Manhattan Beach Education Foundation
Board Minutes – November 5, 2002

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

Attendees:

Directors: Geoff Bremer, Webster Burns, Wendy Carson, Craig Cline, Randy Dotemoto, Mike Dunitz, Chuck Kaminski, Carolyn Leserman, Anne McLaughlin, LeRoy Nelson, John Oshiro, Pat Parker, Greg Rosen, Carol Rowe, Julian Ryder, Freddi Segal-Gidan, Jeff Thaler, Gary Wayland, Richard Wennekamp

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

MBEF Staff: Susan Patterson

Guests: Ruth Graf-Urasaki, Kim Siehl, Tati Wennekamp, parents

Call to Order: 7:37 PM by President Carolyn Leserman. Many members continued stuffing envelopes for the membership mailing during the meeting.

1. President’s Notes: President Carolyn Leserman distributed copies of the agenda. Carolyn reported that we received $5,000 from First Coastal Bank. Carolyn thanked Mike Dunitz for securing our web site. This year marks MBEF’s 20th anniversary. Gary Wayland is chairing a committee to plan a celebration. Carolyn asked for committee volunteers for this event and asked anyone interested to contact Gary or her. Carolyn held an advisory meeting with former MBEF Presidents. MBUSD recognized MBEF at the October school board meeting. Carolyn introduced the guests listed above.
    
2. Minutes: Secretary LeRoy Nelson distributed extra copies of the October minutes and Board List. He noted that a one-word correction to the October minutes had been distributed via email. A motion to approve the October minutes as corrected was made by Freddi Segal-Gidan, seconded by Richard Wennekamp, and approved by voice vote.
    
3. Financial Report: Treasurer Gary Wayland presented the financial reports, including a report of account balances. Investment Officer Geoff Bremer reported that an investment committee meeting was held to discuss the managed bond portfolio proposal with representatives from Morgan Stanley and Solomon Brothers. The committee decided to seek proposals from one or two additional brokers. Brad Jones recommended another local broker.
    
4. Business Education Partnership Report: Sherry Kramer was not present.
    
5. Administrative Director’s Report: Susan Patterson had nothing new to report.
    
6. Assistant Superintendent’s Report: Dr. Sheralyn Smith reported that the first group of teachers is being trained on the new report cards. Instrumental music participation has increased greatly this year.
    
7. MBUSD Board of Trustee’s Report: Dr. Teri Greene mentioned that we are waiting to see if there will be additional budget cuts to balance the State budget after the election.
   
   Lynette Campbell reported that State budget cuts have already resulted in Mira Costa High School receiving $260,436 less in State grants this year than last year. The specific reductions include:

   Technology (Digital High School) $107,730
   Tolerance (PACE) 50,000
   State library funding 48,489
   Curriculum development (SB1882) 29,217
   ARTS, Choir 25,000

   She will ask Scott Smith to provide similar lists for the other schools.
    

8. Fundraising Reports.
    
   1. Golf Tournament: Julian Ryder reported that his committee is exploring moving the tournament from Palos Verdes to Los Verdes to save money.
       
   2. Membership: Richard Wennekamp reported that Superintendent Jerry Davis sent focused letters to Super Circle members and prospective members. The banner went up downtown yesterday. The mass mailing was stuffed before and during the Board meeting tonight. Jerry Davis also sent a letter to the principals encouraging them to send letters to their parents supporting the MBEF membership drive. The minimum donation for participation awards was raised from $10 to $20 and a new award level was added for 75% participation. The goal of the membership drive is for each school to achieve 75% participation and an average donation of $200 per family. Richard reported that editor Wendy Carson will have her first issue of School Notes ready to distribute by mid-to-late November.
       
   3. Wine Auction: Jeff Thaler reported steady progress.
       
   4. Backlot Ball. Pat Parker reported that a sound stage has been secured for the event and the date has been set for March 29. MBEF is being asked to assume a larger role in putting on this event than the Board anticipated. A committee is drafting a Memorandum of Understanding between MBEF and the Entertainment Industry Foundation, which they expect to have signed by December 1.
       
   5. Oktoberfest: Pat Parker reported that meetings are being held every two weeks. Several potential locations have been discussed with City officials. George Mihlsten is excited and has good contacts. Pat identified the Oktoberfest committee chairs:
       
      • Location/logistics: Mickey Mellman
      • Sponsorships: George Mihlsten, Sherry Kramer, Bob Campbell, Rusty Doms, Doug Rowe
      • Food/Entertainment: Jeff Nitta, Sherry Kramer
      • Financial/Budget: Gary Wayland
      • Marketing/Publicity: Pat Parker, Susan Patterson

      The committee is aiming to hold this event during the second or third week of October. The event will probably be held outdoors and may last until midnight, so the Manhattan Beach noise ordinance will have to be addressed with the City Council.
       

9. Grants Committee Report: Anne McLaughlin reported that MBMS has purchased more than $45,000 worth of additional textbooks with funds freed up by our grant for the counselor. A motion to accept this expenditure as meeting the academic purpose requirement was made by Anne, seconded by Webster Burns, and approved by hand vote. MBMS needs a grand piano for classes, rehearsals and performances. The best deal we have found so far is a baby grand piano for $9,000. A motion to approve a grant of $9,000, contingent on determination that there is no other source, was made by Anne, seconded by Webster, and approved by voice vote. MBMS has requested funds for 50 additional science textbooks at cost of up to $2,500. A motion to approve a grant of up to $2,500 was made by Greg Rosen, seconded by Pat Parker, and approved by voice vote.
   
   Anne reported that the MCHS foreign language department recommended deferring the foreign language lab for 1-2 years because of the upcoming foreign language curriculum adoption. Diane Levitt learned that we are eligible for a State grant that provides $35,000 for planning and $225K for implementation over three years (http://www.cde.ca.gov/funding/profile.asp?id=268). Applications are due by December 14. This grant would match our timing and cover most of the cost of the foreign language lab. MBEF has been asked to provide $1,500 to cover the costs to apply for these grants. These grants favor an interdisciplinary approach. A motion to approve the grant for $1,500 was made by Greg Rosen and seconded by Chuck Kaminski. Concern was expressed about whether a State grant program will survive the budget cuts. The motion was approved by voice vote.
    
10. Old Business/New Business: Susan Patterson asked if we are sending anyone to Capitol Convoy. Anne McLaughlin and Wendy Carson are attending for other organizations and will represent MBEF as well.
    
    Randy Dotemoto reported that the MBMS instrumental music program has raised $18,000 of the $20,000 original target, but the target has been raised to buy uniforms. A wine dinner fundraiser is scheduled for January 21. Thanks to MBEF for handling the donations.
    
    Freddi Segal-Gidan reported that National Public Radio recently reported on education foundations (http://www.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2002/oct/schools/index.html). Texas foundations are required to share a portion of their revenues with the State for equalization.
    
    Gary Wayland proposed to open a bank account at First Coastal Bank. A motion by Greg Rosen was seconded by Randy Dotemoto and approved by voice vote.
     
11. Meeting Adjourned: 8:38 PM.
     
12. Next Meeting: Tuesday, December 3, 2002, 7:30 PM at Mira Costa High School, Family Living Center, Room 113.

Respectfully submitted by LeRoy Nelson on November 12, 2002
Approved December 3, 2002.