Mare Island Technology Academy
Board of Directors Meeting
September 9, 2014
Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting of the Mare Island Technology Academy Board of Directors was held on Tuesday, September
9, 2014, and was called to order by Board President, Bonnie Katz, at 4:34 p.m.
ROLL CALL AND ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM
Members present: Jaime Guzman, Bonnie Katz, Debbie Lamb, Reniel del Rosario, James Shorter, Andrea
Wynn-Walker
Members absent: Cheri Summers, Lynne Vaughan, Gary Williams
Others present: Anne Clark, Alex Insaurralde, Matt Smith
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
The Mare Island Technology Academy Board of Directors recessed this meeting at 4:35 p.m. to convene
in Closed Session.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION – Announcements from Closed Session
The Mare Island Technology Academy Board of Directors reconvened in Open Session at 5:42 p.m. There
were no announcements from Closed Session.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Matt Smith led the Board of Directors in the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
On motion of Debbie Lamb, seconded by Jaime Guzman, the Board of Directors approved the agenda (as
amended). The Board voted unanimously in favor.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
There were no corrections to the Board Meeting minutes dated August 7, 2014 and August 21, 2014.
On motion of Debbie Lamb, seconded by Andrea Wynn-Walker, the Board of Directors approved the Board
Meeting minutes dated August 7, 2014 and August 21, 2014. The Board voted unanimously in favor.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
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ACTION ITEMS
a) Approval of Revised Graduation Ceremony Policy for Non-Graduates:
Mr. Smith asked the Board for approval of a revised graduation ceremony policy for students that do not
fulfill their requirements in time for graduation. The proposal was brought to the Curriculum Committee
to have two graduation ceremonies. The first graduation will take place Thursday, June 11, 2015 for
students that have passed all the requirements for graduation. The second graduation will take place
Thursday, July 23, 2015 for students to participate in a ceremony to walk and receive their diploma after
the requirements have been met.
On motion of James Shorter, seconded by Jaime Guzman, the Board of Directors approved the action item.
The Board voted unanimously in favor.
b) Approval of 2014-15 Fundraising structure:
Mr. Smith asked the Board for approval of the school-wide fundraising structure to support the 8th grade
trip to Great America and Destination DC for seniors. The plan is for each grade level to raise money for
themselves by doing a variety of fundraising activities for a trip to Great America at the end of 8 th grade
and a trip to DC, which will take place their senior year. The fundraising proceeds for each grade level will
be divided as follows—85% for their respective senior trip and 15% to the DC fund. Ultimately having
enough funds raised when students reach their senior year to go to DC. The eScrip will be divided and
distributed among all grade levels to support Destination DC, and Recycling will now belong to the seniors.
On motion of Debbie Lamb, seconded by Jaime Guzman, the Board approved the action item. The Board
voted unanimously in favor.
c) Approval of revised 2014-15 staff calendar:
Mr. Smith asked the Board for approval of the revised 2014-2015 staff calendar. The only change is to
move the staff-release day (non-workday) from March 27th to April 10th.
On motion of James Shorter, seconded by Debbie Lamb, the Board of Directors approved the action item.
The Board voted unanimously in favor.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
None
CONSENT ITEMS
a) July 2014 Check Register
b) July 2014 Checks over $5,000
c) Budget to Actuals June 2014-15 July 2014
d) Draft Budget to Actuals 2013-14 for Second Interim June
The Fiscal Committee met and recommended approval of Consent Items
a, b, c, and d.
On motion of James Shorter, seconded by Debbie Lamb, the Board of Directors approved Consent Items a,
b, c, and d. The Board voted unanimously in favor.
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REPORTS
a) Director – Matt Smith
The preliminary results are in from the parent surveys that were given during back-to-school night. This
survey served as part of category four of MIT’s strategic plan. One of the goals at MIT Academy is to
improve parent community relations, and as part of that goal, MIT stakeholders annually take a satisfaction
survey. To meet this goal we need to see 90% satisfaction in the area of Parent Support, 90% satisfaction
in the area of Cultural Sensitivity, and 90% in parent support as it relates to Communication. The overall
returns were very strong and positive from both our English and Spanish-speaking parents. The results will
be presented to the Strategic Planning Committee in January.
b) Enrollment Attendance Report – Matt Smith
The enrollment attendance rate for the month of August at MIT Academy is great—98% at the middle
school and 97% at the high school. We currently have 434 middle school students; last year we had 444.
