Dixie Montessori Academy
Board Meeting Agenda and Minutes for November 20, 2013
240 East Tabernacle Street, Suite 200, St. George Utah
Board Members in Attendance: Kevin Groke, Jacqueline “Jacque” Newman, Michael Currie, Julie Wand, Russell Armstrong, Paula Nelson, Michael Wand
Others in Attendance: Brian Poe, Tina Christian, Brent Pace
MOTION: Call to order at 7:52pm by Kevin Groke
GBOT Training on Module 1-Discussion on how writing the policies and procedures are being implemented and if there is anything we are running into currently.
Board Member Tracy Mitchell enters meeting at 8:15pm
Reading of Vision and Mission Statement by Kevin Groke
Review Minutes from October 23, 2013 board meeting by Jacque Newman
MOTION: Kevin Groke proposed to accept minutes.
Julie Wand Seconded.
Voting: Unanimous
Tracy Mitchell and Facilities committee updated board on outcome of Washington City Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. Brent Pace of The Boyer Company reported that Washington City Planning Commission recommended denial of the lot split on the property based solely on safety concerns. He feels they do not have any grounds for denying the motion. They will be reaching out to city council and planning commission members based on that we have legal right to a lot split.
The board recognizes Tavia Hilspin- resident interested in Montessori style school. She was in attendance of the planning commission meeting. She noted that the commission was afraid of recourse if they went ahead with the split.
Break to invite non board members in attendance to consider being on the various committees.
Julie makes proposal consideration to make short lived committee to deal with doing the footwork in the next 3 weeks until the Washington City Council meeting.
Tracy suggests the first course of actions be to call Marlies Burns and Michael Glauser and find out what exactly we need to take action with.
MOTION: It has been proposed by Tracy Mitchell that the facility committee be allowed 48 hours to debrief and make a plan of action for the Washington County planning and zoning commission.
Michael Wand seconded
Voting: Unanimous
Finance update by Paula Nelson: They are still working on each of the previous items from the last board meeting. Michael Wand explained being able to relieve some of the half million dollars line item deficit from previous board meeting budget update. $5,700 WPU gives us more cushion in our budget. Michael Glauser had us look at first year budget and found $60,000 in library books that is available due to not having a Library in the finished building plans. Grant monies are going to Marketing and Montessori materials.
Julie asked about the policy and procedure how to purchase items such as furniture and materials. Finance committee will clean up the policy this week and make sure to get back to her on the procedures.
MOTION: Kevin Groke Propose to take 2 minute break. Julie Wand Seconded
Meeting is called to order by Kevin Groke at 9:34pm
The chair recognizes Mike Currie for Marketing update.
We are over in Kindergarten and 1st grade sections on lottery splits. Kevin has discussed that we currently have two separate email categories notifying potential students and families of Board meetings and lottery parent emails. Discussion on combining those two categories moving forward as the lottery is closing in. A decision needs to be made on how to move forward with marketing in light of the zoning and planning commission meeting.
MOTION: I propose that we move forward with the marketing spending that has been planned regardless of current events. -Michael Wand
Russell Armstrong seconded
Voting: All board members supported motion with the exception of Mike Currie who opposed motion.
Kevin asked for an IT meeting to discuss the needs for the school to get back to Jeff with MRW Design by Friday for plans of the school.
The chair recognizes Julie Wand for Curriculum update.
Discussed that in Dropbox we will have a sample Family Handbook for review and that there will also be a separate policy and procedure handbook. By law we have to have parents sign receipt of the handbook.
Application for parents of students will be done soon. Administrative policies will be done soon as well. Job postings for teachers and admin aides will be up in January. Trainings start in February.
Brian Poe gave a Power-point presentation on DMA readiness tracking burn-down charts for action items for the board. This will allow for us to see each committee and if they are on track on action items and also see progress as a whole board. Kevin asks if we need an accountability group to determine if we are on track and if we are not, how are we going to pull in to be on track.
MOTION: Michael Wand proposes to begin the process to bringing Brian Poe as full board member.
Paula Nelson seconded
Voting: Unanimous
MOTION: Kevin Groke motions that we go into closed session to discuss bringing Brian Poe into board membership.
Tracy Mitchell seconded
Voting: Unanimous
Begin closed session at 10:29pm
MOTION: Kevin Groke motions to bring back into open session at 10:32pm
MOTION: Michael Wand proposes that Brian Poe becomes a full board member.
Julie Wand seconded
Voting by Roll Call:
Paula Nelson-yes
Michael Wand- yes
Tracy Mitchell-yes
Russell Armstrong- yes
Mike Currie- yes
Julie Wand- yes
Jacque Newman-yes
Kevin Groke- yes
MOTION: Kevin Groke proposes that we establish an accountability group committee.
Michael Wand seconds
Voting: Unanimous
Brian Poe will head this committee to keep us on track and help be the eyes of the board to determine if we are on track and if we are not, how are we going to pull in to be on track.
MOTION: Russell Armstrong proposes to make Brian Poe committee chair of the accountability group.
Michael Wand seconds
Voting: Unanimous
MOTION: Kevin Groke proposed to adjourn meeting.
Voting-Unanimous
Meeting adjourned at 10:45pm