposium. All students will be reading Lay that Trumpet Down in January. Faculty and staff will also be reading the book prior to the students and will break into 7 groups to discuss the novel. The author has been invited to speak to the students in April. Ms. Turner will be applying for a grant from the City of Temple Terrace in order to defray the costs involved with bringing the author to the school.
b. A copy of this month’s Tornado Talkonline was given to the board members (see attached).
c. A list of accomplishments by the school and its students since the school’s inception was prepared for the Development Committee. A copy was also given to the board members (see attached).
d. The school district is hosting a Literacy Fair on Sat., Oct. 7. TCMS will be participating.
e. Mrs. Ratcliffe reported that the school is now at capacity – 400 students.
f. A hard copy of the 05.06 school year Annual Report was sent to all board members. The annual report will be filed on-line this year. Administration is waiting to see what data is being “repopulated” when the report becomes available on October 1.
g. A listing of all faculty members and their certification status was sent to all board members.
h. A draft of the 07.08 school calendar was also distributed to the board members. Mr. Hocevar shared with the board that, due to legislation this past session, school can not start any earlier than 14 days prior to Labor Day. A committee made up of parents, faculty and staff brought their recommendations to him. He requested that the board digest the information for discussion at next month’s meeting. Mr. Hocevar cautioned the board about aligning our calendar to that of the district’s because of 8th grade classes for high school credit exam dates.
i. Textbook inventory, as well as the major and minor inventories were presented to Mr. Schisler by Mr. Buford for his signature.
j. Mr. Buford briefly discussed the grant application that was included in the board’s packet. He reported that Ms. Long (faculty) and Mrs. Zebos (parent) would be working together to aggressively pursuit grants.
Mr. Schisler recommended that intermediary approval for a grant should be handled by the Finance Committee, and that the board president and treasurer should be made aware of it.
k. A+ Money – Mr. Hocevar reported that the faculty and staff voted unanimously to divide the money equally between all current members of the faculty and staff. Mr. Medero asked for clarification of what the A+ money represented. Mr. Hocevar explained that it was the money disbursed by the state for being an “A” school (FCAT grade),
5. Faculty Report – Mr. LaBaw – Mr. LaBaw shared with the board that there had been meetings regarding the 2007-2008 school year calendar, as well as the A+ money. The faculty had recently attended a training regarding airborne pathogens.
Mr. LaBaw also reported that discussions had been held by faculty regarding how much information should be available for parents. All students are required to use agendas as a mean of communication. The school has always, since its inception, used agendas and stressed that the students be accountable to their parents by using it. Mr. Hocevar commented that by posting grades on-line, the teachers were enabling the students.
6. PRA – Mrs. Margie Lanoue (see attached report).
7. MOSI Report - Dr. Terrie Nolinske reported that Disasterville (MOSI, 2nd floor) was now open. A teacher open house would be held on 9/14 from 3-8. Saturday, Sept. 23 would be a free day for “Demystifying India.” Dr. Nolinske also reminded the board about the archaeologist, Richard Eastbrooke, that was now on board with MOSI.
8. Committees
a. Finance – Ms. Hutson thanked Mr. Hocevar for his recent workshop on how charter schools are funded.
b. Development – Mr. Medero asked Mr. Schisler about replacement for Mrs. Diane Tone, who recently resigned from the board. It was announced that Mrs. Hutson would be co-chair of the committee. Mr. Medero felt that there should be a policy regarding naming rights for the school…not interested in changing the name of the school, but can name a wing after a donor. He also asked that the board members provide comments regarding the policy. Mr. Schisler will assist with the verbage on this policy.
Mr. Medero has been in touch with someone from the Moore Foundation. The name of another possible donor was mentioned – Vivan Reeves of Reeves Auto. Mrs. Lanoue asked if the Bill Gates Foundation had been contacted – TCMS represents everything that Bill Gates is attempting to do in public education. Dr. Nolinske will send a link to the Chronicle of Philanthropy website to Mr. Medero. The committee will attempt to contact one potential donor per week.
c. Building – Ms. Mas reported that the engineering company is almost finished with the plans. The city of Temple Terrace has to review the water and sewer. The contract with MBSI to build the modular facility was signed during a recent meeting. The final design should be ready in 3 weeks.
d. Transition – Mr. Schisler reported that the committee has not met. He shared the following information with the board: We have received a $40,000 donation back from the seller; the deed yet for the property had not been received yet; the specs for the building need to be provided to the bank for underwriting purposes; information will be provided to the Board of County Commissioners at the Nov. 2 meeting (recommended petitioning the commissioners to let them know who we are); will be notified within days regarding what our bond rating is (BB or BBB) and that we would close on the bond in March so that the loan with Mercantile Bank can be paid off.
Mr. Schisler also reported that a meeting was recently held between our attorney, MOSI’s attorney, Bob Lang and Wit Ostrenko. The meeting was very positive. MOSI has asked that we bring them prospective tenents who could take over the lease. TCMS will make a formal presentation to MOSI’s board and the county commissioners.
9. New Business - There is a vacancy on the board due to the recent resignation of Mrs. Diane Tone. Mr. Schisler directed the Nominating Committee to bring candidates to the November board meeting.
10. Old Business – None to discuss
11. Public Comment – Mrs. Christiansen asked if the $40,000 donated back to the school by the sellers of the property would entitle them to name a wing of the school after them. Mr. Schisler said that the donation would be anonymous, by request of the seller.
12. Adjournment – Ms. Mas motioned for adjournment; Ms. Lamb seconded the motion. The board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting.
Minutes taken by Helen Ratcliffe
Minutes supplemented by Thomas Ries
Minutes respectfully submitted by: __________________________________________
Thomas Ries, Board Secretary