At the high school our numbers increased by nine from last year to 385 students. We do have a small 6th
grade class with 126 students. That is due largely to accommodate our numbers in 7th and 8th grade since
those classes have increased. We have maintained our number from last year, the total number of students
is 819.
c) Discipline Report – Matt Smith
For the month of August, there were no suspensions or in-house suspensions at the high school level. There
were three in-house suspensions at the middle school level for malicious rough housing/confrontations.
There was a reduction in referrals for the month of August. Last August we had 410, and this year we
dropped to 229. Debbie Lamb would like to view and discuss the dress code data at the next VOORP
meeting.
d) Chief Academic Officer – Alex Insaurralde
Mr. Insaurralde reported on the new interventions for the year. The new Academic Intervention Specialist
(AIS) is monitoring students who are not doing well and who are identified as part of Grad Lab. Our AIS
is overlooking the structures at MIT and refining them. We are very confident that she will prevent students
from “falling through the cracks” academically. Secondly, we are moving forward with tutoring. We have
a tutoring center, and we hired two tutors to help with math. We will also hire additional tutors to help
during the school day, which will include running a math workshop, supporting READ 180, and assisting
with Grad Lab, which focuses on high school students who are behind on credits. Those high school
students will be placed in a class that will be facilitated by the AIS. During that class, students will make
up their credits. Our new Psychologist, Dr. Mackenzie, will also work closely with students and parents.
e) Director of Operations – Anne Clark
No report.
f) PTN – Matt Smith
PTN Committee met and decided to establish the budget for the year. They are maintaining the same award
program for the end of the year for recognizing the valedictorian, best citizen, and the student with the most
community-service hours, best mentor, and scholar-athlete —5 categories. Each student earns $100.00
honorarium. They also budgeted for buses to take the seniors to the airport and buses for 8th graders to
Great America. They decided that they would have the golden dress pass raffle within the next two weeks.
Tanya Hall resigned as president and is being replaced by Lauri Bagos.
g) MITATAE – Ryan Cole
Mr. Cole stated that we started the year pretty well with several new teachers. The administration stepped
in and assisted with follow-up trainings after the orientations. There is a need for staff training in CPR.
They should have sunshine contract openers by the next Board Meeting.
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h) Student Representative – Reniel del Rosario
Reniel del Rosario began with some student concerns. The students are wondering when the student store
is going to be opened. Mr. Smith mentioned that the student store needed electrical at a cost of
approximately $4,000 and will be opened shortly. Another concern is that students have not received their
student planners. Mr. Smith indicated that the planners have been re-vamped and has been updating the
dress-code policy. Planners are coming. Reniel Rosario shared that during their student government
meeting one of the main topics was MIT wear. It promotes positive school culture, but they can only wear
it once a month. They feel that they should be able to wear it to school more frequently. Mr. Smith indicated
that he would bring the issue of MIT wear at VOORP. The student store manager shared with Reniel
Rosario that she is receiving a $400/week average. They expect approximately $1400 from Center Plate.
As of September 2nd, the seniors have $12,513 in the fund. Ms. Clark revised the amount as of September
8th to $13,959. With $2,715 in the DC fund, Mr. Smith estimated the total to almost $17,000 and that they
are off to a good start
i) VCUSD Representative – Cheri Summers
No Report
COMMITTEE REPORTS
a) Curriculum – Matt Smith
No Report
b) Executive – Lynne Vaughan
No Report
c) Facilities – Matt Smith
No Report
d) Fiscal – Bonnie Katz
The Fiscal Committee met before the Board Meeting and gave their recommendations.
e) Volunteer Oversight/Outreach/Recruitment/Public Relations (VOORP) – Debbie Lamb
Ms. Lamb talked about public relations (PR) and being seen in the community. We need the Board to be
out there with our badges so the community can ask us questions. We should have a board photo. Ms.
Lamb suggested that we have a “Meet your Board” in MIT’s Newsletter. Ms. Lamb indicated that the
public does not know who to go to with questions. With regards to the dress code, we agreed that knit caps
would be permitted in solid colors, except for red or blue.
f) Ad Hoc Board Recruitment – Lynne Vaughan
No Report
g) Personnel Overview Committee Report – Bonnie Katz
No Report
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COMMUNICATIONS
Mr. Smith thanked Jaime Guzman for his work in the Ice Cream Social and praised his daughter as being
a pretty generous ice-cream scooper.
ANNOUCEMENTS
None.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
It was decided that the Board will have a sunshine proposal prior to next Board Meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
The regular meeting of the Mare Island Technology Academy Board of Directors was adjourned at 7:16
p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gracie Terrazas, Recording Secretary
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