MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

A regular meeting of the Explore Knowledge Academy Charter School Board of Trustees was held on Friday, August 1^st at 4801 S. Sandhill Rd. (at Tropicana)Las Vegas, NV 89121

Mini-Retreat:  Public Meeting/Reception for "State of the School" Report

A. CALL TO ORDER:  President Lauren Scheer called the meeting to order at 4:31 pm and led the flag salute and moment of silence.

B. ORGANIZATION

1. Roll Call:  A quorum was established with six board members present: Ben Day, Ben Childs, Lauren Scheer, Camille Wilson, Deborah Jackson, Jay Rosen. Absent member: Jill Nelson. Others in attendance:  Sue Stewart, Danette Green, Abby Mattson

2. Adoption of Agenda:  Ben Day made a motion to accept the agenda as presented Camille seconded the motion. Vote: all ayes, none opposed, motion carried.

3. Approval of Minutes from June 13^th, 2008 meeting: Camille Wilson made a motion, seconded by Deborah Jackson, to approve the minutes as presented. Vote: All ayes, none opposed, motion carried.

C. REPORTS

Danette Green:     Enrollment currently at capacity at Whitney Mesa with a short waiting list and with limited space available at Sandhill & Community Lane. Postcards and back to school events are also being conducted to continue to ramp up our enrollment. Please see the attached information which outlines a campus by campus breakdown. The board had requested brocures and information available that could be used to help with public relations and enrollment for the school

Advisors: Abby Mattson presented her concept to use Wednesday afternoons to take advantage of some of the activities and events that are being held downtown. Some other advisors may be involved.

D. Public Comments on Agenda Items: None

E. Response to Public Comments: None

F. OLD BUSINESS:

Executive Director evaluation: Discussion regarding whether there is a need to formally conduct an evaluation given that Joan Sando is now retired. Motion was made to accept the Executive Director's evaluation as is by Jay Rosen and Seconded by Ben Childs.

G. NEW BUSINESS

1. Charter Development Options

            A productive Meeting with YMCA but they are in the midst of their strategic planning process. Once they have concluded their deliberations they will contact us. Ben Childs commented on the need to really pursue this option vigorously due to the high degree of congruence with the two organizations. We need to stay in contact to ensure that we are well placed for this potential partnership.

2. Fund-Raising Proposals

            Fundraising discussion held over till the next month. Donations policy needs more detail. Please forward your comments along for consideration to further develop the policy in advance of completing the draft.

3. Golf Day:

            Discussion on the status of the golf day. Information needs to go home to ensure that everyone is aware of and has the potential to participate in the tournament.

4. New Employees: Three new elementary employees. Clark interviewed these individuals with the help of his committee. Some discussion regarding their background. Discussion on how involved the board would like / should be with the vetting process. Some additional discussion regarding making a judgment on the capabilities of individuals that the board does not know. The board voted in favor of all employees with the exception on Ben Childs who abstained.

5. LL Bradford & CO:           The board approved LL Bradford & CO to serve as our auditors for 2007-08 per the information presented at the board meeting.

6. CARE Contract:  Discussion regarding the contract in comparison to other providers. The board voted unanimously to approve the CARE services contract for the 2008-09 school year.

7. Changing Board Meeting Day: General Discussion regarding meeting at an alternative time, however after some general discussion the board decided to keep meetings on a Friday.

H. Closed Session:

I. Action on Closed Session:

J. Public Comments on Non-agenda items: 

K. Response to Public Comments:

L. Announcements:  Next meeting is Sept 12^th, 2008 at 4:00 pm at Whitney Mesa

      Agenda items: Policies and protocols for donations and fund-raising, charter development options including Cultural Corridor, contract for auditor                  

Meeting adjourned at 5.45 pm.