Jill reported that today we received $35,128 for the DRIP grant ( DRIP=District Repair and  Improvement Project). This will help pay for $14,000 spent last summer for repairs. Bob asked if we had received all the money from insurance spent on pipe repair last year; Jill replied that we are still owed $26,000 for that. She noted there has been no increase in Special Ed. money from the state for charter schools for next year; she will bring this up to the Commissioner.

Jill looked back at budgets over the past 10 years to see whether we ended in the red or black and said that it was up and down over the years. One year we were in the black $50,000 and the next year we were in the red $100,000. 
She noted that 80% of the budget is salaries, which can’t be reduced. 
in looking to improve our financial status she noted that Bill’s primary focus is outreach. He has spoken to a professor of marketing at the community college and arranged for an intern from that department. He has spoken to Education Insider magazine who want to feature Explorations. The cost is &1,000. 

Bob reminded us that the state will allow 2-3 students above the limit; Jill stated that we don’t receive state funds for any students above our allotted census. 
Sarah noted that we have 60 returning students so we need approximately 35 more students for next year.

Joe and Kali are looking at having our students mentor 6th graders at Pearson; this also is another way to get the word out about the school. 
Currently we are looking at ending the year over budget. By negotiating the copier contract we will save $400. We are saving $150/ month on phone service. 
Jill will begin working on the 26-27 budget for this committee to review at its next meeting. 

Next meeting if this committee was scheduled for March 11 at 11 AM.