Dixie Montessori Academy
Board Meeting Agenda and Minutes for December 20, 2012
240 East Tabernacle Street, Suite 200, St. George Utah
Board Members in Attendance: Russell Armstrong, Michael C. Currie, Kevin Groke, Margaret “Meg” Groke, Tracy K. Mitchell, Paula Nelson, Kristin L. Nielson, Scott Nielson, Julie M. Wand, Michael D. Wand
Agenda
Eighth grade inclusion
Lower the initial student body population (suggested to be 350-450 students)
Student uniforms
Final Application Meeting scheduled for Feb 13 and 14, 2013 in Salt Lake City
Feedback from Vista VP about the workings of successful charter school (M. Wand)
Minutes
MOTION Meeting called to order by Kevin Groke at 6:33 p.m.
Seconded by: Julie M. Wand
Unanimous
Review of minutes by Margaret “Meg” Groke from board meeting held on November 27, 2012.
MOTION Approval of minutes from the November 27th meeting proposed by Kevin Groke
Seconded by: Michael C. Currie
Review of notes of meeting from December 19th with the Application Committee
Discussion addressing which grades DMA should include.
MOTION Scott Nielson proposed that DMA include grades K through 7th.
Seconded by Julie M Wand
Unanimous
Discussion of the size of the student body population should begin at.
MOTION Scott Nielson proposed that DMA initially build to suit 400 students.
Seconded by Kevin Groke
Unanimous
Julie M. Wand will contact Marlies Burns concerning the breakdown of student population and costs over the course of the first three years of DMA opening. Julie will then work with the finance committee.
Finance committee and Julie will work together to get new numbers. Those numbers will be given to Facilities Committee to work new building cost numbers.
Margaret “Meg” Groke will reread Northwest Accreditation concerning minimum requirements for library and relay that information to the Finance Committee.
Julie M. Wand and Scott Nielson are considering using the same floor plan as Maria Montessori Academy in North Ogden.
MOTION Kevin Groke proposed that a clause be added to the charter that states that “no working board member can be related to any staff member of DMA”.
Seconded by Michael D. Wand
Unanimous
Michael D. Wand met with a member of the Vista Working Board who had the following advice:
The first two years of opening will be a place where many of the troubled children will come – be prepared.
Brian Carpenter has written how a board should operate – read and follow it.
No matter what you do you will never, ever satisfy the parents.
At some point an issue will come up that divides the Board.
Do not use any portion of Vista’s charter.
Considering required application process for new Working Board Members to
include: background check
private investigation
resume
an in- person interview with current Board members including the Chairman
Uniforms:
Julie M. Wand wants to provide students with the opportunity to plan and choose their clothing. Having a strict dress code just as society does (ie. appropriate dress for funerals, weddings, college, workplace, casual, etc.), is important at all phases of life. If we take that away what are we teaching about the real world? Students must learn to dress themselves for the best learning opportunities.
Julie M. Wand proposed that the teacher and parent handbook contain very specific guidelines explaining appropriate academic clothing written by the principal.
MOTION Kevin Groke proposed that DMA require uniforms
No one seconded the motion.
Discussion ensued to prepare for the Final Application Meeting on Feb 13th. Agreed upon by Board members that the following be included in the required presentation to the State charter board:
Educational Philosophy
Mission
Pulling numbers from other Montessori schools
Board and Admin Relationship
Demand
MOTION Kevin Groke proposed that the meeting adjourn at 8:26 p.m.
Seconded by Paula D. Nelson
Unanimous
Notes taken by Margaret “Meg” Groke