CIRCLE OF SEASONS CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES OF MEETING MARCH 27, 2014 7:00 p.m.
IN ATTENDANCE:
Brian Anthony, Kimberly Heiman, Chris Hertzog, Darin Mazepa, Carrie Nordlund, Kalyna Procyk, Cory Reinhard, Phil Arnold and Tom Taylor.
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m. by Cory Reinhard.
PUBLIC COMMENT None. ON AGENDA: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: To approve the Board of Director’s minutes of February 27, 2014 (Mazepa/Hertzog) 7 Directors Approved, 0 Directors Opposed, 0 Abstentions. Motion carried.
FINANCIALS:
Tom Taylor gave an overview of the financials ending March 31, 2014. Representatives from Therapy Bridges attended the meeting to discuss past due invoices. Motion: To approve the financial report as presented by Tom Taylor. (Reinhard/Mazepa) 7 Directors Approved, 0 Directors Opposed, 0 Abstentions. Motion carried. Motion: To issue a check made payable to Therapy Bridges in the amount of $15,115.00 to be mailed on Tuesday, April 1, 2014. (Mazepa/Reinhold) 7 Directors Approved, 0 Directors Opposed, 0 Abstentions. Motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS:
None.
POLICY APPROVAL
Motion: To approve the following policies as presented:
Independent Evaluation Least Restrictive Environment Mandatory Reporter Non-Academic Services Settings Physical Education – Students with Disabilities Positive Behavioral Support Program Outcomes Psychological Services
Circle of Seasons Charter School | 8380 Mohr Lane Fogelsville, Pa 18051 | www.circleofseasons.org | T: 610 285-6267 F: 610 285-2444
(Mazepa/Reinhard) 7 Directors Approved, 0 Directors Opposed, 0 Abstentions. Motion carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Fundraising Committee (Chris Hertzog) – There was also discussion of the Educational Improvement Tax Credit as a possible avenue to explore for funding, Property and Facilities Committee (Cory Reinhard) – The committee did not meet last month due to illness. They will be working with parents to get things done on the outside and inside of the building. Circle of Seasons Received a $2000 grant from Lehigh Gap Nature Center and the Conservation Landscaping Team to fund native plantings. Building Committee – Phil Arnold went to Weisenberg Township tonight to talk about utilizing the fitness center as a new Spanish emersion pre-K program. La Escuelita Semilla is the name of the program. Potentially, somewhere down the road, the pre-K program is looking at buying the property which would help us with our mortgage. Grievance (Daren Mazepa) – None. Finance Committee (Brian Anthony) – Brian spoke with Tom Taylor about what the role of the committee should be this year. Tom will be sending a proposed budget for a second set of eyes to review it to the Finance Committee. The committee is also to be a part of the audit process. Academic Assessment (Carrie Nordlund/Brian Anthony) – We will not be doing anything until Phil Arnold needs the committee to take action.
NEW BUSINESS:
Carrie Nordlund has been traveling to Harrisburg every third week to start meeting and sharing ideas about legislation which could possibly affect Charter Schools. Adventure Playgrounds were discussed at length. Carrie Norldund inquired about the COS Disaster and Emergency Plan and requested a plan and report for the next Board meeting. The modular unit was discussed as an example of unsafe space. The topic of de-escalation techniques was raised. Every year, Pam Zebrine and Brandon Leydic attend a training at the IU on low level de-escalation techniques. In addition, our school counselor, Signe Whitson, is certified in Life Space Crisis Intervention (LSCI).
PUBLIC COMMENT: Mike Earl, 5925 Derick Drive, Orefield, PA – Discussed potential legislation that could tie universities into the charter school movement. Also raised concerns about legislators currently making waves in Harrisburg. Phil will speak to Pat Hennessey about the events happening. Phil believes that the big push right now is to separate the cyber charter schools vs. the brick and mortar charter schools. Circle of Seasons Charter School | 8380 Mohr Lane Fogelsville, Pa 18051 | www.circleofseasons.org | T: 610 285-6267 F: 610 285-2444
Mike Fischer, 1725 Platt Court, Allentown, PA – Requested that we review what the policies are about prior to voting on them. Inquired as to whether or not Penn State has their own foundation. Yes, Penn State does have their own foundation but it would not be related to COS. Inquired as to what our Fundraising Committee does? The Fundraising Committee’s main goal is to secure monies to pay off the mortgage. Sharon Hendershot, P.O. Box 334, Sciota, PA– Requested a status update of the 2014-2015 vacant first grade teaching positions. There is one offer out to one person and we are reviewing a number of resumes’ and interviewing for the other position. ADJOURNMENT:
Motion: To adjourn the March meeting of the Circle of Seasons Board of Directors at 9:03 p.m. (Hertzog/Heiman) 7 Directors Approve, 0 Directors Opposed, 0 Abstentions. Motion carried.
The next Board meeting is scheduled for April 24, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
Circle of Seasons Charter School | 8380 Mohr Lane Fogelsville, Pa 18051 | www.circleofseasons.org | T: 610 285-6267 F: 610 285-2444
