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Stargate School

Minutes

Governance Board Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday July 24, 2025 at 6:00 PM

Location

Secondary Library

Directors Present

B. Paul, H. Sonnenahalli, J. Painz, K. Lindgren, L. Challa, L. Paquette, L. Steele, S. Howorko

Directors Absent

None

Guests Present

J. Roach, M. Anderson, R. Greene

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

L. Paquette called a meeting of the board of directors of Stargate School to order on Thursday Jul 24, 2025 at 6:04 PM.

B.

Roll Call

C.

Reading of Stargate Mission

D.

Recognitions and Appreciations

Lumakar - Thank Doug for all of the amazing work they're doing at the school building in construction and the rental of the building. 

 

Lindsey - Leaders of summer fitness for HS and MS, great way to stay connected and active in the summer. 

 

Lindsey - New board members for stepping into this role. 

 

 

E.

Board News and Events

None.

II. Approve Consent Agenda Items

A.

Approve Consent Agenda

L. Paquette made a motion to Pass the consent agenda for this evening.
S. Howorko seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Minutes from Governance Board Meeting June 11, 2025

L. Paquette made a motion to approve the minutes from Governance Board Meeting on 06-11-25.
S. Howorko seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

III. Board Administrative Items

A.

Oath of Office

Jessica, Lauren, and Hari were sworn in. 

B.

District Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form

Jessica, Lauren, and Hari requested to fill in the COI form. 

C.

Board Officer Elections

Treasurer - Samantha volunteered, Bibi recommended Samantha

B. Paul made a motion to appoint Samantha as treasurer.
K. Lindgren seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
S. Howorko
Abstain
K. Lindgren
Aye
H. Sonnenahalli
Aye
L. Paquette
Aye
L. Challa
Aye
L. Steele
Aye
B. Paul
Aye
J. Painz
Aye

Lumakar would like to continue as VP

L. Paquette made a motion to Lumakar to the position of VP.
S. Howorko seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Painz
Aye
B. Paul
Aye
L. Steele
Aye
L. Challa
Abstain
L. Paquette
Aye
K. Lindgren
Aye
H. Sonnenahalli
Aye
S. Howorko
Aye

Samantha recommended Karla as Secretary. 

 

 

S. Howorko made a motion to appoint Karla as Secretary.
L. Challa seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
L. Challa
Aye
B. Paul
Aye
L. Paquette
Aye
S. Howorko
Aye
L. Steele
Aye
K. Lindgren
Abstain
H. Sonnenahalli
Aye
J. Painz
Aye

Lindsey to be appointed as President

S. Howorko made a motion to Appoint Lindsey as the President.
L. Challa seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
S. Howorko
Aye
L. Steele
Aye
J. Painz
Aye
H. Sonnenahalli
Aye
B. Paul
Aye
L. Paquette
Abstain
L. Challa
Aye
K. Lindgren
Aye

IV. School Operations

A.

Human Resources Report

Jennifer Roach reviewed the summary of changes to the Staff Handbook. 

 

SH asked why we deleted the community compact. Staff responded. It was still there. 

 

Change two days to three days on page 36. 

 

Question around JR mediating, updating page 50 to say "mediator or designee."

 

JR went through other Staffing changes. 

B.

Executive Director Academics Report

Robin Green went through ED Report, Community Handbook, Community Compact, and Communications Pathway. 

 

Parents don't always feel like there are many volunteer opportunities. Room parents in elementary. 

 

KRL to share volunteer policies and processes. 

 

RG to follow up on volunteer processes to ensure compliance; does not need to bring back to the Board. 

 

Admission Clinics to decrease barriers across the community. 

 

Maggie Anderson has been working on digitizing our forms.

 

Stargate has Plan A and Plan B for how to move around the construction. 

 

Received School Security Grant. Woohoo!!! $100K!

V. Public Comment

A.

Public Comment

No public comment. 

 

KRL fix QR code to sign up for public comment. 

B.

Public Comment Response

No response required. 

VI. Committee Reports

A.

Written Committee Reports

No written reports. 

B.

Election Committee Policy Changes

Lindsey reviewed the revisions to the Election Committee Policy. 

VII. Action Items

A.

Staff Handbook

S. Howorko made a motion to approve 2025-2026 staff handbook as discussed.
L. Paquette seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Community Handbook

S. Howorko made a motion to approve the 25-26 community handbook as discussed.
L. Paquette seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

C.

Board Handbook and Agreement

L. Paquette made a motion to approve the changes to the 25-26 Board Handbook and Agreement as discussed.
S. Howorko seconded the motion.

Discussion regarding commenting on unofficial page as Board Members and previous Board Members. 

 

Discussion regarding clarification on communications pathway. 

 

KRL share nondisclosure agreement. 

 

SH look into nepotism clause 

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

D.

Communication Pathways

S. Howorko made a motion to approve as discussed.
L. Paquette seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

E.

2025-2026 Board Calendar

L. Paquette made a motion to pass the 25-26 Board Calendar as discussed.
S. Howorko seconded the motion.

Discussion regarding the Board Calendar. 

 

Board decided on August meeting. 

 

LP will adjust calendar and will bring it back at our next meeting. 

 

September 20 for the Strategic Planning

The motion unanimously did not carry.

F.

Revised Policy 1.6 Election First Reading

S. Howorko made a motion to approve the revised 1.6 election policy as discussed.
L. Challa seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

VIII. Discussion Items

A.

Bylaws Next Steps

Discussion re: plan for the next bylaws revision. 

 

SH - Communication has not been great, lets promote the bylaws better to get on the ballot

 

JP - suggestion to make it a competition in the classrooms 

 

SH - will look into SimplyVoting/other voting platforms

 

If we make an effort to improve the participation, then we are okay bringing this forth again. 

 

BP - proposes a working session for the bylaws. LP recommends it's a virtual meeting. 

B.

Liaisons Assignments and Special Projects

Board discussed and set liaison assignments. 

C.

Strategic Planning Session

Discussed date for September 20. LP and LC will bring more next meeting. 

D.

Board Training Sessions and Conference Attendance Interest

Trainings - CDE Required trainings, and 2-3 trainings JP will solicit the group for ideas. 

 

CAGT & the League Conference - 2 passes for each Board Member, we agree that 2 tickets to each conference is good. 

IX. Future Planning

A.

Next Board Meeting Agenda and Board Packet

Board reviewed and discussed the agenda for August

  • Kelli discuss marketing for admissions. 
  • FAC request
  • Sheila will need to present the revised budget 
  • RG delegate sending us student accomplishments 
  • MA does not need to attend the board meetings to take notes, secretary role
  • SAC will be on here with the UIP

 

 

B.

Next Admin Sync Meeting

No admin sync meeting this month. 

 

RG will consider whether the structure still works for her.

C.

Upcoming Events

  • August 5 - Keynote Speaker - Alex Sheen @ 1030-1130
  • August 5 - Meet the Board Members - Lunch & Learn & Bylaws promotions (focused on the why and general information, not in depth) @ 12-1
  • August 23 - EagleFest 10-2

X. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:58 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
L. Paquette