Stargate School
Minutes
Board Business Meeting
Date and Time
Monday August 25, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Directors Present
B. Paul, H. Sonnenahalli (remote), J. Painz, K. Lindgren, L. Challa, L. Paquette, L. Steele, S. Howorko
Directors Absent
None
Directors who arrived after the meeting opened
H. Sonnenahalli
Directors who left before the meeting adjourned
H. Sonnenahalli
Guests Present
M. Anderson, R. Greene, Sheila Mischke
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 Monday Aug 25, 2025 at 6:00 PM.
B.
Roll Call
C.
Reading of Stargate Mission
D.
Recognitions and Appreciations
- RG gives a shout-out to the Yearbook award!
- SH recognizes Maggie for the grant that we were awarded
- LS recognizes staff at pick up and drop off
- LC USNews #4 in the state
- BP thanks Richard for all his support
- LP thanks the Election and Recruiting Committees
- LP shouts out the CRC for Eagle Fest
II. Approve Consent Agenda Items
A.
Approve Consent Agenda
L. Paquette made a motion to Approve the consent agenda.
L. Challa seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
B.
Minutes from Governance Board Meeting July 24, 2025
L. Paquette made a motion to approve the minutes from Governance Board Meeting on 07-24-25.
L. Challa seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
III. School Operations
A.
Executive Director Academics Report
RG asks for any questions
- LC is UIP ready? Will be ready for SAC meeting
- BP Q re: MLO; discussion regarding the MLO request from Adams12 and how we will be proceeding
- KL has a question re: enrollment, losing kids on K and G1, students leaving because of no space on Eagles Landing
- SH questions when we are getting CMAS #s, we will get the #s this week or next, feeling good about CMAS #s
- LC asks if our school is a center for SAT? Not in the fall.
B.
Finance Update
SM presents the finance update:
- LP asked about days cash on hand, ok at 153, should always stay below 160.
- LP asked about special session, nothing to flag
IV. Public Comment
A.
Public Comment
No community member signed up for public comments.
B.
Public Comment Response
N/A
V. Committee Reports
A.
Written Committee Reports
No written committee reports sent.
B.
Elections Committee Update
Tien Tong presents Elections Committee update
- SimplyVoting - need the budget approval; also the QR code has to be general OR QR code PER voter, we could send Paper Ballots vs an email; we could use AI to take care of that; SH, Richard, Tien talk to Simply Voting
- Gift card, promoted too late last time, 2 $50 gift cards, or classroom awards for students, incentives per classroom. RG will discuss logistically with the incentives, Danielle, SH, and Jess will support.
C.
Recruiting Committee Update
Danielle Fox discusses the August Board Memo for the Recruiting Committee
- Board will work on election dates
- Board will search for an Independent Candidate in the Spring of 2026
H. Sonnenahalli arrived at 6:43 PM.
D.
SAC Committee Update
LC discusses the SAC update.
VI. Discussion Items
A.
Strategic Planning Session Agenda
Agenda is attached, any Qs?
- Recommend removing the training from the day
- RG recommends virtual training, later date.
- MA booked the ESC for us
B.
Fall Board Training Session
Fall Board Training Session will be virtual at a later date.
VII. Action Items
A.
Revised Policy 1.6 Election Second Reading
H. Sonnenahalli left at 7:13 PM.
L. Paquette made a motion to approve the second reading of the revised policy 1.6 Election.
B. Paul seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| J. Painz |
Absent
|
| B. Paul |
Aye
|
| L. Paquette |
Aye
|
| H. Sonnenahalli |
Absent
|
| S. Howorko |
Aye
|
| L. Challa |
Aye
|
| L. Steele |
Aye
|
| K. Lindgren |
Aye
|
B.
