News & Announcements

School updates, important dates, and other notices.

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes: September 20, 2022

  1. Call to Order, Roll Call and Recognition of Visitors and Board Co-Chairs
    • Mark Eilers: Present
    • Nicole Nelson: Present
    • Lydia Tonoyan: Present
    • Alexej Abyzov: Present
    • Natalya Johnson: Present
    • Peter Keller: Present
    • Yelena Hardcopf, Executive Director, ex officio board member.
    • Visitors: Dr. Lora Lepisto Brown, Paul Kinsley, Brad Falteysek, Evgueni Serdiouk, Louis Martin, Luke Vogt, Marisol Serdiouk, Rebecca Hodus, Yuliya Briskman, Lisa Hasledalen
  2. Approval of the Agenda for this meeting
    Motion by: Nicole Nelson
    Seconded by: Natalya Johnson
    6-0-0
  3. Read the Nasha Shkola Mission and Vision
    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.
    Vision: To be an academically rigorous school preparing students for continued success as motivated learners and global citizens.
  4. Open Forum for members of the public wishing to address the board
  5. Reports
    1. Financial Audit FY22 Report, Justin Nilson (Abdo, Eick & Meyers)
    2. Executive Director report
      • The first day of school was on Tuesday, September 6th, 2022.
      • We are in the process of having water fountains installed. For now, we are using four temporary water filling stations.
      • We are continuing to work with the landlords to fix broken window panes, frames, and hardware.
      • Fire inspection items are almost completed. Strobes have been installed in all of the classrooms, however, they still need to be tested.
      • One practice fire drill has been conducted.
      • We are continuing to work with the landlord to get keys and have some locks replaced.
      • Since it is the school’s responsibility to purchase cleaning supplies for janitorial services more expenses will be incurred.
      • The current student enrollment is 100 students.
      • Title grants have been submitted. These grants are used to pay for support staff, materials for students, and professional development training for teachers and staff.
      • The MCA test results have arrived. Overall, reading and math scores have declined; however, when compared with the state average, our free and reduced lunch population performed better.
      • Staff update:
        • We have hired an English Language Arts teacher for middle school, however, this teacher made a decision to not continue with the position. We are continuing to look for an English Language Arts teacher. The director is working with two staffing agencies to help with the search.
        • We are continuing to look for a school secretary.
        • Designs for Learning is helping us with JMC and MARRS reporting.
        • Some of our teachers are helping to cover lunch duties and managing the school office.
    3. Financial Report: Monthly Finance Report – August 2022
      • Fund 01
        • As of August 31, 2022 the school has received a total of $217, 567 of current Fiscal Year State, Federal, and Local revenues which is 11% of its current budgeted amount.
        • As of August 31, 2022 the school has expended in Fund 01 $198,083 which is 10% of its current budgeted expense.
        • Nasha Shkola ended August 2022 with a current fiscal year to date Fund 01 positive balance (revenues received less expenditures incurred) of $19,484.
      • Fund 02
        • As of August 31, 2022 the school has received in Fund 02 a total of $0 of current Fiscal Year State, Federal, and Local revenues which is 0% of its current budgeted amount.
        • As of August 31, 2022 the school has expended in Fund 02 $1,696 which is 2% of its current budgeted expense.
        • Nasha Shkola ended August 2022 with a current fiscal year to date Fund 02 deficit balance (revenues received less expenditures incurred) of ($1,696).
      • Nasha Shkola had a total cash balance of $396,143 at the end of August 2022 reflected across all funds.
      • Nasha Shkola had a balance of $126,837 in accounts receivable at August 31, 2022.
      • There was a balance of $34,802 in current liabilities for general accounts payable and payroll liabilities in August 31, 2022.
      • A portion of the liability is for payroll withholdings on the last day of the month which are not paid until the first days of the next month, thus they are reflected on the current balance sheet.
      • The Adopted Budget Approved is based on 130 ADM or 135 pupil units. State aid is being paid on 135 ADM or 141 pupil units.
  6.  Consent Agenda

    1. Minutes of August 16th, 2022 Board meeting
    2. Financials August 2022
      Motion by: Peter Keller
      Seconded by: Natalya Johnson
      6-0-0
  7. Old Business
    1. Safe Return to In-Person Learning Plan FY23
      • We are using self-screening and asking families to self-monitor sickness. Students are also monitored for sickness at school. Students are asked to mask during COVID contraction.
      • Contact tracing is no longer conducted.
      • If students are sick, they are sent home and families are asked to test.
      • A number of tests available at school for home testing.
      • We are able to apply for special funding that can be used for COVID health and safety materials i.e. gloves, masks, and air filtration materials.
    2. School Emergency Procedures Plan
      1. We have been working with the local fire department and board member, Peter Keller, to help revise our Emergency Procedures Plan.
    3. Cell Phone Policy
      1. The Cell Phone Policy will be updated to reflect school hours during which students are not permitted to use their cell phones.

        Motion to approve the Cell Phone Policy:
        Motion by: Natalya Johnson
        Seconded by: Peter Keller
        6-0-0

  8. New Business
    1. Approval of School Improvement Plan
      • The Improvement Plan is tied to the IQS review. There are two areas in which we need to improve: Governance and Student Proficiency (Student Performance).
      • Additional board training opportunities and ways in which to involve members in committees will be explored.
      • Board recruitment should be in an ongoing process.
      • Nomination deadlines are one month before the last day of school.
    2. Conflict of interest
    3. Statement of Assurances
    4. Review and update board policies: Chapter 5 (5.3.1-5.3.4)
      1. Policy 5.3.1 Student Educational Data
      2. Policy 5.3.3 Directory Information
      3. Policy 5.3.4 PUPIL FAIR DISMISSAL PROCESS

        Motion to approve Agenda items 8.4 (8.4.1 – 8.4.3)
        Motion by: Peter Keller
        Seconded by: Nicole Nelson
        6-0-0

  9. Other
    A question came up about legal representation. Due to distance, Cindy Lavorato is not able to continue representing Nasha Shkola in the current situation with the landlord. Nasha Shkola has retained new counsel.
  10. Adjourn
    Next Board Meeting:
    October 18th, 2022 – 6:30 Nasha Shkola School
    The Nasha Shkola Board meets the 3nd Tuesday of each month at 6:30PM.
    The Finance Committee meets at 5:30PM prior to the board meeting.
    See the Nasha Shkola web page for the agenda and minutes of meetings.Motion to adjourn

    Motion by: Nicole Nelson
    Seconded by: Peter Keller
    6-0-0

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