Stargate School

Minutes

Governance Board Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday January 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM

Location

Secondary Library

Directors Present

B. Paul, K. Lindgren, L. Challa, L. Griffin, L. Hosfelt, L. Paquette, M. Faulkner, S. Howorko

Directors Absent

None

Guests Present

1 Community Member, 3 Community Members (remote), 5 Staff Members, 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 Wednesday Jan 15, 2025 at 6:03 PM.

B.

Roll Call

C.

Reading of Stargate Mission

D.

Recognitions and Appreciations

Bibi - Parents and community volunteers who organized the 30th Anniversary Celebration and all who attended.

Lisa G - Tara Rickerson for being a long-time volunteer, organizing cross country banquet, assembling balloon arches at the 30th Anniversary, organizing silent auction items for a school concert, and for serving for many years as the Grant Committee chair.

Lumakar - Mr. Howe for his work with the Robotics program, spending weekends at tournaments and organizing parent volunteers. 

Staff members who help direct traffic, especially during the winter.

Meryl - Couture, Steven, Ashley, and Peyton—for their outstanding dedication and excellence in fostering growth and learning among our young athletes. Their commitment to supporting and inspiring our students, both on and off the court, is truly commendable. Thank you for making such a positive impact!

Samantha - Officer Couture and students who presented at our last meeting on the Red Bag program. 

The 30th Anniversary Committee, especially Stacy Tempas, for planning and organizing the event. 

Rob and Sheila for stepping up to assume Lynne's responsibilities.

Lindsey - Officer Couture for being recognized by the Colorado Department of Law and the Colorado post for excellence in school safety. 

Ms. Taylor, middle school counselor, for arranging Adams 12 CTE campus field trips. 

The 30th anniversary planning committee, especially Lindsey Sims and Stacy Tempas for all their efforts to plan the celebration. 

The teachers involved in hosting the elementary and middle school spelling bees.

Lisa H. - Maggie Anderson for all her work behind the scenes supporting Robin and our Board meetings and being a reliable go-to person.

Karla - Joe Budde in the front office for being kind and energetic and creating a positive atmosphere in the front office.

Community - The elementary front staff for their welcoming presence and consistently meeting the needs of the students.

Ms. McCardle for her work in helping a student improve literacy scores and for her efforts to support the needs of the whole child, including teaching children breathing techniques to help them stay calm and focused.

 

E.

Board News and Events

Karla - admin sync, 30th Anniversary

Lisa - 30th Anniversary, high school basketball games

Lindsey - 30th Anniversary 

Samantha - 30th Anniversary

Meryl - 30th Anniversary, middle school girls' basketball parent night, middle school drama night

Lumakar - 30th Anniversary

Lisa - fall play, NHS induction, Book Fair, Winterfest Concert, basketball games, 30th Anniversary

Bibi - 30th Anniversary

II. Approve Consent Agenda Items

A.

Approve Consent Agenda

L. Paquette made a motion to approve consent agenda for January 15, 2025.
K. Lindgren seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Minutes for Governance Board Meeting held November 21, 2024

L. Paquette made a motion to approve the minutes from Governance Board Meeting on 11-21-24.
K. Lindgren seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

C.

Minutes for Executive Session held November 21, 2024

L. Paquette made a motion to approve the minutes from Executive Session on 11-21-24.
K. Lindgren seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

III. School Operations

A.

Finance Report

Reviewed financial reports.

 

 

Discussed details of the bond situations.

The district is releasing bond money in 3 or 4 tranches, which is different than anticipated.

Discussed options for construction plans, given that bond money may not be paid in full for 5 years.  The school can look into obtaining financing to complete projects on current timelines. Also working with legal counsel to determine other options. Finance Committee will be involved in evaluation of options and next steps.

 

2024-2025 Revised budget

B.

Operational Review Final Report

John Brendza presented his findings from the organizational analysis. 

