News & Announcements

School updates, important dates, and other notices.

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes: April 21, 2020

  1. Call to Order, Roll Call and Recognition of Visitors and Board Co-Chairs
    • Alekej Abyzov: Present
    • Mark Eilers: Present
    • Marina Condratiuc: Present
    • Yelena Kurdyumova: Present
    • Elizaveta Lindman: Present
    • Christian Schmidt: Present
    • Andrew Wood: Present
    • Yelena Hardcopf, Executive Director, ex officio board member.
    • Visitors in attendance: None
  2. Approval of the Agenda for this meeting
    Motion to approve agenda as written.
    Alexej Abyzov
    Seconded by: Elizaveta Lindman
    7-0-0
  3. Read the Nasha Shkola Mission and Vision
    Vision:
    To be an academically rigorous school preparing students for continued success as motivated learners and global citizens.
    Mission: Nasha Shkola aspires to be a multi-cultural charter school committed to exceptional education in all areas of academic inquiry with an emphasis on Russian Language and Culture, providing structured and responsive learning environment based upon educational best practices for all students and their families.
  4. Open Forum for members of the public wishing to address the board
  5. Reports
    1. Executive Director report
      1. Enrollment –125.7 ADM / No changes
    2. Financial Report
      1. Monthly Finance Report
        • Fund 01 962,313 received = 72% of budget
          963,785 expended = 73% of budget
        • Fund 02 32,828 received = 66% of budget
          Deficit balance (2,986)
      2. Choice Bank: Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan submission
        • Direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on their payroll
        • Loan forgiveness if employees are kept on payroll for 8 weeks and funds are used for basic expenses (payroll, rent, utilities)
        • No layoffs at Nasha Shkola planned
        • Application submitted for second qualification window
  6. Consent Agenda
    1. Minutes of March 17, 2020 Board meeting
    2. Financials March 2020
      Motion to approve the consent agenda.
      Motion by: Christian Schmidt
      Seconded by: Marina Condratiuc
      7-0-0
  7. NS Distance Learning Plan during COVID-19
    1. Preparation
      1. Assignments to prevent academic loss
      2. Pick up / Drop off materials
      3. Distribution of computers
    2. Resources
      1. Health
      2. Internet safety
      3. Educational resources
      4. Needs
        • Homelessness
        • Families provided with devices
        • Families receiving food deliveries at no cost to NS
    3. Academic Plan
      • Google classroom assignments
      • External educational websites
      • Posted videos
      • 1-on-1 and small group instruction
      • Emails and phone calls
      • Students experiencing homelessness

        Motion to approve Distance Learning Plan 19-20
        Motion by: Christian Schmidt
        Seconded by: Andrew Wood
        7-0-0

    4. Implementation
      1. Attendance
        • 87% Week 1
        • 92% Week 2
      2. Satisfaction
        • Teachers satisfied overall
        • Parents (50% response) satisfied overall
      3. Student outcomes
        • Many students performing well
        • Reaching out to families with frequently absent or inactive students
        • Concerns about academic loss, especially in math
  8. Old Business
    1. NS Planning 20-21
      1. Enrollment projections and budget planning
        • Budget cuts to education are possible
        • PPP loan will be needed
      2. Contractors & Vendors
        • Lease is coming up
        • Reducing utilities and custodian services
        • Bus contract stipulates 50% bill for school closures; governor’s order bus companies to continue to be paid due to essential role
        • Attempting to contact government or bus company to negotiate solution
        • Seamless Summer Program funding for food service
        • Time to renew line of credit
      3. Distance Learning Plan for 20-21
        • Planning for the contingency of fall distance learning
        • More computers would be necessary
        • Online learning programs
    2. Annual meeting
      1. New candidates
        • Natalya Johnson (2nd grade teacher) expressed interest
        • No new parent interest. Returning parent: Alexej Abyzov
      2. Annual meeting and board election during COVID 19
        • New guidelines for holding elections remotely
        • Bylaws must be updated accordingly

          Motion to approve bylaw revision to allow voting during pandemic
          Motion by: Christian Schmidt
          Seconded by: Yelena Kurdyumova
          7-0-0

  9. New Business
    1. Director evaluation: In progress
    2. Review and update board policies: Chapter 6 (6.1-6.4.2)
      • Policy 6.1 Grading System
      • Policy 6.2 Length of School Year and School Calendar
      • Policy 6.3 Promotional and Retention
      • Policy 6.4.1 Release Time for Religious Events and Religious Accommodation
      • Policy 6.4.2 Equal Access of Facilities

        Motion to approve revised board policies 6.1 – 6.4.2
        Motion by: Alexej Abyzov
        Seconded by: Marina Condratiuc
        7-0-0

  10. Adjourn
    Motion to adjourn at 7:53 pm.
    Motion by: Christman Schmidt
    Seconded by: Alexej Abyzov
    7-0-0

The Nasha Shkola Board meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:30PM. 
The Finance Committee meets at 5:30 prior to the board meeting.

About Nasha Shkola

Nasha Shkola — Russian for Our School — is an academically rigorous K-8 charter school, providing a highly-structured learning environment for students interested in Russian language and culture.

Contact Us

    School Info

    Nasha Shkola
    6717 85th Ave North
    Brooklyn Park, MN 55445

    Phone: 763-496-5550
    Fax: 763-424-8520

    School Hours
    Monday – Friday:
    8:30 am – 4:30 pm

    Office Hours
    Monday – Friday:
    8 am – 4 pm