Meeting of Tuesday June 16^th, 2009 6:30pm

Attendance: Les Stickles, Andrea Garza, George Ayoub, Lauren Adler, Mitch Englander, Wendy Kanter, Dave Weisman, Annamarie Cole, Alexis Dorny, Laura McKone and Jeff Kirchmaier.

The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm.

1. Approval of the May 28^th Board Minutes.

• Les Stickles motioned to approve the minutes.
• Jeff Kirchmaier seconded the motion.
• The motioned passed by a vote of 7-0-0.

2. Introductions of and Welcome to the New Board Members.

• Alexis Dorny and Jeff Kirchmaier briefly introduced themselves and told what grades their children were in.

3. Action Items.

A) Lunch Program Update- Dave Weisman.

• The lunch program can be up and running early in the year.

• Dave Weisman met with Nancy Weiss who is the SB school district food director.  They are very enthusiastic about having SB Charter School join the lunch program at GVJHS.

• The cost will be approximately $2.25 for the elementary school kids and approximately $3.00 for the secondary school kids.
• The biggest challenge is that the SB Charter school food service area may need some changes.
• SB Charter School will also need to purchase carts to transport the food.
• Parent volunteers will be needed only to transport and distribute the food.
• The lunch may include a fresh salad bar.
• There will also be an option for breakfast in the GVJH cafeteria before school starts.
• GVJH is still working out how our billing system will work, but SB Charter School will not have to ask for or collect money.
• Menus will be available on-line at the school district’s website.
• Dave Weisman will send out sample menus and instructions on how to start at the beginning of the school year.
• SB Charter School may enhance the meals with fresh fruit.

• The after school care room could be used to serve the food if the need arises.

• The middle school use of the cafeteria will not be changed.

B) Treasurer- Revision of Description.

• The revision is not complete and will be put on the agenda for next meeting.

C) Distribution of Remaining 2008-2009 Funds Including Bev Abrams Request for Math Software.

• Annamrie Cole outlined the board expenses and income (see attached sheet).
• The remaining balance for the year is $1940.62
• Bev Abrams requested $750 for math software for next year that will be used for grades 5-8. Les Stickles commented that he thought the math software was very useful last year.
• The Board Members discussed using the remaining money to give monetary allowances to each teacher to be used for classroom supplies next year.
• The Board Members also discussed buying a Santa Barbara Charter School sign. The Board Members felt that there was not enough information to move forward on purchasing a sign right now.
• The donation to the classrooms will be very important as next years budget will be very tight.
• Laura McKone motioned that $750 be spent on the math software for grades 5-8, and that each classroom teacher will receive $110 for supplies.
• George Ayoub seconded the motion.
• The motion passed by a vote of 10-0-0.

D) Bev Abrams Suggestion of a Caring Coordinator.

• Wendy Kanter shared Bev Abrams vision of a caring community. The coordinator would oversee a list of parents who were willing to cook a meal to support a family in need. The office would identify the need and then the group would provide the needed support.

• There was some concern that it is already hard to fill the existing board positions and groups that it may not be wise to create a new group.
• It was suggested that this could be a function of the social committee.
• There was also some concern that this function was previously performed at the class level and that may be a better place for it. If the classroom coordinator is already taking care of it the board does not want to intervene.
• Andrea Garza will put something in writing to be discussed at the next Board Meeting. Les Stickles and Wendy Kanter will help with the wording through e-mail.

4. Reflections From Outgoing Board Members.

• George Ayoub read a statement from Katie Nelson. Katie Nelson wrote about the importance of the Parent Alliance to continue to build community, and increase the identity of the school. Katie also mentioned how grateful she is for the many people who have volunteered. She discussed how valuable dialogue is to stimulating actions and yielding results. Katie Nelson suggested that we take three actions to work on at every meeting.
• George Ayoub gave his own reflections. The Parent Alliance is about having a team. A welcoming and nurturing place. Building Community remains a priority. The flea markets are a great way to build both internal and external community.

5. Goals.

• Les Stickles stated that the goal should be continuing to build community. He would like to see the general membership growing and active. Les Stickles would also like to see more of Charter School student’s art work displayed around town. Being more connected to the community will fulfill many goals.
• Alexis Dorny will try to look into opportunities around town to display SB Charter School student’s artwork.
• The Board members set three goals for the upcoming year. 1. To continue to increase community and enhance parent participation. 2. To increase the Active General Membership of the Parent Alliance. 3. To stick with the transition to class coordinators to increase school communication.
• The Board Members then discussed whether the Parent Alliance wants to come up with a system of accountability for parent participation, and what that would look like.
• There was agreement amongst the Board Members that there should be a system of accountability developed.
• Jeff Kirchmaier is familiar with how to create a Database and could facilitate the creation and use of a database to list who should be contacted for what jobs, and who has fulfilled their participation requirement and who has not yet done so.
• Other schools have forms they use to hold parents accountable. If a family is not able to participate a monetary donation can be substituted for participation. This can only be a suggestion not a requirement.
• Any form that the Parent Alliance creates for participation ought to go through the Teacher’s Council, and should come from the Teachers at the beginning of the school year.
• Dave Weisman will revise an accountability form from Peabody School. Wendy Kanter will review the draft and send a copy to all the Board Members.
• The draft accountability form will be presented as an action item at the next Board Meeting.

6. Thanks to Out-Going Board Members.

• The Board Members expressed their appreciation to George Ayoub and the other out-going Board Members.

The next meeting was set for Tuesday, August 18^th at 6:30pm.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:40pm.