Cincinnati Waldorf School Minutes of a Meeting of the Board of ...
Cincinnati Waldorf School Minutes of a Meeting of the Board of ...
Cincinnati Waldorf School Minutes of a Meeting of the Board of ...
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<strong>Cincinnati</strong> <strong>Waldorf</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
<strong>Minutes</strong> <strong>of</strong> a <strong>Meeting</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> Trustees<br />
April 9, 2012<br />
In attendance: Fred Annexstein, Bill Cordray, Jack Michael, Pete Kennedy, Tammy Duvall, Art<br />
Mergner, Sarah Singer-Nourie, Colleen St. John, Christine Masur, Maria Schade, Jenna<br />
Sizemore, Nicole Gunderman, Melanie Meyers<br />
Absent: Chelsea Green, Chris Evans, Dick Alexander<br />
Guests: None<br />
<strong>Board</strong> Study: In lieu <strong>of</strong> continuing <strong>the</strong> ongoing book study, <strong>the</strong> board was led by Connie<br />
Michael through a series <strong>of</strong> eurythmy exercises.<br />
Secretary Resigning: Chelsea Green will be resigning from <strong>the</strong> board; Evonne Morales<br />
volunteered to take over <strong>the</strong> duties <strong>of</strong> Secretary through <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> calendar year.<br />
<strong>Board</strong> Term Expiring: Today will be <strong>the</strong> last board meeting for Melanie Myers. The board<br />
thanked her for her contributions, particularly to <strong>the</strong> nominating committee.<br />
Call to order: Sarah Singer-Nourie called <strong>the</strong> meeting to order. The board approved <strong>the</strong> minutes<br />
for <strong>the</strong> March meeting, but <strong>the</strong> February minutes are yet to be approved.<br />
Gala Report: Sarah Singer-Nourie reported on <strong>the</strong> total funds raised by <strong>the</strong> gala. The net gala<br />
income totaled $45,615.26, which was down slightly from last year’s total <strong>of</strong> approximately<br />
$48,000. The number was short <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> budgeted amount <strong>of</strong> $55,000, but when combined with <strong>the</strong><br />
funds raised by <strong>the</strong> Children’s Campaign, <strong>the</strong> total amount <strong>of</strong> fundraising this year has exceeded<br />
<strong>the</strong> projected budget amounts.<br />
Comments regarding <strong>the</strong> gala were solicited from <strong>the</strong> board. Below is a summary <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
comments <strong>of</strong>fered:<br />
• The publicity and branding <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> gala could have been more consistent with <strong>the</strong> branding<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> school<br />
• The dance floor at <strong>the</strong> venue was too small and did not encourage interaction<br />
• Some thought <strong>the</strong> live auction would have been better with a pr<strong>of</strong>essional auctioneer,<br />
while o<strong>the</strong>rs thought having a volunteer projected more “warmth”<br />
• The downstairs space was not ideal; <strong>the</strong> L-shaped configuration meant that some were<br />
unable to see <strong>the</strong> video screen<br />
• Most board members agreed that using <strong>the</strong> paddle numbers to purchase (almost)<br />
everything was a great innovation<br />
• The line for <strong>the</strong> buffet was uncomfortably long due to <strong>the</strong> buffet being one-sided; In<br />
previous years buffet “stations” helped alleviate <strong>the</strong> formation <strong>of</strong> a single long line<br />
• Some noticed a lack <strong>of</strong> participation in <strong>the</strong> live auction
Finance Committee Report:<br />
1. Maria Schade distributed <strong>the</strong> draft budget (<strong>the</strong> final version will be voted upon in May),<br />
and reported on behalf <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Finance Committee. She explained <strong>the</strong> implementation cost<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> tiered salary structure, and any costs for <strong>the</strong> expansion <strong>of</strong> Meshewa programming<br />
are not yet in <strong>the</strong> budget. They can be folded-in to <strong>the</strong> budget as <strong>the</strong>y are analyzed. Peter<br />
Kennedy will be meeting with <strong>the</strong> Finance Committee to answer any Meshewa budget<br />
questions. Resolution on this is needed by next month, so an extra Finance Committee<br />
will have to be scheduled for this purpose.<br />
2. On behalf <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Finance Committee, Maria Schade asked for approval to use this year’s<br />
contingency to pay-<strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> remaining Meshewa renovation loan ($25,000). This will<br />
reduce next year’s expenses by approximately $7,000. This is <strong>the</strong> only short-term debt<br />
<strong>the</strong> school currently holds. Some board members thought it might be good to keep <strong>the</strong><br />
cash from <strong>the</strong> contingency since we are considering several new ventures (development<br />
director, tiered salary structure, Meshewa expansion, possibly purchasing a new<br />
building). The issue remained open for discussion and was not approved. Maria did<br />
