Seaside School, Inc
Minutes
March 2023 Board Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday March 14, 2023 at 5:30 PM
Location
Seacoast Collegiate High School
109 Greenway Trail
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Founded in 1996
Serving Students in Grades 5 - 12
We seek to sustain an educational community where an emphasis on academic excellence is complemented by our concern for each learner’s personal growth and intellectual, aesthetic, and psychological development. The curriculum is developmentally responsive – actively engaging students in learning skills in context, integrative – directing students to connect learning to daily lives, and exploratory – enabling students to discover their abilities, interests, learning styles, and ways that they can make contributions to society.
Information on procedures for public comment can be found at https://www.seasideschools.net/domain/35.
If anyone needs special assistance to participate in the public input session, every effort will be made to provide an appropriate accommodation. When requesting accommodations for public input, please allow no less than 1 business day notice prior to the scheduled meeting.
Specific issues about a particular student should only be addressed to the school’s Director of Student Services, rather than the Board of Directors.
All public comments will be taken under advisement by the Board, but will not elicit a written or spoken response. The names of persons providing public comment and a brief summary of topics or input will be included in the meeting minutes published. A response will be provided to the stakeholder within seven (7) days.
Directors Present
C. Lewis, D. Lilienthal, D. Tinghitella, F. Barker, G. Latour, J. O’Donoghue, K. Goff, K. Tucker, L. Blue, M. Foley, M. Kerrigan, M. Uhlfelder, T. Glavine
Directors Absent
A. Winicki, M. Hale
Guests Present
D. Ward, K. Mixson, Nick Valhos, Shannon Widman, T. Horton
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
II. Consent Items
A.
Minutes
B.
Discipline/Enrollment Report
C.
Financials
D.
Adopt Consent Agenda Items
III. School Update
A.
School Leadership Team Update
B.
School Foundation Update
T. Horton shared information about upcoming events and the efforts made to host ongoing "Lunch and Learn" opportunities to expand the annual fund. She provided a financial update related to all financial gains since the initiation of the Capital Campaign.
IV. Governance Committee
A.
Selection Subcommittee
K. Goff led discussion around moving incoming candidates from 3 year terms to 4 year terms. C. Lewis shared information about the selection process. The committee interviewed 10 candidates and recommended moving forward with adding 5 to the board. K. Tucker elaborated on the importance of limiting the selection number from 5 to 3 to reduce the number of board members in subsequent years.
The selection committee recommended the following persons be elected to serve as directors: Tucker Brooks, Jon Ward, Chip Brown, Robert Kauffman and Andrew Jordan.
F. Barker led the discussion with a thank you to the Selection Committee for their efforts to review all candidates and make the best selection for our schools.
K. Mixson asked for more information on how candidates that were not selected were informed and what directions they were offered from the board. K. Goff provided insight into the conversations had with those candidates that were not selected; including opportunities within the Foundation Board, volunteer roles, and other school leadership projects.
M Hayes-Uhlfelder began a discussion regarding J. Ward's nomination including the challenges faced by the board and by Mr. Ward in dealing with the Conflict of Interest clause as it pertains to his work with the Northwest Florida Board of Directors. F. Barker pointed out that the conflict of interest policy did not prohibit his election, but it would need to be considered for each decision as with any board member but it could be navigated. L. Blue expressed his concern with J. Ward's efforts on both boards and placing the interest of Seaside Neighborhood Schools before that of other interests. M. Kerrigan asked for clarity around what could or could not be voted on by Mr. Ward; Ms. Barker replied in turn. M. Foley ask how J. Ward responded to the questioning regarding his work on both boards during his interview process. K. Goff and K. Tucker replied with his response and how transparent he was with his support of both boards. Multiple board members engaged in discussions around targeted needs and the value in strategic board member placement.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| M. Foley |
Aye
|
| L. Blue |
Aye
|
| F. Barker |
Aye
|
| T. Glavine |
Aye
|
| G. Latour |
Aye
|
| M. Hale |
Absent
|
| M. Kerrigan |
Aye
|
| D. Tinghitella |
Aye
|
| A. Winicki |
Absent
|
| D. Lilienthal |
Aye
|
| K. Goff |
Aye
|
| K. Tucker |
Aye
|
| C. Lewis |
Aye
|
| J. O’Donoghue |
Aye
|
| M. Uhlfelder |
No
|
B.
Update
F. Barker shared information reminding the Board that the Code of Ethics and Conflict of Interest policies need to be signed by each board member every year. She provided copies of the document for board members and requested they be reviewed, signed and returned.
She also provided an update on the Lottery for entrance into the Seaside Neighborhood Schools. The Lottery drawing will take place on Thursday, March 16 at 1:30 PM at the Walton County School District office in Defuniak. 355 students were entered into the lottery, up from 319 for the 22-23 school year.
V. Development Committee
A.
Update
M. Kerrigan shared information on the value brought forth by the tours at both campuses in increasing the lottery numbers.
B.
Seacoast Collegiate High School Expansion Update
K. Goff discussed the creation of the expansion document to keep all board members informed in real time on efforts with the expansion. She praised the efforts of school administration, board members, and foundation members on their work to ensure the document was comprehensive. K. Goff also discussed the importance of events hosted during race weekend and how they work to support expansion. She included the need for all stakeholders to be informed and able to speak on the project as we grow closer.
K. Goff offered information on the financial efforts being made through legislation within the next few years, including a team visiting Tallahassee on Thursday, March 16, 2023. This visit will be to expand the knowledge of our project with the appropriations committee. K. Tucker discussed the conservative surplus throughout the next few years and the stability it will provide for our schools.
VI. Finance Committee
A.
Update
K. Tucker discussed staff salary increases as well as bonuses to be allocated in accordance with the efforts made by Walton County School District following their February board meeting. He also led a discussion about the addition of portable buildings and the costs incurred. Board members questioned the need versus value in accordance with the timeline of the expansion project. K. Mixson shared that she has initiated support by the college for their excess furniture and resources to supplement the portable buildings. D. Ward shared that the portable company will allow us to extend a letter and reserve portable buildings for a specified amount of time. The decision was made to hold a special meeting Thursday, March 30, 2023 at 5:30 PM to address the allocation of funding for the portable buildings.
Cognia report is a review of accreditation and has been recently updated. Feedback is designed to initiate reflection by staff and administration for areas of progress as well as to offer suggestions for improvements. Data was included for Parent and Family survey results. Survey results will be collected from Teachers and Students at the close of the 2022-2023 school year. Full report attached.