MIAMI CHILDREN S MUSEUM CHARTER SCHOOL

Transcription

1 MIAMI CHILDREN S MUSEUM CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS Rene Ruiz, Esq., Board Chair Carlos Bared, Secretary & Treasurer Scott Leeds, Esq. Shelia P. Cohen Betty Nunez Gary Reshefsky Randall Lee MEETING MINUTES FOR SEPTEMBER 19, 2014 November 7, 2014 February 20, 2015 May 27, 2015

2 Meeting of the Board of Directors September 19, 2014 Directors Rene Ruiz, Esq., Board Chair (Present) Carlos Bared, Secretary & Treasurer (Absent) Scott Leeds, Esq. (Absent) Shelia P. Cohen (Absent) Betty Nunez (Absent) Gary Reshefsky (Present) Randall Lee (Present) Sam Terrilli (Present) Minutes 1. OPENING EXERCISES a. Meeting called to order b. A quorum was established c. Tabled: The Board inadvertently skipped this item. Therefore, it shall be tabled to the next meeting. i. Nomination Mr. Sam Terrilli to serve on the Board of Directors. 2. PUBLIC COMMENT a. There were no comments by the public at this time. 3. ACTION & DISCUSSION ITEMS a. Report by the Principal i. Enrollment update; ongoing activities; general updates. b. Report by the Museum (Ms. Debbie Spiegelman) i. Working towards rebuilding the exhibits; utilizing comments from the students and the teachers. ii. Disappointed that only 3 families have enlisted as members in the museum; she would like to be informed of parent members to ensure she can have staff present to help push the memberships; requested an update on the additional language to the parent contract with regards to the membership; Principal Cortina states that she will follow up on the approval with MDCPS of the new contract language. iii. Opening Dora & Diego exhibit upcoming iv. Upcoming Halloween Event on October 17 th c. Financial Report (Ms. Ana Martinez) i. Review Financial Statements and Independent Auditors Report for the year ending June 30, Ms. Martinez reviews the audit highlights; the audit was clean. ii. Review of Revised Annual Budget d. Other Items by Board, Staff, or ESP i. Update on new charter school application a new application was submitted for a north campus; notification should be received later this month to schedule an application interview; Ms. Speigelman updates on the facility and the appropriate approvals needed by Miami Beach; she requests to know if the charter can be amended to a K-8 due to lack of middle schools in the beach; Fernando states that this can be addressed during the contract negotiation; Board Chair thanks Millie Sanchez for her assistance in writing the application. ii. Fernando Zulueta recently attended the MCM Executive Committee Meeting; discussed plans to retrofit and update museum exhibits; discussed the charter school being a partner in the exhibits; discussed ensuring that the exhibits be beneficial for the students; discussed a resolution which established the collaboration; the Committee seemed favorable to the extension of the lease and understood the technical issues / reasons behind this request. 1. APPROVED: The Board unanimously approved the Resolution which defines the collaboration between The Miami Children s Museum Charter School and The Miami Children s Museum. iii. APPROVED: The Board unanimously approved to move forward with the fence and the turf projects. Page 1 of 2

3 iv. Board Member Reshefsky further discusses the charter school parents and their museum membership 1. APPROVED: The Board unanimously approved to direct the school administration to send out information to the parents regarding museum membership; he further requests that the museum assist with the marketing materials. 4. CONSENT AGENDA a. APPROVED: The Board approved the Minutes from the May 30, 2014 and June 18, 2014 Board of Director s Meetings. b. APPROVED: The Board approved to adopt the Financial Report, including: i. Financial Statements and Independent Auditors Report for the year ending June 30, ii. Revised Annual Budget c. APPROVED: The Board approved the out of field waiver(s) for instructional personnel with out of field assignments; the Board further authorized to allow Betty Nunez to sign the waivers. d. APPROVED: The Board approved to adopt the School Calendar, including early release days (as applicable). 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NOTIFICATIONS a. State Charter School Conference November in Orlando ( b. Next Board Meeting: November 7, MEETING ADJOURNED *The minutes were adopted by the Board of Directors at a meeting held on November 7, Page 2 of 2

