Enriching Community Through Montessori Excellence

OfficialBoardofDirectors

MeetingMinutes

Monday,November21,2016TheOfficialBoardMeetingofNewDiscoveriesMontessoriAcademyofHutchinson,MNwascalledtoorderat5:30p.m.onMondayNovember21,2016.ThemeetingwasheldatNewDiscoveriesMontessoriAcademy,Hutchinson,MN.

1. CallMeetingtoOrder–Themeetingwascalledtoorderat5:30p.m.

Votingmemberspresent:TonyAshwill,PeggyEnerson,TaraOberg,LisaRahkola,PatrickSelchert,AmandaSundbladParticipatingviaFaceTime:ShariColvinAbsent:JenniePirnieNon-votingmembers:DaveConrad,KirstenKinzler,ChuckHerdegenAbsent:TaraEricksonGuests:KristinaGrossinger(E2teacher)andBritneySoldner(E2teacher)

2. SpotlightReport–5thand6thgradetriptoACNW.SoldnersharedsomeoftheactivitiesstudentsparticipatedinduringtheirtriptotheAudubonCenteroftheNorthWoodsincludingfishfunction,climbingwall,birds&snakesatnight,archery,survivor,andnighthike.Manyoftheactivitieswereeffectiveteambuildingexercises.

3. Agenda–MS(Rahkola/Enerson)toapprovetheagenda,allaye;motioncarries.

4. Consentagenda–MS(Sunblad/Ashwill)toapprovetheconsentagendawithpersonnelchangesallaye;motioncarries.

a. MinutesofOctober17,2016Meetingb. MinutesofOctober31,2016SpecialMeetingc. SubmittedCommitteeReportsd. Personnelchanges–approveresignation,dismissalandnewemploymentsassubmitted.Resignation:

AndrewJohnson.Newhire:MichaelStutelberg,SpecialEducationTeachingPartner,RobinSchultz,SpecialEducationTeachingPartner,KristineMarshall,SpecialEducationTeachingPartner.

5. Financials

a. ReceivedOctober2016financialstatements–questionsansweredinfinancecommitteereportb. MS(Enerson/Sunblad)toapproveOctober2016expendituresandreceiptsreport–noadditional

questions–rollcallvoteunanimous;motioncarries.c. UpdateonFY16audit.Draftformisavailable,cleanauditwithnosurprises.

6. Reports

a. Executive&AssociateDirectors–seeattachedreportsforcompletedetails.i. EnvironmentalEducationUpdate–RahkolaattendedonedayoftheACNWleadershipretreat.ii. AcademicTestingandAchievementUpdate–willbeginOLPAtesting.iii. EnrollmentUpdateinreportiv. ActivitiesandHappeningsrelatedtotheschool,staff,students,families,communityv. LeadershipRetreatatACNW–Conrad,Kinzler,ObergandRahkolaeachattendedonedayofthe

ACNWLeadershipRetreat.ChallengesforNDMAboardincluded,“whataneffectiveboardlookslike”and“Howdoeseachpersoncontributetotheschool’sstrategicplan?–everyoneintheorganizationneedstocontribute.”

1000FifthAvenueSE,Hutchinson,Minnesota55350320.234.6362(w)320.234.6300(f)www.newdiscoveries.org

1000FifthAvenueSE,Hutchinson,Minnesota55350320.234.6362(w)320.234.6300(f)www.newdiscoveries.org

Enriching Community Through Montessori Excellence

vi. StrategicPlanupdate–Conradprovidedanupdateofactivitiesrelatedtothecurrentstrategicplan.Documentattached.

7. OldBusiness–none.

8. NewBusiness

a. ReviewSalaryforMaintenanceDirector.MS(Rahkola/Selchert)toapproveIncreaseincompensationfortheMaintenanceDirectorpositionfromthecurrent$45,390.00to$47,476.00.MentionedthatKinzlerworkedmanyyearswithoutanincreaseincompensation,andheputsinmanyhoursofovertimeyearround.Rollcallvoteunanimous;motioncarries.Note:KirstenKinzlerleftthemeetingpriortodiscussionandvoteonthisagendaitem.

b. ReviewSalaryforAdministrativeAssistant.MS(Selchert/Enerson)tokeeptheAdministrativeAssistantpositionatthecurrentrateof$40,800.00,andpayovertimeathourlyrateof$19.62/hourforupto4hours/week.Mentionedthatcurrentadministrativeassistantmaychoosetotakeadvantageofflexibleworkinghourstoreducepotentialovertimehoursneededtocompletejobrequirements.Needtokeepinmindthepositionversusthepersonwhenmakingchangestocompensation.Rollcallvoteunanimous;motioncarries.

