Montessori of Winter Garden Charter School

October Meeting Minutes

Governing Board of Directors

Date: October 11, 2012

Location: Montessori of Winter Garden Charter School

Chairperson: Mary-Catherine Segota

Secretary: Angie Denninger

The meeting was called to order by the Chairperson at 5:35pm.

Board members present were April Boykin, Danielle Cagle, Karen Carlson, Angie Denninger, Riz Hussein, Bill Orris, Tom Palmer and Mary-Catherine Segota.

Board member not present was Jeff Badgley.

Others present were: Kimberly Riggins, George M, Courtney Sellers, Jennifer Olsen, and Maria Giordono.

Proceedings:

1. Call to Order

2. Established Quorum

3. Motion by Mary-Catherine to approve the August and September meeting minutes. Seconded by Danielle. Vote: approved (unanimous).

4. Public comments: none

5. PTO Update:

a. Fall Fest – Danielle reported that the event is scheduled for October 21, 2012. The event is staffed by the families of the school. Outside vendors will be present. Pumpkins will be for sale. Planning is on schedule.

b. Fundraising cards – Each family will be asked to sell 10 cards at a cost of $10/card. 12 local merchants and national merchants are participating. Fundraiser will run November 1-30. Potential to raise $7,500. 6. Policy Updates:

a. April and Jeff met to discuss and review bylaws and operating procedures for the Board. Their recommendations included no real changes at this review time. The primary goal of the Governing Board remains: governance, judiciary and fiduciary.

a.i. Term limits were discussed and reviewed by the Board. Option presented to have board members serve concurrent 1 year terms automatically renewed up to 3 years unless voted out or resigned. Members can be reelected twice not to exceed 9 years. Motion by Riz (seconded by Mary- Catherine) to table term limit to next meeting for a vote.

b. April addressed the need to review and formalize Board committees to be more consistent with our current written bylaws structure, and extend committee membership to families in the school community.

7. Teachers update by Kimberly:

a. Health Option for staff: All (100%) would have to agree to health insurance policy change because of current employment contract. Insurance requires 70% of staff buy in. Best plans offered with Blue Cross/Blue Shield, after multiple venders reviewed. Packages offered by school would be varying levels of coverage, combined with long term disability policy, life insurance policy, as well as 50% dental and vision policy contribution from school. Kimberly will offer plan change to staff for this year which would be immediate if all agree. Staff will have an option to decline the health insurance if they have insurance elsewhere. Those staff members will receive the $350 benefit for the remainder of the current contract.

b. Retirement: A retirement plan is not in place. Kimberly will survey employees to determine interest.

c. Payroll Changes: Kimberly investigated ADP, a payroll company, for an alternative to lower the cost associated with processing staff payrolls (and benefits). George M suggested a local contact he has worked with before. The savings could equal enough to pay for 4 teaching assistant’s benefits packages. It was recommended that we table the discussion on benefits for teaching assistants until budgetary adjustments are made to cover costs.

8. Grant Status: Completed and approved

9. Charter conference next month. Grant requires Kimberly and Mary-Catherine to attend. 10. Facilities:

a. Traffic problems:

a.i. City of Winter Garden Police approached the school with concerns over the volume and patterns of traffic (blocking visibility) and possibility of driving citations to our families during drop-off and pick-up times. Tom has reached out to group of civil engineers for lower price traffic study which is required at end of year two for renewal of Special Exception Permit. Kimberly proposed an immediate solution to stager drop off times to reduce the flow.

b. Future Growth:

b.i. Tom continues to analyze land/properties in and around Winter Garden for possible new location. Tom discussed overall goal for next move. Kimberly asked about securing land now and renting portables. Tom suggested we need to identify property that is with the city limits that we could either build a building on or rehab an existing one. Mary-Catherine asked about possibility for FHA/USDA loan. Bill spoke of the Florida Charter School Growth Fund that supports projects and expansions. Bill and Riz agreed to work together to discuss options for funding. George M suggested Steve, a facilities coordinator, could assist. Facilities and Finance committee will report next month.

Ii Mary-Catherine agreed to speak with Darren regarding rental space of unit 1700 for an administration area.

11. Enrollment:

a. Current is 141. October FTE will be based on 144 students. Averaging 3-4 tours per week, therefore slots expected to be filled by January.

12. Growth and Development: a. Charter Revision - Discussion of ideas included separating the charter from middle school, and applying for two separate charter status for middle school, and high school. Private age 3 and VPK4 with state funding under consideration to maintain authenticity of Montessori program. Official school name completed prior to opening needs to be recorded on charter amendment. A position paper will be needed to make an amendment for above noted changes. Jeff, Karen, April and Kimberly will work together to draft position paper. Draft of position paper will need to be completed by December 1. Will need to get on OCPS January agenda.

13. Public Comment:

a. Maria Giordano introduced herself to the Board for possible consideration to join the Board of Directors. She will submit her resume to the Board secretary for distribution. Nominations procedure will be reviewed. April motioned we table the vote until next Board meeting to allow time for review. Mary-Catherine seconded. Vote Unanimous

Future Business: none

Other Business: Motion by Mary-Catherine (seconded by Riz) to move the November Board meeting to November 7th instead of the 8th due to a previously scheduled parent education meeting at the school.

There being no further business to come before the meeting, the meeting was adjourned at 7:55pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Angie Denninger, Secretary