Acorn Minutes for March 15, 2006

Board in Attendance: Sarah, Michelle, Wendy D., and Lordelyn

Members of the public/members/staff: Wendy McCully and Susan Johnson from the Local Childcare Planning Council

I. Call to order – Meeting opened at 9:10 am

II. Comment From Public/Parents

a. Susan Johnson from the Childcare Planning Council commended the program, saying, “ The Acorn program is awesome. I’m very impressed….”

III. Approval of Minutes

a. Sarah made an amendment to the March 3, 2006 minutes to add that Lordelyn del Rosario-Dacanay as Secretary. Motion to adopt the amended minutes. Seconded by Michelle. Unanimous vote.

IV. Sec. Of State Codes

a. The board has again reviewed the legal codes put forth by the Sec. Of State, which support the organizational structure at the preschool.

b. All the legal codes are being put into a binder.

V. Treasury Report

Michelle reported the remaining balance is $10,924.46. Sarah made a motion to approve the treasury report. Seconded by Wendy. Unanimous vote in favor of the motion..

IV. Accounting/Tax Reporting

a. Sarah met with CPA P. Simmons to review all financial documents of the preschool to ensure the school is in compliance with all state and fed. Tax laws.

b. Motion made to move forward on paying up to $500 for accounting fees. Seconded by Wendy. Unanimous vote in favor of the motion.

V. Grant Update

a. Jeanne Hetland from First 5 donated materials to Acorn Cooperative Preschool including a school readiness kit.

b. Request for additional funds from First 5 pending--a decision will be made during their April meeting.

c. First 5 commissioners previously requested report and information on Acorn’s plans for sustainability (Item VIII). The Board provided First 5 with preliminary concepts on sustainability.

VI. Plan for Sustainability

a. First 5 asked for a plan for sustainability b/f agreeing to consider any further funding to Acorn for next year.

b. Starting next Sept., parent fees will need to help support the program. The Board will be asking First 5 to pay for staffing costs for next year to keep the parent fees as low as possible.

c. Preliminary ideas for monthly fees are as follows: (3-5 years - $30, 1-3 years- $20, Infant- $10).

d. Scholarships were discussed—how to set them up—who to request funds from.

VII. CV Acorn

a. There are several issues and concerns with expanding Acorn to Catheys Valley at this point.

b. The Board has to do further research and needs to address these issues.

c. The Board will request a representative from Catheys Valley to be at the next Board meeting for further discussion.

VIII. Bylaws

a. The revised bylaws are still being amended and will be available at the upcoming parent meeting on April 1, 2006.

b. Acorn Board elections will be held in May 2006.

c. Wendy D. made a motion to add a Registrar to the Board via bylaw amendment. Seconded by Michelle. Unanimous vote in favor of the motion.

IX. Wiki Site

a. Sarah made a motion to use the Wiki site to relay information to Acorn members. Seconded by Michelle. Unanimous vote in favor of the motion.

X. Brochure

a. Brochure is under revision to include new staff

XI. Purchasing

a. Sarah made a motion to move forward for the purchase of necessary preschool items presented by Wendy M. using a budget of up to $1100.00. Seconded by Michelle. Unanimous vote in favor of the motion.

XII. Aide Position

a. Donna L., Madelyn M., Wendy M., and Michelle J. put together a job description for an Aide position.

b. Sarah made a motion to move forward through Boyer Temporary services to hire a teacher’s aide. Seconded by Michelle. Unanimous vote in favor of the motion.

XIII. Parent Meeting

a. A parent meeting will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2006, 10 am at Hansen Hall.

b. A brief “make-up” session will be provided after preschool on April 3 for those who miss the meeting.

c. Wendy M. handed out a draft of the curriculum for the rest of the semester.

XIV. Notice to parents

a. A mailing went out to Acorn members on March 15, 2006 reminding members of the parent meeting on April 1, 2006 and upcoming dates for TB tests with Mariposa County Health Department.

XV. Parent Responsibilities

a. Wendy M. passed out a parent involvement handout for review. Parent involvement which is under discussion would include:

i. Parent/caregiver must accompany child during the preschool program

ii. Sign up for one parent job that rotates quarterly.

iii. Sign up for 2-3 parent duties (set-up, snack, clean-up) per month

iv. Attend one parent meeting per semester

v. Volunteering for two hours for fundraisers during the semester.

XVI. Fire Drill/Emergency File

a. Michelle made a motion to finalize emergency plan and to have it available at parent meeting. Seconded by Lordelyn. Unanimous vote in favor of the motion. Wendy M. has updated most of the plan already.

XVII.Enrollment Cap

a. Enrollment cap/attendance requirements are still under consideration for future. To plan for programming/supplies, Wendy M. will talk w/ parents to get a head count of those who will be attending regularly for the rest of the year.

XVIII. The next Board meeting will be held on Friday, April 7, 10:00 am at Hansen Hall Meeting Adjourned at 10:35 am.