School Board Meeting Minutes: March 30, 2021

Mountain School Board Meeting Minutes

March 30, 2021

4:00 PM

Mountain School

311 W. Cattle Drive Trail
Flagstaff, Arizona 86005

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

Board Members Absent:  Jason Aulwes

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

1. Call to Order/Welcome by Renee Fauset: The meeting was called to order at 4:09 p.m.
   
   
2. Action Item: Adoption of Agenda by Renee Fauset: Sandra Dihlmann made a motion to adopt the March 30 Agenda as proposed. Mark Neumayr 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 February 25, 2021 Mountain School Board Meeting Minutes by Renee Fauset: Mark Neumayr made a motion to approve the February 25^th Mountain School Board Meeting minutes. Kim Khatibi seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

• Agenda Item: Changes to Payroll, HR, and Benefits by Vanessa Fitz-Kesler: Vanessa shared information about the adoption and future implementation of PayChex in early May to facilitate employee benefits, payroll, and student attendance more efficiently. The software is intended to assist with school operations and is less expensive than the current system in place. It was noted that currently the price for the Mountain School implementation package is locked in for three years, but the contract is month to month and can be canceled at any time.

• Action Item: Authorize Executive Director to set terms of employment for new teachers by Vanessa Fitz-Kesler: Vanessa presented the need to employ at least five new experienced teachers and presented the potential need to adjust the Mountain School pay schedule for equity purposes.

Mark Neumayr made the motion to authorize the Mountain School Executive Director to negotiate compensation for hiring new teachers based on competitiveness, experience, equity, and qualifications with documentation to support the basis for the compensation package. Bryan Cooperrider seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

• Agenda Item: Multiage Restructuring Plan by Vanessa Fitz-Kesler: A small committee of stakeholders has met over the course of the year to review the viability of the multiage classroom structure and restructuring options.

• Agenda Item: Board member training update by Kathy Lampros, Kim Khatibi, and Bryan Cooperrider:

• Kathy and Kim shared information about open meeting laws, ASBA policies, how to handle Board complaints, and financing issues.

• Bryan shared information about a new superintendent evaluation tool that is being developed and the consideration of an annual Board self-evaluation.

1.  Agenda Item:  Director’s Report by Vanessa Fitz-Kesler:
2. ASBCS (AZ State Board for Charter Schools): 5-year review will be conducted on Thursday, April 1, 2021, 9:00 am
3. AZ Merit testing dates: April 6-8 (all online students have to appear in person for testing)
4. Staffing update for 2021/2022
5. School Information System (SIS) training
6. Internet update: Cable construction
7. ESSER III (CARES Act money –50,000, 175,000 through Grants Management Enrollment)
8. John Faccone: met for FY22 budget work on March 10; annual contract agreement

1. Future Agenda Items by Sandra Dihlmann:
2. Principal evaluation process
3. 20-21 Budget revision
4. Compensation and teacher equity discussions
5. Contract for executive director for next fiscal year
6. Annual strategic planning session

1. Agenda Item: Next Meeting Date by Vanessa Fitz-Kesler:
2. Next meeting is on April 18, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.

1. Action Item: Adjourn meeting by Renee Fauset: Mark Neumayr made a motion to adjourn. Kim Khatibi seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 pm.

Dated: _______________of March 2021

MOUNTAIN SCHOOL BOARD

_________________________________

Renee Fauset, President

_______________________________

Sandra Dihlmann, Secretary