Dec 14th, 2009

Board of Trustees Meeting
December 14, 2009
Agenda

Those members present: Paige Turner, Robin Gibson, Cassandra Denmark, Terrye Howell, Joyce Otte, Pat Cain, Laurncille Anderson, Chairman David Ullman and Superintendent Jesse Jackson

I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Ullman called the December 14, 2009 Board of Trustees Meeting to order at the Lake Wales Charter Schools’ Central Office.

II. PLEDGE OF ALEGIANCE

The Pledge of Allegiance done by the Lake Wales High School JROTC. Sergeant Porter noted that they would be competing next month for at a drill meet and LWHS JROTC would be hosting the RADAR meet at the Flaming Arrow Boy Scout Camp in Lake Wales in the future.

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Chairman David Ullman asked for corrections and or deletions of the November 16, 2009 Board of Trustees Board Meeting. There was only one correction with the spelling of Trustee Cassandra Denmark’s name. It was so noted and changed. With that change Chairman Ullman called for a motion to approve. Motion to approve made by Joyce Otte with a second by Terrye Howell. Motion passed unanimously.

IV. SCHEDULED PERSON’S ADDRESSING THE BOARD – none

V. RECOGNITIONS Cassandra Denmark, Vice-Chair
At this time Chairman Ullman stepped to the front for recognitions. Vice Chair Cassandra Denmark made the presentations.

A. 2009 Family Week Essay Contest – Family Traditions Winners

3rd Place K-2 – Cameron Dicks, Dale R. Fair Babson Park Elem.
Mr. Dicks read his essay for the Board.

1st Place 3-5 – Kaya Reed, Dale R. Fair Babson Park Elem.
Ms. Reed read her essay to the Board.

Board of Trustees Minutes December 14, 2009

VI. FINANCIAL REPORT

Chairman Ullman asked if there were any further discussions with regard to the financials as distributed by CFO Brian Fisher at the December 14, 2009 Board Work Session. There were none.

Mr. Fisher noted that we will be looking at how the City can help to become the vehicle for securing funding through the Qualified School Construction Bond (QSCB) Program authorized under the ARRA of 2009. Since LWCS has no bonding authority therefore LWCS needs to partner with a governmental agency such as the City of Lake Wales. Through this federal program in 2009 and 2010 $11 billion has been made available. The City of Lake Wales bond rating and credit history would impact the bond rating received for the issue. The next application period will be some time after January 1, 2010 and is contingent on the IRS which is involved in setting the tax credit terms received by the bondholders.

A meeting will be held before the winter holiday break with the architect for the purpose of separating the kitchen costs from the total costs of renovations for the Commons building. In the case of LWCS this would be a small bond issue relative to the amounts issued by other districts or the PCSB. In the application process LWCS would clearly explain the pledged revenue from which LWCS intends to repay the bond principal to thus “hold the City harmless” in the process. All indications from the FLDOE office overseeing the program is the repayment period will have a 15-year amortization term. Bondholders receive a federal income tax credit while the bond is outstanding and the education agency’s debt service obligation is only for the principal amount of the bonds.

VII. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

A. PERSONNEL CHANGES
Superintendent Jackson recommended approval of the Personnel Changes as distributed and discussed at the December 14, 2009 Board of Trustees Work Session. Motion to approve made by Joyce Otte with a second by Terrye Howell. Motion passed unanimously.

B. SECOND MODIFICATION TO LAKE WALES HIGH SCHOOLS’ (LWHS) CHARTER CONTRACT
Superintendent Jackson recommended approval of the Second Modification to the Lake Wales High School Charter . This modification establishes an articulation agreement between Bok Academy and LWHS wherein eighth graders at Bok Academy are accepted for enrollment at LWHS with the child’s ninth grade year.
Motion to approve made by Joyce Otte with a second Terrye Howell. Motion passed unanimously.

Board of Trustees Minutes December 14, 2009

C. FOURTH MODIFICATION TO EDWARD W. BOK ACADEMY’S CHARTER CONTRACT
Superintendent Jackson recommended approval of the Fourth Modification to the Edward W. Bok Academy Charter. This modification establishes an articulation agreement between Bok Academy and LWHS wherein eighth graders at Bok Academy are accepted for enrollment at LWHS with the child’s ninth grade year.
Motion to approve made by Joyce Otte with a second by Terrye Howell. Motion passed unanimously.

