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Aurum Preparatory Academy

Minutes

July Special Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday July 29, 2021 at 6:00 PM

Directors Present

A. Kingsley, C. Davis, J. Huddle, M. Knutson, V. Hayes, V. Toke

Directors Absent

None

Guests Present

D. Hardin

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

V. Toke called a meeting of the board of directors of Aurum Preparatory Academy to order on Thursday Jul 29, 2021 at 6:05 PM.

II. Charter Renewal

A.

Discussion on Charter Renewal

  • Charter Renewal Updates
    • Moratorium on charter renewals...no school will be shut down...no school will be renewed. 
    • The only caveat will be if there is extenuating circumstances...need to demonstrate significant need.
    • Uphill battle to try to renew...will not really be feasible

B.

Vote on Charter Reauthorization

Motion to vote "Not to seek reauthorization until motion has been lifted"
Maggi moved to "hold off on reauthorization"
Vincent has seconded.
M. Knutson made a motion to to hold off on reauthorization until motion has been lifted.
V. Hayes seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
C. Davis
Aye
V. Hayes
Aye
A. Kingsley
Aye
J. Huddle
Aye
M. Knutson
Aye
V. Toke
Aye

III. Discussion on Independent Study

A.

Discuss

B.

Vote on material revision to charter for independent study program

  • Independent Study
    • Hybrid to in-person
    • Tricky issue with independent study is parent trepidation with COVID
    • Safety protocols are clear (only one case and not transmitted at school)
    • Not intended to be an independent study school (we're an in-person school)
  • Material revision process
    • Revision process is a lot of work by next friday before school starts
    • if we don't have an online option we may lose enrollment
    • District schools are required to offer ...charter schools don't have to ...but if you want to, you have to submit a material revision process
    • Charter would have to be edited for all material that needs to align to online 
    • Are there options for boilerplate that are shared by other charters who may be doing this same thinking
    • One option is not to offer online learning, but again, may impact enrollment
  • Question: Are there ways to implement testing protocols that may allow those families to feel safer?
    • Possible, but would have to look at costs
  • Question: is it possible to wait?
    • If we want to do virtual in august...we have to do so by friday
  • Question: Could be good to have potential flexibility long-term...
  • Question: Loss could be 50,000-60,000 (possible charter writer 10,000..but not sure of availability)
  • Question: Longer term--will we need to renew again? 
    • Could be grandfathered in
  • Question: Do you feel like the quality/value of education can be preserved?
    • Yes...we can deliver high quality
    • possible instructional aides could help connect online learners to on-campus
    • Allow for online and hybrid option
  • Only schools that aren't tired will go for material revision, so we will have to help mitigate the workload that this will require for staff and teachers.
  • If we feel good about delivery and design...then perhaps this can set us up in a positive way.
  • Some of the details could get ironed out over time...such as if bandwidth gets thin, we can hire more professional development or support in this area. 
  • David: "We might regret if we don't try". ...could be good for future planning.
  • We want to do a material revision, preferably within a week, provided that there is a charter writer who could assist for a particular cost point...and if it needs to take longer, OK.
M. Knutson made a motion to Approve up to $10,000 for charter writer to move forward with drafting material revision for independent study option.
V. Hayes seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
A. Kingsley
Aye
C. Davis
Aye
M. Knutson
Aye
V. Toke
Aye
J. Huddle
Aye
V. Hayes
Aye

IV. Declaration of Need Form

A.

Discussion of declaration of need for fully qualified educators

Declaration of need states that if you are unable to find fully credentialed teachers, you can hire un-credentialed and add them to a teacher training program/credential program.

Do you have a partner school? Reach Institute

B.

Vote on declaration of need

M. Knutson made a motion to approve the declaration of need.
V. Hayes seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Huddle
Aye
V. Toke
Aye
C. Davis
Aye
V. Hayes
Aye
A. Kingsley
Aye
M. Knutson
Aye

V. Working Group Meetings

A.

Discuss timing for working group meeting times

Google Poll will be sent out
and see Maggie's email

VI. CEO Compensation and Contract - CLOSED SESSION

A.

Discussion on CEO compensation

  • Call with David about contract and salary
  • $125,000 discussed to maintain reasonable salary (especially with possibility of replacement if ever needed to be competitive). Previous salary was 
  • Potential points for us to consider 
    • Earned his masters degree last year
    • Recently fundraised 60,000
  • Consider $130,000
  • Note that  his salary is in line with salary range contingent on experience
  • Need to make sure to look at evaluation process

B.

Vote on CEO Compensation

V. Toke made a motion to increase executive director salary to $130,000.
V. Hayes seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
C. Davis
Aye
A. Kingsley
Aye
M. Knutson
Aye
J. Huddle
Aye
V. Hayes
Aye
V. Toke
Aye

VII. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

V. Hayes made a motion to Adjourn.
C. Davis seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
M. Knutson
Aye
A. Kingsley
Aye
V. Hayes
Aye
J. Huddle
Aye
C. Davis
Aye
V. Toke
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:00 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
A. Kingsley