FRONTIER CHARTER ACADEMY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Meeting minutes from May 30, 2023 @ 6:00 p.m.
A Regular Meeting of the Board was held at the FCA office at 10653 NE 71st St., Brooks, Oregon 97305 and via videoconference
I. PRELIMINARY
A. Call To Order and Pledge of Allegiance
The meeting was called to order by Director Winning at 6:01 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance
B. Roll Call Directors Englehart, Winning and Wolfer indicated that they were present Director Gallagher was absent.
● Travis Englehart, Secretary/Treasurer term ending June 30, 2024
● Jack Gallaher, Vice-Chair term ending June 30, 2025
● Michael Winning, Chair term ending June 30, 2026 (position extended this meeting)
● Jason Wolfer, Board Member term ending June 30, 2026
Others present: Joanne Lehman, Beau Neal, Katie Schweitzer, Todd Schweitzer, and Melissa Wolfer
C. Approval of Previous Board Minutes (Action)
Director Englehart moved and Director Wolfer seconded to approve the Frontier Charter Academy Board of Directors March 13, 2023 Meeting Minutes as presented. The motion carried 3-0 - Director Gallagher was absent.
II. COMMUNICATIONS
A. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None
No individual comment shall be for more than three (3) minutes and the total time for this purpose shall not exceed fifteen (15) minutes Board Members may respond to comments however no action can be taken The Board may give direction to staff following the comment
B. PRESENTATIONS: None
C. BOARD CHAIR DISCUSSION AND RECOGNITION
None
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D. BOARD/STAFF DISCUSSION
Reports:
1. Executive Director Todd stated that enrollment is currently at 387 students and that he is still receiving inquiries about the school. Each family that is interested receives a call from Beau or Katie.
The Frontier Day at the Zoo was a success and administrators had to scramble to accommodate all the requests to attend. The next Frontier Day will be at Happy Valley park and will be combined with a staff meeting.
Katie added that the National Honor Society students have prepared a scavenger hunt for the students that come to the park.
Todd informed the Board Members that the graduation ceremony will be on Friday, June 9th at the State Fairgrounds and that they are invited to attend the lunch at 11:30 a m and graduation at 1:00 p m There are 30 students graduating including early graduates and a couple of fifth year students
2 Financial/Business
Melissa referenced her written report which showed a decrease in the bank account balances This decrease was expected and aligned with the reduced student enrollment
Melissa reminded the Board Members of the purchasing authority that they gave last May (2022) allowing the FCA Administrative Staff and Managers to engage in purchases necessary to facilitate the day-to-day operations of the school without specific Board approval for amounts up to $30,000.
The FCA website has been updated to contain grant information as well as audits and budget documents.
Melissa informed the Board Members that the 22/23 spending is within Board approved limits overall. However, the special fund has exceeded appropriations. Since the FCA auditor’s report the school’s financial information by combining all funds, there is no procedural need to have the Board approve an increase in appropriations for special fund 200 unless they opt to do so.
Director Wolfer requested and was given clarification about the spending limit
Director Winning stated that it was good to post the grant, audit, and budget documents on the website
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3. Principal Update
Beau updated the Board Members on the evaluation process for the license staff stating that as part of the evaluation, teachers are required to do a self-evaluation and attend meetings with supervisors.
Beau also said that the second ever prom for FCA was held on May 20 with just under 40 students in attendance. The parents had the option to wait for their student at Pioneer. The National Honor Society students were heavily involved in the setup of the venue.
III. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
None
All matters listed under the consent agenda are considered by the Board to be routine and will be approved/enacted by the Board in one motion in the form listed below. Unless specifically requested by a Board member for further discussion or removed from the agenda, there will be no discussion of these items prior to the Board voting on them The Executive Director recommends approval of all consent agenda items
IV. SCHEDULED FOR ACTION
A. Personnel
None
B. Business
Action Item 2023.05.22 - 01: Extend Board Member Term
Information: Michael Winning’s term is set to expire June 2023 This motion would extend his term until 6/30/2026
Motion: Director Wolfer moved and Director Englehart seconded that the Frontier Charter Academy Board of Directors approves a three year extension of Director Winning’s term until June 30, 2026. Motion carried 3-0Director Gallagher absent.
Action Item 2023.05.22 - 02: 23/24 School Board Meeting Dates
Information: Proposed regular meeting dates: 08/14/2023, 11/27/2023, 02/26/2024, and 05/20/2024
Motion: Director Wolfer moved and Director Englehart seconded that the Frontier Charter Academy Board of Directors approves the 23/24 School Board Meeting dates as proposed. Motion carried 3-0 - Director Gallagher absent.
C. Instruction and Curriculum
Action Item 2023.05.22 - 03: Student Handbook
Information: The administrative team proposes changes to the valedictorian and salutatorian requirements, updates to staffing assignments, and staff contacts Beau clarified that criteria should be in the student handbook listing clear categories and thresholds The proposed wording is reasonable and realistic and is based off of another school’s criteria, GPA, and on-track to graduate information
Motion: Director Winning moved and Director Wolfer seconded that the Frontier Charter Academy Board of Directors approve the proposed changes to the 23/24 FCA Student Handbook as presented Motion carried 3-0Director Gallagher was absent
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V. ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR INFORMATION
1. Notable Gervais policy winter updates that applied to FCA for review
Melissa briefly reviewed the policies listed which were recently updated or adopted by the Gervais School Board. Todd also mentioned that FCA was in compliance with the policy updates on academic achievement, graduation requirements and health curriculum.
EH: Records and Data Management - updates to law and how public record requests are retained GCPA: Reduction or recall of licensed staff - employers can consider cultural or linguistic expertise and seniority and may consider merit and competence when reducing or recalling staff due to lack of funds.
IGAC: Religion and Schools - teachers can be permitted to teach religious topics and beliefs but cannot promote or inhibit. Students and staff may be excused from participation without penalty
IK: Academic Achievement and IKF: Graduation Requirements - World language definition expanded
IGAI: Human Sexuality, AIDS/HIV - requires health curriculum to include information on menstrual health
Director Winning recognized these revisions as recent updates from the Oregon legislature
2 Executive Director Evaluation review
Melissa asked the Board Members to review the Executive Director’s evaluation and submit comments to her for inclusion in this document which will be approved in August.
VI. EXECUTIVE SESSION
None scheduled
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Director Wolfer asked if the Board Members need to make a motion regarding the procurement threshold. All those present were willing to adhere to the previously adopted procedure.
Director Englehart moved and Director Wolfer seconded that the Frontier Charter Academy Board of Directors adjourn the meeting at 6:24 p.m. Motion carried 3-0 - Director Gallagher was absent.
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