2025-2026 Board Calendar
L. Paquette made a motion to to approve the 2025-2026 calendar as discussed.
S. Howorko seconded the motion.
Board discussed Board Calendar
- Wednesdays would be tough for LC
- Moving to 3rd Tuesdays, all virtual: Sept 16, Oct 21 (executive session), Nov 18, Dec 16, January 20, Feb 24 (mid-winter break, school break), March 17, April 21** (in person due to the State of the School), May 19, June 16
- Executive Sessions at 5 pm right ahead
- Training sessions will be decided later
- Work Session on the Bylaws in Sept - Sept 8 (optional, Lisa Hosfelt will be on the call to answer questions, will send it in the StarNews and Board newsletter)
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Howorko |
Aye
|
| B. Paul |
Aye
|
| L. Paquette |
Aye
|
| L. Steele |
Aye
|
| H. Sonnenahalli |
Absent
|
| K. Lindgren |
Aye
|
| L. Challa |
Aye
|
| J. Painz |
No
|
C.
Fall 2025 Election Timing
L. Paquette made a motion to approve the Fall 2025 Election Timing.
L. Challa seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| L. Challa |
Aye
|
| K. Lindgren |
Aye
|
| S. Howorko |
Aye
|
| L. Steele |
Aye
|
| H. Sonnenahalli |
Absent
|
| L. Paquette |
Aye
|
| J. Painz |
Aye
|
| B. Paul |
Aye
|
D.
SimplyVoting Subscription for 2025-2026 Election
S. Howorko made a motion to approve up to $3500 for SimplyVoting.
K. Lindgren seconded the motion.
- To ensure that we have enough to cover postcards & stamps, etc.
- Will that include the prizes? No
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| L. Challa |
Aye
|
| B. Paul |
Aye
|
| H. Sonnenahalli |
Absent
|
| S. Howorko |
Aye
|
| L. Steele |
Aye
|
| K. Lindgren |
Aye
|
| L. Paquette |
No
|
| J. Painz |
Aye
|
E.
2025-2026 Committee Handbook
L. Paquette made a motion to approve the 2025-2026 Committee Handbook.
K. Lindgren seconded the motion.
- Discussion regarding the goals and when they are due
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Howorko |
Aye
|
| L. Challa |
Aye
|
| K. Lindgren |
Aye
|
| L. Paquette |
Aye
|
| B. Paul |
Aye
|
| J. Painz |
Aye
|
| L. Steele |
Aye
|
| H. Sonnenahalli |
Absent
|
F.
2025-2026 Executive Director Evaluation Planning
L. Paquette made a motion to approve the 2025-2026 ED Evaluation document.
K. Lindgren seconded the motion.
- This document is very extensive
- After this year we will re-evaluate the evaluation document and discuss changing the goal-setting timeline, october is too late
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| L. Steele |
No
|
| H. Sonnenahalli |
Absent
|
| K. Lindgren |
Aye
|
| S. Howorko |
Aye
|
| L. Paquette |
Aye
|
| L. Challa |
Aye
|
| B. Paul |
No
|
| J. Painz |
Aye
|
G.
Fundraising Allocation to Principals
S. Howorko made a motion to allocate $10,000 to each of the Principals.
L. Paquette seconded the motion.
- Every year we typically give Principals an allocation so they can approve under $1000 and give it out of their funds.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| B. Paul |
Aye
|
| H. Sonnenahalli |
Absent
|
| L. Challa |
Aye
|
| S. Howorko |
Aye
|
| L. Paquette |
Aye
|
| J. Painz |
Aye
|
| K. Lindgren |
Aye
|
| L. Steele |
Aye
|
H.
Fundraising Allocation to After Prom
This is a repeat topic, already voted, no need to vote this time.
VIII. Future Planning
A.
Next Board Meeting Agenda and Board Packet
Agenda has been started, Lindsey making notes
- Robin to bring SPF/CMAS
- UIP Report
B.
Next Admin Sync Meeting
No Admin Sync for this month.
C.
Upcoming Events
- Gala on October 4, encourage Board members to attend
IX. 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 8:16 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
L. Paquette