9. UpcomingMeetings/Events/Announcements

a. Nextboardmeeting,December19,2016–5:30p.m.b. TechnologyCommitteeMeetingc. JointFacilitiesCommitteeMeetingd. FinanceCommitteeMeeting,December12,2016–1:00p.m.e. MarketingCommitteeMeetingf. Policy/GovernanceCommitteeMeeting,December5,2016–3:30p.m.g. DiscussionofBoardMemberSelfEvaluation–December19,2016–FollowingregularDecemberboard

meeting.

10. Adjournment6:16p.m.

Respectfullysubmitted,ShariColvin

Providing a quality, comprehensive public education within a Montessori Context

ExecutiveDirectorReportforNDMA’sBoardofDirectors–DaveConradMonday,November21,2016

1. DialogueandPlanningwithNewCentury- TaraObergandAmandaSunbladmetwithNewCenturyAcademy’sBoardofDirectorslast

weekregardingourongoingrequesttomeetwithrepresentativesoftheirBoardtodiscussthefutureofNewCenturyAcademyandthefutureofNewDiscoveriesMontessoriAcademy.DanJett–NEOAuthorizerrepresentative–waspresentatthemeeting.KathyandKevinwillbeginmeetingwithrepresentativesfromourBoard½hourpriortoourNewDiscoveries’regularBoardmeeting,beginningDecember19th.Thankyou,TaraandAmanda.

2. NewOvertimeRules- Iofferthefollowingrecommendationsforyoutoconsiderregardingcompensation

adjustmentsforthetwosalariedemployeeswhoareimpactedbythenewfederalovertimerulinggoingintoeffectDecember1st:

o IncreasecompensationfortheMaintenanceDirectorpositionfromthecurrent$45,390.00to$47,476.00(thenewthreshold);andincreasethecompensationfortheAdministrativeAssistantpositionfromthecurrent$40,800.00to$47,476.00(thenewthreshold);or

o IncreasecompensationfortheMaintenanceDirectorpositionfromthecurrent$45,390.00to$47,476.00(thenewthreshold);andkeeptheAdministrativeAssistantpositionatthecurrentrateof$40,800.00,andpayovertimeathourlyrateof$19.62/hourforupto4hours/week.

3. Enrollment today lastmonth- Preschoolage3 5 6 - Preschoolage4 16 15- Kindergarten 14 15- Gradeone 18 17- Gradetwo 26 26- Gradethree 13 13- Gradefour 38 38- Gradefive 16 15- Gradesix 18 19

164 165(pre-kthrough6th)143 143(kthrough6th)

1000 Fifth Avenue SE, Hutchinson, Minnesota 55350 320-234-6362, phone www.newdiscoveries.org 320-234-6300, fax

NDMAStrategicPlan–ProgressUpdate11/21/16 !"#$

NDMASTRATEGICPLAN–PROGRESSUPDATE11/21/16

SWOTPlacement:Weakness

SWOTStatement: Thecurrentdistributionofstudentsacrossthegradelevelsissuchthatourcurrentnumberofsectionsateachlevelwillnotaccommodatethemovementofstudentsintothenextlevels.Children’sHouseandElementaryOnearetwocriticalareastoimproveenrollment.CoreValue(s)Impacted: IntentionalInterdependenceSTRATEGYSTATEMENT: IncreaseandmaintainequitableenrollmentacrossallgradelevelsGoal#1 IncreaseChildren’sHouseandElementaryIenrollmentfor2016-17schoolyearthrough

contemporary,intentionalmarketingstrategies.• WehaveapresenceonFacebook.• OurVoluntaryPreKapplicationwasapproved,allowingfundingforourfour-year-

oldprogram.• WehavebeenapprovedforPathwaysIandPathwaysIIscholarships.

o OnestudenthasbeenapprovedforPathwaysIdollarso SixstudentshavebeenapprovedforPathwaysIIdollars

-NDMAwillincreasekindergartenenrollmentfor2016-17schoolyearfrom11students

(05/31/16)to17students(ormore)byJuly15,2016.PersonsResponsible:QCompcommitteemembers• Asof11/21/16wehave16studentsenrolledinkindergarten.

