Back to Basics Charter School Foundation, Inc.

Board of Directors Meeting

March 12, 2008

6PM

 

 

In attendance:  Ms. Lynne Volpe, Ms. Jackie Zebos, Mr. Vinny Medero, Mr. Thomas Ries, Ms. Nancy Hutson, Mr. Gil Schisler, Dr. Steve Shivers, Gary Hocevar, Ms. Judith Turner, Ms. Kristine Bennett, Ms. Alba Mas and Ms. Margie Lanoue

 

Excused Absences:  Ms. Kelly Jo Lamb, Esq. and Dr. Lew Kirk

 

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

 

  1. Approval of Minutes - Mr. Schisler requested a motion to approve the minutes from the February  13, 2008 meeting.  Ms. Lanoue motioned; seconded by Mr. Medero.  Mr. Medero requested that, under item #11, his titled be changed from “Dr.” to “Mr.”  Ms. Volpe requested that the first sentence of the policy regarding semester exams be changed to read “Discussed the County’s changes regarding semester exam grading scales and clarified the credit granting policy for Algebra I Honors and Physical Science Honors.”

 

The board voted unanimously to approve the minutes with the corrections listed.

  

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

 

  1. Principal’s Report – Mr. Hocevar read a letter from an anonymous adult who overhead a TCMS student speaking with students who attended another school about how great her school was.  The adult wanted to share what a positive experience it had been for her.

 

Mr. Hocevar told the board that TCMS faculty was preparing for an audit by OPAGA (scheduled for March 28 and 29) which is an organization made up of businessmen and former superintendents who evaluate the “business” of a school – in this case, how professional development money is spent, and how it impacts the students. 

 

  1. Faculty Report – Ms. Turner reported that students would be able to participate in intramural tennis at the Temple Terrace rec center, and flag football would be underway very shortly.  She asked if the board had received the document she had prepared about the educational value of the Washington, DC trip.  Ms. Volpe complimented Ms. Turner on the document and how it established that the trip itself was of great educational value, and not some “foo foo” trip.

 

  1. PRA Report – Mrs. Lanoue (see attached report).

 

  1. Committee Reports

·         Development and Finance Oversight –  Ms. Nancy Hutson (see attached)

 

 

·         Governance – had not met

·         Academic and Standards – Ms. Volpe spoke briefly about the OPAGA audit and how it evaluates and measure the progress of students in gains.  Ms. Volpe shared how the faculty at TCMS, with two planning periods, has the ability to confer with each other horizontally (by grade level) and vertically (by subject area). 

·         Building –  Ms. Mas shared with the board that a list of work still needing to be done was faxed to MBSI; as built drawings had not yet been submitted; list of items still needing to be accomplished, such as fencing and the screened lunchroom, were referred to the finance committee; security lights were being donated and Mr. Medero would soon have the prototype ready for use in encasing the airconditioning units to protect them.  The Gas company’s access is still going through the permitting process for the road access.

 

  1. New Business –  Mr. Schisler distributed a draft of the budget for the 2008-2009 school year.  Mr. Schisler encouraged all board members to take it home and review it prior to the June meeting, and to contact him with questions.  He warned that the legislature was anticipating a severe slashing of the budget.

 

At this time, Mr. Hocevar excused himself from the meeting.

 

Principal’s Evaluation:  Mr. Schisler explained that he was doing so because he wanted to the board to be able to discuss the fact that Mr. Hocevar was requesting that his duties be cut back next school year from 100% to 60-75%, due to personal and medical reasons.  The plan would be for Mr. Hocevar to go part time, and to have two assistant principals.  Dr. Shivers asked if the second assistant principal would be promoted from within the school; Ms. Lanoue wanted to know how long Mr. Hocevar would continue at TCMS, and would there be adequate time to train a new principal; Ms. Mas commented that the board would have to be involved with the selection of the new assistant principal; Ms. Volpe added that the leader of the school must be there at all times and that it would be awkward to have a principal at less than half time.

 

Mr. Schisler stated that the board would vote on this matter at the next meeting, and to contact Mr. Hocevar directly with questions.

 

  1. Old Business – none to discuss

 

  1. Public Comment – Mrs. Khare, a parent, commented that she appreciated having the team of teachers available at the same time for conferences.

 

  1. Adjournment –a motion was introduced by Mr. Medero to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Ms. Mas.  The board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:12PM.

 

Minute take by Helen Ratcliffe

Minutes supplemented by Thomas Ries, Board Secretary

 

 

Respectfully submitted by:__________________________________________________

                                                        Thomas Ries, Board Secretary                                    Date