D. FIFTH MODIFICATION TO EDWARD W. BOK ACADEMY’S CHARTER CONTRACT
Recommend approval of the Fifth Modification to the Edward W. Bok Academy Charter. This places the Accountability Plan for July 2009 – June 2012 as an addendum and revision to their charter contract. Motion to approve made by Joyce Otte with a second by Terrye Howell. Motion passed unanimously.

E. NEXT WORK SESSION AND BOARD MEETING
Superintendent Jackson informed the Trustees and staff that the January Board of Trustee Work Session and Board Meeting will be on Tuesday, January 19, 2009 at the LWCS Central Office. The Work Session will begin at 3:30 PM and the Board Meeting will begin at 5:00 PM or immediately following Work Session.

VIII. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Chairman Ullman noted that he had attended the Bok concert will be held tonight at 7:00 PM and invited all Trustees to attend. He has browsed the new LWHS web site and commended them for the new look.

Mr. Ullman informed the Trustees of the Trustee School Assignments for January through May, 2010.

Paige Turner – Polk Avenue
Cassandra Denmark – Lake Wales High School
David Ullman – Hillcrest
Terrye Howell – Bok Academy
Joyce Otte – Babson Park
Pat Cain – Lake Wales High School
Robin Gibson – Janie Howard Wilson
Laurncille Anderson – Hillcrest

Chairman Ullman requested a strategic plan update at the January 18, 2010 Board Work Session. He requested Secretary Sue Medders to email all committees chairs for goal updates.

Board of Trustees Minutes December 14, 2009

IX. TRUSTEES REPORTS

Paige Turner: Ms. Turner asked that we remember those that are suffering and remember how truly blessed we all are during this time.

Robin Gibson: Mr. Gibson complimented LWHS and the football team and staff. He noted that he heard nothing but good things about the play off games that were held at LWHS. Our team played well, clean and the team was very respectful of others.

Cassandra Denmark: Ms. Denmark noted how proud she was of LWHS and how they are preparing their students for college.

Terrye Howell: Ms. Howell noted that while her own school obligations kept her from attending a lot of the LWHS functions she too was very proud of the accomplishments of the LWHS. She had been hearing of the great improvements that were going on there and noticed that the students from her school are excited about the things that are happening and can not wait to be “Highlanders.”

Joyce Otte: Ms. Otte said how appreciative she was as not only a Trustee but as a parent on the way Mr. Jasone DeWitt handled the students during the recent police incident. She said it was a job well don.

Laurncille Anderson: Ms. Anderson noted that she had received several concerns shared with her by teachers about the changes in the employee handbook for this year, mainly as it relates to the changes in the sick/personal leave policy. Teachers did not feel like they had any input in the decision making process.

Superintendent Jackson noted that any issue in the future that pertains to employee issues will be shared with the Superintendent’s Advisory Committee. This Committee is made up of two teachers from each school and they will take the information back to share at their individual staff meetings. Hopefully this will be another way to keep teachers informed of changes.

Mr. Jackson stated that while he and his principal team create policy, which is presented to the Board for their approval, he wanted to express that the majority will drive the policy making process. Changes as they related this year were made because of budget issues and preparing for necessary budget cuts. Some of the items that helped to drive the decisions made this year were the cost of substitute teachers. He stated that he felt very firmly teachers, unless sick or because of an emergency in their personal life, should be in the classroom. He noted that while we have tried to provide training for our substitute teachers, it is not the same as having a certified teacher in that classroom every day.

Board of Trustees Minutes December 14, 2009

X. OTHER BUSINESS FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER

Superintendent Jackson informed the Trustees that several proposals for presentations have been submitted to the National Charter School Conference to be held this summer. Young Leaders, K-Support and School of the Arts have already been submitted. Mr. Jackson would like to submit one on Board Governance. Mr. Ullman will pull together some statements and send to Superintendent Jackson for inclusion in the proposal. Mr. Jackson will submit as a panel discussion.

Mr. Jackson wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year and stated he was thankful for all the LWCS does for the community of Lake Wales.

XI. ADJOURN

With there being no further business for the good of the order the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted By:

Sue C. Medders, Corporate Secretary

Board Approved: January 19, 2010