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, May 16th, 2008 at 1711 Whitney Mesa Dr., Ste # 140, Henderson, NV 89014.

Mini-Retreat: Conference call to Sean McManus.

A. Call to Order: President Lauren Scheer called the meeting to order at 4:47 pm and led the flag salute and moment of silence.

B. Organization

1. Roll Call: A quorum was established with five board members present: Ben Day, Ben Childs, Lauren Scheer, Camille Wilson and Jay Rosen. Dee Anna Carey arrived at 5:00pm. Absent member: Jill Nelson. Others in attendance: Joan Sando, Constance Ewing, Sue Stewart, Clark Price, Jean Fetty, Jim Blandford from Wachovia Securities, and Mike Jerman and partner from USCharter Development.

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

3. Approval of Minutes from April 11, 2008 meeting: Jay made a motion, seconded by Camille, to approve the
minutes as presented. Vote: All ayes, none opposed, motion carried.

President Lauren moved Item #1 of New Business to be presented before reports.
Wachovia Securities Proposal:

Joan introduced Jim Blandford from Wachovia Securities and stated that the administration had met with him twice to analyze prospects for financing EKA’s building projects through bonds. Mr. Blandford described how Wachovia helps charter schools and presented an analysis of EKA’s potential based on our current enrollment and past financials. He explained the process and timeline of obtaining the funding. After questions, President Lauren appointed a facilities committee to prepare a recommendation for the next board meeting. The committee includes Joan Sando, Jay Rosen, Sue Stewart, and Ben Childs.

C. Reports

USCharterSchool Development Presentation:

Joan introduced Mike Jerman, who provided an overview of their company and introduced his partner to explain 10 charter school projects they have done in Utah. The facilities committee will consider this option, as well.
Administrators:

• Joan and Connie announced the EKA Awards from the Governor’s Summit on Charter Schools.
• Joan presented an enrollment report prepared by Danette Green, showing 84% of current students have indicated they will return in the fall and we still have room for 96 more students toward our goal of 572. Secondary has room for 14 more students, C.L. has room for 40 students in grades 1-2, and Sandhill has room for 42 students in grades 3-6. Kindergarten is full and has a waiting list of ten.
• Connie reported on secondary events, including NHSPE and visitors from Japan.
• Clark reported on the orientation meetings that draw 10-20 new people each week. A Saturday Orientation is scheduled for May 31st.

PTSA: Jean Fetty reported that our new PTSA was chartered on May 1st with the National PTA, so we are now official with a new bank account, officers, etc. She reported that the Spring Carnival was
an astounding success, thanks to cooperation from parents, staff, and students. She read a treasurers report that showed the net income at over $6000 and a profit of approximately $4000. Congratulations from the EKA Board of Trustees!

Board Members:

Camille suggested asking Cox Communications to partner with students on projects.

D. Public Comments on Agenda Items: None

E. Response to Public Comments: None

F. Old Business:

1. Sandhill Lease Modification: Ben Day made a motion to approve the lease modification as presented by Community Lutheran Church and reviewed by CCSD. Dee Anna seconded the motion. Vote: All ayes, none opposed, motion carried.

2. Approval of new employees: Joan presented three prospective employees, including a counselor, an elementary teacher, and a secondary teacher, with the condition that they have valid licenses, fingerprint clearance, and evidence of TB clearance. Camille made a motion to approve hiring all three, and Ben Day seconded the motion. Vote: all ayes, none opposed, notion carried.

Joan presented a recommendation from the Interview Team to hire Sean McManus as Executive Director. Ben Childs made a motion to approve the recommendation, Jay seconded the motion, Vote: all ayes, none opposed, motion carried.

3. Charter School Association of Nevada (CSAN)

Joan reported that she signed EKA up as a charter member of the new organization. Ben Childs stated that there will be individual memberships as well as school or institutional and he recommends we all become members, as he feels it will be beneficial to charter schools.

4. Quarterly Financials: Susan Stewart presented the highlights of the financials. Camille made a motion to file them as presented. Ben Childs seconded the motion. Vote: all ayes, none opposed, motion carried.

G. New Business

1. Wachovia presentation (See above.)

2. New Board Members

Joan reported that none of the applicants met the qualifications of teaching licenses, so no election was held. Therefore, according to the by-laws, we need to recruit applicants for the board to interview and appoint. Ben Childs made a motion to appoint Camille to a second term. Jay seconded the motion, Vote: all ayes, none opposed, motion carried. The other two terms need to be filled by new candidates as Ben Day and Dee Anna have served two consecutive terms and are not eligible for another year. Lauren asked that it be put on the June agenda.

3. Transition Committee and Calendar: President Lauren requested that the Interview Team act as a transition team for the change of Executive Directors. This includes three board members (Lauren, Ben Day, and Camille) and Community Council. She asked Joan to prepare a detailed annual calendar of due dates for reports, leases, insurance, Crisis Response Plan, Tech Plan, School Improvement Plan, etc.

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 June 13th, 4:45PM at Whitney Mesa

Meeting adjourned at 7:31 pm.