Michigan Virtual Charter Academy Minutes of March 27, 2013 5:00 PM 150 Old Woodward Ave, Suite 200 Birmingham, Michigan, 48009 The meeting of the Michigan Virtual Charter Academy Board of Directors was called to order at 5: 00 PM by President Julius Bender. Member Present: Julius Bender, Jr., Marva Foster, SaKeenha Odum-Hester, Tarolyn Buckles, Neal Wallace, Karen Daschke. Staff Present Regina Krotzer, Zach Wasilew, Tony Verrocchio and Julia Doutendyk Absents: Mary Tolle excused absence Approval of Agenda Motion by Director Foster to approve Agenda. The Motion was second. Motioned unanimous approved Approval of Minutes Motioned by Director Foster to approve Minutes of the February 27, 2013 MVCA Board Meeting. The Motioned was seconded. Minutes were approved. Public Comments: No Public Comments of Agenda items Consent Agenda: Motioned by Director Wallace to approve Consent Agenda. The motioned was seconded. Consent Agenda was approved.
Budget Amendment: Staff presented the Current year budget amendment with the Budget adjustments with a revised Budget Report included in the Board Packet. Director Julius Bender asked if the revised Budget includes the cost for the Board Members to attend the National Charter Schools Conference. Regina Krozer reported with Budget amendments there will be a net increase in fund balance of about eleven percent Motioned by Director Buckles to approve the report. The motioned was seconded. The revised Budget was approved. Discussion on the process for the State Financing Authority President Bender reminded the Board of the approval at the February Board Meeting to discontinue the practice of K12 carrying the accounts payables of MVCA over an extended period. This means that MVCA would have to make loan request from the Michigan Financing Authority. Clark Hill Attorney Jim Crowley who specializes in this area was present to explain the process for submitting the application to secure financing (if Necessary) from the Michigan Financing Authority. Jim emphasized the importance of being timely and meeting the application deadline. He stated the Authority will provide loan support based upon a percentage of student enrollment. The Board discussed the importance and need for the MVCA Accountant to make the necessary adjustments to ensure that the cash flow needs are met during cash flow down period. Resolution for Application to the State Treasury, Michigan Financing Authority The Board discussed the need to approve a Resolution to submit an application to the Michigan Financing Authority. Motion by Director Buckles. The Motioned was seconded by Marva Foster. Motioned to submit Application was unanimously approved. National Alliance of Charter Schools Conference The Board discussed attending the National Alliance of Charter Schools Conference. Board President Julius Bender expressed that the Board made a decision two years ago to attend this conference annually because it provided
attendees with knowelegable and insightful information on the Charter Schools movement, information on the growth and development of Charter Schools that would be beneficial to the Board in the growth of MVCA. Director Bender stated that Board Members were always reimbursed for the expense of attending the Conference Director Foster motioned that the Board approve the expense for members to attend the National Charter Schools Conference. Director Odom- Hester seconded. The motioned was approved. Policy Governance Update Board Director Foster provided an update on the Board Calendar and stated she provided a copy to the Head of Schools Stephanie Hargens for review and modification if necessary and to include any other requirements information. A copy of the draft Calendar was distributed to Board Members. MVCA Academic Report Stephanie Hargens and Staff provided a detail report on the academic progress of MVCA students. The report details the student performance and the plan and strategy for continued and improved academic performance. Board members engaged in extensive discussion and questions and expressed support of the plan for continued student growth. Stephanie Hargens also provided a report on the School Wide Title One Report. MVCA Detroit Center Zach Wasilow of the K12 Real Estate staff updated the Board on the progress of the Detroit Center. Zach reported that progress is moving forward, the lease is being prepared and renovations is moving forward and is on scheduled to be completed as scheduled. Director Buckles requested a complete timeline for the renovations; Director Bender asked who is the directly responsible for making sure the renovations are completed on time to meet the school year opening.
MVCA Board Attendance Policy Discussion was tabled until next meeting MVCA Board Weapons Policy Discussion was tabled until next meeting Marketing Strategy Stephanie Hargens along with the K12 Marketing Staff made a presentation on the strategy to increase the student population. Stephanie presented Tony Veroochio to provide the detail graph and explain the student population growth and how it would be achieved. Tony also stated that they are in the process of hiring a local Marketing Director to direct the marketing activity. Tony stressed that various markets in various communities will be identified to make advertising purchases to increase MVCA exposure. Status of Head of School Search Stephanie Hargens reported that the they have a finalist in the appointment for a new Head of School search. However, the name will not be revealed until an offer is made and an announcement by K12. MVCA Board Workshop Board President, Julius Bender opened the discussion on the desired date for the Workshop which will be held in Grand Rapids. It was revealed that the date that most convenient due to the availability of the Policy Governance Consultant would be the weekend of May 3 & 4, 2013. Motioned by Tarolyn Buckles and second by Marva Foster that the workshop be held in Grand Rapids on May 3 & 4, 2013. Motioned approved. April Board Meeting
President Bender announced that the April Board Meeting will be held as scheduled New Business There was no new business discussed Public Comments There were no public Comments Adjournment President Julius Bender Adjourned the Meeting 6: 52 PM Minutes available at the Michigan Virtual Charter Academy, 678 Front Street NW, Suite 190, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504 and on the Michigan Virtual Charter Academy Website at: WWW: K12/MVCA