-NDMAwillgrowElementaryIfrom51studentsto81studentsbySeptember6,2016.PersonsResponsible:QCompcommitteemembers• Asof11/21/16wehave57studentsenrolledinElementaryI.

Goal#2 Pursueandimplementgradelevelexpansiontoincludegrades7and8:

-Surveyparentsof2016-175th/6thgraderstodeterminetheirinterest/commitmenttoenrollingfor7th/8thgradeopportunityatNDMAbeginningFallof2017.

PersonsResponsible:NDMAadministration• 88%offamiliesoffourthandfifthgradersindicatedviasurveyresponsesinJune

2016adesiretoenrolltheirchildreningradessevenandeightshouldwebegrantedtheprivilegetoexpandservicesthrougheighthgrade.

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NDMAStrategicPlan–ProgressUpdate11/21/16 !"#$

NDMASTRATEGICPLAN–PROGRESSUPDATE11/21/16

-Thegradelevelexpansionopportunitywillresultin24seventhgradersenrolledatNDMAforfiscalyear2018.PersonsResponsible:QCompcommitteemembers• Ourapplicationforexpansionwasdenied.

SWOTPlacement:Weakness

SWOTStatement: ThelackofMontessoricredentialsandteacherlicensureisinhibitingourabilitytoprovidethelevelofeducationalservicesthatwecan/shouldbeproviding.CoreValue(s)Impacted: MontessoriPrinciplesSTRATEGYSTATEMENT: Hireandmaintainawell-qualifiedstaffGoal#1 Adjustthesalaryscheduleupwards(May2016)tobeinlinewithDistrict423Salaryschedule.

PersonsResponsible:FinanceCommittee• Done,May2016.Allreturningteachersreceivedenhancedcompensationfor

2016-17schoolyear,basedonthenewsalaryschedule.• Allnewhireswerehiredunderthenewschedule.• Forthefirsttime,wehavealllicensedpositionsfilledwithpeoplewiththe

appropriatelicenses,withonlyoneexception.Goal#2 BrokerafoundationalMontessoritrainingprogramtobeofferedonanevery-other-year

cycle,withthefirstcourseinthecycletakingplaceSpringandSummer2017. PersonsResponsible:ExecutiveDirector

• Noprogresstodate.

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NDMAStrategicPlan–ProgressUpdate11/21/16 !"#$

NDMASTRATEGICPLAN–PROGRESSUPDATE11/21/16

SWOTPlacement:Opportunity

SWOTStatement: Developingstaffisakeycomponenttosustainingcorecompetencies,empoweringleadershipqualities,creativeuseoftechnology,andsuccessfulimplementationofMontessoriprinciples.CoreValue(s)Impacted: DynamicLeadershipSTRATEGYSTATEMENT: PlanandImplementStaffDevelopmentSessionstoFosterEffectiveandEfficientClassroomInstructionGoal#1 Approveabudgetfor2016-17thatwillsupportstaffdevelopmentforResponsiveClassroom PersonsResponsible:FinanceCommittee

• Onereturningstaffmembercompletedweek-longtrainingoverthesummer.• Twonewstaffmembersareregisteredfortraining.• Mrs.KinzlerandMr.Conradwillprovidetrainingupdateforallinstructionalstaff

Tuesday,November22nd.Goal#2 DevelopbyJuly31,2016,aprofessionaldevelopmentplanfor2016-17schoolyear

toaddressthefollowing: 1)EnvironmentalEducation 2)ResponsiveClassroom 3)MontessoriPrinciples(includingGrace&Courtesy) 4)Co-TeachingModelofInstructionDelivery.PersonsResponsible:Administration

• Seeattached

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NDMAStrategicPlan–ProgressUpdate11/21/16 !"#$

