Board Members Attending: Winnie Bolinsky, Kyle Peck, Brian Rowan, Jalynn Woleslagle, and Peter Swan

Community Members Attending: Pat Zimmerman, Lynn Mona, Denise Kochersperger, Kosta Dussias, Mark Toci, Kim Rimmey, Tammy Benz, Janice Ascolese, Dot Harnett, Frank Harnett, Cindy Way, Laurel Martinez, Linda Feltman, Brent Peters, Jeanie Burns, David Burns, Jane DeSantis, Beth Linn, Mike Linn, Kathy Black, Robert Crater, Eric Silver, Laura Silver, Barb Krasuski, Webb Miller, Sandra Muthersbaugh, Lexie Goetz-Weiss, Stephan Goetz, Kathleen Weiss, Dorothy Van Vliet, Avis Kunz, Barbara Bliss, Egide N. Louis, Heidi Zimbler, Harry Zimbler, Jean Yeatman, Jim Leybourne, Geary Kochersperger, Peggy Nadenichek, Karen Greenland, Maggie Getz, Claude DePamphilis, Kathy Ann Phillips, Karen Rossman, Patti McNally, Nan Miller, Sylvester Osagie, Elizabeth Shirey, Iyun Osagie, Claudia Galindo and Mary Flemming

I. Executive Session

II. Call to Order

 At 7:14 PM Kyle called the meeting to order.

III. Opening Statement

Kyle stated that the CLC Board is a representative board. This type of board listens to input and uses this to make decisions. This meeting will begin with input from the members attending.

IV. Open Discussion

 Cindy Way began with her concern for the future of CLC and is here to support Winnie and hopefully convince her to stay. Cindy stated that she has seen wonderful things happening in our classrooms. Cindy asked that we focus on our children. Linda Feltman shared her view that sometimes the creator of a great idea needs to step back and give others a chance to make the idea work. Many parents expressed support for Winnie and CLC. They feel the CLC environment is healthier than in previous years. The parents are in agreement that our focus is our children. Kim expressed concern about professional conduct and the working environment for staff members. Avis is upset by the idea that either Mark or Winnie will leave. She is here to support justice and communication. Several parents relayed their children's wonderful experiences in Mark and Denise's classroom. Other parents also relayed great experiences and success stories in our other classrooms. Many parents were surprised by the content of the e-mails sent in the past two weeks. Kathy Black is concerned with the behaviors teachers are modeling for the students. She is also concerned with the new students who have interviewed and requested teachers for next year, when those teachers may not be returning next year. Gary Kochersperger, a specials teacher, has seen a high stress level among the teachers. Many parents expressed a desire for a peaceful resolution, with all staff members returning. Robert Crater stated that we need to think of CLC as a business, the business of education and that we need to follow certain standards. We also need to communicate and not allow emotions to be bottled up inside. Sometimes pride needs to be put aside for good decisions to be made. Brent Peters stated that all of our children are minorities, because they are different kinds of learners and that is why they are here. Many parents expressed their children's enthusiasm for CLC. Peggy Nadenichek would like to see the parents and educators work together. She is upset to see sides being taken. She wants her son and daughter to stay at CLC because it prepares students for their future education. Many parents relayed that their children's self esteem has improved since attending CLC. Many parents stated that they know that the education of their children must be tied to the Pennsylvania standards. Many parents expressed a desire for the staff to go through a mediation process. Maggie Getz, a specials teacher and a member of the after-school staff, thanked the staff for welcoming her into the CLC family. She said that the CLC name says it all &endash; that we are a community and she would like to remain a member of this community. Winnie expressed that she has read all of the e-mails that have been sent in the past few weeks. She decided not to become involved in the controversy and therefore did not respond to any of the e-mails.

V. Approval of the Minutes

Correction: II. Development Proposal - The balloon payment is due in three years, not 5 years.

Pete moved and Brian seconded to approve the April 24th, 2003 CLC Board Meeting Minutes, as amended. The motion was approved.

 

VI. CFO / Finance Committee Report

The full finance committee has not been formed, as of yet. Kosta and Pete met today and discussed next year's budget. Kosta used available information and figures to build this year's budget and project our finances for the remainder of this year. We began with a projected shortfall of $87,236 and are now looking at a small surplus of approximately $6000. Kosta also presented a preliminary, projected budget for next year based on the enrollment of 98 students. This budget includes the current staff with additional special education staff. The projected budget ends with a shortfall of $91,655. CLC currently holds two loans and two mortgages. The computer loan will be paid off in October 2003, with the second loan being paid off in September 2004. Both mortgages will need to be refinanced before 9-13-06, when balloon payments are due on each. The total of both mortgages is $925,669. Peggy asked about the feasibility of refinancing with the current low interest rates. Kosta stated that our current mortgage is at the low rate of 5.14%.

