School Board Meeting Minutes: May 20, 2020

Mountain School Board Meeting Minutes

May 20, 2020

1:00 PM

Mountain School

Board members Present:  Jason Aulwes, Bryan Cooperrider, Sandra Dihlmann, Renee Fauset, Katherine (Kathy) Lampros, Mark Neumayr.

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

1.	Call to Order/Welcome: The meeting was called to order at 1:07 pm by Renee Fauset.
2.	Adoption of Agenda:  Kathy made a motion to adopt the May 20 agenda. Sandra                                      seconded the motion.  Approved by all Board members.
3.	Call to the Public by Renee Fauset: There were no members of the public in attendance.
4.	Disclosure of Conflicts:  No additional disclosures, or updates, of conflicts to report.
5.	Action Item:  Approval of April 16, 2020 School Board Meeting Minutes  Mark made a motion to adopt the April 16 Minutes. Sandra seconded the motion.  The motion was approved by all Board members.
6.	Agenda Item: Principal’s report End of school year summary The last day of school is May 22.  Since the closure, over 80% of students completed all assigned work. Teachers followed up with students who didn’t complete assigned work. In total, Gina considered this more than satisfactory under the circumstances.  There will be a graduation parade, with appropriate social distancing held May 20 on the school grounds.   Considerations in preparation for 2020-2021 school year Some useful tools, whether school is online, offered traditionally, or in some form of modified online, have been discovered.  A summer bridge program will be optional. There have been a number of approaches discussed as to how school will be conducted next year but guidance from the State Dept of Education is needed before anything can be finalized. Differing scheduling options have been discussed. There will be intensive sanitizing and cleaning.	Gina Andress, Principal
7.	Agenda Item: Mountain School Financials   Professional Development and 301 Merit payments Professional development plans were developed last summer and staff have been and are being reimbursed.  The total cost of this is $4,600. Prop 301 merit payments are being paid. Financials through April 30 The financial situation is in line with the budget and the school should end the year with a budget surplus. Building Projects for summer: Roof/drywall repair, Playground, Hallway Lights (2), Staff Lounge Roofing and drywall repair are ongoing from winter damage.  The scope of the playground project will be finalized as the budget for next year becomes clearer.  There may be a need to replace the DSL system to cable, if the upgraded speed isn’t sufficient; a new server will be needed next summer.  Access points need to be updated and increased in number, E-Rate will pay a portion of these IT costs. Benefit costs for FY21 Medical and dental renewal times have been coordinated so that they both occur on June 1. The cost for medical insurance went up $20 per month per person for next year.  The school currently pays 100% of the cost for insurance. The administration will explore different payment options for next year and bring to the board for action. Staffing adjustments and salary considerations Matching FUSD salaries would cost $31,000 per year. This will be monitored as the budget situation becomes clearer.  It is likely that staff will have to work more, or at least different, hours next school year, depending on COVID 19-related recommendations. The administration will develop stipend options to address the increased work situation. Preview of FY21 draft Budget, including possible financial Covid-19 implications There is a reasonable amount of cash on hand and the school is currently running a budget surplus for this year. Budget development will continue as guidance from the state is received as to how school will be conducted next year.	Vanessa Fitz-Kesler, Executive Director
8.	Agenda Item: Review recommendation from John Faccone to apply for PPP (Payroll Protection Program) Loan The administration will determine whether there is still funding in the program.  If there is, an application will be completed requesting an amount based on salaries for the next two months, and other allowed expenses, consistent with PPP guidelines.  If the loan is granted, the board will likely have to pass a motion authorizing Vanessa to sign the loan documents.	Vanessa Fitz-Kesler, Executive Director
9.	Action Item: Choose and approve a staff bonus scenario. The board and administration discussed various one-time bonus scenarios. The intent of the bonuses is to recognize the staff and administration’s extraordinary efforts in responding to, and in delivering education opportunities, during the challenging COVID 19 environment. While the board and administration believe appropriate recognition is important, they also recognize the uncertainty of the current circumstances.  After considerable review of the current budget and the school’s financial documents, it was determined that a total bonus amount of $26,100 was appropriate and consistent with the board’s financial and fiduciary responsibilities.   Jason made a motion, seconded by Sandra to approve a one-time bonus in the amount of $26,100, to be distributed as recommended by the administration and the board and in a timeframe to be determined by the administration.  The motion was approved by all board members.	Vanessa Fitz-Kesler, Executive Director
10.	Agenda Item: Sign Vouchers. Vouchers were signed.	Renee Fauset, President
11.	Agenda Item: Next meeting dates June 30 at 1:30 at Mountain School.	Renee Fauset, President
12.	Future agenda items to consider Budget and COVID 19 updates.  Discuss new board member(s)	Sandra Dihlmann, Secretary
13.	Adjourn	Renee Fauset, President
	The meeting adjourned at 3:40 pm.

Dated: ______ of May, 2020

MOUNTAIN SCHOOL BOARD

_________________________________     Renee Fauset, President

________________________________       Sandra Dihlmann, Secretary