Explore Knowledge Academy

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

A meeting of the Explore Knowledge Academy Charter School Board of Trustees was held on Friday, November 9, 2007, 4:30 pm at 1711 Whitney Mesa Dr., Ste # 140, Henderson, NV 89014.

A. Call to Order: President Lauren Scheer called the meeting to order at 4:40 pm and led the flag salute and silent meditation.

B. Organization

1. Roll Call: A quorum was established with five board members present: Ben Day, Camille Wilson, Jill Nelson, Lauren Scheer, and Jay Rosen. Others in attendance: Joan Sando, Constance Ewing, Clark Price, Sue Stewart, Abbe Mattson, Deni LaBree, Ben Childs, and Rod Pipkins.

2. Adoption of Agenda: Jay moved to approve the agenda with the change of moving the expulsion hearing to the top of the agenda. Camille seconded the motion. Vote: All "aye", none opposed. Motion carried.

H. Closed Session: At this time, President Lauren asked for a motion to move the Closed Session of the Expulsion Committee and the Expulsion Hearing decision to the top of the agenda. Camille moved, Jill seconded a motion to adjourn to closed session at 4:50pm.

Dee Anna Carey arrived at 5:00. She did not attend the hearing as she was not on the expulsion committee.

Action on Closed Session:

President Lauren reconvened the meeting to Open Session at 5:32pm and asked if there was any action to be taken from the closed session.

Ben Day reported that the Expulsion Committee had a recommendation to expel both students under consideration, with a limitation of ending the expulsion on January 8^th, 2008. President Lauren asked for a motion. Ben moved and Camille seconded a motion to reflect this recommendation. Vote: Ayes...Ben, Camille, Jill, Dee Ann. Abstaining: Jay and Lauren, Motion carried.

The parents of both students asked for an appeal to the full board and stated that they wanted more than 48 hours notice.

3. Approval of minutes from meeting on October 12, 2007.

Ben moved, Jay seconded a motion to accept the minutes as presented. Vote: All "aye", none opposed. Motion carried.

C. Reports/Presentations

Advisors: Abbe Mattson reported on the secondary field trip to Catalina Island, a sleeping-bag drive for homeless teens, Spirit Week, and Student Council plans to attend a meeting with Student Councils from other small schools.

P.A.S.T.E. Joan reported that the PASTE Board was meeting to approve their annual audit and would report to the Board of Trustees at the next meeting.

D. PUBLIC COMMENTS on agenda items:

E. Response to Public Comments:

F. Old Business

1. Clarification of role between PASTE and EKA: Joan reported that the administration is recommending that an MOU be developed between PASTE and the EKA Board of Trustees. Jay made a motion to request that the administration and PASTE leaders jointly develop an MOU and present a copy to the board at the next meeting. Jill seconded the motion. Vote: all ayes, none opposed, motion carried.

2. Appointment of Board Member:

Jay moved to appoint Ben Childs. Ben Day seconded the motion. Discussion centered on the need to have legal opinion on the board and Ben Childs is an attorney. Vote: All ayes, none opposed, motion carried.

3. Charter Renewal Application

Joan presented the original charter application with recommended changes. After discussion, Jay made a motion to approve the changes except the one suggesting board members be appointed instead of elected. Ben Childs seconded the motion. Vote: all ayes, none opposed, motion carried.

4. Board By-laws: Ben Childs moved and Jay seconded a motion to approve the by-laws as presented with the exception of replacing the original paragraph on annual election of members and not accepting the change to appointing the members. Vote: all ayes, none opposed, motion carried.

5. 2007 Year End Financials and Annual External Audit

Sue Stewart presented the 2007 Year End Financials and External Audit and explained them. After discussion, Ben Childs made a motion to approve them as presented. Jay seconded the motion. Vote: all ayes, none opposed, motion carried.

6. Adjusted 2008 Budget:

Sue Stewart presented the revised budget and explained the Hold Harmless amount, and the changes from the previously approved budget. After discussion, Jay moved to approve the budget, Jill seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes....Camille, Ben Day, Dee Ann, Jay, Abstain: Ben Childs, for lack of understanding of the budget.

7. First Quarter Financials: Sue presented the first quarter financials and explained them. Camille made a motion to approve them for filing and Dee Ann seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes.....Ben Day, Camille, Dee Ann, Jay. Abstain: Ben Childs.

G. New Business

1. Accreditation Process and Candidacy Visit

Joan briefly described the process and the upcoming readiness visit by Dr. Enz on December 10^th. She asked for board members who could meet with him. After discussion, a luncheon meeting was scheduled for noon with members Jill, Lauren, Camille, and Jay. Joan will be sending board members a survey that compares our school to the accreditation standards.

J. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS

K. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENT:

L. ANNOUNCEMENTS & AGENDA PLANNING:

Board Expulsion Hearing: November 30^th, 5:00pm

Next Regular Board Meeting: December 14, 4:30pm

Lauren adjourned the meeting at 7:02