Opening
Meeting called to order at 6:09 p.m. Agenda and minutes were motioned for review and approval and were board approved with the following corrections:
- It is Gary Mignano and not Eileen Devitt who is the Ambassadors rep. Spelling of Jacoby is with a y and not an s.
- Under action items it needs to be stated that the bullet points represent discussions and things that people said.
- Also need to add…if you give a 2% increase for profession staff…
- Reserve fund would go up to a million dollars every year.
- Projected budget plan
Action items
- Staff provident fund amendment
- New bank account
- Strategic plan update
Action item- Staff Provident Fund Amendments
Provident fund presentation followed the handout given to the board. Michel presented the amendments for changes to the Staff Provident Fund, which had been endorsed by the Finance Committee with the recommendation that the Board approve them.
Board Decision: The motion was made by Michel and seconded by Sonia. The 07-08 amendments to the provident fund were unanimously approved.
Action item- Opening a New Bank Account
Michel presented the proposal for the opening of a new bank account in the United States with Commerce Bank as per the outline given to the board. This would facilitate the school’s ability to make electronic payments to vendors and would simplify the procedures for payments that parents make to the school. The Finance Committee recommended that the Board approve the creation of a new account with Commerce Bank.
Board Decision: The motion was made by Michel and seconded by Sonia. The board unanimously approved opening a new bank account.
Action item - Strategic Plan (Adoption of a new Mission Statement)
Ann Walton would like feedback on how well wiki space worked. Walter handed out the proposed mission statement. Ann summarized the process on email and wikispace with various board members. There was a lengthy discussion about the wording and meaning of the proposed Mission Statement. After some discussion the Board put the following wording forward for formal adoption:
AIS/D provides a program based on American educational principles to students from an international community. We create an academic and social environment that challenges students to achieve their potential, become life-long learners and contribute to a changing global society.
Board Decision: The motion was made by Sonia and seconded by Diane to approve the mission statement as it was presented. It was approved unanimously.
Action Item - Strategic Plan (Adoption of a new Vision Statement)
There was a discussion about the proposed vision statement:
Preparing students to be stewards of a just and sustainable world
People generally liked it, but needed to think about it more. Ann proposed that the Board meet in January at a one-day workshop to hash out the vision statement as well as the principles and practices guiding the school’s actions. It was suggested by some board members that we work late at our next Monday night Board meeting and not have a one-day workshop. We will see how much work we get done on the Monday night. We need the vision, the principles and practices. Philip DeCosse requested that the administration articulate how the proposed vision statement would be operationalized in practice. The Superintendent agreed to have that information for the Board by the next meeting. The decision on the vision statement was carried forward until the next meeting, which will be the 14th of January. That meeting will be a working session to include the decision about the vision statement and the development of strategic actions to be taken by the school over the next three years.
Information items:
- Nothing to report on the superintendent’s mid-year evaluation.
- The finance report was given by Michel. Michel stated that the administration is prudently managing the school’s finances and expenditures.
- An outline of a scholarship program was presented. It was suggested that the idea be presented in the program as well as the finance committee.
- Program committee updated the Board on its meeting.
- Policy committee updated the Board on its progress towards the redrafting of the Board Policy Manual. The committee is looking for a consultant to assist in the writing of the new documents.
Meeting ended at 7:25pm |
