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Regular board meeting – April 24, 2012

Board members in attendance: Andrea, Casey, Brad, Shelley, Tiffany, Genevieve, Michael

Board members absent: Mark

Others in attendance: Dawn, Margaret Evers, Jay Younger, Shiloh Elkins, Teresa Slominski, Regina Flynn, Chris Engelke

Executive Session came to order at 6:10
Open Session came to order at 7:10

Website Updates:
Chris Engelke came to update the board on changes to our school website. The website switched to new software. Our old software was outdated and more difficult for volunteers to use. The new system is called Word Press. The cost is $15 a month to host it and then everything else is free.  A new look, new style, and a new calendar (not on iCal). The new site will offer a Facebook/social sharing and posting of events feature. There will be a volunteer profile feature, a photo slider on the front page, and a “Brochure” area on the home page for new families. Videos will also be able to be viewed by families. David Cross and Phong Ha will also be great resources for assistance with the website in the future.

To Do List:
• Teacher sites
• More pictures on the plain pages * Auction image slider. • Additional videos
• Landing pages for Volunteers and Fundraising
• Possible Future Uses:
• Comments
• Forms for sign-ups or registrations (emailed to a coordinator) • Event promotions or Sponsor Logos in the Footer area

Principal Report:
• 75% done with students completeing the State Tests. We hope to be done by May 7th.
• We are finalizing the new charter contract with OCSD.
• We are trying to coordinate orientation activities for the Foxes with the nine different high schools that they will be attending next fall.
• 7th grade will leave for ODS at Opal Creek next week.

Regular board meeting – March 13, 2012

Board members in attendance:  Andrea, Tiffany, Brad, Shelley, Genevieve, Casey, Michael
Board members absent:  Mark
Others in attendance:  Jon Vogel, Dawn Bolotow

The meeting was called to order at 7:20 pm.

The Board approved the Feb. 2012 meeting minutes.

Principal Hire: Brad and other board members appreciated the hiring process where they were able to learn more about Dawnʼs background, experience and recommendations.  Andrea made a motion that we hire Dawn Bolotow on a one-year contract for the principal position for the 2012/2013 school year.
Tiffany seconded the motion. The board voted all in favor of Dawn Bolotow as the Springwater principal.

Staff:  Stacey McKinney will not be returning next year, due to her need for part-time work and the likelihood that her husband’s job will require them to relocate.  Dawn recommended contract renewal for all of the teachers except Aaron and Wendy, who are employed on temporary contracts.  The Board discussed the teachers’ preference for two-year contracts, and the potential ramifications.  Dawn recommended two-year contracts for all teachers who have been employed by Springwater for more than three years:  Jon, Faith, Troy, and Rae. The rest of the teachers were recommended for one-year contracts because they have not completed a probationary period, and/or because they are returning next year on a job share contract, which is in effect for only one year.  The board voted unanimously in favor of these recommendations.

Regular board meeting – Feb. 21, 2012

Board members in attendance:  Andrea, Tiffany, Brad, Shelley, Genevieve, Casey, Mark, Michael
Board members absent:  None
Others in attendance:  Jon Vogel, Dawn Bolotow

The meeting was called to order at 6:10 pm.

The Board approved the Jan. 2012 meeting minutes.

Open House Update:  Andrea updated the board on Open House attendance and wait list numbers. The board discussed options for advertising Springwater to the community to build our wait list.

Budget Update:  Number of students is at 191. We received a grant of $2600 for our garden. The additional cost for Loren’s paternity leave is $3300, and for Laura’s maternity leave is approx $5000.

Principalʼs Report:  Dawn is observing in the classrooms and is having conversations with teachers about their goals. Dawn will be recommending that we renew the contracts with all staff other than the temporary contracts.  Dawn shared a very positive report on the recommended candidate to substitute for Laura during her maternity leave. Her name is Kassandra Paige. She had very good recommendations, a stong math background, and she taught a very effective lesson.  Andrea made a motion that we hire Kassandra Paige on a temporary contract, from the date that Laura leaves on maternity leave through the end of the current school year, based on Dawn’s recommendation and the endorsements from Laura and Loren.  Casey seconded the motion. The board voted all in favor.

Regular board meeting – Jan. 24, 2012

Board members in attendance:  Andrea, Tiffany, Brad, Shelley, Genevieve, Casey, Mark, Michael
Board members absent:  None
Others in attendance:  Jon Vogel, Dawn Bolotow, Lori Skiles, Jen Wozniak, Wendy Donohue

The meeting was called to order at 6:15 pm.

The Board approved the Dec. 2011 meeting minutes.

Teacher Presentation:  Several months ago, Jen utilized her staff development dollars by attending a one-day workshop called Boys Advocacy and Mentoring. Jen wanted to go to this workshop because she felt that she wanted to do a better job teaching writing to boys and connecting with boys. Typically, boys are really good at expository writing, but often struggle with imaginative writing. At the workshop, participants discussed that various strategies for working with boys and motivating them academically. Jen felt that Springwater does a really good job with our “boy positive” ways, but if we were to look at special education referrals and behavioral referrals, typically boys are in the forefront. Jen suggested that a PLC next year might be “Boy Achievement.”  This would also be a good way to celebrate what Springwater is already doing well.  Jen and Wendy shared information about how they’ve started implementing some of these strategies with boys in their classroom.