explain that although this year <strong>the</strong>re was a lot <strong>of</strong> contingency remaining, we should not<br />
reduce <strong>the</strong> contingency for <strong>the</strong> upcoming year precisely because <strong>of</strong> all <strong>the</strong> new<br />
expenditures that may be encountered next year.<br />
3. Maria <strong>the</strong>n opened <strong>the</strong> budget discussion to questions from <strong>the</strong> board. A board member<br />
asked if <strong>the</strong> projected amounts for <strong>the</strong> gala and children’s campaign should be “flipped,”<br />
since <strong>the</strong> past few years have shown that <strong>the</strong> children’s campaign can be expected to raise<br />
more than <strong>the</strong> gala. All agreed this small change to <strong>the</strong> budget made sense.<br />
4. A question arose as to what <strong>the</strong> $15,750 listed under “faculty development” is earmarked<br />
for, and if this amount goes toward <strong>the</strong> yearly faculty fundsharing Maria explained that<br />
<strong>the</strong> fundsharing amount is a separate account. The amount listed in <strong>the</strong> budget is meant to<br />
be used for a one-week summer intensive training session for each teacher<br />
(approximately $850 per teacher). Some teachers may select to do a webinar instead,<br />
which would cost less.<br />
5. A board member asked how <strong>the</strong> 1% increase in teacher salaries listed in <strong>the</strong> budget was<br />
determined. It was explained that early in <strong>the</strong> budgeting process <strong>the</strong> board decided that<br />
salary increases were a priority. Because work on <strong>the</strong> tiered salary structure was just<br />
beginning, a 1% increase was put in <strong>the</strong> budget as a placeholder. This amount was<br />
planned to be revisited later in <strong>the</strong> budgeting process.<br />
6. Maria Schade distributed <strong>the</strong> document “Draft Salary Structure Analysis.”<br />
Sarah Singer-Nourie read a letter from <strong>the</strong> college to <strong>the</strong> board. The college feels very<br />
strongly that a 3% cost-<strong>of</strong>-living increase is a must. The letter reminded <strong>the</strong> board that <strong>the</strong><br />
AWSNA review <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> school called for a significant increase in teacher salaries.<br />
Implementing <strong>the</strong> tiered salary structure would raise teacher salaries by 4.2%, but <strong>the</strong><br />
distribution would not be equal among all teachers. The phase-in approach to <strong>the</strong> new
salary structure is thought to be <strong>the</strong> best way to implement it. However, questions as to<br />
how to find <strong>the</strong> money for <strong>the</strong> phase-in in next year’s budget are still unanswered. The<br />
next Finance Committee meeting is not until May, but a supplemental meeting aiming to<br />
resolve <strong>the</strong>se questions can be scheduled before <strong>the</strong>n.<br />
Fund and Resource Development Committee: Nicole Gunderman reported on behalf <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
committee. She distributed <strong>the</strong> document “Meshewa as an Event Rental Space” which outlines<br />
data and options regarding <strong>the</strong> rental <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Meshewa property for private parties.<br />
1. The prime indoor spaces for parties are <strong>the</strong> rooms adjacent to <strong>the</strong> existing kitchen: <strong>the</strong><br />
foyer, dining room and living room. Current plans for <strong>the</strong> renovation <strong>of</strong> Meshewa show<br />
<strong>the</strong>se spaces dedicated as classroom space. Party rental could not occur if <strong>the</strong>se spaces do<br />
become classrooms. The facilities committee needs to determine if ano<strong>the</strong>r space in <strong>the</strong><br />
building could be used for a kindergarten classroom, preserving <strong>the</strong> central area as<br />
rentable space for events.<br />
2. Part-time employee(s) would be required to handle <strong>the</strong> booking <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> space and to be onsite<br />
for events. Both jobs would be hourly and “on-call.”<br />
Facilities Committee: Pete Kennedy reported on behalf <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> facilities committee.<br />
1. The school is still considering <strong>the</strong> Melrose property. The Walnut Hills Redevelopment<br />
Foundation would love for <strong>the</strong> school to be in <strong>the</strong> neighborhood. They are willing to help<br />
CWS in resolving <strong>the</strong> need for green space. Several options for potential green space<br />
have been identified.<br />
2. Crime statistics for Walnut Hills will be reviewed and considered.<br />
3. An additional faculty visit will be scheduled in <strong>the</strong> near future.<br />
Nominating Committee: Melanie Myers reported that three more parents are schedule to<br />
complete <strong>the</strong>ir board terms by next December. The list <strong>of</strong> nominees to consider includes:<br />
Yvonne Keller, Susan Gray, Dawn Spillane, Janelle JohnsonGrove, Greg Kirkland, John<br />
Biederman, and Mazie Booth<br />
Respectfully submitted, Evonne Morales, Interim Secretary