El Camino Real Charter High School
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday December 9, 2015 at 5:00 PM
Location
El Camino Real CHS, Library, 5440 Valley Circle Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
El Camino Real Charter High School
Library
5440 Valley Circle Blvd
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Directors Present
Dennis Thompson, Jackie Keene, Jonathan Wasser, Larry Rubin, Obie Slamon, Odus Caldwell, Peter Vastenhold
Directors Absent
None
Guests Present
Alison Galliher, Amy Carter, Barbara Stanoff, Carlos Monroy, Chang Patel, Chang Patel, Curt Feddersen, David Valenzuela, Frank Wymond, Gary Asarch, Janelle Raney, Jeremiah Wai, Kathy Her, Kyna Collins, Lisa DeRubertis, Lisa Ring, Marlene Widawer, Melissa Charters, Mike Reicher, Richard Scheinberg, Sharon Lenderman, Shelley Mark, Shelly Marshall, Stacey Meltzer, Steve Burstein, Susan Niven
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
Jonathan Wasser called a meeting of the board of directors of El Camino Real Charter High School to order on Wednesday Dec 9, 2015 at 5:02 PM.
B.
Pledge of Allegiance
C.
Teacher/Student Presentation
D.
Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items and Agenda Items
E.
Committee and Board Updates
Board Chair Jon Wasser introduced Board member Dennis Thompson, retired after 38 years as an educator, UTLA Chapter Chair and Principal of Canoga Park High School. He now works part time with CalSTRS. He explained that he has missed Board meetings due to personal health issues and family concerns that required him to be out of state. He cleared up misconceptions and mis-statements made at the last board meeting regarding his part time work with CalSTRS and explained that he attended a recent ECRCHS PD Day meeting to briefly explain, especially to the new teachers, how the CalSTRS pension system works the same for charter schools as LAUSD and he had volunteered to hold free workshops for ECRCHS teachers who want more information on CalSTRS and/or assistance for those who are retiring. He clarified that he does not handle or offer any financial planning, tax shelters or annuities.
F.
Discuss and Approve Committee Election Procedures for the Charter Advisory Committee
Obie Slamon made a motion to discuss and approve Committee Election Procedures for the Charter Oversight Committee and review Board Policy on the creation of committees (Agenda Items I.G and III.D. grouped.).
Odus Caldwell seconded the motion.
The motion did not carry.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Jackie Keene |
No
|
| Odus Caldwell |
No
|
| Dennis Thompson |
No
|
| Larry Rubin |
Abstain
|
| Peter Vastenhold |
No
|
| Obie Slamon |
No
|
| Jonathan Wasser |
No
|
The current Charter Oversight committee is a recognized committee by the Board for the remaining term of the current Charter and Committee Election Procedures will be further discussed, reviewed and approved at a future meeting.
II. Consent
A.
Review and Approve November's Regular Board Meeting
Peter Vastenhold made a motion to approve the Minutes from the Nov. 18, 2015 Board Meeting and approve the October 2015 check register. Board Meeting on 11-18-15.
Dennis Thompson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
B.
Review and Approve the October Check Register
The approval of the October check register was included in the previous Motion.
III. Governance
A.
Discuss and Vote for Agenda Items Speakers
Obie Slamon made a motion to approve that public speakers at Board Meetings be given the choice to speak at the beginning of the meetings during Public Comments or to speak at the beginning of applicable individual Agenda items, with the current 3 minute time limit.
Peter Vastenhold seconded the motion.
The motion did not carry.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Obie Slamon |
No
|
| Jonathan Wasser |
Aye
|
| Peter Vastenhold |
Aye
|
| Dennis Thompson |
Aye
|
| Jackie Keene |
No
|
| Odus Caldwell |
No
|
B.
Discuss and Approve Larry Rubin as a Board Member Representing the Community
Peter Vastenhold made a motion to accept the committee's recommendation and approve Larry Rubin to fill the Board vacancy left by Jeff Falgien, through June 2017.
Jackie Keene seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
C.
