Menlo Park Academy Governing Board
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday July 9, 2015 at 5:00 PM
Location
MPA
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
Amanda Ross, Andrew Hudak, Dawn Doran, Fraser Hamilton Sr, Jehad Deir, Paul O'Neill, Suzanne McFarland, Teri Harrison
Directors Absent
Cathy Aldrich, Melanie Monnette, Suzanne Hanselman
Guests Present
Anne Trakas, Beverley Veccia, Gretchen Woods, Heidi Simon, Jeff Jaroscak (remote), Jen Sekorky, Kristen Moran, Melissa Hengst, Nick Zambo, Richard Hronek, Tammi Belko, Toby Oster
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
Teri Harrison called a meeting of the board of directors of Menlo Park Academy Governing Board to order on Thursday Jul 9, 2015 at 5:10 PM.
II. Board Action Items
A.
School Database System
Amanda Ross made a motion to authorize the School Director to execute the agreement with Blackbaud for a school database system as presented for a maximum cost of $46,000 over 4 years.
Fraser Hamilton Sr seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
B.
Architect Payment Schedule
Discussion of the concern regarding the architects performing work and invoicing for expenses that were not approved by the board. Questions surrounding the impact of the actions and how to ensure they don't occur again were discussed. Focus on how to move forward in the best interest of MPA.
Fraser Hamilton Sr made a motion to authorize the payment of the architect invoices as presented from April, May, and June for a total cost of up to $300,000, contingent upon closing on financing of at least $500,000.
Amanda Ross seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Motion passed 7-0-1. Paul O'Neill abstained from the vote.
C.
Executive Session
Teri Harrison made a motion to enter into an executive session to consider the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official.
Amanda Ross seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
A roll call vote was taken: Director Hamilton-Yes, Director Harrison-Yes, Director Ross-Yes, Director Doran-Yes, Director Deir-Yes, Director O'Neill-Yes, Director Hudak-Yes, Director McFarland-Yes. Entered into executive session at 6:15pm.
Exited executive session at 7:20pm.
D.
School Director Position
The board reviewed the school director employment agreement, which indicates termination is allowable for cause. The board believes we have a number of for cause justifications for termination.
Amanda Ross made a motion to and on those grounds, I hereby move to terminate Denise Hieronymus’ employment as school director of MPA effective July 9th, 2015 for the reasons articulated in the draft notice that has been prepared.
Fraser Hamilton Sr seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Amanda Ross made a motion to promote Beverley Veccia to School Director at an annual salary of $80,000.
Fraser Hamilton Sr seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
E.
Staff Positions
Fraser Hamilton Sr made a motion to approve the job descriptions for Operations Director and Dean of Curriculum and Gifted Programs as presented.
Amanda Ross seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Replace the word "ensure" with "advocate for" under the IT area of the Operations Director job description.
Dawn Doran made a motion to authorize a merit increase for Jim Kennedy, Dean of Students, to an annual salary of $55,702.
Amanda Ross seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Amanda Ross made a motion to promote Doug Thompson to the position of Dean of Curriculum and Gifted Programs at an annual salary of $52,000.
Jehad Deir seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Fraser Hamilton Sr made a motion to enter into executive session to consider the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official.
Amanda Ross seconded the motion.
The motion did not carry.
A roll call vote was taken. Director Hamilton-Yes, Director Harrison-Yes, Director Ross-Yes, Director Doran-No, Director Deir-No, Director O'Neill-No, Director Hudak-Yes, Director McFarland-No. Motion tie=fail.
Paul O'Neill made a motion to promote Amber Oxley to the position of Operations Director at an annual salary of $50,000.
Jehad Deir seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Director Ross voted No.
Teri Harrison made a motion to hire Julie Kovalik for temporary administrative assistance at an hourly rate of $14/hour.
Paul O'Neill seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
III. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Teri Harrison