Board of Directors Meeting, Thursday, August 17, 2023 @ 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, August 17, 2023 - 6:00 pm

Board of Directors Meeting Agenda

Board/Conference Room 111

School Mission Statement: 

STRIDE Academy nurtures individuals while fostering leadership and empowering students to attain their highest potential in a family-centered environment. 

1. Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, and Roll Call

Mission Statement of STRIDE Academy

Conflict of Interest Declaration: No member of the board of directors, employee, officer, or agent of a charter school shall participate in selecting, awarding, or administering a contract if a conflict of interest exists. 

2. Approval of Agenda

3. Consent Agenda- 

A consent agenda is a streamlined approach to handling routine matters in meetings, allowing multiple items to be approved together without extensive discussion or debate, saving time for more important topics. Board members have the option to pull specific items from the consent agenda for separate consideration by indicating their request during the meeting.

1. Approval of the July 2023 Finance Report

2. Approval of Ellie Hamilton, Health Tech

3. Approval of Denise Ziebarth, Donor, Fundraising and Grant Writing Coordinator

4. Approval of Kristen Whitley Art Teacher K-6

5. Approval of Jordyn Birch 0.8 Building Sub

6. Approval of Student/Parent Handbook

7. Approval of STRIDE Staff Handbook

8. Approval of Paraprofessional Handbook

9. Approval of STRIDE Code of Conduct

10. Approval of STRIDE Activity Stipends

11. Approval of STRIDE Activities Handbook

12. Approval of STRIDE Coach/Advisors Handbook

13. Approval of Q-Comp Updates 2023-2024

14. Approval of Nursing Service Contract, Amy Lindell 23-24 School Year

15. Accept Resignation of Brenda Cruser, Paraprofessional

4. Public Comment -   

The School Board welcomes input from community members and staff.

Each person addressing the council shall give their name for the record. Each person making a public comment is limited to three minutes. Comments should be kept courteous and professional and directed to the board.  After the speaker makes their statement, they will be seated without further comment, dialogue, or debate.

5. Reports

   1. Executive Director Report

      1. PUC/Stride Contract Goal Status

Continued reporting on PUC goal status from Executive Director Eric Skanson. Contract goals are created upon authorization and are on a three-year cycle.

2. STRIDE Annual Goals Reporting

Continued reporting on STRIDE Annual goal status from Executive Director Eric Skanson.  STRIDE Annual goals are created annually with the administrative team.

3. STRIDE Updates

The Executive Director will give updates about current programming and happenings at STRIDE Academy.

2. Principals' Reports

Angie Lichy

Elementary Principal Angie Lichy will report and update on the K-4 Programming. 

Nathan Schwieters

Middle School Principal, Nathan Schwieters, will report and update on 5-8 Programming.

3. Standing Committee Reports

   1. Academic Excellence Committee

   2. Governance

   3. Finance 

6. Unfinished Business

   1. Officer Elections

      1. Treasurer

      2. Secretary

   2. Policy Series 800, 900 Second Reading

      1. ACTION:  

This is the second reading of policy series 800 and 900.  The individual policies are listed.  Approval of these policies means they will be updated in our policy manual with edits presented.

7. New Business

   1. Overdose Policy: 516.5. (The 2023 Minnesota legislature enacted legislation requiring school districts to maintain a supply of opiate antagonists.  School districts and their employees are legally permitted to purchase, store, and administer Naloxone (Narcan) in response to an opiate overdose in schools and those who do assist with such administration are immune from civil liability as well as exempt from criminal prosecution from possession, use, etc. of medication.  The provisions of this policy outline the requirements of the law with respect to the use of Naloxone (Narcan) in schools.]

   2. Enrollment Policy Update:

The school’s Enrollment and Admissions policy states in section VII, “STRIDE Academy does not accept applications for kindergarten students who are not age five on or before September 1st of the calendar year in which the school year for which the student seeks admission commences.” 

This conflicts with the school’s Policy 715A, Early Admission to Kindergarten. Note that Policy 715A indicates it was adopted by the board; however, the published policy includes a “DRAFT” watermark. Please clarify is the Early Admission to Kindergarten policy is approved and in effect. If so, please ensure the two policies are updated to be consistent with each other. 

The Early Admission to Kindergarten Policy indicates in section VI regarding placement decisions, “If it is later determined by the faculty and the administration that the early admission is not resulting in a successful outcome, placement at STRIDE Academy may need to be reconsidered.” 

This conflicts with Minnesota Statutes, section 124E.11, paragraph (g), which states, “Once a student is enrolled in the school, the student is considered enrolled in the school until the student formally withdraws or is expelled under the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act in sections 121A.40 to 121A.56.”

Recommendations:  Update and Adopt Revised Policy 715A by Striking “ “If it is later determined by the faculty and the administration that the early admission is not resulting in a successful outcome, placement at STRIDE Academy may need to be reconsidered.”  

8. Announcements

   1. New Board Member Training Opportunities

   2. Board Retreat Date Planning

   3. Next Meeting: Thursday, September 21, 2023 @ 6:00 p.m.

Adjourn