4 Meeting of the Board of Directors November 7, 2014 Directors Rene Ruiz, Esq., Board Chair (Present) Carlos Bared, Secretary & Treasurer (Present) Scott Leeds, Esq. (Present) Shelia P. Cohen (Present) Betty Nunez (Present) Gary Reshefsky (Absent) Randall Lee (Absent) Sam Terilli (Board Nominee) (Present) Minutes 1. OPENING EXERCISES a. Meeting called to order at 10:05 am b. A quorum was established c. APPROVED: The Board unanimously approved to nominate Mr. Sam Terilli to serve on the Board of Directors. Mr. Terrilli will need to be cleared by MDPCP prior to formal election. 2. PUBLIC COMMENT a. There were no comments by the public at this time. 3. ACTION & DISCUSSION ITEMS a. Report by the Principal i. Enrollment is currently 306 ii. Multicultural Parade & Luncheon was a success iii. Halloween Trick or Treating throughout the museum iv. Food Drive v. Conscious Discipline Program vi. Thanksgiving Luncheon upcoming vii. Reviewed data with Mr. Ortiz last month viii. Offering tutoring in the mornings from 7:30-8:30 ix. Mid-year testing occurs next week; MDCPS discontinued the baseline and FAIR testings. x. Hired a new PE Teacher who begins next week xi. Has a student with Type I Diabetes; Maggie states that this is something that Academica has been encountering in numerous schools and a plan is currently being developed; school liability is discussed. b. Report by the Museum i. Dora & Diego has opened and has been a success ii. Does not feel that the student membership initiative; Prin. Cortina states that she has developed a task force of parents to help assist to determine why families are not becoming members; Fernando suggests to review if a lab fee may be able to be issued; he directs Collette to review this further. iii. Visited a site this morning at the potential site of MCMCS North with Prin. Cortina; discussed logistics of how the dual campuses would work; invites all to the MCM Board Meeting on the 18 th at Noon; playground is complete; run into a small challenge with the fence with permitting; John will be meeting with officials from FDOT next week. c. Financial Report i. Review of Revised Annual Budget by Ms. Chester ii. Review of Financial Statements for the period ending September 30, 2014 by Ms. Martinez d. Other Items by Board, Staff, or ESP i. There were no additional items at this time. Page 1 of 2

5 4. CONSENT AGENDA a. APPROVED: The Board approved the Minutes from the September 19, 2014 Board of Director s Meetings. b. APPROVED: The Board approved to adopt the Financial Report, including: i. Revised Annual Budget ii. Financial Statements for the period ending September ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NOTIFICATIONS a. State Charter School Conference November in Orlando ( b. Next Board Meeting: February 20, MEETING ADJOURNED AT 10:50 AM *The minutes were adopted by the Board of Directors at a meeting held on February 20, Page 2 of 2

6 Meeting of the Board of Directors February 20, 2015 Directors Rene Ruiz, Esq., Board Chair (Present) Carlos Bared, Secretary & Treasurer (Absent) Scott Leeds, Esq. (Present) Shelia P. Cohen (Absent) Betty Nunez (Absent) Gary Reshefsky (Present) Randall Lee (Present) Sam Terilli (Board Nominee) (Present) Minutes 1. OPENING EXERCISES a. Meeting called to order at 10:15 am b. A quorum was established 2. PUBLIC COMMENT a. There were no comments by the public at this time. 3. ACTION & DISCUSSION ITEMS a. Report by the Principal i. Requesting approval on out of field teacher waivers ii. 304 students per recent FTE iii. Testing update; the Chair requests to know what preparations the school has been offering; Principal Cortina informs the board of the additional tutoring and in-school preparations which have been offered; due to the different test this year, the students are also being offered additional typing courses. iv. Spirit Week 3/9-3/12; discussed asking Pit Bull to send a video clip to the students wishing them good luck v. Discussed a possible articulation agreement between MCMCS and SLAM vi. Discussed new exhibit at the museum flying fish. b. Report by the Museum i. Debbie Spiegelman discusses the new museum exhibits. ii. Design development has been completed; as discussed at a previous board meeting, it was discussed having the charter school assist with the funding. iii. Recently completed the NAC Accreditation process; the final recommendation should be received in the near future; anticipating a positive recommendation. c. Financial Report (Ms. Ana Martinez) i. The Board reviewed and discussed the Revised Annual Budget. 1. Highlights include any variances, includes the addition of a PT nurse for 4 hours per day, discussed the possibility of training (to be an LPN) a current staff member to be able to replace the need for the nurse; Collette Papa mentions that within the Academica network there is a FT Registered Nurse which can train and supervise this person per Statute. ii. The Board reviewed and discussed the Financial Statements for the period ending December 31, iii. APPROVED: The Board unanimously approved the Engagement Letter with HLB Gravier to renew the existing annual audit agreement for an additional two years 1. The initial 3 year agreement has ended; an agreement is being presented d. Other Items by Board, Staff, or ESP i. Discuss and Possible Action: New Charter School Application for MCMCS North Campus 1. Debbie discussed recent conversations with a developer regarding possible locations for the new school; Debbie and Nina agree that they do not want to loose the charter; Debbie, Fernando, and Page 1 of 2

7 Rene can contact the developer after the meeting to discuss the needed parameters of what the new site will need to be. 4. CONSENT AGENDA a. APPROVED: The Board approved the Minutes from the November 7, 2014 Board of Director s Meetings. b. APPROVED: The Board approved to Adopt the Financial Report, including: i. Revised Annual Budget ii. Financial Statements for the period ending September 30, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NOTIFICATIONS a. National Charter School Conference June in New Orleans ( b. Next Board Meeting: May 29, 2015 (Annual Meeting) 6. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 10:45 AM *The minutes were adopted by the Board of Directors at a meeting held on May 27, Page 2 of 2

