School Board Meeting Minutes

Regular Meeting

Odyssey Charter School

6201 Noble Ave. N

Brooklyn Center, MN 55429

June 20, 2007

6:00 PM 

Odyssey Board Mission:

The purpose of the Board, on behalf of Odyssey Charter School membership, is to create sustainable conditions in which Odyssey Charter School achieves desired results for students, parents and staff in a financially responsible manner. 
 

Members in attendance: Mike Auld, Jessica Driscoll, Rochelle Gredvig, Tim Hedberg, John Sedey, and Steve Skramstad.  Jim Redfield attended as an ex-officio member. Ken Wright, School Start guest. 

1. Call to order and roll call at 6:02 P.M.
2. Additions to agenda: None
3. John moved and Tim second to accept agenda.  Voted and passed.
4. Acceptance of minutes from May meeting. John moved and Jess second to accept minutes.  Voted and passed.
5. Community Comment: Mrs. Watkins commended Odyssey’s program.  Asked why teachers of color are not present at Odyssey.  Board members responded with that Odyssey has reached out as best as possible.  Ken Wright provided statistics on teachers of color in Minnesota and that there is such a small percentage of teachers available.  Mrs. Watkins suggested providing a guidance counselor for Middle School students.
6. Leadership and Management Options. Mike as chair moved item to VI.  Ken Wright presented Odyssey with leadership options.  Alt. 1: Three director’s.  Alt. 2: Dean of Students full time and Executive Director part time. After discussion of both alternatives, Tim moved to adopt Ken Wright’s Alt. 2 governance style.  Steve second.  Voted and Passed.  Rochelle moved to enter into negotiations with Ken Wright for the position of part time Executive Director.  Tim second.  Voted and passed.
7. Presentations and Special Reports
   1. Odyssey School Building Organization: Jess reported that OSBO met and discussed the actual space leased and space used.  An engagement letter was sent.  501c3 check sent.  Osseo has been informed that OSBO is interested in sale of the building.  A special meeting to be held regarding the sale of the building.  OSBO informed that another group is interested in the space.  It is likely an assessment of the building will need to be done.  There are 2 funders interested. 
   2. Director’s Report: Jim reported that he met with Osseo district and an agreement on total space used is less than leased space.  Discussed how to assess fair usage of common areas within the building.  Jim to meet with Osseo and Arena regarding the issue.  Jim and Rochelle attended LEAD.  Information on fundraising options and opportunities discussed at the LEAD meeting.  Jim provided copies of the Osseo evaluation of Odyssey conducted in April.  Jim offered help and support on transitioning into our new leadership style.
8. Committee Report:
   1. Community Action Committee: Did not meet.
   2. School Improvement Committee: Did not meet.
   3. Recruiting and Marketing Committee: Held Ambassador meeting with students.  Discussed marketing strategies for the summer.

 

4. Finance Committee: John reported committee reviewed profit/loss and it is on schedule.
5. Financial Report: John reported that the budget does not include change in governance style.  Does include a 2% salary increase.  School psychologist salary kept at $10,000.  John moved to approve the 1,978,010 total revenue and 1,962,465 total expenditures for 07-08 budget. Jess second.  Voted and passed.
9. Consent Agenda: Rochelle moved to accept and Steve second. Voted and passed.
10. New Contracts:
    1. School Management Services. Rochelle moved to accept and Steve second.  Voted and passed.
11. Old Business:
    1. Grant writing discussion. 
12. New Business:
    1. Two proposals for audit.  Larson Allen $9,350 plus out of pocket cost.  MMKR $7,500 plus out of pocket cost.  Rochelle moved to accept MMKR and Steve second.  Voted and passed. Tim abstained for a reason.
    2. Minnesota Association of Charter Schools (Membership Application).  Tim moved to decline membership this year.  Steve second.  Discussion held on focusing membership fee on marketing and other priorities.  Voted and passed.
    3. Flexible report card/grading system 07/08 school year.  To be handled by administration for review.
    4. Recommendation to the board on Holland meeting.  Teacher to contact student.  Family will follow up with board on decision of whether to stay on at Odyssey.
    5. Summer Cleaning. Administration to handle.
    6. Buses.  4 routes are up $8650 from last year.  Tim moved to accept bus contract.  Steve second.  Voted and passed.

XII. Adjournment: Heather moved and Rochelle second to adjourn meeting at 9:09 P.M.  Voted and passed.