Manhattan Beach Education Foundation
Board Minutes – January 7, 2003

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

Attendees:

Directors (20/23): Geoff Bremer, Webster Burns, Wendy Carson, Randy Dotemoto, Mike Dunitz, Chuck Kaminski, Carolyn Leserman, Anne McLaughlin, LeRoy Nelson, John Oshiro, Pat Parker, Judy Reece, Greg Rosen, Carol Rowe, Julian Ryder, Freddi Segal-Gidan, Jeff Thaler, Ida VanderPoorte, Gary Wayland, Richard Wennekamp

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

MBEF Staff: Sherry Kramer, Susan Patterson

Guests: Jim Furlan, Debbie Mahr, Kim Siehl, Ruth Graf-Urasaki, parents

Handouts: Agenda, December Minutes, Board List, Financial Reports, Budget summary and Possible Staffing Reductions table, unsigned letter from a Special Education parent.

Call to Order: 7:37 PM by President Carolyn Leserman.

1. President’s Notes: Carolyn asked the guests to introduce themselves. Carolyn reported on the Executive Board meeting last night. Gary Wayland will work on a proposal for giving credit for in-kind donations. At the District Advisory Council meeting, Superintendent Jerry Davis talked about budget cuts. We expect to have a better idea how much the District will be impacted by mid-January. The Palos Verdes district is planning to seek a special election for a parcel tax.
    
2. Minutes: A motion to approve the December minutes was made by LeRoy Nelson, seconded by Judy Reece, and approved by voice vote.
    
3. Financial Report: Treasurer Gary Wayland presented the financial reports. We received several stock donations before the end of the year. Investment Officer Geoff Bremer expects to have a report on our new bond investment portfolio next month. We expect to lock in 2.8% for a CD rollover. Our bond portfolio will be extending out 4-5 years.
    
4. Business Education Partnership Report: Sherry Kramer reported that the next Business Advisory Committee meeting would be on Thursday, January 23 at 8:00-9:00 AM. All committee chairs are invited to attend.
    
5. Administrative Director’s Report: Susan Patterson had nothing to report. She is on jury duty during the day this week.
    
6. Assistant Superintendent’s Report: Dr. Sheralyn Smith reported on the accreditation process at the high school. MBMS has a scheduled visitation from Schools to Watch. Carol Mathews is being recognized as Teacher of the Year. The District is currently assessing the K-5 Open Court adoption and monitoring math adoptions for 6-12. The District is applying for grant for arts implementation. Just today, we received the materials on the new state test, CAT 6, which replaces the SAT 9.
    
7. MBUSD Board of Trustee’s Report: Lynette Campbell handed out a budget reduction proposal summary, which was also handed out at District Advisory Council this morning. School Services estimates that the state deficit will exceed $40 billion. That would translate into $3 million for our District – $0.5 million for this year and $2.5 million for next year. This equates to a salary reduction of 8.5%. The last survey of the community, which was conducted 3 years ago, did not indicate support for a parcel tax. The cost of a parcel tax election and campaign would be $100,000-$200,000, most of which would have to come from private donations. A parcel tax requires a 2/3 vote every 5 years. Dr. Greene reported that budget reductions and dogs on campus will both be topics on the School Board agenda for January 22.
    
8. Fundraising Reports.
    
   1. Golf Tournament: Julian Ryder reported that Kirk Hawkins bought a home in PV, so he will be leaving as a key co-Chair. Julian requested that the MBEF Board find a replacement for Kirk, such as Randy Dotemoto. It was proposed that we invite Kirk to our next meeting for recognition. The tournament date has not yet been confirmed.
       
   2. Membership: Richard Wennekamp complimented Wendy Carson on an excellent issue of School Notes. Wendy thanked all of the people who contributed. Richard reported that the year-end flyer generated $7,800. To date, we have received donations from 456 families versus 277 last year. Similar dollar amounts. We have 67 Super Circle members so far this year versus 75 last year. Four schools are well ahead of last year: Grand View, Meadows, Pennekamp and Robinson. The banner is up at Marine and Sepulveda.
       
   3. Wine Auction: Jeff Thaler reported that we already have at least $15K in wine donations. Sherry Kramer announced that Stacey Reeve and Joanne Schnuckel will chair the silent auction
       
   4. Backlot Ball. Pat Parker announced that we have signed contracts for the March 29 event. Tickets will be $125. We expect to sell 800 tickets. There will only be one auction item – Lisa Paulsen is putting together a Hollywood experience package. Invitations will be mailed in mid February.
       
   5. Oktoberfest: Pat Parker reported that the atrium site near Flemings Steakhouse on Rosecrans looks good for this event. No date yet.
       
9. Grants Committee Report: Webster Burns reported that letters were sent to Principals and teachers in mid December.
    
10. Old Business/New Business: Wendy mentioned that the NPR broadcast that discussed education foundations being restricted was not discussing foundations in this country.
     

    Jeff Thaler mentioned that the wine auction committee has been approached by the Old Hometown Fair committee about setting up a wine tasting area at the fair, more upscale than the beer garden. They asked if we would be interested in staffing the area and acquiring wines. Jeff acknowledged concerns about another alcohol-related event. The beer garden earns $100,000; each of the four groups that provide the staffing each receives $20,000. Wine tasting could potentially earn $15,000-$20,000 for MBEF. They are considering using the tennis courts for the wine tasting. Greg Rosen thinks the involvement of MBEF should not be advertised. He suggested that the “cost effective” wines at this event would not be allowed at the wine auction.

    Carol Rowe is the new director of the Downtown Business Association.
     

11. Meeting Adjourned to Closed Session: 8:42 PM.
     
12. Meeting Reconvened: 8:45 PM
     
13. Announcement: President Carolyn Leserman announced the election of Kim Siehl and Ruth Urasaki to the MBEF Board of Directors in closed session. We now have 25 members.
     
14. Meeting Adjourned: 8:46 PM.
     
15. Next Meeting: Tuesday, February 4, 2003, 7:30 PM at Mira Costa High School, Family Living Center, Room 113.

Respectfully submitted by LeRoy Nelson on January 28, 2003
Approved February 4, 2003