Seaside School, Inc
Minutes
Governance Committee Monthly Meeting
Date and Time
Friday September 15, 2023 at 8:15 AM
Location
Dunlap & Shipman, P.A.
2063 County Highway 395
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/about/governance
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.
Committee Members Present
A. Winicki, D. Tinghitella, L. Blue, M. Uhlfelder, R. Kauffman
Committee Members Absent
C. Lewis
Guests Present
T. Miller (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve Minutes
II. Governance
A.
Board Selections Needs/Goals/Procedure - Review of Draft Skills Document
B.
Review Board Member Effectiveness / Accountability System
R. Kauffman reported on the results of his review, which included utilization of the Board on Track "Goals" function including "Tasks," a mid-year review of director participation, and a director self-evaluation form for each director to complete at least annually. R. Kauffman will report to the Board on the use of Board on Track "Goals" and will draft a self-examination form for review.
C.
Legislative / Florida Admin. Code Update
R. Kauffman and T. Miller briefly reported on changes to the 2023 Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative Code which impact the School, as advised by School legal counsel and the Arnold Law Firm Client Communication which is incorporated into the meeting packet.
D.
Recommend Approval of Educational Records Policy
The Committee discussed the proposed Educational Records Policy. School legal counsel will be consulted to determine if pending lawsuits and possible court-ordered stays affect this or any of the other policies referenced in the Arnold Law Firm Client Communication.
E.
Recommend approval of updated Internet Safety Policy
The Committee discussed the proposed amendments to the Internet Safety Policy.
F.
School Sponsored Activities
The Committee discussed the proposed policy, including its possible impact on administration and the ability of the School to effectively offer events and activities. The Committee made suggestions and requested that T. Miller discuss the new policy with School legal counsel to identify options for effective implementation.
III. Employee Handbook Amendments
A.
FMLA Qualification
T. Miller reported on the opinion received from School counsel that the Family Medical Leave Act ("FMLA") covers the School, and FMLA provisions will remain in the handbook.
B.
New laws related to classroom instruction, gendered bathrooms, and pronoun use.
The Committee discussed the proposed language but required further time for review, as well as a need for legal review by counsel.
C.
Use of Restroom (Recommendation to Add to Handbook)
The Committee discussed the proposed language as applied to restroom facilities of the School.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| L. Blue |
Aye
|
| D. Tinghitella |
Aye
|
| M. Uhlfelder |
No
|
| C. Lewis |
Absent
|
| A. Winicki |
Aye
|
| R. Kauffman |
Aye
|
D.
Teacher Dispute
The Committee discussed the proposed language as presented by T. Miller.
IV. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
- 2023.08.21 Arnold Law Firm Client Communication.pdf
- Seaside_Discipline_Matrix_22-23_12-6-22.docx (1).pdf
M. Uhlfelder reported to the Committee regarding the proposed Website Language and BOD Commitment document. The Committee discussed adding detail regarding the School's three-year strategic objectives. M. Uhlfelder will revise the policies for further review and recommendation at the next Governance Committee meeting, for ultimate consideration by the Board on its October consent agenda.