SEVEN GENERATIONS CHARTER SCHOOL
BOARD OF TRUSTEES BOARD MEETING
Tuesday, May 4, 2010 Working and Business Meeting
Our board operates on a consensus basis in all matters, employing the group process methodology of Formal Consensus. We do so because we believe that equality of contribution to decisions greatly increases our ability to find the best and most creative outcomes aligned with our mission, vision and values. We also believe it imperative to engage the most committed for of democracy possible to model our core value of Mutual Respect for our students and community.
In our deliberations, we recognize and remember that all participants in the process always share responsibility for the quality of our experience. Participants place ultimate reliance on the founding ideas of our school-- its vision, mission, and values- rather than any personal agenda.
The group’s highest intention is to guide the school toward the most profound and creative realizations of those ideas.
WORKING MEETING AGENDA
Starting at 6:00PM
1.
Introduction to Meeting (structure, roles, etc.)
2.
Reading
3.
Check in
4.
7GEN Communication Study Report
5.
Finance Presentation
6.
2010-2011 Budget Review
7.
Business Meeting goes into Executive Session for administrative personnel discussion.
This discussion closed due to personnel issues.
BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA
Starting at 7:54PM
1.
Introduction to Meeting
2.
Roll call:
Present Pia Allport, Ken Burak, Ann Delazaro, Camilla Green, Dee Lewis, Lisa
Neyen, Andy Rowan, Christopher Sten
3.
Agenda Review and Reading of Mission and Values

4.
Business Meeting goes into Executive Session for administrative personnel discussion.
This discussion closed due to personnel issues.
5.
Public Comment - no public comment
6.
Swearing in of new Board Member Mike Gibson
7.
CPA Presentations - presentations form CPA firms to conduct the annual audit and the
PA reports. The four firms where:
Buckno, Lisicky & Company,
Hutchinson, Gillahan & Freeh, P.C,
Baum, Smith & Clemens, LLP
Citrin Cooperman & Company, LLP
10.
Report from Organizational Director - Phil Arnold

Enrollment is currently at 197 students: o K - 49 o 1st - 48 o 2nd - 41 o 3rd - 26 o 4th - 33

Open House was held on April 23rd - Molly facilitated the Open House and it was wellattended. We gained approximately 3-4 new 4th and 5th graders for 2010-2011.
Additional Open Houses are scheduled for May 21st and June 23rd. Inquiries still continue to roll in via email and phone calls.
8.
Approval of Minutes from April 6, 2010 meeting - Approved
9.
Fiscal Report from Charter School Choice - Tony Repice reviewed the April Financial and the 2010 budget.

Enrollment for 2010-2011 currently stands at approximately 265 out of a projected 270.

Final elements of landscaping were completed behind building, including leveling of earth in some areas, removal of dirt mounds in other areas, and the creation of a bigger berm next to the stream.

Linda Mayger, Math Specialist, has begun working on Seven Gen's first garden -- the
"Have to Have a Habitat” garden [this is associated with the $1000 grant we received].This garden is being done primarily with the 4th graders, though other grades did participate by helping to name native species that the garden should focus on attracting. Linda has met with one of our partners, Edge of the Woods Nursery, and she has been in communication with another partner, Herbein's Garden Center. Additionally,
Master Gardener, Dr. Bob Yoder, visited the school and reviewed the identified garden plot and offered helpful questions, comments and ideas. Dr. Yoder will be visiting with

the staff as a whole at a later date to help develop further gardening-as-a-part-ofeducation ideas and plans.

Molly and I reviewed architectural plans presented by Maria Diaz-Joves of a423 architecture & design. Several suggestions were made for additional changes and Ms.
Diaz-Joves will be preparing Plan A and Plan B designs. Both designs will be priced out for comparison purposes. The main priorities are increased functionality of classroom spaces and cost-effectiveness of various fit-out options. Chris Sten asked if there is a timeline for the plans. Phil said yes and at the next board meeting the plans would be presented to the board for approval.

Lisa Neyen asked if the school had the letter from Alan approving the use of the building for the Fencing classes. Phil said yes.

Lisa asked Phil if Jim Young from EA Engineering is presenting at June meeting. Phil says yes.
11.
Report from Academic Director - Molly Watson

PSSA testing is wrapping up. All major portions of the exam have been administered, with only a few make-ups to complete before we mail the final box back to the state.

Our spring book fair was held in conjunction with conferences. We raised almost $2400 that will be used to purchase books for both the library collection and the classrooms.

A draft of the Act 48 Professional Development Plan has been written and will be submitted to the state very soon. A big thank you to Linda Mayger for all the hard work and research she put into writing the draft! Once the plan is approved, Seven Gen will be able to provide Act 48, continuing ed. credits, to our teachers for in-service programs here. Andy Rowan asked if the programs are offered just to Seven Gen teachers or all teachers. Molly explained that the program is just for in house teachers.

Grace Leiberman will be visiting again during the second week of June. A schedule for her visit will be coming out soon.

The hiring process for next year is underway. We are currently reviewing resumes and interviews will begin shortly. The interview team will consist of both administrators and three teachers.
12.
Committee Reports
Fundraising - Ann

Hats off to Heather Cullin for her help with fundraising efforts.


List of business for the Food Panty discussed and the food committee is in contact with them. Phil will be kept in the loop.
 Dee’s husband is doing out-reach as well.

Jess, a new 2010 family, as also been helping with the committee.

Silent Auction in the works for March 2011.

Brick walk way was approved by Alan.

The Founder Tree also approved.

Major ideas will be presented to the committee and then assisted to the group. Ann will facilitate and Heather with be the point person.
Governance - Pia

Board Retreat suggestions were discussed. A few dates were discussed of when board members were free.

An update of the Vendor policy was presented. The committee suggested that the teachers/school submit to the Advisory Council purchases that are needed and the council will make suggestions of vendors. Ann commented that fundraising should be added to the vendor list.
Personnel - Ann

No new items to discuss, things are good.
13.
New Business a.
April 2010 bill list approved -roll call taken.
14.
Public Comments on any item relating to the school - No Public Comment
15.
Evaluation of Process
Molly - Thanks to Lisa for keeping the meeting on time.
16.
Check Out
17.
Adjournment at 9:49 pm.