School Board Meeting Minutes: January 12, 2021 | Mountain Charter School

Mountain School Board Meeting Minutes

January 12, 2021

3:30 PM

Mountain School

311 W. Cattle Drive Trail
Flagstaff, Arizona 86005

Board Members Present: Jason Aulwes, Bryan Cooperrider, Sandra Dihlmann, Renee Fauset, Kimberly Khatibi, Katherine (Kathy) Lampros, Mark Neumayr

Board Members Absent: None

Non-Board Members Present: Gina Andress, Brett Backlund, Vanessa Fitz-Kesler, Audra Morales

Call to Order/Welcome by Renee Fauset: The Zoom meeting was called to order at 3:32 p.m.
Adoption of Agenda by Renee Fauset: Mark Neumayr made a motion to adopt the January 12 Agenda as proposed. Sandra Dihlmann seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Call to the Public by Renee Fauset: There were no members of the public in attendance.
Disclosure of Conflicts by Sandra Dihlmann: No additional disclosures or updates of conflicts to report.
Action Item: Approval of December 15, 2020 Mountain School Board Meeting Minutes by Renee Fauset: Mark Neumayr made a motion to approve the December 15 minutes. Sandra Dihlmann seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Agenda Item: Audit Report summary from school auditor, fiscal year ending June 30, 2020 by Brett Backlund, Auditor: Brett Backlund presented the Audit Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020 to the Board, noting the following:
Finances look good
Excellent job of maintaining up-to-date records of fingerprint clearances and other necessary documents.
Suggests a visit to Mountain School twice a year to work with Vanessa and Audra.
AZ State Board for Charter schools will be expanding questions on AFR in the middle of June.

Agenda Item: Review of quarterly financials by Kathy Lampros: Kathy presented a review of quarterly financials to the Board, noting the following:
Cash position is strong.
Significant changes in the per student number due to Covid.
May need to redo the Mountain School budget and resubmit to the state based on the lower numbers, but might be best to wait until March to see if students return, if the school goes back to in-person instruction.
Administration bonus was same as teacher bonus in December. Board may consider additional $500.00 for administration.

Agenda Item: COVID Update by Vanessa Fitz-Kesler:
Vaccine update—All are sold out.
Staffing and safe space update
Current reduction of enrollment due to Covid.
Ionizer installation completed over break. Will get a device to measure particulates and CO2. Probable rise in operating costs for natural gas and electricity because of more fresh air and having heat on longer. (Not reflected in the numbers.)
Might consider hiring another person to help with Safe Space.

Director’s Report by Vanessa Fitz-Kesler:
Multiage Focus Group Meeting update: Meeting with a former parent to review current and future uses of space at the school; meetings with people affected by possible changes in locations. Scheduled meeting with Ryan Smith (architect that designed south building).
Staffing changes update: Four registrar interviews last week by admin team on Zoom, one candidate highly preferred, possibilities for aides in others, bring in 1-2 for second interview/tour/, to begin early February.
School Information System (SIS): Per auditor conversation, he said the new SIS (PowerSchool) was not a capital expenditure; it can be treated like a service.
Principal evaluation will be further developed as we formalize an additional staff position.

Agenda Item: Future meeting dates: Feb 9, Mar 9, April 13, May 11 – all at 3:30 p.m.

Agenda Item: Sign vouchers by Renee Fauset, President: Vouchers will be signed by Board members, in person, electronically, or via scan.

Adjourn by Renee Fauset: Mark Neumayr made a motion to adjourn. Kim Khatibi seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 5:11 pm.

Dated: 12^thof January, 2021

MOUNTAIN SCHOOL BOARD

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Renee Fauset, President

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Sandra Dihlmann, Secretary