Manhattan Beach Education Foundation
Board of Directors - Regular Meeting
February 3, 2004 at 7:30 p.m.
Mira Costa High School, Room 113

Present:

Directors (19/22): Webster Burns, Wendy Carson, Randy Dotemoto, Mike Dunitz, Linda Figel, Ruth Graf-Urasaki, Chuck Kaminski, Craig Kline, Carolyn Leserman, Anne McLaughlin, John Oshiro, Greg Rosen, Carol Rowe, Julian Ryder, Freddi Segal-Gidan, Kim Siehl, Jeff Thaler, Ida VanderPoorte, Gary Wayland

MBUSD Representatives: Gwen Gross, Superintendent, and Steve McMahon, Asst. Superintendent

MBEF Staff: Debbie Bowen, Sherry Kramer

Guests: Vanessa Benya, Brian Currey, Carol Glover, Diane Levitt, Holly Osborne, Margo Thole, Pam Yarbrough

Presiding: Carolyn Leserman, President

Recording: Anne McLaughlin, Secretary

Handouts: Agenda, Minutes, Financial Report

Recognition:
Ms. Sherry Kramer introduced Mr Craig Cadwallader of Prime Image Co. and presented him with a certificate of recognition for his work in creating the Foundation’s ads in The Beach Reporter.

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

Minutes:
The minutes of the meeting of January 6, 2004 were unanimously approved as distributed.

President’s Notes:
Ms. Leserman provided the Board with an overview of the meetings that had taken place between MBEF representatives, PTA representatives, and other coalition members during the past few months. She stated that these groups had reviewed funding priorities provided by the school principals and had made determinations regarding sustainable long-term funding available to support these programs. Ms. Leserman distributed a letter that had been signed by her, as president of the Foundation, and by PTA presidents, explaining that these organizations were pooling their resources to provide funding for school programs. Ms. Leserman emphasized the importance of building MBEF’s endowment to provide long-term funding.

Superintendent’s Report:
Dr. Gross described the agenda for the February 4, 2004 MBUSD Board of Trustees meeting and discussed the timeline for budget decisions. Mr. Steve McMahon distributed the 2004-2005 Baseline Budget dated February 3, 2004 and stated that the District had received commitments from local sources, as follows: $1,155,000 from PTAs, $120,000 from the Manhattan Beach Athletic Foundation, and $600,000 from MBEF. Mr. McMahon said that the priorities of all groups could not be met. He stated that, in the current 2004-2005 budget, revenues are approximately $42.6 million and expenses are approximately $44.9 million (after personnel reductions), leaving an additional $2.3 million to be cut. He said that the District would assess all remaining expense categories and analyze possible revenue enhancements. He discussed the personnel reductions by level.

A board discussion ensued regarding changes to the grants process, continued autonomy of the Foundation, and a combined fundraising message with PTAs. Ms. Segal-Gidan asked about the disposition of funds that might be raised in excess of the amounts that had been committed, and Dr. Gross responded that these could be utilized beginning in the 2005-2006 school year. Mr. McMahon was asked to describe expense categories that might be cut and questions were raised about legal fees and special education costs. Ms. Graf-Urasaki inquired about monies remaining from Vital Programs, and the use of these funds was discussed.

Annual Appeal:
Ms. Kim Siehl provided data on the fundraising results to date. She noted that results were strong and that donors were responding at the level of giving requested, resulting in increased contributions. Mr. Thaler suggested that the Foundation help make the community aware that no Vital Programs fundraising would take place this year and that funds should be directed to MBEF.

Grants:
Mr. Webster Burns moved that the Board approve a $600,000 grants budget for the 2004-2005 school year. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved. Mr. Wayland raised a question about the grants budget, in light of the Foundation’s revenues and expenses and the expected contribution to the endowment. A discussion took place regarding Foundation finances and projections for the 2003/2004 Annual Appeal.

Mr. Burns moved that the Board confirm its intention to fund school programs of $600,000 per year for three years. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.

The board discussed the various cuts at the middle school and high school, and various board members expressed concern about how deeply the high school had been cut.

Business Education Partnership Report:
Ms. Sherry Kramer announced that L.A. Food Show had donated $3300 to the Foundation from its January MBEF promotion. Ms. Kramer noted that, on every Tuesday in March, Pomodoro Cucina Italiana in downtown Manhattan Beach would donate $1 per entrée/pasta to MBEF when a patron mentioned the promotion.

Old Business / New Business:
Mr. Jeff Thaler discussed the ongoing evaluation of the Foundation’s current database and the need to replace it. Mr. Thaler stated that he, Mr. John Oshiro, and Ms. Wanda Kaminski have reviewed a number of alternative third party solutions over the last year and have come to the conclusion that the best fit would be a custom application built on a standard backend database. A parent in the community, who works for Microsoft and is an expert in these applications, has volunteered to help in the development and donate software. The entire cost to the Foundation should be under $5,000 for hardware, software and implementation.

Mr. Thaler said that MBEF had been offered a “Wine Garden” area at the Hometown Fair, and he desired to know whether the board was interested in pursuing this. He stated that the Hometown Fair would cover insurance and the liquor license and that MBEF would pay a fee of $350 for the area. All costs for the wine and operations would be the Foundation’s. He estimated profits of between $2500 and $8000 for the first year. After discussion, the board agreed to pursue this.

Ms. Holly Osborne introduced herself as a resident of north Redondo Beach who wants north Redondo Beach students to continue to have the option to attend Mira Costa High School. Ms. Osborne stated that the District makes incremental money from transfer students. Board members explained that MBEF did not set policy for permitted students.

Mr. Randy Dotemoto requested that the investment details be provided for the funds invested in the managed portfolio.

Mr. Oshiro noted that the Directed Donations Oversight Committee would meet again on February 25 and would give a report at the next board meeting.

Meeting Adjourned: 9:55 p.m.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, March 2, 2004, 7:30 PM at Room 113, MCHS