Parent Council (Lori Skiles):  Peace, Love and Pancakes will be happening on February 10th, since it’s a Friday Field Study day. Lori has set up a volunteer sign-up online. Tree planting will also take place that day.  Grades 4-8 will participate in tree planting, and the younger grades will have another planting activity.

Regular board meeting – Dec. 12, 2011

Board members in attendance:  Andrea, Tiffany, Brad, Shelley, Genevieve, Casey, Mark, Michael
Others in attendance:  Jon Vogel, Dawn Bolotow (on leave from status as board member while serving as interim principal)

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm, following the OCSD board hearing for Springwater’s charter renewal.

The Board approved the Nov. 2011 meeting minutes.

Discussion Topics:
The Board discussed and set dates for the 2012-13 enrollment process, including Open Houses, application deadline, and lottery.  These dates will be posted on Springwater’s website.

Andrea passed on a concern communicated it her regarding gaps in lunch coverage; Jon stated that he hadn’t noted a problem in this regard.  Genevieve suggested that concerns could be based on parent volunteers feeling overwhelmed or unsure as to what to do during lunch duty.  Dawn stated that she would check in on this area after break when she began as principal.

Regular board meeting – Nov. 8, 2011

Board members in attendance:  Andrea, Tiffany, Brad, Shelley, Genevieve, Casey, Dawn
Board members absent:  Mark, Michael

Others in attendance:  Ellen, Jon Vogel, Andy Bowlin

The meeting was called to order at 6:10 pm

The Board approved the Oct. 2011 meeting minutes.

Principal’s Report:  Ellen reported on two foreign exchange students from Guatamala who are visiting Marcelle’s classroom for the month.  Ellen reported her positive observations of the school environment and of staff in the past several weeks.

Tech:  Andy reviewed several purchasing options for new technology that the school needs for the student computer lab and for staff.  After discussion, the Board voted unanimously to purchase 23 computers and a server for a fixed location student computer lab, and nine laptops to bring staff computers up to currently needed operations.  The Board also voted unanimously to make this purchase via Apple’s three-year lease program.  Andrea asked Andy to prepare a final cost bill for this option.  Andy stated that he would work with the “leftover” computers, make as many workable as possible and put them in the classrooms, and donate / recycle the rest.

Andy left the meeting at this time.

Charter Renewal:  Andrea reviewed the process and timeline.  The Board discussed the following breakdown for document preparation / presentation at the hearing:

Board members in attendance: Andrea, Tiffany, Brad, Shelley, Genevieve, Casey, Dawn, Mark, Michael

Board members absent: None

Others in attendance: Ellen, Jon Vogel

The meeting was called to order at 6:10 pm The Board approved the Sept. 2011 meeting minutes.

Principal’s Report: Ellen explained Battle of the Books; thanked Dawn for her work with staff on the School Development Plan; complimented Aaron on his planning, relationships with his students and work with other staff members; and briefly discussed the new evaluation procedure she’s piloting with staff.

Budget: Andrea updated the board on budget to date. The board discussed families who haven’t yet paid their school fees, and decided that another follow-up communication (this time in the form of a letter, with the offer of a payment plan) was warranted. The board voted unanimously for a holiday bonus for staff ($500 per staff member), because of the improved financial situation and in recognition of the salary and health insurance freezes that the staff accepted for this school year.

Board members in attendance:  Andrea, Tiffany, Brad, Shelley, Genevieve, Casey, Dawn, Mark
Board members absent:  Michael
Others in attendance:  Ellen, Jon Vogel, Mike Hyder, Cherisse Reilly

The meeting was called to order at 6:10 pm

The Board approved the Aug. 2011 meeting minutes.

Principal’s Report:  Ellen provided an update of her work with community and staff to date and her positive impressions of all of the teachers.  She raised the question of how potentially controversial books are selected and/or approved, particularly for the upper grades, and the Board agreed to take a look at OCSD’s policies and procedures and discuss at the next meeting.

Board members in attendance:  Andrea, Tiffany, Brad, Shelley (arrived late), Genevieve, Casey, Dawn, Mark, Michael (left early)

The meeting was called to order at 9:20 am

The Board approved the June 2011 meeting minutes.

The Board discussed and accepted Deb’s resignation and options / next steps for addressing administrative needs at Springwater for the 2011-12 school year.  The Board also discussed how to communicate this information to staff and families.

To do:
— meet with staff to discuss course of action
— discuss how to address staff evaluations, student discipline, and behavior support for lunch and recess
— OAKS testing, TAG, first day planning, support for Jesse
— determining who will be the go-to person for immediate issues and needs in the building