Parents submitted written comments/letters to the Board addressing their questions/concerns. A member of the public requested that the Board of Directors respond in writing to each letter within 30 days.

 

-Nick Zambo is listed as a committee member attending the meeting when he should be listed as a guest
-Verify correct and complete information provided for the vote regarding hiring Volunteer Coordinator, Jessa Herron

MPA's sponsor's February site visit is scheduled for February 24, 2017. Now that the first round of teacher observations has been completed, MPA's compliance status is changed from pending to compliant. MPA has been identified as a Momentum School by ODE, and the sponsor will be presenting an award at the March 2017 Board meeting.

Dave Massa shared a financial summary for the fiscal year to January 31, 2017. Revenue was based on 394 FDEs, rather than 400, because of timing issues. 

The Board asked for clarification regarding parents having concern about a perceived projected deficit in MPA's 5-year forecast. Dave Massa reported that MPA's financial health is good, given the budget process and student enrollment, and that there is positive net income year-to-date.

Melissa Vlasak requested clarification regarding the Great Lakes Science Center credit card charge for a field trip that did not take place because of a snow day. It is expected that the tickets will be used at a later date or MPA will get a refund. 

No questions or comments at this time.

The sponsor clarified that MPA does not need to include 2017-18 goals for the 9th-grade cohort as part of the 2016-17 school year's  goals.

The teacher cohort taking a gifted course from Ashland University met for the first time tonight, 2/15/17, at 4:30 PM at MPA.

The Board clarified that their role in field trip approvals is to ensure that field trips comply with the board-set field trip parameters. The Board requested that the PEC clarify information about field trip costs as needed.

Cathie Leimbach explained that an extensive set of MPA policies is being prepared to document how MPA will operate in compliance with state and federal educational and other laws. The Board has contracted with an educational attorney to draft these policies for us. For a few of these policies, the law firm requires the Board to decide which of the legal options MPA will follow. All of these policies need to be uploaded to EpiCenter.

The following items are in discussion regarding the 2017-18 school year calendar:
- When the new school will be ready for students
- The schedule for professional development days
- Standardized testing dates
- Holiday schedules
- Use of CMSD busing

Julie Ganim will create a draft calendar for the 2017-18 school year which will likely be available for the March Board meeting. Julie will send out a draft to MPA parents for input. The following considerations were provided by the Board for the 2017-18 school year schedule:
- The suggested first day of school is Tuesday, 9/12.
- Consider the CMSD busing schedule when determining the start and stop time for the school day

Members of the public asked that the board compare MPA's start and stop time with those of K-8 schools in the area and consider the impact of a long day on the young students. They also asked if MPA could provide assistance with child care arrangements, such as offering camps, since school will be starting late. Child care facility programs for school-age children and high school and college students won't be available after mid-August or so.
 

No questions or comments at this time.

The first draft of the 2017-18 school year budget was summarized. Revenue is projected to increase due to a higher expected student enrollment. The projected number of students for the 2017-18 school year is 468. The projected expenses are higher due to the size of the new school, building insurance, and debt servicing costs for the building loan. The moving costs are not accounted for in the budget. The Board stated that the budget needs to be modified in order to include a teaching assistant for each grade that meets the enrollment parameters for such. To get the grants and tax credits which are financing much of the building, it is necessary for MPA to have multiple legal entities that work together to own and operate the school. Debt servicing in 2017-18 will cost the school $450,000. The projected net income for 2017-18 is $174,000.

A Board member requested that we ensure that the rental fee for our current building is not included in next year's projection. A Board member indicated that the cost for professional development days to prepare to teach in the new building may need to be increased in the 2017-18 budget.

The next draft of the 2017-18 budget will be provided during the March 2017 Board meeting, and the final 2017-18 budget will be voted on during the April 2017 Board meeting.

The Board stated that it will take a look into the utilization of administrative staff and teaching assistants as substitutes during the school day.

Melissa Vlasak voiced concern that MPA is behind budget in its development efforts. We have brought in more than $100,000 less than projected. 100% of Board members have participated in the Annual Fund. 7% of MPA staff have participated in the Annual Fund.
Also, M. Vlasak reported on the successful neighborhood party hosted by Fraser and Suzie Hamilton on January 29. In addition, Cathy Aldrich is hosting the next neighborhood party on Feb 22 in Lakewood and Suzanne McFarland is hosting a neighborhood party on March 19 in Middleburg Heights.

No comments or questions at this time.

According to Cathie Leimbach, the interviewee for MPA's School Director position has received another offer for a senior level job at a university. The search for a new School Director continues through outreach by Board members to education professionals. Cathie reports that no other strong prospects have been found. The transition team is looking into contracting a search firm to find MPA's next School Director.

Cathie presented survey results from the ParentSquare School Director survey.

The Board expressed that it would like to move to an Executive Director-type model, where one senior staff member oversees operations and academics, while other administrative staff look after day-to-day operations. The transition team stated that they are looking for a School Director candidate with strengths and a background in administration/business, as well as academics.

The School Director position has been posted on MPA's website.

A member of the public asked how MPA is addressing turnover of the School Director position. Cathie Leimbach reported that a survey was posted on ParentSquare to collect data from parents and staff members regarding qualities that the new School Director should have. The survey data gives board members a better idea of what to look for in candidates. Cathie also reported that MPA is starting to search for a School Director earlier than in some previous years, and the transition team hopes that this will help them locate a quality candidate.

A member of the public asked what the Board is doing to prevent more staff from leaving MPA, and asked for a reason as to why staff are leaving. The Board responded that they need to reflect and establish methods to ensure that they are better able to retain staff. The Board hopes that the new School Director will help lower staff turnover rate. Members of the public suggested a root analysis to address staff turnover.


 

A search firm's services could cost between $11,100 and $35,000. Board members expressed that networking would be a more cost effective option for MPA.

Suzanne McFarland reported that she presented the evaluation framework to teachers who expressed concerns. Jessica Burgess gathered all questions in a written document, to which Suzanne provided answers. Suzanne addressed the use of OTES and MAP for teacher assessment.

S. McFarland will serve MPA pro bono as an Educational Consultant.

The Board of Directors received Dan O'Malia's official resignation from the MPA Board of Directors.

Fraser Hamilton clarified that any surprise costs, such as finding asbestos in the building, are covered by contingency funds in the project budget. The project is currently three to four weeks ahead of schedule. Fraser Hamilton indicated that MPA's new building will receive a certificate of occupancy once the building meets life-safety conditions, such as having lights, plumbing, elevator, and a sprinkler system.

Members of the public asked if there is a plan in place if the new building isn't ready to open for 2017-18 school year. The Board of Directors responded that they do not have an alternative plan because the new building is ahead of schedule. The Board suggested that they will ask about the possibility of extending the use of the current space into the 2017-18 school year, if need be, but the Board believes that it is extremely unlikely that an alternative plan will be necessary.
 

T. Harrison motioned to go into executive session to discuss imminent or pending litigation. F. Hamilton seconded the motion. A Roll Call vote was taken: C. Aldrich - yes; T. Harrison - yes; C. Leimbach - yes; M. Vlasak - yes; F. Hamilton - yes; R. Hronek - yes; S. McFarland - yes.
Entered into executive session at 9:14. Invited into meeting were J. Jaroscak and J. Ganim
Exited executive session at 9:19 pm.