VII. Communications

Much e-mail has been shared recently. Kyle received e-mail from a person that would like to visit CLC. He has passed that e-mail on to Winnie. Avis said that she would take responsibility for making sure that any parents who are currently not receiving e-mails begin receiving e-mails. Elizabeth asked the board if there is anything else that the board would like the parents to do at this time.

VIII. Action Items

A. Professional Conduct Policy

 Kyle stated that this would be tabled at this time.

B. Staff Mediation

 Kyle suggested combining this topic with the staffing decisions. Brian shared that the teachers attended a meeting today and two topics were discussed. The first being a need for structural decisions to be made and implemented. The second being a need to communicate. The staff would like time to discuss what type of mediation would be helpful and to decide on a goal for mediation. Kosta asked, on behave of the part-time staff, what is meant by staff. Brian relayed that as teacher rep, he was relaying the decisions of the teachers. Maggie would like clarification on the role of part-time staff in being involved with decision-making. Kyle asked about a timetable for mediation and staff commitments for next school year. Several people expressed that the time for hiring new staff is now and that future staffing decisions need to be made at this time. Other parents want staff members to have time to communicate and make informed decisions about their future plans. The board would like to listen to concerns and ideas tonight, meet again in executive session, and meet with Mark in about a week and then make staffing decisions. Pete shared that the board sees the need for some type of mediation. Pete stated that forced mediation would not be successful. Jalynn shared her view of today's teacher meeting. She stated that everyone agreed that there are systemic issues. This may be due to the lack of a decision making model. There are also communication problems that need to be addressed. Donna suggested writing down our concerns and presenting them to a mediator. Jalynn expressed her concern about the staff spending valuable time in any additional meetings. Maggie offered to sub for free, so that teachers can have time to meet and asked if any parents would be willing to do the same. Kyle moved for the board to support a mediation process that is designed by the teachers, Pete seconded. Brian asked why the process would be designed solely by the teachers. Kyle referred to the inverted pyramid that has teachers as important decision makers. A parent asked about staff members who have actually resigned. Kyle said that Winnie and Donna have resigned and have expressed a desire not to be persuaded to return. Parents thanked Winnie for everything she has done and offered any time or support in the last weeks of this school year. Parents asked Mark about his intentions for next year. Mark said that if he is wanted and things change, he will return. Mark said that if anyone leaves, the problems would persist. Mark would like to meet and talk. Kyle asked Mark to meet with the board next week. Mark is upset that items are not being shared. The board has had legal counsel and reiterated that certain items cannot be discussed in public. A parent asked about the possibility of hiring a consultant. Kyle made a motion for the board to support teachers in the development of a consultation plan to address the current problems. Jalynn seconded and the motion was approved. Kyle will ask Avis to oversee this process. Brian suggested asking teachers for input on the timetable for staffing decisions.

C. Timetable for Staffing Decisions

See above.

D. Clarification of the Field Trip Policy

Brian asked that the board clarify the alert level for restricted field trips. After a brief discussion, Brian made a motion to state the levels for restricted field trips as high and severe levels. Pete seconded and the motion was approved.

IX. Information / Discussion Items

 A. Development Proposal Update

Galen, the developer, met with Winnie, Pete and Janice today. CLC's concern is the use of half of the parking lot as a drainage field. The revised plan includes changing the grade from5% to 2%. Pete is still concerned with our use of the parking lot. Peggy asked if we have contacted DPE. Pete will look into this. Pete is also concerned with the possibility of CLC having to pay for and be responsible for placing a sidewalk on our property.

B. Revised Mission Statement

Brian relayed that the staff had a successful staff meeting on a recent in-service day. Many decisions were reached at this time. The staff drafted a revised mission statement. Brian would like the community to review the revision and give feedback. Kyle asked that this become an action item at the next board meeting. Brian will send, via e-mail, the revision to our parents.

C. Student Government Update

Brian shared that some of students are working on creating a student board. This board would consist of 2 classroom representatives from each class. They would elect a president, who would represent the students at the monthly board meetings.

A parent asked where an up-to-date set of bylaws could be viewed. The original bylaws are posted on Pete's web site. Brian will make sure that any changes are added and will send this to Pete to post.

 

X. Other Business

Kyle shared the request for the possibility of adding a second parent representative to our school board. Kyle asked that the community consider this request and add it to the next board meeting.

XI. Adjournment

 At 9:47 PM, Pete moved and Brian seconded to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed.