Jul 16th, 2012

Board of Trustees Work Session (Minutes)

Monday, May 21, 2012

Edward W. Bok Academy

3:30 PM

Trustees in attendance: Cassandra Denmark, Candice McKeon, Terry Fasel, Keith Wadsworth, Danny Gill

Trustee not present: Pat Cain, Betty Wojcik

Staff: Superintendent Jesse Jackson, Frances McMichael, Brian Fisher, Paula Alford, Anuj Saran, Keith Henson, Steven Whitaker, Barbara Jones, Chris Reams, Donna Dunson, Damien Moses, Metta O’Bryant, Jennifer Barrow

Others: Phil Attinger, News Chief; Mary Cannaday, Lake Wales News

I.    CALL TO ORDER                                                    Jesse Jackson, Superintendent

Superintendent Jesse Jackson called the May 21, 2012 Board of Trustees Work Session to order at approximately 3:49p.m. at the Edward W. Bok Academy Cafeteria.

II. FINANCIAL REPORT                                                                 Brian Fisher, CFO

A.     Monthly Financials

Chief Financial Officer Brian Fisher gave the monthly financial report.  He noted that in the General Fund Statement of Operations we had some charge backs in Transportation and our Property & Casualty insurance.

Bok revenue stands out – appears that Bok has more students classified under the wrong ESE classification on the monthly revenue calculation.  This correction will be adjusted with May payment.

The General Fund – Subsidiary Schedule of Miscellaneous Revenues – Fund 490:

K-Support will come sometime in May and this area will go into the green.  About $240,000 will go back into the General Fund.  We had additional expenditures – Foundation Expenses – Bok & LWHS will be reimbursed.

Expenditures are catching up.  Everything is tracking according to the budget.

Food Service – Fund 410: Food Service – Breakfast reimbursement – possible gain in April.  National School Lunch Program – severe need.  Ken advised all schools qualify – 2 to 3 years prior data is what this is based on.  USDA used data from this year.  $50,000 – $60,000 given. Trustee Ullman asked about the Capital Outlay fund not recurring.

B.     Personnel Changes

Were presented as recommended by the Finance Committee.

IV. ATTORNEY’S REPORT Robin Gibson

The Homeless Policy was visited.  Robin advised we were a community system and not a district.  We could end up being stuck with the transportation bill and we should be spreading the cost throughout the district.  Per Paula we are our own LEA and will have to provide our transportation.  Robin advised we might have to go ahead and do the Homeless Policy.  The chances of us having to transport from another district has a 1% chance of occurring.  Property Manual was presented.  Per Robin he needs more time to look at this manual.  Let’s table it for now until further notice.  Mr. Jackson advised all schools needed this.  Hillcrest worked on this draft.  Robin will review in detail and get back to us.  Mr. Jackson advised once Robin reviews and we receive the appropriate legal support we will then be able to move forward.

V. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT Jesse Jackson

A.  Minutes: April 16, 2012 Board of Trustees Work Session and Meeting Minutes

Superintendent Jesse Jackson presented the April 16, 2012 Board of Trustees Work Session and Board Meeting minutes for review and approval at the May 21, 2012 Board of Trustees Meeting.

B.     Principals’ Updates

Polk Avenue – Gail advised us they have implemented Super Kids this year.  They also had their Leadership Day which went very well.  All the kids had an opportunity to participate – every student shine.  Their next one is slated for October of this year.  Their music and art program played a great part in Leadership Day.  The end of the year carnival was that Friday.  Title II – Summer Fiesta – K-12 will be at Polk Avenue this summer.  Mr. Jackson commented on Leadership Day –  great implementation of Leadership Day.  Trustee Fasel commented – He was very impressed all the students participated with little or no articulation errors.

Hillcrest – Barbara Jones wanted to recognize Jennifer Simpson – our Polk County Charter School Teacher of the Year.  Spring performance included the steel drums, chorus and strings.  Super Kids will be implemented for next year.  National Honor Society – 60 members in their Elementary Honor Society.  Jennifer Simpson and Meghan Whitaker are the leaders in the Hillcrest Hawks National Honor Society.  Barbara is very proud their kids are striving to be Honor Society members.  Barbara also wanted to give special thanks to the Lake Ashton Community.  They have supported Hillcrest tremendously with materials, technology etc.   Thanks Lake Ashton for all your support!

Lake Wales High School – Donna advised the FCAT scores were 10% higher in writing.  They will be dissecting the reading scores within the next few weeks.  Mr. Kendrick had a meeting in Tampa – discussed Improving the African American Community.  This meeting was set up as a result of the shooting last month.  Ridge, Haines City and Lake Wales Leadership also had a meeting – several students had the opportunity to voice their opinions.  Donna advised we see this entire area as a community.  The goal for each school was to use the students to serve as role models in the Elementary Schools.  All students can be a voice to the city officials and in their community.  Mr. Kendrick also advised the conference was very powerful.  The Mayor, Police Chief and also football player Derrick Brooks spoke.   There will be another meeting on the 31^st to discuss alternatives for our kids.

Bok Academy – Damien Moses – Last week Thursday they had Parent Technology Night which also included the steel drum performance.  Algebra exams are all finished.  Last week Saturday the track team won 1^st place in  boys track and the girls won 2^nd place.  The mayor of Dundee invited the steel drum team to perform.  IT Kid Academy is preparing for next year and building computers is on their radar.  Mr. Jackson commented – the IT technology programs is what we can use and harness the experience of the  participants.  We will continue to promote these programs.  We want it to be where we are self sufficient and not have to pay for others to fix our computers.  We can train our young people and continue to be supportive of this program.  We can position ourselves to service our own systems and train others in advance.

Babson Park – Ken Henson advised they had a great Collier Celebration.  They are preparing for their Celebrations and Awards.  Steve, Barbara and Gail are going Collier next year.

Janie Howard Wilson – Steve Whitaker advised May 10^th was their Spring Carnival.  Their goal was to raise $2,000 for B Street and they raised $1,500.  Thursday night Mr. Borders retired after 34 years.  The Math Lab will be dedicated in her honor.  Friday they had the Business Partner Breakfast.

C. NEXT M EETING DATES

The June Board Work Session and Board Meeting will be held Thursday, June 21, 2012.  This will be our all day Retreat and then lead into our Work Session which will begin at 4:00 PM with the Board Meeting immediately following the Work Session. The June meeting date has been moved from the third Monday to Thursday, June 21 to provide a few additional days for schools and the Finance Office to prepare for our all day Board retreat. This planning retreat, Work Session and Trustee Meeting will be held at Lake Wales High School.

VI. NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT

1. SAC committees from all six LWCS schools have nominated Danny Gill for a term on the Board of Trustees. Nomination will be presented for approval at the May 21, 2012 Board of Trustees Meeting.

VII. OTHER BUSINESS FOR THE GOOD OF THE CAUSE

Mr. Jackson informed us General Counsel Robin Gibson spoke at our City Commissioner meeting – he addressed community issues.  Robin advised us he informed the Commission – Our system was designed as a community system.  We started with great city partnership.  However it is time for the city as the leading entity in this community to show more leadership.  We have exceptional educational characteristics and this is bringing folks into Lake Wales due to our school system – Lake Wales Charter Schools, Warner, Webber and Polk State.  When others move into our community the property values go up.  It’s been eight years, we have proven ourselves.  It’s time all entities work together.

VIII. ADJOURN

The meeting adjourned at 4:55pm.

Respectfully,

Marie Cherrington-Gray

Board Approved:   June 21, 2012