1. Call to Order, Roll Call and Recognition of Visitors and Board Co-Chairs
   • Alekej Abyzov: Present
   • Mark Eilers: Present
   • Ivanna Gradinar: Present
   • Julia Ishanova: Present
   • Paul Kinsley: Present
   • Yelena Kurdyumova: Present
   • Elizaveta Lindman: Present
   • Christian Schmidt: Present
   • Andrew Wood: Present
   • Yelena Hardcopf, Executive Director, ex officio board member.
   • Visitors in attendance: Sergey Porada
2. Approval of the Agenda for this meeting
   Approval of the March 19, 2019 meeting agenda.
   Elizaveta Lindman
   Ivanna Gradinar
   6-0-0
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
   • No public comments.
5. Reports
   
   1. Director report
      1. Enrollment 104.7
         • Two students from the middle school left for Parnassus Academy during March.
      2. Other Reports
         • The talent show went well.
   2. Financial Report
      1. Monthly Finance Report
         • Fund 01 has a positive balance of $1,326.
         • Fund 02 has a deficit of $3,504. The school lost $250 dollars a day for when closed for weather. The school will be forgiven for most of those days thanks to the state.
         • There was a question about loan and payments. This loan has been partially paid off. $75,000 line of credit is to be renewed.
         • The school had a total cash balance of $62,241 at the end of February.
6. Consent Agenda
   1. Minutes of February 19, 2019 Board meeting
   2. Financials February 2019
      Approval of minutes for February 19, 2019 board meeting and financials for February 2019 with corrections.
      Motion by Christian Schmidt
      Seconded by Andrew Wood
      9-0-0
7. Old Business
   1. Review and update annual goals
      • The plan is unlikely to be completed on time unless there is more help from volunteers. This plan can be rolled into next year. This is not a mandatory plan.
      • We simply need a written document to describe out English language services.
      • The board discussed using a Russian language assessment to gather data on student achievement on Russian language acquisition.
      • The biggest concern is when to implement this assessment. We do a lot of testing during the school year and we need to figure out if adding another test is possible with our current schedule. The board discussed the pros and cons of testing. The board agreed that this test would provide valuable data and would be worth it. There were suggestions on taking this assessment in May or during the last week of school.
      • The board discussed testing at length.
      • Not much news on grant writing. We got a grant for a field trip to pay for transportation, but the field trip was cancelled twice due to weather.
      • Strike or adjust wording of plan for pre-kindergarten planning.
      • Our school’s most important goal is to increase enrollment.
   2. Next school year enrollment projections and programming needs.
      • All families are being contacted about intent to return to school in the upcoming school year. The school contacts parents first using mail then we call parents and follow up on any undecided parents. This year we have a couple of undecided parents.
      • So far, we have 18 students for kindergarten, this up. We are adding four new students in other grades. The board talked about the large incoming class of fifth graders for next year. This class may need to be split into two different classes. Meet with parents to given them a heads up.
      • The school will have a booth at the Festival of Nations to spread information about our school.
      • The board discussed having a shorter day for kindergarten students. Perhaps allowing parents to pick up kids early from school between 3-4pm. There were some questions about what the end of the day would be like if we did this. The school should reach out to local families more.
   3. School calendar for FY20 draft
      • The board looked at the calendar. The board decided to not adopt it tonight. We need to reach out to the bus company. Out of our four routes we have at least one running late each day. Some buses get here as late as 4:50 or even 5pm. The original agreement was to have buses here between 4-4:30pm. The board discussed adding more school days in order to finish the school day earlier. The teachers talked about how the long day has been more challenging to teachers. Some of our staff drive long distance during rush hour to get to our school. The teachers work day has increased a lot. The board then discussed parent preferences for transportation. 90% of our students take the bus to and from school.
   4. Budget FY20 preliminary discussion
      • The administration will meet with Liza from Designs for Learning and build a budget on 115 students for next year. We had $10,000 extra come in for title and enrichment services. The board will look closer at this in the future.
   5. Lease renegotiation/adjustment
      • The administration met with the church representatives about rent. They looked at our enrollment numbers. The school did not get a final answer. Next year our lease is built on 130 students. We will be budgeting for 115 and are hopeful that we will have 120 students to begin next year. We would like to set our lease payments next year based on an enrollment of 120. Final decision will come next week.
   6. School policies review:
      1. NS Wellness Policy: update
         • The board asked if we are even following the policy. We have gotten very relaxed on enforcement of the policy especially on foods. Many students are eating sweets and sharing foods. We should either change the policy or actually enforce it. There was much discussion on food.
      2. Policy 3.1 Record Retention-Destruction
      3. Policy 3.2 Administration of the MGDPA
         • The board examined the policies then voted on a motion to approve the policies.

           Motion to adopt the revised policies on Record Retention-Destruction 3.1 and Administration of the MGDPA 3.2.
           Motion by Paul Kinsley
           Seconded by: Mark Eilers
           9-0-0

   7. Director Evaluation
      • The board discussed what needs to be done regarding the evaluation. Alexej said he would email the evaluation survey to board members.
   8. Annual meeting planning and recruitment.
      • Ivanna’s seat is up this year. If she would like to run again she may. Otherwise we will have an open seat for the annual election. Elizaveta’s term is coming up as well. She is nearing the end of a three-year term. Any teachers may run if they would like. Paul’s seat is up for election this year.
8. Other
   • The board discussed a rise in negative comments among middle school students. Students have been vocal recently about their views of school and education in general. Teachers talked about these comments have impacted them. The board talked about creating a greater sense of community among students and teachers by having short morning meetings. Give students a student newspaper. Do some team building activities. Bring these concerns up with parents.
9. Adjourn
   Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:27pm.
   Motion by Christian Schmidt
   Seconded by Yelena Kurdyumova
   9-0-0

ACTION ITEMS!!

1. Complete the Russian language assessment after Memorial Day.
2. Meet with parents about the large incoming fifth grade class of 23 students.
3. Do a kindergarten round up.
4. Reach out to local pre-schools.
5. Update the wellness policy.

Next Board Meeting: April 16, 2019 – Nasha Shkola School
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.