Menlo Park Academy Governing Board

Minutes

Board Working Session

Date and Time

Thursday September 6, 2018 at 6:00 PM

OUR MISSION: Menlo Park Academy is a public school that develops the potential of gifted learners through an exemplary program of rewarding experiences that nurtures the whole child.

Directors Present

Carol Ryan, Richard Hronek, Suzanne McFarland, Teri Harrison

Directors Absent

Fraser Hamilton Sr

Directors who arrived after the meeting opened

Richard Hronek

Non Voting Members Present

Stacy Stuhldreher

Guests Present

Dave Massa, Jeff Jaroscak, Melissa McCarthy

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

Teri Harrison called a meeting to order on Thursday Sep 6, 2018 at 6:53 PM.

B.

Record Attendance and Guests

II. Action Items

A.

MHJF Grant

Menlo received a $6000 grant to help the students with executive functioning.  This included bringing in consultants to train the teachers.  The teachers are very excited and feel it will be very helpful for our students. 
Carol Ryan made a motion to accept the grant for $6000.
Suzanne McFarland seconded the motion.
The team VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

CQC Revision

CQC is a reward for longevity, but it should also be based on quality of work.  It is also based on if the teacher has taken classes towards their gifted licence.  The teachers annual review is the Teacher Assessment Framework and they can score between 0-100 points.  If a teacher falls below a certain score they may be disqualified from CQC based on quality of work. 

Another question is what happens when a teacher aged out of CQC.  Currently it goes to CQC 7.  

Is there a "reward" that the teachers would appreciate at the 10 year mark?

Any teacher hired this year must follow the gifted certification guidelines that were adopted in the 17/18 school year.  

III. Approval of Contract for Health Screening/School Psychologist

A.

PSI

PSI is still looking for an OT.  We need someone to come in one day a week.  
Carol Ryan made a motion to authorize Stacy Stuhldreher to enter into the agreement with PSI as presented.
Suzanne McFarland seconded the motion.
The team VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

IV. Student Handbook

A.

Student/Parent Handbook

The only changes were date changes, schedule updates and technology acceptable use policy for the students to sign.
Carol Ryan made a motion to approve the 2018-2019 Parent/Student handbook pending edits from the chair.
Suzanne McFarland seconded the motion.
The team VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

V. Winter Concert

A.

Approval of Auctioneer

Fraser Hamilton Sr., Jen Sekorky, and Janie Zell meet and talked through the Winter Concert Plan.  The expected revenue is $24,000.  The event space is 1/2 the cost of last year and we will not be purchasing any decorations as the event space will be decorated already.
Carol Ryan made a motion to authorize Stacy Stuhldreher to execute the agreement with Bob Hale.
Suzanne McFarland seconded the motion.
The team VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Hiring

Hiring a sub outside of Renhill will give us flexibility in case of unexpected staff illnesses. 
Carol Ryan made a motion to approve adding Carla Bigger to the Sub list for the 2018/2019 school year pending references and background check.
Suzanne McFarland seconded the motion.
The team VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

VI. Goals

A.

2018-19 Goals

Goals were rated at a planning session.  The top three objectives are enrollment growth, educational program elevation and community and culture.

VII. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Carol Ryan made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Suzanne McFarland seconded the motion.
The team VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Teri Harrison

VIII. Program

A.

2018-19 Program Guide

B.

Clubs

Carol Ryan made a motion to approve the Card Club and Home Economics Club as presented.  Suzanne McFarland seconded the motion.  The team voted unanimously to approve the motion.
 
Carol Ryan made a motion to approve the Student Clubs and Organizations policy.  Suzanne McFarland seconded the motion.  The team voted unanimously to approve the motion.

C.

Field Trips

The Out of State and International trip proposals are very detailed.  More information is needed before the trips can get final approval.
Richard Hronek arrived.

D.

Field Trip Policy Revisions

Carol Ryan made a motion to accept the Field Trip Policy Revisions as presented.
Suzanne McFarland seconded the motion.
The team VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

E.

Global Learning

Global learning should be more than just a few students going on an international field trip.  It should also include plans such as Model UN.