September 12, 2016
Board Meeting Wayland Baptist Auditorium 6pm – 8pm
Called to Order at 6:12 P.M.
Board Present: Andranel Brown, Meredith Gutierrez, Whitney D’Atri, Adam Mokelke, Caroline Storm, Scott Kluever
Board Excused Absent: Sylvia Biondich, Michael Jerue (resigned), Katie Croft (resigned)
Board Unexcused Absent: Jennifer Howell, Monique Bittner
Guests Present: Joe Page, Kate McKelvey (with Northern Susitna Institute)
Whitney read the Vision Statement to keep Board Members focused and to inform visiting parents and community members
Whitney suggested we move our guests to the start of the agenda. No objections.
1. Joe Page and Kate McKelvey from Northern Susitna Institute spoke about excitement about STrEaM and potential partnerships. (cross-generational, folk school, place-based) They are here to support us as they can. They have an old church building in downtown Talkeetna and some programs that they can help us with. 25 students is very doable. They have ideas and are willing to work with us. They cannot offer floor space at this time because of insurance, but they are allowed to camp on the three acres. Rafting, camping, and more. They gifted Questing by Delia Clark to STrEaM and shared the interdisciplinary aspects of quests (map building, research, clues in verse). Opportunities for students to create some. They also shared programs for high school students. They are accredited as a supplementary high school (don’t issue diplomas) and can offer high school credit. Based on expeditionary learning. This year will be the first trip. www.NorthernSusitnaInstitute.org Betsy Smith, Executive Director, PO Box 46, Talkeetna, AK 99676, betsy@northernsusitnainstitute.org, 907.733.7111 Tia Shoemaker (Outdoor Ed) Adam asked about professional development. College credit is also available for staff. (We need to send a thank you note.)
2. The idea of a newsletter was floated again. Kluever is going to send a copy of a mock up of “Riverscapes” that he put together and needs to be updated.
3. Minutes for the previous meeting were reviewed. Caroline Storm moved to accept the minutes as presented. Scott Kluever seconded the motion, Unanimously passed.
4. Board Seats Assigned:
a. Unoccupied (concern was raised about faculty being in a voting position if there is conflict between staff/principal. Action item proposed to check with other schools. Kluever will ask Darrell for information and will report back.)
b. Unoccupied
c. Caroline Storm
d. Unoccupied
e. Unoccupied
f. Sylvia Biondich
g. Jennifer Howell
h. Meredith Gutierrez
i. Unoccupied
j. Unoccupied
k. Unoccupied
l. Unoccupied
m. Unoccupied
n. Unoccupied
o. Unoccupied
p. Scott Kluever
q. Whitney D’Atri
r. Andranel Brown
Meredith moved, Caroline seconded. Motion passed
5. Motion made to move board meeting time moved to 6:30pm-8:00pm on the second Monday of the month (with holiday exceptions). Board members are expected to arrive at 6:15 to set up. Caroline moved, Meredith seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
6. Work sessions are now the first Monday of the month. 6:30pm -8:00pm. Intention to move toward work session and meeting on same day by January.
7. Motion made to move public comment time to the beginning of the agenda. Those wishing to speak shall sign up at the start of the meeting. Each speaker is limited to 2 minutes. Total time allotted is 10 minutes. Board reserves the right to extend the allotted time via majority board vote at time. Andranel moved, Kluever seconded. Motion passed unanimously
8. Principal report
a. Event and Celebration: Last week we had our first TREK to Arctic Valley. (Kluever will share TREK documents with Adam). Huge success. All but one student was present. Six parent volunteers present. Teachers team taught intensives re: Arctic Valley. Students prepped notebooks and previewed edible plants. Students had options to choose 2 of 3 sessions at Arctic Valley. Plan is to debrief the trip the coming Thursday project time. Caroline shared her experience. She said kid reports were overall positive. Kluever made the suggestion of the history of TREKs with kid quotes.
b. Up next: Fisheries/Hatcheries. Will utilize McCormick’s connections to the fisheries to make this happen.
c. Student Enrollment: 79 students currently. We are both gaining and losing students each week. Most seem to be 8th graders who want to be with friends.
d. Staffing: Scott Perkins comes to us from Korea. Is a Social Studies teacher and PE. Is looking into wilderness studies program. We hired Gayle Boyer as a SpEd long-term sub hire.
e. Facilities: Staff all have laptops, printers are here and about to be set up, chromebooks are en route, copier and phone in place. 742-9000, 742-9001
f. Curriculum and Instruction
Staff is using time Thursday afternoons to develop projects
Next project: Fisheries
g. Budget
i. Presented proposed budget based on 80 students
ii. No vote was taken because we are unclear if this is something we should do.
h. Kluever is going to coordinate with Megan about an informal staff gathering.
9. Committee:
a. Facilities meeting later this week: Caroline, Scott Kluever, and Mokelke
b. Grants: Unheard as of yet (Whitney will contact Kate Blair)
c. Hiring: Dissolved as all hires are made
d. Outreach/Recruitment: Caroline shared insight about recruitment is use social media as much as possible. Daily, like/share as much as possible.
i. AK Media ad?
ii. Send Heidi a blurb? Re: first TREK (Adam will spearhead)
iii. Social media blurbs
iv. KTUU – Adam will reach out for a story
v. Charles Wohlforth – still wanting a personable story (Caroline will spearhead and connect to Adam who will reach out to a board member).
10. Meeting Adjourned at 8:06
Work Session October 3, 6:30-8:00 at Aviator (Meredith and/or Sylvia will confirm with Del)