TWIN CITIES ACADEMY
Board Meeting
Thursday, March 21, 2013
5:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order by Joel Michael at 5: 20PM.
ATTENDANCE:
Members present: Anna Schneck, Chris Rider, Christian Gould, Janelle Voxland-Flomo,
Joel Michael and Sarah Ancel.
Members not in attendance: Alex Bajwa, Jim D’Aquila Justin Larson, Sara Jennerjohn.
Others in Attendance: Principal-Betsy Lueth, Director of Operations-Andrew Minck, and
members of the TCAHS Board.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
A correction to the minutes will be to remove Joel Michael from the February 21, 2013
attendance and moved to not in attendance and a spelling correction of steakholder to
stakeholder will be made. A motion to approve the February 21, 2013 minutes as
amended was made by Anna Schneck and seconded by Christian Gould. Motion passed
unanimously.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
A motion to approve the agenda was made by Janelle Voxland-Flomo and seconded by
Chris Rider. Motion passed unanimously.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
January Report/Finance Committee
Andrew Minck reported. As of February 21, 2012, TCA has a fund balance of $886,072.
Current enrollment is 187. Budgeted enrollment of 215 will be in the preliminary budget
for next year in the middle school. This would constitute 47% of the building population.
Technology budget includes two more mobile labs and to beef up the wireless for student
and teacher access. More computers are needed for online testing and classroom
curriculum support. Andrew will be revising the budget in April. The budget will be sent
to the board in May for approval.
NEW BUSINESS:
2013-2014 Calendar
Betsy Lueth reported. Extra money will be built into the budget to compensate teachers’
early return on August 12th. Currently we have 178 student contact days. Next year we
will have 179. This year staff development included training and conference prep time on
the same days. Next year, there will be built in conference prep days. The breaks line up
with St. Paul and Minneapolis schools. We are paid on daily attendance and usually see a
drop in attendance when the off-school breaks do not coincide with the other schools’
breaks. A motion to approve the calendar was made by Anna Schneck and seconded by
Chris Rider.
Technology plan
The 2013-2015 Technology Plan Guidance information was distributed to the board. The
plan is not required but highly encouraged by the Minnesota Department of Education. A
technology plan will aid in receiving grants and searching for other technology grants.
The plan has budget implications and the finance committee will need to include the
items in the 2013-2014 budget. The goal is to have a SMARTboard in each of the
classrooms and the wireless network will be updated to service classrooms more
efficiently. Staff computers will be replaced on a four year cycle and a maintenance
agreement will be included. Discussion was made by board members. A motion to
approve the 2013-2015 submitted Technology plan as amended to take out brand names
and the template heading was made by Christian Gould and seconded by Chris Rider.
OLD BUSINESS:
UST Renewal Process Update
Andrew updated on the communications with Ms. McGraw Healy who called and
unofficially got word that UST will renew our contract for 5 years.
REPORTS:
Committee Reports:
 Strategic Process Committee
Craig Koch reported. The committee met on March 19, 2013 with the facilitators. The
meeting comprised of discussion around: federal, state and TCA history; survey data;
and visioning and questioning. Teacher and possibly student surveys will be given.
The committee would like to engage board members not on the committee to give
feedback for vision casting. The next meeting is April 17, 2013. Motion to submit the
Strategic Plan up for approval at or before the June meeting was made by Janelle
Voxland-Flomo and seconded by Chris Rider.
 Governance
Chris Rider reported. The committee met twice last month. The Principal and
Director of Operations job descriptions were worked on. Board member job
descriptions are being formed. The administration evaluation process and how it ties
in with job descriptions is being formed. Continuing discussion will be around the
Family Medical Leave Act. The next meeting will be April 2, 2013 at 5PM.
 Recruitment/Marketing
Andrew Minck reported. The Strategic Plan will drive marketing.
 Policy
John Tuttle reported. The committee discussed splitting the curriculum policy for the
middle school from the high school. NCLB language should be included.
Director of Operations
We will employ “Grab and Go” breakfast services next school year.
Principal
Daily schedule: The leadership team and department heads of content areas have been
meeting. They discussed looking at a 6 period day. This would not work well in the high
school and would complicate staffing due to shared staff. Earlier start time is being
negotiated to accommodate serving breakfast. The middle school enrichment program
may be restructured to make it more impactful and support all students.
Teachers
The Taco Dinner is tonight. Sara Jennerjohn was praised for directing the 3 performances
of Annie Jr. One of the 6th grade Math Masters team placed 3rd place in the St. Paul
competition on March 7, 2013. Ella Hulsey, 7th grade, made it to the state competition for
her history day project. The new ELL teacher started and has already been impactful.
MOTION TO ADJOURN:
A motion to adjourn was made by Christian Gould and seconded by Anna Schneck at
6:20P.M. Motion passed unanimously.