December, 2008; Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School
Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees
Monday evening, December 22, 2008
Minutes
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. Members present: Scott Barron, Bill Bogdanovich, Bob Dwyer, Allison Graham, Barbara Haines, Marion Hobbs, Kathy McNamara, Amy Mesirow, Heidi Schmidt, Josh Stewart, Diane Titcomb. Absent: Dan Dray, Stefanie Fournier, Kathie Grenon, Bernie Lynch, Chris Wells.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the November 24th meeting were approved with the following spelling correction: Jen Hyora Williams.
Foundation Report
Audrey Miller reported on a meeting of the 12 members of the CCLCS Foundation Board. Amy Patterson provided the new members with a short history of the Foundation. The group is waiting to hear about the structural report on the Bayberry Square building. They discussed various ways of raising funds, and hope to bring on people with professional backgrounds to provide assistance.
Director's Report
Kathy reported on the status of the building following the fire in the Chinese Restaurant. The smoke damage to the building was moderate, and will be cleaned up by ServiceMaster.
To date, twenty prospective students have completed the admissions process. The tour schedule, which began on December 1st, is very full, as was the first open house. The next open house will be held on January 27th. The admissions deadline is Feb. 9th, with the lottery taking place on the 13th.
The Parent Association is planning a pancake breakfast as a community-building event. The Association has planned for the MA Aggression Reduction Center at Bridgewater State to conduct an anti-bullying seminar for students in January, with a special focus on cyber-bullying.
The Nonprofit Finance Fund gave a 3-hour report on CCLCS last Monday. They noted strong fiscal management over the past 14 years, excellent audits, our lack of debt, and a well-managed school.
In anticipation of State funding cuts, Stefanie and the Finance Committee drew out working budgets with a 5% and 10% potential cut, beginning the first of the year. Stefanie advised a freeze on all discretionary spending, beginning immediately.
Kathy is forming a committee to review the school's mission statement with all parties, and asked for 1-2 Board members to join the committee.
Site Committee
Appraisal Company of Cape Cod is conducting an appraisal of Bayberry Square. A report is expected by year end. We received a written report from Coastal Engineering. The report identified some cracking, but no sign of structural damage. Upward expansion of the building is probably not an option. The major problem identified in the report was the roof system. We are waiting for Coastal to quantify costs for the suggested repairs. An evaluation of the HVAC system was not included in the report.
Capital Planning Committee
The Committee will meet before the next Board meeting.
Faculty Report
Ms. Garran, Mr. Niles and three students presented the findings of the Cornerstone Project at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History. French students are corresponding with pen pals in Marseilles. Spanish students learned about Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations in Mexico and Spain. The student government spearheaded donations to the Cape Cod Times Needy Fund, held a holiday bake sale to benefit the 'Charter Cares' fund, and organized a holiday spirit day. Tony Williams and a parent have formed a Destination Imagination team. Seventh grade art student will create and deliver peace cranes to the residents at Pleasant Bay and the Woodlands in Brewster. Sixth grade students will bake and decorate holiday cookies with residents of the Woodlands. The Games seminar also went to the Woodlands to play cribbage with the residents. Paw Prints seminar students will be exhibiting their original prints at the Boston Animal Rescue League. Students sold their prints to raise money for the animal shelter. 'Art Spark' after school arts program students are working with Brewster artist Liz Perry and CCLCS teacher Sarah Porzig. Seventh grade science students have been working with a Van der Graff generator. Eighth grade science students grew some innovative crystal structures.
A motion was made by Scott, seconded by Barbara and approved to adjourn the meeting at 6:57.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Mesirow, Vice Chair & Clerk