NDMASTRATEGICPLAN–PROGRESSUPDATE11/21/16

SWOTPlacement:Opportunity

SWOTStatement: Fromaqualitysense,studentacademicachievementremainsanopportunityintheSWOTanalysis.NDMAhasbeenhighlysuccessfulimprovingitsstudentachievementscores,andmustcontinuetosustainthisprogresswithprovenlearningprocesses,proactivesolutions,andcreativedecision-making.ItistheconsistencyintheapplicationoftheprocessthatwillalsoimpacttheparentstoseeNDMAasaneducationalpreferencefortheirchildren.CoreValue(s)Impacted: MeasurableAccountabilitySTRATEGYSTATEMENT: ConsistentStaffAdherencetoScopeandSequenceandContinuousImprovementofAcademicMethodologywithinConfinesoftheBudgetGoal#1 Benchmarkinstructor’sadherencetoYearLongLearningProgressionbyApril1,2017,while

workingwithinstructionalstafftomakenecessaryimprovementstothisprocess. PersonsResponsible:Administration

• TeachersarereferencingYLPduringPLCmeetingsandgradelevelplanning.Goal#2 Develop,byAugust19,2016,appropriateschoolwidestudentacademicgoalsthatare

consistentwithQ-Comp(ThepercentageofallstudentsenrolledOctober1ingradesthreethroughsixatNewDiscoveriesMontessoriAcademywhoearnanachievementlevelofMeetstheStandardsorExceedstheStandardsinReadingonallstateaccountabilitytests(MCAandMTAS)willincreasefrom58.2%in2016to68.2%in2017.)

PersonsResponsible:AdministrationandQ-CompCommitteeMembers• SeeNDMAAnnualReport

Goal#3 ComplywiththestrategytoensureGeneralFundbalanceofatleast:

BeginningFundBalance,July1,2016 $140,000 BeginningFundBalance,July1,2017 $227,500

PersonResponsible: ExecutiveDirector• BeginningFundBalance,July1,2016 $230,065

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Associate Director Kirsten K Kinzler Board Report Monday, November 21, 2016

1) Data/Assessments We will be administering the OLPA (Optional Local Purpose Assessment) to our 3rd – 6th graders. This is a practice assessment given on the computer to help students prepare for the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs).

2) Environmental Education Activities: Nature journal walks on the last lovely days of Fall and now the first days of snow!

3) Marketing/Fundraisers

Our December restaurant fundraiser will be at Unhinged Pizza on Monday, December 5th. Please mark your calendars and come to Unhinged Pizza in Glencoe!

4) ACNW Annual Report – Worlds Best Workforce Report

Thank you, NDMA Board, for meeting on Monday, October 31st to approve the Annual Report!

5) Special Ed Audit I attended a webinar training at MDE regarding our upcoming Special Education Audit to learn about the criteria

expected during this time. Paperwork has been submitted.

6) School Happenings E2’s Got Talent and Art Showcase – Monday, November 7th – Great show! Great turnout! I hope you were able to view the art on display in our hallways. It was quite impressive! Special thanks for Cyndi Ryan-Lauer, our music teacher, and Cheryl Myers, our art teacher (librarian) for sharing their time and talent with our children! Family Learning Discoveries Night – Tuesday, November 15th – Our focus was “Community”. Activities included making tie blankets for our NDMA Cares Holiday Baskets, creating decorations for local community groups to use during the holiday season (i.e. VFW Thanksgiving Meal), making people cut-outs representing our community and hanging them in our hallway. We served over 80 meals! We had 43 students and their families in attendance, as well as, 35 staff members! What an amazing community!

7) Observations As part of my principal internship, Dave has assigned (4) teacher observations for me to complete. They will be finished this week.

8) MDE Workshop Tara Erickson and I attended a webinar in Willmar (of a webinar!) provided by MDE on the Minnesota Common Core Catalog (MCCC). This is a new ‘mandatory’ data collection system that will assist in helping to track our students from one school to the next, special education evaluation, testing administrations, early childhood screening, etc.

9) ACNW Leaders Workshop Tara Oberg and I attended the annual Audubon Charter School Leaders Workshop on Saturday, November 12th. We enjoyed some good sessions, great food and excellent company!

10) Other

See Dave’s Weekly Update/Board Report for other information…