True North Rochester Preparatory Charter School – West Campus
Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Trustees
June 19, 2013
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Rosenberger at 12:00pm.
Roll Call
The roll call was taken and a quorum was found present.
Trustees Present:
Geoffrey Rosenberger
Joshua Phillips
Ron Zarella
Jane Glazer
Jim Ryan
Also Present:
Michael Sherry, DOO, Rochester Prep – West Campus (Observer)
David McBride, Principal, Rochester Prep Middle School (Observer)
Marya Murray Diaz, DOO, Rochester Prep Middle School (Observer)
Laura Wilkinson, Operations Fellow, Rochester Prep Middle School (Observer)
Anna Hall, COO, Uncommon Schools Rochester and Troy
Emily Volpe, Principal Fellow, Rochester Prep (Observer)
Kaitlin Driscoll, Operations Fellow, Rochester Prep (Observer)
Rebecca Comish, Special Projects Coordinator, Uncommon Schools Rochester and
Troy
Public Comment
There were no public comments.
Agenda Items:
Minutes 5.1.13
The board voted to approve the minutes from the board meeting on 5.1.13.
Motion: Jim Ryan
Second: Jane Glazer
Vote: Approved unanimously
Campus Update
Michael Sherry discussed end of year trips for West Campus. West Campus enrollment is strong and is
excited for the elementary to move in.
Alumni/High School Placement Strategic Plan
Ashley Buroff (Director of High School Placement and Alumni Services) and Dominic DiFalco (Associate
Director of High School Placement and Alumni Services) visited to share the outcomes of their objectives for
the year.
High School Placement:
Objective 1: 100% of Rochester Prep 8th grade students will be placed in high schools that have
been identified as a “Tier One” or “Tier Two” placement site per the High School Evaluation
Rubric.
Outcome: Current 8th grade students will be going to the following high schools: 70% public, 18%
private, 8% suburban, 2% charter, 2% out of state. 90% of students were placed at a Tier One or
Tier Two schools.
Objective 2: 90% of 8th grade students score “Advanced” or “Proficient” on the High School
Readiness rubric.
Outcome: Scheduling difficulties and general education needs impacted the frequency of High
School Readiness presentations. Students focused on PowerPoint, public speaking and research.
Objective 3: 75% of eligible 7th and 8th grade students will participate in the Johns Hopkins
University Center for Talented Youth talent search.
Outcome: 31% (16) of eligible students tested to determine their acceptance into the Johns Hopkins
University Center for Talented Youth program: 35% of eligible 7th graders and 26% of eligible 8th
graders
Alumni Services:
Objective 1: Rochester Prep alumni will be graded as “proficient” or “advanced” on the College
Eligibility Evaluation Rubric.
Outcome: Incomplete, suggested to extend to the fall of 2013
Objective 2: 25% attendance gains in Alumni Services events and programs
Outcome: 27% overall increase in RPAS events and programs
2013-2014 Budgets
Finance committee met with the Chief Operating Officer and all the Director of Operations to discuss the
budgets in advance of the board meeting. $14,000 per pupil cost. This cost will decrease with time.
The board voted to approve the draft budget for West Campus Elementary and Middle school.
Motion: Jim Ryan
Second: Jane Glazer
Vote: Approved unanimously
Personnel Policies
Two changes will be made. Another tier will be added to the 403b plan (less than 2 years matched at 3%, 3
years is at 4%, over 3 years is 5%). In addition, the maternity leave will be increased from six weeks paid leave
and job security to twelve weeks.
Motion: Jim Ryan
Second: Ron Zarella
Vote: Approved unanimously
2013-2014 Student and Family handbooks
Changes:
-Align definition of long school suspension between all schools and with state policy
-Small changes to complaint policy to allow flexibility of who follows up on complains
-Remove references to minutes in Executive Session from West Campus Elementary School
-Clarification of student email usage
Motion: Geoff Rosenberger
Second: Jane Glazer
Vote: Approved unanimously
Emergency conditional clearance
The board can approve employees that have not been cleared for fingerprinting. Clearance can take six to
eight weeks. This clearance will allow the COO permission to give access to new hires. The employee must
attest that they will be cleared and acknowledge they are under heightened supervision.
Motion: Jim R yan
Second: Geoff Rosenberger
Vote: Approved unanimously
2012-2013 Auditors
MMB auditors will review FY 2012-2013.
Motion: Geoff Rosenberger
Second: Jim R yan
Vote: Approved unanimously
West Campus MOU
MOU changes will reflect the addition of the Elementary school. Their cost will be 10% of a management fee
as it is a first year school.
Motion: Ron Zarella
Second: Jane Glazer
Vote: Approved unanimously
Board Terms
Jim Ryan and Geoff Rosenberger’s three year terms will come to an end unless renewed.
Motion: Ron Zarella
Second: Jane Glazer
Vote: Approved unanimously
2013-2014 Board meeting dates
September 26
November 6
January 29
April 2 (School leaders will not participate)
May 7
June 11
Motion: Ron Zarella
Second: Jane Glazer
Vote: Approved unanimously
Executive Session
The board went into executive session.
Adjournment
Mr. Rosenberger moved to adjourn the meeting at 2:00 PM. Mr. seconded the motion. The vote was
unanimous and the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for September 26, 2013.