Manhattan Beach Education Foundation
Board Minutes – December 3, 2002

Meeting Place: Mira Costa High School, Adult Living Center, Room 113

Attendees:

Directors (17): Geoff Bremer, Webster Burns, Wendy Carson, Craig Cline, Randy Dotemoto, Mike Dunitz, Carolyn Leserman, Anne McLaughlin, LeRoy Nelson, John Oshiro, Pat Parker, Lisa Paulsen, Greg Rosen, Julian Ryder, Freddi Segal-Gidan, Gary Wayland, Richard Wennekamp

MBUSD Representatives: Dr. Sheralyn Smith, Dr. Teri Greene

MBEF Staff: Sherry Kramer, Susan Patterson

Guests: Ida VanderPoorte, parent

Handouts: Agenda, November Minutes, November Financial Reports, MBMS newsletter article, three pages for Board Books: Postal Rates, Application for School Use, Stock Donation Form

Call to Order: 7:36 PM by President Carolyn Leserman.

1. President’s Notes: Carolyn introduced Ida VanderPoorte. Carolyn circulated an invitation and thank you notes from the MBMS instrumental music program. We received good publicity for the new baby grand piano at MBMS, including a very nice article in the MBMS Principal’s newsletter. Sherry Kramer and Carolyn met with Superintendent Jerry Davis last week. Jerry thinks the state budget cuts could reduce District funding by as much as $300 per student. We are considering a joint meeting with the School Board in January or February. Carolyn thanked Wendy Carson for her work on School Notes and Judy Reece for her work on the Annual Report.
    
2. Minutes: A motion to approve the November minutes was made by LeRoy Nelson, seconded by Webster Burns, and approved by voice vote.
    
3. Financial Report: Treasurer Gary Wayland presented the financial reports in QuickBooks format. Investment Officer Geoff Bremer reported that the investment committee recommends that we place $1,000,000 of our Endowment Fund in a laddered bond portfolio to be managed by Jeff Horn of Solomon Smith Barney, who was recommended by former MBEF President Brad Jones. The management costs will be approximately $1,200 per year. A motion to approve the recommendation was made by Geoff, second by Webster Burns, and approved by voice vote.
    
4. Business Education Partnership Report: Sherry Kramer reported taking new publicity photos for First Coastal Bank.
    
5. Administrative Director’s Report: Susan Patterson distributed Board Books to the two new members present and distributed three pages to be included in existing Board Books.
    
6. Assistant Superintendent’s Report: Dr. Sheralyn Smith discussed progress on the new report cards and on curriculum articulation between grade levels. Four new teachers received National Board Certification: Traci Granberg (Meadows), Matt Harris (Pacific), Wendy Purse (Pacific, new to MBUSD this year), Teresa Tower (Pennekamp)
    
7. MBUSD Board of Trustee’s Report: Dr. Teri Greene mentioned that the Governor’s plan for budget cuts is expected by December 9. Work continues on construction projects at MCHS and the new District Office. We received some attractive offers on the pea patch properties behind MCHS. Drug policies will be reviewed at the next Board meeting.
    
8. Fundraising Reports.
    
   1. Golf Tournament: Julian Ryder reported that it was too late to move the tournament from Palos Verdes to Los Verdes for next year. He will try again next September.
       
   2. Membership: Richard Wennekamp reported that early returns show an encouraging increased participation rate at MBMS and MCHS.
       
   3. Wine Auction: Randy Dotemoto reported that everything is going fine.
       
   4. Backlot Ball. Lisa Paulsen reported that her Entertainment Industry Foundation has agreed to subsidize up to $100,000 of expenses, and MBEF will cover the cost of invitations and mailing. Lisa is meeting with David Kelly next week to recruit talent. She has lined up an amazing band.
       
   5. Oktoberfest: George Mihlsten and Pat Parker are meeting with Richard Lundquist to discuss possible sites for the event.
       
9. Grants Committee Report: Webster Burns had nothing additional to report.
    
10. Old Business/New Business: Julian Ryder proposed that we investigate creating a large sign to display our fundraising target and progress graphically, like a thermometer. He would like to find a place where it could be very visible to the community. The District Maintenance Yard on Manhattan Beach Blvd next to Polliwog Park and school sign boards were mentioned as possibilities. There were concerns about PTAs reactions, especially if we publicized the District numbers rather than individual school numbers.
    
    Geoff Bremer raised the issue of whether we could include donors of in-kind services at some level as Superintendent Circle Members. Lisa Paulsen said that the traditional ratio for booking in-kind services versus cash is 4 to 1. Susan Patterson mentioned that Wanda Kaminski has a problem identifying school affiliations for in-kind donors. Greg Rosen raised the issue of where to draw line for Wine Auction in-kind donors such as restaurants and wine donors. Carolyn proposed to take this issue to the Executive Committee for further discussion.
    
    John Oshiro reminded everyone of upcoming MBMS concerts.
     
11. Meeting Adjourned to Closed Session: 8:24 PM.
     
12. Meeting Reconvened: 8:29 PM
     
13. Announcement: President Carolyn Leserman announced the election of Ida VanderPoorte to the MBEF Board of Directors in closed session. We now have 23 members.
     
14. Meeting Adjourned: 8:30 PM.
     
15. Next Meeting: Tuesday, January 7, 2003, 7:30 PM at Mira Costa High School, Family Living Center, Room 113.

Respectfully submitted by LeRoy Nelson on December 4, 2002
Approved January 7, 2003