Manhattan Beach Education Foundation
Board of Directors - Regular Meeting
April 13, 2004 at 7:30 p.m.
Mira Costa High School, Guidance Conference Room

Present:

Directors (14/21): Webster Burns, Wendy Carson, Randy Dotemoto, Mike Dunitz, Linda Figel, Ruth Graf-Urasaki, Craig Kline, Carolyn Leserman, Anne McLaughlin, John Oshiro, Carol Rowe, Freddi Segal-Gidan, Jeff Thaler, Ida VanderPoorte

MBEF Staff: Sherry Kramer, Debbie Bowen

Guests: Brian Currey, Debra Geist, Diane Levitt, Susan Warshaw, Pam Yarbrough

Presiding: Carolyn Leserman, President

Recording: Anne McLaughlin, Secretary

Handouts: Agenda, Minutes, Financial Report

President’s Notes:
Ms. Leserman discussed the elimination of the choral music program by the District and noted that many parents were concerned that MBEF had been unable to provide funding for choral music for the 2004-2005 school year. Ms. Leserman said she would be meeting with Dr. Gwen Gross, MBUSD Superintendent, to discuss the future of the program.

Ms. Leserman announced that Director Gary Wayland would be unable to serve on the MBEF Investment Advisory Committee to which he had been appointed.

Minutes:
Upon motion duly made and seconded, the minutes of the meeting of March 2, 2004 were unanimously approved.

Financial Report:
Ms. Ida VanderPoorte presented financial statements and a grants report for the nine months ended March 31, 2004.

She stated that MBEF had received a proposal from Windes & McClaughry Accountancy Corporation for a full-scope audit and for tax return preparation for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board agreed to accept the bid from Windes & McClaughry Accountancy Corporation for audit and tax work in an amount not to exceed $8,000.

Ms. VanderPoorte asked for additional volunteers for the Investment Advisory Committee.

She requested that MBEF open a $100,000 certificate of deposit at Vineyard Bank due to its competitive rates and support of the MBEF Wine Auction. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board passed a resolution authorizing a $100,000 certificate of deposit at Vineyard Bank.

Business Education Partnership Report:
Ms. Sherry Kramer reported on various business community promotions for the benefit of MBEF.

Ms. Kramer announced an event at Mira Costa High School to celebrate the opening of two new buildings and the renovation/modernization of classrooms and other facilities. The event will take place on Monday, April 19, 2004 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the new Student Services building on Artesia Boulevard.

Ms. Kramer stated that she and Dr. Gross were planning a Super Circle event and had experienced difficulties in scheduling Mr. Jack O’Connell as a speaker for the event. A discussion took place regarding possible locations and dates. Ms. Carol Rowe volunteered to assist in the planning.

Vice President’s Report:
Mr. Webster Burns stated that he had attended a presentation called “Manhattan United.” The presentation was sponsored by a group of parents interested in promoting the School District. Mr. Burns said this was a preliminary meeting and that he would keep the Board informed of future discussions.

Mr. Burns said that the Nominating Committee will meet on April 27 and needs additional committee members. He also asked that those interested in MBEF positions contact him.

Annual Appeal:
Ms. Ruth Graf-Urasaki stated that the Annual Appeal had raised $721,000 to date and that an additional $90,000 in matching donations was expected. She said that the drive officially ends on April 16 and that results had exceeded expectations.

Golf Tournament:
Mr. Dotemoto announced that First Coastal Bank and El Segundo Power had agreed to be $2500 sponsors of the tournament and that Mercedes Benz would be the title sponsor again this year. He stated that the committee was seeking silent auction donors and additional sponsors. He noted that someone is needed to coordinate volunteers to work at the tournament. He also stated that this year’s raffle tickets would be sold for $50 instead of $100 in order to increase participation and overall revenues. Ms. Kramer said that the Golf Tournament Committee needs additional volunteers.

Wine Auction:
Mr. Jeff Thaler provided an update on the Wine Advisory Board meeting and donations to date. He reported on the sale of corporate tables, the pre-event dinner, and the website. Mr. Thaler stated that 1150 tickets were available for sale this year compared to 1050 last year. He stated that volunteers would be needed to help with the event. Ms. Leserman will bring a sign-up sheet to next month’s meeting. There was a discussion regarding nametags for Board members.

Grants Committee:
Ms. Anne McLaughlin stated that Young at Art had requested a $4,000 grant for the 2004-2005 school year to pay fees to originating artists and to pay for art supplies for each of six projects. She said that approximately 2900 children participate in Young at Art. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board approved a grant in the amount of $4,000 for Young at Art for the 2004-2005 school year.

Ms. McLaughlin reported that Ms. Joanne Schepis, a Pennekamp Pep teacher, has been nominated for Teacher of the Year and that the grants committee had approved a $280 payment from discretionary funds to cover the cost of a luncheon table for Ms. Schepis at the Teacher of the Year event.

Ms. McLaughlin reported on a meeting that she and Ms. Ida VanderPoorte had held with Mr. Steve McMahon, Assistant Superintendent of MBUSD. Ms. McLaughlin stated that for the 2004-2005 school year MBEF would remit grant payments to the District quarterly in advance with a reconciliation to follow at the end of each quarter. This would enable the Foundation to retain control over its funds and would require continued accountability from the District.

Old Business / New Business:
Ms. Anne McLaughlin stated that MBEF had received a donation of stock held at Vanguard and that a Vanguard Indemnification and Corporate/Organization Resolution must be approved and executed in order to take possession of the securities. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board approved the resolution and authorized Ms. Leserman, Mr. Burns, Mr. Bremer, and Ms. VanderPoorte, as officers of MBEF, to request transactions and sign checks.

Ms. McLaughlin reported on the recent PTA-sponsored Capitol Convoy trip that she attended on behalf of MBEF.

Mr. John Oshiro stated that the Directed Donations policies were largely complete and would be distributed in final form at the next Board meeting. He thanked Mr. Michael Lindsey, husband of Director Wendy Carson, for volunteering his time to review and help complete the documents.

Meeting Adjourned to Closed Session: 8:50 p.m.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, May 4, 2004, 7:30 PM at the District Office, 325 S. Peck Avenue