NOTE: Next Thursday, May 13th, will be the regularly scheduled Monthly Board meeting.
May 4th, 2010 Board Meeting Summary
All board members were present.
Dan Hullinger asked for the addition of an agenda item: “Possible Conflict of Interest on the Board”. This was added as the first item.
AA: POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST ON THE BOARD
Ken Carroll has a business relationship with Phyllis Smith’s boyfriend. While this has been the circumstance for entire time Ken has served, it is perhaps time to address whether this truly does represent a conflict of interest and thus a liability for the board as a whole as decisions made could be construed as tainted. The issue was brought up by the Meridian School Board (our charter’s sponsoring organization) at a recent meeting.
There was much discussion among the board members of it NOT meaning ill towards Ken. Ken is honorable, talented. and means well for the school. In many cases in business world “perceptions is reality” and having 2 (potentially conflicting) interests could be a problem for the board/school. Board decided to seek legal counsel on what conflict of interest might mean in relation to non-profit corporation rules which charter schools operate under.
A. BOARD ELECTION TIMELINE PROPOSAL
Brenda Taylor presented a proposed timeline for upcoming board elections. There are presently 5 positions that will be open for election (see letter to parents from 4/23/2010 for which ones they are). Need to set dates for: nominations, applications due, when ballots will be available to public, and when voting ends. Discussion on whether it would be best to finish election process before school got out or allow parents more time to study out issues/candidates and mail ballots back later. One goal is to increase voter turnout (typically 20% or less): advertise, voter booths at the school, candidate forum to ask questions, etc. Board voted on a timeline — watch for it soon. This will either be from PTO or in Friday newsletter. Discussion on how to help transition as most of the board could be new.
B. BUDGET VALIDATION TEAM UPDATE
have formed group of 15 (parents, teachers, community members). Divided into 5 groups of 3 people. Each group has a list of topics (budget line items) to discuss and offer solutions.
C. FINANCIAL EMERGENCY RESOLUTION
As discussed April meeting, need to declare so that budget and contracts can be delayed from normal deadlines and so teacher salaries can be negotiated.
D. FINANCIAL EMERGENCY TIMELINE
May 15th — “letters of intent” given to teachers so staffing plans can begin
some public hearings will be held. dates being worked out.
June 11th — final budget to be approved by board and then contracts can be given to teachers
E. ENROLLMENT REPORT/UPDATE ON RECENT LOTTERY
Principal Smith presented the enrollment and wait list numbers. Numbers presented were from right after the April lottery. Grades K-8 are full (and have significant wait lists), 9th is mostly full.
F. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ENROLLMENT
G. CONSIDERATION of ICSN PROGRAMMATIC AUDIT
Decided that this audit program may be a good one but the timing was not right with the budget deadlines approaching.
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I don't get the conflict problem with Ken, Phyllis and her boyfriend. The conflict I'm more interested in is the one between RW Baird, Blandford,his letter pushing for deVera to be back on the board asap, and deVera's new business. He calls Equator. Wasn't it deVera who was on the board when they took out a bond at an outrageous interest rate? Where was his BIG COUNSEL then?
ReplyDeleteNow he seems to have found a fall-guy in the very competent and popular principal, Phyllis Smith. Little men and their huge little-man complexes. They make me sick.
Someone should dig into deVera's conflicts more deeply. And who is this guy who is handing out his Equator card, what is his relationship to RW Baird, Blandford, and why isn't he registered with the Sec. of State? Much skullduggery going on here. And it'll be good teachers and students who pay for it. Shame on you Joe deVera.
Wow Anonymous, you sure seem to know a lot about Joe deVera. Where are you getting your information from and how is is verified?
ReplyDeleteJoe doesn't have a business called Equator.
Let's just take a look at the facts:
$700,000 - That's the amount of budget cuts from the state over what was projected at the time the school went to bond over the past two years.
$250,000-The difference in the bond payment if the school went to bond under market conditions now verses last year.
And oh, lookee here, $1,000,000 in salaries and benefits that very competent and popular Phyllis failed to put on the bond Pro Forma.
NOW WHO SHOULD BE ASHAMED?
Priceless.
I am ashamed of those who have to say disparaging remarks about people. Small minds talk about people...I think there is enough blame to go around here, so why don't we just move forward?
ReplyDeleteLook who is calling the kettle black? What size is the mind of people who publically slanders someone's character without allowing them to respond?
ReplyDeleteAlso, given the state of the times when a lot of loans were given out hand over foot and numbers used to make loans work, let's ask Blanford for a sworn statement about his involvement/coaching of the figures provided on the performa?
Lastly...if the state is reimbursing our school $221,000 for Phyllis and Diana's admin salaries due to thier experience and degrees, and they are being paid approx 85,000 and 80,000 with the remainder being donated to teachers' salaries, whose character shines?
I was just wondering. If Phyllis Smith made an
ReplyDeleteerror of $1,000,000.00 in the budget, and the
budget was submitted to the board, why didn't the
board catch her error? Isn't it the board's job
to OVERSEE their staff, check and balance the numbers, etc???????????? Watch out for deVera the
snake.
I apologize Joe deVera. I got the name wrong.
ReplyDeleteYour business is not Equator, it's EUREKA
CONSULTING LLC. You formed that LLC in March 2009,
using a name of James L. Miles as OWNER. Miles'
address was stated as 5065 N. Camas Creek Way,
Boise,Id. 83713 But above listed as the 'true
name[s] and business address[es] of the entity or individual[s] doing business under the assumed business name' is your home address of 2569 W. Hungry Creek Dr, Meridian, Id. 83646
WHICH BALL ARE TRYING TO HIDE HERE JOE?????
I think you may have SCREWED UP BIG TIME HERE
JOE. AN HONEST MAN WOULD HAVE HIS NAME ON THE FILING DOC'T OF HIS LLC. WOULDN'T HE????????
SLITHER..........SLITHER...........SLITHER
Oh, my mistake. You formed Eureka in July 08, but
ReplyDeletethe doc't from Mar.09 almost had me stumped. Then
I ran the number from where your name should have
been and VOILA, there you are registering your LLC
in July 08. And there is your home address listed for the PRINCIPAL OFFICE. Good ol' HUNGRY CREEK.
STAY TUNED.............MORE TO COME JOE