Seaside School, Inc
Minutes
Monthly Governance Committee Meeting
Date and Time
Monday November 13, 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
K. Tucker (remote), T. Miller (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve Minutes
II. Governance
A.
Discuss Admission Preferences
B.
Review Board Member Effectiveness / Accountability System
Robert Kauffman presented a draft "Board of Directors Mid-Year Self-Assessment" and requested that committee members provide input. The purpose of the document is to confidentially (i) encourage directors to self-reflect on their own performance, and (ii) serve as a guidance document for Board improvement. Mr. Kauffman will work with Michelle Uhlfelder to develop a confidential, internet-based platform to administer the assessment.
C.
Discuss Critical 2024 Dates
Discussion occurred regarding critical 2024 dates including the activities related to selection of new directors. The Committee will suggest that the Selection Committee's application review session occur the week of 2/5/24, applicant interviews occur on 2/20/24, and that the February, 2024 Board of Directors meeting be moved to 2/22/24.
It was discussed that for future years, it may be desirable to move the Board application period into December - January, which will allow for an earlier start to the application review/interview/selection process.
III. Other Business
A.
Update - Use of Outside Counsel
Robert Kauffman provided a brief update. Mr. Miller is soliciting proposals.
B.
Planning - 2023/24 Committee Goals
The Committee reviewed and updated the 2023/24 Committee Goals sheet.
C.
Update From Executive Director
Mr. Miller had to leave the meeting early and no update was provided.
IV. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
- Application_Admittance_Policy_2024-2025 (3).pdf
- 2023.11.09 Director Self-Evaluation (1st draft).docx
- 2023 - 24 Strategic Plan (11.13.23 update).docx
The Committee discussed whether any revision to the current "Application and Admittance Policy" and admission preferences are advisable. Following discussion of the Board Member and Sibling Preferences, it was determined not to recommend any substantive changes at this time. Robert Kauffman will work with Tom Miller to ensure that the policy is updated for consistency to reflect current practice and policies as previously approved by the Board.