8 Meeting of the Board of Directors May 27, 2015 Directors Rene Ruiz, Esq., Board Chair (Present) Carlos Bared, Secretary & Treasurer (Absent) Scott Leeds, Esq. (Present) Shelia P. Cohen (Absent) Betty Nunez (Absent) Gary Reshefsky (Present) Randall Lee (Present) Sam Terilli (Present) Minutes 1. OPENING EXERCISES a. Meeting called to order b. A quorum was established c. APPROVED: The Board unanimously approved to elect Mr. Sam Terelli to serve on the MCMCS Board of Directors. 2. PUBLIC COMMENT a. There were no comments by public at this time. 3. ACTION & DISCUSSION ITEMS a. Report by the Principal i. Updated - closing the school year; all 3 rd grade students are being promoted to 4 th grade; promotion ceremonies ongoing; end of year field trips taking place, no technical glitches with testing other than what all others faced ii. Projected enrollment for is 308 iii. Potential site downtown for future expansion; Rene would like to visit site when possible; Debbie states that she has not seen the site or had much involvement; she expresses the museum board s concern regarding use of the museum name and branding; Maggie discusses the possibility of submitting a High Performing Replication Application under Florida law as now MCMCS is now High-Performing; it is easier to get this type of charter approved, however it is noted that caution needs to be given to ensure that the current program is being replicated b. Report by the Museum i. Museum updates include: Renovating the several exhibits, Purchased a new prototype technology program, Baptist Health and Wellness will be renovated and moved to the 2 nd floor. ii. The Museum is actively ensuring that the exhibits are tied to the charter school curriculum. iii. Discussed the possibility of the charter school assisting with the internal exhibits and the renovations. Board Chair Ruiz discusses the need for the extended usage agreement, which hasn t been discussed in the past few meetings. Mr. Ruiz and Mr. Danny Diaz (Academica) continue to discuss the importance of amortization. 1. Board Member Reshefsky requests the history of the growth of the school s capital reserves from Ms. Ana Martinez. 2. Discussed establishing a committee to further review the charter school s growth, whether it be to invest on site or to add an additional location to the school. The committee is also requested to review the financial implications of such decisions. a. APPROVED: The Board unanimously approved the establishment of a strategic planning committee to review and discuss growth options and make recommendations to the Board. The initial members of the committee shall consist of Board Chair Ruiz, Board Member Reshefsky, and MCM CEO Ms. Spiegelman. c. APPROVED: The Board reviewed, discussed, and unanimously approved the Financial Report, including: i. Revised Annual Budget Page 3 of 3

9 ii. Proposed Annual Budget iii. Financial Statements 1. Board Member Reshefsky requests how the funds are dealt with on a daily basis; Ms. Martinez states that currently the funds are being kept at Regions and in an overnight sweep. She further states that she would like to present an investment policy to the board in the near future. Mr. Reshefksy informs Ms. Martinez and the Board of an opportunity in which the museum is currently using. Ms. Martinez states that she is happy to meet to further discuss. iv. The audit notes for the period ending June 30, 2015 will be ed to the board by Kelly Mallon within the next 1-2 days. The Board is encouraged to review the notes for accuracy and provide any comments, as necessary. The audit highlights will not be available until later in the summer. However, it is suggested that if there is anything that Debbie or the Board would like included to please Ms. Martinez. v. Discussed: Merit Pay and comparable teacher pay Maggie Fresen states that the school s teachers are comparable in pay rate with the those employed by the local school district. It is further stated that the Florida Consortium of Charter Schools has created a merit pay policy which is very good. Academica is working to make some adjustments to that plan to present to the different charter boards that they work with. d. APPROVED: The Board unanimously approved the Board of Directors Slate: i. Rene Ruiz, Esq. ii. Carlos Bared iii. Scott Leeds, Esq. iv. Shelia P. Cohen v. Betty Nunez vi. Gary Reshefsky vii. Randall Lee viii. Sam Terilli ix. The Board tabled the re-appointment / appointment of officers for a future meeting. Board Member Reshefsky requests to further review the bylaws and officer positions. e. Other Items by Board, Staff, or ESP i. There were no additional items at this time. 4. CONSENT AGENDA a. APPROVED: The Board approved the Minutes from the February 20, 2015 Board of Director s Meetings. b. APPROVED: The Board approved to adopt the Proposed Board of Directors Meeting Schedule for the School Year. c. APPROVED: The Board approved to adopt the Procedures for Addressing Concerns, including the Conflict Resolution Person (Maggie Fresen). Further directing that the administration post the policy on campus, in the student handbook, and the school s websites. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NOTIFICATIONS a. End of Year Celebration June 6 th b. National Charter School Conference June in New Orleans ( 6. MEETING ADJOURNED *The minutes were adopted by the Board of Directors at a meeting held on September 25, Page 3 of 3