Manhattan Beach Education Foundation
Board of Directors - Regular Meeting
June 1, 2004 at 7:30 p.m.
MBUSD Office, 325 S. Peck Avenue, Manhattan Beach

Present:

Directors (16/24): Geoff Bremer, Webster Burns, Wendy Carson, Brian Currey, Mike Dunitz, Linda Figel, Chuck Kaminski, Craig Kline, Carolyn Leserman, Diane Levitt, Anne McLaughlin, John Oshiro, Julian Ryder, Freddi Segal-Gidan, Ida VanderPoorte, Pam Yarbrough

MBUSD Representatives: Gwen Gross

MBEF Staff: Sherry Kramer, Debbie Bowen

Guests: Dave Braney, Tammy Choy, Karla Devine, Emily Hogin, Russell Rothner, Margo Thole, Tamara Walker-Panzarella, Rich Weiss

Presiding: Carolyn Leserman, President

Recording: Anne McLaughlin, Secretary

Handouts: Agenda, Minutes, Financial Report

Introduction of Students from Band Together
Ms. Leserman introduced Emily Hogin, a representative of “Band Together.” Band Together is a club of MCHS music students committed to preserving music education in schools. Ms. Hogin discussed her organization and its fundraising efforts for the purchase of instruments at the Lennox Middle School.

President’s Notes:
Ms. Leserman announced that the Board had elected Ms. Diane Levitt and Ms. Pam Yarbrough as Board members at its closed session meeting on May 4, 2004.

Ms. Leserman discussed the need for volunteers at the Wine Auction.

She shared a note from Ms. Joanne Schepis thanking MBEF for its support of her as a nominee for Teacher of the Year.

Ms. Leserman stated that she, Ms. Diane Levitt, and Ms. Anne McLaughlin had attended a meeting of Yes, MA’AM (“Yes, Music and Art Matter”) on May 12, 2004, and she introduced Mr. Dave Braney, Ms. Karla Devine, and Ms. Tamara Walker-Panzarella, members of Yes, MA’AM. Ms. Leserman encouraged Yes, MA’AM to continue its efforts to keep the arts alive and reiterated the Foundation’s desire to see music and arts programs reinstated in the 2005-2006 school year.

Ms. Leserman announced that the Superintendent’s Circle reception will take place on Thursday, July 22, and that National Board Certification candidates will be recognized at that event.

Ms. Leserman discussed the date of the next board meeting, and the Board agreed to meet on July 13, rather than on the first Tuesday of the month.

Minutes:
Upon motion duly made and seconded, the minutes of the meeting of May 4, 2004 were unanimously approved.

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

She stated that she was reviewing the insurance coverages of other foundations for comparison purposes with MBEF. She discussed increases in premiums and said that she intended to renew MBEF’s existing coverages at this time.

Ms. VanderPoorte discussed the endowment and how it should best be funded. She reviewed MBEF’s existing practice of allocating 20% of its revenues to the endowment, and said that some foundations raise money separately for their endowments. Ms. VanderPoorte moved that, for the next two years, there be no endowment transfers on the first $2 million raised by MBEF in its Annual Appeal. The motion was seconded and a discussion ensued. Following discussion, the Board voted to table the motion and agreed to form an Endowment Committee to explore this issue. The following individuals were appointed to the Endowment Committee: Geoff Bremer, Brian Currey, Lindal Figel, Ida VanderPoorte, and Rich Weiss.

Ms. VanderPoorte proposed that MBEF expend $250 to join the California Consortium of Education Foundations. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted to join the consortium.

Ms. McLaughlin asked that the Board approve a resolution authorizing any two of certain executive board members to sell, assign and endorse for transfer, certificates representing stocks, bonds, or other securities of MBEF held at Smith Barney. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the resolution was adopted.

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

Superintendent’s Report:
Dr. Gross distributed a summary budget for MBUSD for the 2004-2005 school year. She stated that it was a balanced budget and would be presented at the Board of Trustees’ meeting on June 2.

Dr. Gross announced that Ms. Lynn McCormack, principal of Mira Costa High School, had resigned in order to take a position closer to her home. Dr. Gross discussed the screening process and the timeline for hiring a new high school principal.

Dr. Gross stated that MBUSD had hired a new Special Education Director, Ms. Ellen Schneider.

Vice President’s Report:
Mr. Webster Burns presented the slate of nominations for eleven directors whose terms were expiring on June 30, 2004, and for officers to serve for the period July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the following directors were re-elected to two year terms: Mr. Webster Burns, Ms. Wendy Carson, Mr. Randy Dotemoto, Mr. Mike Dunitz, Ms. Ruth Graf-Urasaki, Mr. John Oshiro, Ms. Freddi Segal-Gidan, Ms. Kim Siehl, Mr. Jeff Thaler, Ms. Ida VanderPoorte, and Mr. Gary Wayland, and the following officers were re-elected to one-year terms: Ms. Carolyn Leserman as President, Mr. Webster Burns as Vice President, Ms. Ida VanderPoorte as Treasurer, Ms. Anne McLaughlin as Secretary, and Mr. Geoff Bremer as Investment Officer.

Golf Tournament:
Mr. Ryder and Ms. Kramer announced the sale of opportunity drawing tickets for $50 each. Ms. Bowen asked that school reps deliver the golf flyers to the elementary schools.

Wine Auction:
Mr. Jeff Thaler made requests for volunteers to help with the Wine Auction. He said that the pre-auction dinner had sold out at $500 per ticket.

Grants Committee:
Ms. Anne McLaughlin announced that the proposal for an elementary-wide Artist in Residence program, as discussed at MBEF’s May Board meeting, was not going forward due to lack of universal support at the elementary schools.
Mr. Webster Burns reviewed a $2500 grant request to expand the Young at Art program to MBMS. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the grant was approved.

Mr. Burns recommended that the Board approve a $1,000 increase in the budget for the National Board Certification grants, from $8000 to $9000. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the grant increases were approved.

Old Business/New Business:
Ms. Sherry Kramer announced that MBEF was moving forward with its participation in the Old Hometown Fair.

Ms. Linda Figel and Ms. Diane Levitt stated that they are drafting Annual Appeal letters and working on the campaign. The Board discussed issues related to the amount of money to be requested from parents, differences in fundraising at the high school, and the prioritization of programs. Dr. Gross said that the Board of Trustees would be prioritizing those programs that had been eliminated, as well as important programs that had not existed in the district.

Meeting Adjourned to Closed Session: 9:02 p.m.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, July 13, 2004, 7:30 p.m. at the District Office, 325 S. Peck Aven