Past Minutes

World Learner School
Board Meeting Minutes
March 19, 2007

Non-Members Present: Randi Shapiro

Parent Forum: No non-board members were present.

Meeting called to order by Richard at 6:25 PM.

Minutes from the February meeting were read. Patti made a motion to accept the minutes. Sherry seconded. All approved.

Governance:
Bob suggested that we add Review of Administrative Tasks and Timelines as a standing item on the agenda, and there was general support for the idea.

Annual Meeting: Sherry volunteered to coordinate the contacting of parents to get their commitment to attend. Beth volunteered to work with Randi on putting the program together. The meeting will be April 17, 7-8 PM.

Bob suggested that WLS consider the possibility of extending to 9th grade, with the subsequent consideration of higher grades as well. The suggestion was to set up a task force which would articulate some questions that would need to be asked and answered, and make a recommendation regarding the extension at some later date. The board was in unanimous support of taking this initial step.
    
Finance: Randi summarized the current financial documents, and reviewed current reports (attached).

Budget: Mark began by stating that the budget was at a high level of development, allowing some administrative action to be taken if approved at this stage (such as contract writing). He summarized the finance committee’s work with the content of the budget as well as the process of developing the budget. He walked the board through the lines in the draft entitled 2007-2008 Budget Plan for World Learner School (page 10 in the board meeting packet). There was considerable discussion regarding the level of enrollment and the level of salary increase. The amount of increase in teachers’ salaries was 3%. However, after considerable discussion, Mark made a motion to approve a budget plan for the purpose of writing teacher contracts that call for a 4% increase in teachers’ salaries.  Jon seconded. All voted in favor. Coverage of the additional expense will be proposed to the board at a later date by the Finance Committee, drawing on additional sources of revenue and reduction of expenses as appropriate.

Enrollment: Current enrollment is as follows:     

Lower Elementary:     83
Upper Elementary:    50
Middle School:        17
Total:                     150

Grant Writing: Randi confirmed that the Walton Grant had been submitted.

Fundraising: The recent Book Fair netted $1,000, which was taken as cash. Many thanks to Beth Radich and team! The Shindig is set for April 28 at Canterbury Downs.

Personnel:

Sponsorship: The board approved the consideration of non-WLS employees for being sponsored for training under the school’s existing sponsorship policy. Bob will move the search for a sponsorship candidate forward and report back.

Compensation for Non-Exempt Employees in Extended Activities: Randi had received a review of the draft policy by legal counsel, but some questions remain, especially that of potential impact on the school’s liability. Bob will check with legal counsel, and redraft the policy proposal incorporating their advice.

Curriculum/Programs: No report.

Building Company:

Flooring: A consultant is determining a best approach to the repair. The findings indicate that the contractors are not responsible for the repair, so the cost will have to be borne by WLS and JMS.

Siding: We have been waiting for a report from Company Name?. Henrik will contact the company again.

Building Project: The board is tabling the current project, pending the investigation of extending through the upper grades. Randi will contact Non-Profits Assistance Fund of Minnesota in the hope of using some of the free financial consultation to which we are entitled.  

OSHA: No report.

Technology: A new computer is needed in the library. There was discussion of the possible use of a donation. Bob and Randi will facilitate this.

Communication/Hospitality/Volunteers: No report.

Calendar Review: Reminder to include the Administrative and Board Timelines and Tasks as part of the agenda for future meetings.

Confirmation of date and time of next meeting: April 23, 2007.

Jon made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Liesl seconded. All approved.

Respectfully submitted by Bob Ruud, Board Secretary. These minutes are distributed electronically to board members who have email, on paper to those who don’t. A paper copy is filed in the master file in Bob’s office. A copy is also available in the WLS office.