Review and Approve the Charter Expulsion Procedures and Timeline
Obie Slamon made a motion to review and approve the Charter Expulsion Procedures and timeline.
Odus Caldwell seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Peter Vastenhold |
Aye
|
| Larry Rubin |
Abstain
|
| Dennis Thompson |
Aye
|
| Obie Slamon |
Aye
|
| Jackie Keene |
Aye
|
| Jonathan Wasser |
Aye
|
| Odus Caldwell |
Aye
|
D.
Review and Approve the Board Policy on the Creation of Committees
This Item was included with Agenda Item F.
IV. Policies
A.
Review and Approve the Updated Fiscal Policies
Peter Vastenhold made a motion to review and approve the updated fiscal policies required by LAUSD.
Odus Caldwell seconded the motion.
The motion did not carry.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Peter Vastenhold |
No
|
| Jonathan Wasser |
No
|
| Jackie Keene |
No
|
| Odus Caldwell |
No
|
| Dennis Thompson |
No
|
| Larry Rubin |
Abstain
|
| Obie Slamon |
No
|
Obie Slamon made a motion to review and approve the updated fiscal policies required by LAUSD with direction to staff to meet with and inquire of other conversion charter schools if they are experiencing the same increased oversight by LAUSD as ECRCHS.
Dennis Thompson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Peter Vastenhold |
Aye
|
| Dennis Thompson |
Aye
|
| Jackie Keene |
Abstain
|
| Obie Slamon |
Aye
|
| Larry Rubin |
Abstain
|
| Jonathan Wasser |
Aye
|
| Odus Caldwell |
Aye
|
V. Financial
A.
2014/15 Audited Financial Statement Presentation from Independent Auditor
CPA Curt Feddersen, from Feddersen & Company, LLC, presented the independent audit of ECRCHS to the Board. ECRCHS received a clean opinion and there were no discoveries or alarms. ECRCHS was found to be in compliance with State and Federal regulations. No unauthorized or inappropriate expenses were found, but it was recommended that ECRCHS create a more detailed purchasing procedure.
B.
Review and Approval of the First Interim Financials
Peter Vastenhold made a motion to review and approve the First Interim Financials prepared by EdTec.
Jackie Keene seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Larry Rubin |
Abstain
|
| Odus Caldwell |
Aye
|
| Jackie Keene |
Aye
|
| Peter Vastenhold |
Aye
|
| Obie Slamon |
Aye
|
| Dennis Thompson |
Aye
|
| Jonathan Wasser |
Aye
|
C.
Update on ECR's Highlander K-8 STEM School
Melanie Horton, Director of Marketing, informed the Board that the LAUSD Charter Division requested that ECRCHS accept a delay on them voting on the Highlander site until the January LAUSD Board meeting.
D.
Financial Update Based on EdTec's Financials of ECRCHS
CBO Marshall Mayotte presented a financial update based on EdTec's Financials on ECRCHS.
VI. Administrators
A.
Update from Facilities
Eric Wilson, Director of STEAM, presented an update on the campus master plan and strategic plan going forward.
B.
Update from Academic Administrators
No current update from the Academic Administrators.
C.
Update from Executive Director
Mr Fehte mentioned that he forgot to also thank teacher Frank Wymond for his work on the Collective Bargaining Committee.
D.
Update from the Charter Oversight Visit
There was no update from the Charter Oversight visit.
VII. Other Business
A.
Future Agenda Items
B.
Closed session - Conference with Labor Negotiators
The Board adjourned into Closed Session to discuss the Bargaining Agreement between ECRA and UTLA.
VIII. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
Jackie Keene made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Obie Slamon seconded the motion.
The board 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 7:17 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Terri Keas
Executive Director Dave Fehte announced that ECRA and UTLA came to a tentative agreement at the bargaining table and thanked Jason Kinsella, Carlos Monroy, David Valenzuela and all the members of the bargaining committee. Details will be sent out to the teachers and the teachers will vote tomorrow and Friday.