Dugsi Academy Charter School

School Board Meeting

Wednesday, December 29, 2009

Minutes 

Board Members: All Present: Kim Deprenger, Saeed Fahia, Shukri Hassan, Christian Hicks and Faduma Shurie. 

Ex-officio: Chanda Baker, Abdulkadir Osman, Virginia Heesch and Pam Young. 

1. Saeed called the meeting to order at 9:15.

1. Limit of the time of Board meeting was brought up by Kimi. Osman explained to her that this has already been discussed with the Board following Roberts Rules of Order. The audit was added to number 8 on the agenda. Christian made a motion to approve the Agenda; Saeed second; no discussion; motion carries.

1. Kimi made a motion to approve the Minutes for November 12, 2009; Christian second; no discussion; motion carries.

1. Community Comments: Pohlad Foundation has donated a percentage of profit from items to go to Somalia families in need for three months that are sold at the store called “Twice the Gift.” They are located in the IDS Center in Minneapolis. East African Women’s Center, which is affiliated with the Confederation of Somali Community of Minnesota (CSCM), is one of the organizations that have been selling various craft items, such as, aprons, purses and bags at the store. The Center has received $4,000 from this program.

1. School Financial Updates – Abdulkadir Osman

Christian handed over the explanation of finances to Osman. Osman explained that the school is showing a deficit. This is due to no lease aid or Title money received this year from MDE. Christian asked what this means. Osman explained the financial situation is to the point of were we may need to ask M & I Bank for our line of credit. The Board has already previously approved a credit line up to $100,000.

Free and Reduced Lunch Forms did not get in correctly and the school has lost money for September, October and November due to a school error of reporting. For December we should not lose money but forms have not been submitted to MDE for meal reimbursement.

Dugsi needs additional band width to speed up our new laptop computers; hardware will cost $7,000 which is not covered under the Microsoft Grant money.

Administration asked to approve $7,000 for hardware coming out of General Revenue; Board decided to wait for the approval until next Board meeting to see if the money can be found elsewhere.

Shukri made a motion to approve the Financial Report; Faduma second; no discussion; motion carries. 

1. Christian made a motion to approve the following changes: Article VI; Section 1; The Board shall be composed of at least one teacher representatives, one parent representative and one community representative as stated by Chapter 317A. Article VI; Section 3. Directors shall be elected for a term of three year or two year (3 year or 2 year) terms. Article VI; Section 7; It shall be held for the purpose of the fiscal budget for year end and following fiscal year; and the consideration of any other business that may be properly brought before it. Article VII; Section 8; The Authorizer, Executive Director, Assistant Director and Chief Financial Officer will act as ex-officio’s of the Board, consistent with Chapter 317A. Saeed second; motion carries.

1. Executive Director Evaluation/Board Evaluation; The board will evaluate the Executive Director in May as stated in Board policy criteria of assessment to be evaluated was discussed. The Board will individually provide their evaluation to Board Chair, with this input, Board Chair will complete an overall evaluation. Executive Director and Board Chair will meet to discuss Executive Directors evaluation. The format of this evaluation is placed as an Appendices in Board Policy 304 DIRECTOR CONTRACT, DUTIES AND EVALUATION.

1. Director and Assistant Director’s reports to address:
   • Enrollment to Date: 261
   • Updated 2009 legislation; Board members need to be trained within 6 months of taking office. All board members have now done so. Fadumo, Christian and Kimi have gone to a training December 8 and 9. These three were the newest and only untrained Board members to date. Sponsor name has been changed to Authorizer and carriers more duties of over site and involvement of schools. Executive Director and Assistant Director are to be considered ex-officio and that carries the respect of an ex-officio. Dugsi has always followed this policy. Discussion of Special Education Program changes were discussed; ie. the day suspension meeting does not require parent participation, but is strongly suggested to involve parent. Changes of the involvement of a Founder within the employment of the school were also mentioned.

1. Board Membership; Is now in compliance with By-Laws. Kimi has a parent who maybe a possible candidate for the Board, Board encouraged her to speak with parent. Osman also suggested a possible person within the community.

1. Audit has not been complete as to date. Possible electronic version maybe submitted to Board prior to year-end for Board approval. Please check your emails for this throughout the next couple of days.

1. Approval of Abigail Hendricks asked for 40 hours of unpaid come out of her pay check in four different payrolls; electronically approved. Kimi, Christian, Fadumo approved. Motion carried.

1. Christian motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:10 a.m.; Shurie seconded; motion approved.