 

His primary objective was to provide us with an overview of current leadership structure.

He identified emerging themes from the documents provided to him. 

 

Ultimately the Board needs to decide whether to have one or two direct reports.  John and Robin will discuss next steps in developing a revised organizational chart and determining adjustments to the financial structure.

C.

Executive Director of Academics Report

report attached

 

 

 

 

 

IV. Committee Reports

A.

Written Committee Reports

written reports attached

 

 

 

B.

SAC Survey Plan

 

Surveys will open on January 17th. SRL will provide charts and data to SAC.

Survey results will be reviewed at March meeting, then presented at State of School.

 

V. Action Items

A.

Revised Budget, Appropriation Resolution, and two Use of Fund Balance Resolutions

S. Howorko made a motion to approve the Revised 2024-2025 Budget as presented.
L. Paquette seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
S. Howorko made a motion to approve the 2024-2025 Appropriation Resolution as presented.
K. Lindgren seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
S. Howorko made a motion to approve the 2024-2025 Fund Balance Resolutions as presented.
K. Lindgren seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Bond Disbursement and Construction Timeline

No action needed this month.

Dr. Greene will work on next steps, including discussing possibilities with legal counsel and other district charter schools. 

 

C.

Executive Director-level Org Structure decision based on Operational Review

K. Lindgren made a motion to move forward with the one-director leadership model.
L. Paquette seconded the motion.

Discussed different operations models and whether our school should have one or two direct reports.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
B. Paul
Aye
K. Lindgren
Aye
L. Hosfelt
Aye
M. Faulkner
Aye
S. Howorko
Abstain
L. Challa
Aye
L. Paquette
Aye
L. Griffin
Aye

D.

2024-2025 School Calendar - Update for 5th Grade

L. Paquette made a motion to approve the revised 2024-2025 school calendar, with the last day of school for 5th graders to be May 21st.
K. Lindgren seconded the motion.

Adjustment to end 5th-grade calendar one day early to align with date of 5th-grade picnic.

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

VI. Discussion Items

A.

Strategic Plan Tracking

Strategic Planning Tracking

Discussed ideas to be more focused on Strategic Planning during meetings.

B.

Board Onboarding & Training Review

No updates on onboarding analysis.

Meryl will provide individual updates on training.

C.

Bylaw Revisions

Discussed timeline for Proposed amendments. 

February - discuss proposed amendments

March - finalize proposed amendments

April - present proposed amendments at State of the School

VII. Future Planning

A.

Next Board Meeting Agenda and Board Packet

Changed March 12th meeting to March 20th at 6:00, held remotely only.

Changed scheduled February training to March 20th at 5:00.

 

Reviewed February agenda.

 

B.

Next Admin Sync Meeting

Lindsey and Lisa G will attend on February 3.

C.

Upcoming Events

Lindsey and Karla will lead the State of the School planning.

VIII. 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 9:07 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
L. Hosfelt
Documents used during the meeting
  • 1. Consolidated Detail 12.31.24.xls
  • 2. Quarterly Financial Statements December 2024.xlsx
  • 3. Board KPI Report January 15, 2025.docx
  • 4A. FY24-25 Uniform Budget Summary Revised Budget.xlsx
  • 4B. FY 2024-2025 Budget Worksheet Stargate-Revised 01.15.2025.xlsx
  • 4C. Appropriation Resolution FY2024-2025 Revised Budget.docx
  • 4D. Fund Balance Resolution FY2024-2025 Revised Budget.docx
  • 4E. Fund Balance Resolution FY2024-2025 Revised Budget Fund 52.docx
  • Stargate Org Review Final 12.24 J Brendza.pdf
  • Module 1 Board Roles and Responsibilities.pdf
  • Stargate Org Chrt Sample 1 from J Brendza.pdf
  • Stargate Org Chrt Sample 2 from J Brendza.pdf
  • EDA Report January 2025.pdf