Minutes:  Prairie Creek Community School Board Meeting Thursday, February 10, 2005 Present:    Dan Kelley, John Battiste, Michelle Martin, Brett Reese, Caroline Jones, Laura Medwetz, Nancy Dennis, Simon Tyler, Jan Rohwer (Community Council President) The PCCS Board operates by consensus. Agenda attached. December 9, 2005 minutes were approved. 1. Review and Vote On Audit The audit was distributed to board members at the December meeting for review.  Lisa Rider, representative from Larson Allen, our Auditing Firm, explained our audit in some detail, particularly focusing on the changes to the law (GASB 34) which added new requirements to school districts.  This entailed adding two more statements to the financials.  She recommended that the Board approve budget revisions throughout the year when significant modifications happened (e.g. decrease in enrollment).  She also commented on areas of weakness and what it would take to put our school in the top 25% of schools in terms of finances.  She recommended that we strive for a fund balance of 20-25% which tides schools over due to the 80/20 funding method used by the state.  The Governor’s Budget is also recommending that the weighting for students be removed, which is supposed to be offset by the dollar amount offered, so each child grades 1-5 would be 1.0 and Kindergarten would be .5   The final state budget will hopefully be in place by May. Motion to accept audit by Dan, seconded by John, all said aye. 2. Review and Approve Budget (John) John presented the budget.  PCCS will match the Northfield School District’s full day kindergarten program cost of $2340.  A lengthy discussion regarding teachers’ salaries ensued.  Due to IRS regulations, employees cannot be involved in the salary component of the budget discussions; therefore the Executive Committee met in January and recommended a 2% increase in the budget.  This does not match the rate of inflation.  The issue of teacher retention and competitive compensation appears at odds with the lean budget.  A proposal to raise our student number to 114 , offer a 3.5% raise to teachers and relook at the number of Educational Assistants in May was offered.  The Executive Committee will meet and come back with a recommendation. 3. Development Update (Brett) Brett reported on the committee’s activities.  See Attached. A significant financial gift has been received.  A public announcement of this gift will be made.  May Day was suggested as a possible venue.  An All School Reunion/Celebration of current and past students of PCCS and Castle Rock School was suggested as a potential kick off event for the Endowment Campaign.  A lot of work – perhaps possible in the fall.  It was requested that the Fundraising Letter to Alumni, Former Parents, Friends etc. include an invitation to the auction. 4. License Renewal Update (Caroline)  Self-study is almost completed. Lori Coleman is preparing the draft, which will be distributed to Steering Committee and Faculty members.  An excellent visiting team has been formed.  Visitation days are March 9 and 10. 5. Policies (Caroline and Nancy) The crisis policy model from the state was adopted with the understanding that Nancy and Caroline will work in the coming months to adapt it to PCCS. The Meal Policy was approved. Motion to accept both policies by Dan, seconded by Michelle, all said aye. 6. Director’s Report Attached. 7. Schedule for Next Strategic Planning Session – postponed. Other Business: Window replacement to begin at the end of March (during Spring Break). Flooring to be replaced in the early summer. Recommendation to keep old flooring as “souvenirs” for All School Reunion.