Manhattan Beach Education Foundation
Board Minutes – October 1, 2002

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

Attendees:

Directors: Stephanie Beverly, Geoff Bremer, Webster Burns, Wendy Carson, Randy Dotemoto, Craig Kline, Carolyn Leserman, Anne McLaughlin, LeRoy Nelson, Lisa Paulsen, Judy Reece, Carol Rowe, Julian Ryder, Freddi Segal-Gidan, Richard Wennekamp

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

MBEF Staff: Sherry Kramer, Susan Patterson

Guests: Cheryl Burke, Jim Furlan, Kirk Hawkins, Jeff Thaler, parents

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

1. President’s Notes: President Carolyn Leserman announced the election of two new directors at the August meeting: Wendy Carson and John Oshiro. Carolyn introduced the four guests (listed above). Carolyn invited directors to represent MBEF at Capitol Convoy in March. The MBEF Board needs a PR person; anyone interested should contact Carolyn. Carolyn presented gifts to recognize Golf Tournament Co-chairs Julian Ryder and Kirk Hawkins. She also thanked Stephanie Beverly, Richard Wennekamp, Randy Dotemoto, Sherry Kramer, Susan Patterson and everyone who helped with the Golf Tournament.
    
2. Minutes: Secretary LeRoy Nelson corrected two typographical errors. A motion by Geoff Bremer/Carol Rowe to approve the September minutes as corrected was approved.
    
3. Financial Report: Investment officer Geoff Bremer presented the financial reports provided by Treasurer Gary Wayland. The special meeting to discuss a managed bond portfolio was postponed.
    
4. New Event Report. Lisa Paulsen reported that a key meeting with the MB Studios production staff will be held on October 24. Lisa hopes that we will be able to use a sound stage on March 29 or an alternate date in early February. If a sound stage is not available, we could still have a great dinner dance party in tents in the Studio parking lot. The Studio has event staff and other support that was not available previously. Proposed event name: Backlot Ball. Lisa’s Entertainment Industry Foundation will underwrite the event to the extent of $100,000. We should be able to net $100,000 from this event. This will probably be a one-time event. The proposed ticket price is $125. Tracey Windes and Pat Parker are also working on the Backlot Ball committee.
    
5. Business Education Partnership Report: Sherry Kramer expects to receive the first $5,000 check from First Coastal Bank on October 23 at a 5:30 PM ceremony. Hawthorne Savings will be supporting the recognition breakfast programs at MCHS, so MBEF will not need to fund those grants. The next MBEF Advisory Board meeting is October 24 at 8:00 AM.
    
6. Assistant Superintendent’s Report: Dr. Sheralyn Smith enjoyed her visit to the Golf Tournament. New math and reading programs are being implemented this year. All schools are examining test scores for remediation opportunities. An instrumental music meeting for 3rd grade parents provided a great overview of the program and an opportunity to thank MBEF publicly for making this program possible.
    
7. MBUSD Board of Trustee’s Report: Dr. Teri Greene reported that the District budget should be clarified soon. Federal education funds were siphoned off to balance the State budget. Some cuts were offset by other legislation. Gary Wayland’s committee is at the City Council meeting tonight requesting $50,000 for the all-weather track. The school board nominated George Nakano as Legislator of the Year. The school board supports Prop. 47. The $11M that we expect to receive from Prop. 47 was anticipated in the modernization plan. The garden plot near Mira Costa has to be sold as one lot that can accommodate up to three homes. Sealed bids are being accepted, with a minimum bid of $1.5M.
    
8. Fundraising Reports.
    
   1. Golf Tournament: Julian Ryder and Kirk Hawkins reported that we sold more sponsorships than the previous years. They estimate that we netted about $44K. Julian thinks it should be possible to net $75,000 from the Golf Tournament based on information from other tournaments.
       
   2. Membership: Richard Wennekamp reported that a theme this year will be that our students need support from both the PTA and MBEF, so parents need to donate to both. The kickoff banner will be put up on November 4 at Manhattan Ave and Manhattan Beach Blvd. The minimum donation for the class participation bonus program will be $20 for parents and $10 for teachers. Participation award levels: $200 for 50%, $250 for 75%, $300 for 100%. Membership would like to sweeten Superintendent’s Circle awards and increase recognition for donors. It was suggested that we consider asking for a specific amount (“a dollar a day”) as some of the PTAs do.
       
   3. Wine Auction: Randy Dotemoto reported that the first wine advisory board meeting was held last month to recognize contributions last year and to begin planning for next year. There will be five new co-chairs: Randy, Jeff and Sheryl Thaler, Rich Weiss and Quinn Barrow. Chairs Emeritus Greg Rosen and Carlos Lopes will sponsor a new Bel Air wine dinner.
       
   4. Oktoberfest: Pat Parker met again with George Mihlsten to plan for next year’s event.
       
9. Grants Committee Report: Webster Burns reported on discussions with Superintendent Jerry Davis and Principal Lynn McCormack regarding a high school foreign language lab. Lynn has concerns about the impact of this project on funding of other programs at the high school, especially since there will be no API funds next year. Lynn is discussing priorities with the Education Council and the School Site Council. Issues regarding the grant for an MBMS counselor have still not been resolved. A motion by Webster Burns/Craig Kline to extend the grant resolution deadline until our November meeting was approved
    
10. Old Business/New Business: Susan Patterson relayed a question from Wanda Kaminski about the Annual Report. Carolyn Leserman is working on getting the Annual Report produced. Last year, we intended to print 100 extra copies, but we only ended up with 7. Carol Rowe suggested an abbreviated non-glossy annual report for donors under $100. We can refer people to our web site for the full Annual Report. Wendy Carson complimented the people who have edited School Notes in the past. Freddi Segal-Gidan mentioned the pending health care budget crisis could result in the closure of the trauma center at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, which would make UCLA the nearest trauma center. Sherry Kramer has a sponsor who is offering a $10 rebate on car detailing. She invited directors to a book signing event at ICAAN Gallery on November 23. Richard Wennekamp reminded everyone about the AT&T program that rebates 5% to the school of your choice.
     
11. Meeting Adjourned to Closed Session: 8:53 PM.
     
12. Meeting Reconvened: 8:55 PM
     
13. Announcement: President Carolyn Leserman announced the election of Jeff Thaler to the MBEF Board of Directors in closed session.
     
14. Meeting Adjourned: 8:56 PM.
     
15. Next Meeting: Tuesday, November 5, 2002, 7:30 PM at Mira Costa High School, Family Living Center, Room 113.

Respectfully submitted by LeRoy Nelson on October 2, 2002
Approved with one correction on November 5, 2002