Back to Basics Charter School Foundation, Inc.

Board of Directors Meeting

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

6PM

 

 

In attendance:

 

Dr. Lew Kirk, Dr. Steve Shivers, Mr. Gil Schisler, Mr. Thomas Ries, Mr. Vinny Medero, Ms. Lynne Volpe, Gary Hocevar, Mr. Scott LaBaw, Ms. Margie Lanoue, Ms. Nancy Hutson, Ms. Alba Mas (late) and Mr. Andre Buford.

 

Excused absence:  Kelly Jo Lamb, Esq.

 

  1. Call to Order – Mr. Gil Schisler, Board President, called the meeting to order at 6:05PM.

 

  1. Approval of Minutes – A motion was introduced by Mr. Schisler to approve the minutes from the January board meeting as written; the motion was seconded by Ms. Lanoue.  The board voted unanimously to approve the minutes as written.

 

  1. Treasurer’s Report – Ms. Nancy Hutson.  Please see attached report.

 

  1. Principal’s Report -  Gary Hocevar recognized Ms. Cay Bacon and Ms. Jennifer Fritch for their hard work and efforts in organizing the Back to Basics Bash.  Mr. Hocevar also thanked all of the volunteers who contributed in making this year’s auction a huge success.

 

Mr. Hocevar reported that everything was going well at school.  All board members received a copy of the new Curriculum Guide, which is also available on the school’s website.  He also thanked all faculty and staff who contributed to compiling data for the National Blue Ribbon School award.

 

Mr. Buford wanted to also thank faculty member Judy Turner for taking charge of the Blue Ribbon application, and others for assisting (Mrs. Bennett and Ms. Slagle).

 

Mr. Schisler commended the faculty and staff for their hard work.

 

  1. Faculty Report – Mr. Scott LaBaw reported that the faculty is currently busy with projects, such as the 6th grade’s celebration of Chinese New Year and an upcoming Forensics competition.  The STAR team recently celebrated student success at an outdoor pep rally, during which the band performed, Spanish classes shared their knowledge of the language, and athletic teams and cheerleaders were introduced.

 

Mr. LaBaw also reported that teachers are stressing reading across the curriculum which will assist with comprehension.

 

Because of the limitations on areas in which PE classes can be held, the PE department has created an “Urban” PE class, where students are using the crosswalk on Fowler as a venue, as well as stairs and the area under the IMAX dome.  Mr. Hocevar shared that a parent (who is a long-time educator) had written a letter stating that he had never seen a PE program such as the one that TCMS has in all his years.  In his letter, he thanked them for their efforts (see attached).

 

Mr. Buford announced that TCMS had entered into a partnership with the USF.  USF students interested in becoming teachers will be doing their observations at TCMS.  The USF Athletic Department will also be sending student athletes to TCMS for community service hours. 

 

  1. PRA Report – Mrs. Lanoue.  See attached report.

 

  1. MOSI Report – Dr. Nolinske was not present; therefore, no report.

 

  1. Committee Reports

 

    1. Finance – Ms. Hutson reported that there will be a Finance  Committee Meeting on March 7 at 6PM in Room 200

 

    1. Development – Mr. Medero reported that the requests for funds from the State Legislature is still on the docket, and that the dollar amount had been reduced from $2,000,000 to $100,000.  Mr. Medero also said he would speak with individuals who would be attending the Back to Basics Bash.  Mr. Schisler thanked the committee members for their hard work.

 

    1. Nominating – Dr. Shivers reported that the committee had not met.

 

    1. Transition – Mr. Schisler reported that he and Mr. Ostrenko (President of MOSI) had met last week to discuss TCMS’ move from MOSI.  He reported that MOSI had decided they would offer us a buyout of the lease in the amount of $1,000,000.  MOSI was told that we would not and that we had done everything they had asked us to do, as far as finding a tenant to sublease the facility.  The new tenant is New Springs and TCMS will have to cover the first two years of rental differential (~$120K), but after that their rent would cover our lease agreement with MOSI.

 

Mr. Schisler also reported that the final agreement with New Springs had been negotiated, and that the contract had been delivered to Mr. Whittemore for this review.  Mr. Schisler did not anticipate any problems with MOSI’s acceptance of the lease.

 

e.   Building – Ms. Mas reported that we are awaiting a proposal for the design of the expanded turning lane from ICON to address that requirement.

 

  1. New Business – none to discuss

 

  1. Old Business -  none to discuss

 

  1. Public Comment

 

  1. Adjournment – Mr. Schisler called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Dr., Shivers motioned, seconded by Mr. Medero, and the board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting.

 

 

 

Minutes taken by Helen Ratcliffe

 

Minutes reviewed and supplemented by Thomas Ries, Board Secretary

 

 

Minutes respectfully submitted by ____________________________________________

                                                        Thomas Ries, Board Secretary