Board_Minutes_2012-02-14

Trustees OPEN Meeting INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF KRAKOW 5:30p.m. February 14, 2012 Present: Chairman Allen Greenberg, Anne Braghetta, Max Dudhia, John Lynch, Barbara Myrczek, Joerg von Weiler, Allen Haberberg, Elysa Sicard.

Ex Officio: Brett Elkei, Eric Lutley, Mamie Heard, Piotr Buczkowicz, Malgorzata Gonet-Mroczka, and Barbara Kotarba (note taker) Absent: Eric van der Steen.

Visitors: PTA Representative Ida Novotny, Teacher Representative Sarah Wadiak.

The Chairman asked if the Board has any comments and questions in reference to the second reading of the bylaws. There were none.

VOTING: The Chairman made a motion to approve the Board’s by-laws as written, Anne Braghetta seconded the motion, all were in favor; motion passed.

VOTING: The Chairman motioned to accept the agenda as written. John Lynch seconded the motion, all were in favor, motion passed.

VOTING: The Chairman motioned to accept January Board minutes as written, Anne Braghetta seconded the motion, all were in favor; motion passed.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT TO THE BOARD ● ISK has been actively involved in three CEESA events in the past two weeks. In Math Counts Middle School Competition in Vilnius, ISK students competed with 10 international schools and placed 2nd place overall with first place in top individual student competition ● This weekend ISK hosted the High School Knowledge Bowl with 50 students representing 11 schools. ● Nine ISK students traveled to Warsaw for the Middle School Choir Festival. ● It is important to point out that ISK is a small school in comparison to all other schools located in capital cities and not only is ISK consistent in sending teams for CEESA competitions, ISK students do extremely well. In preparation for next year, Senior Leadership Team has been busy. Contracts have been issued to returning faculty. ● The interview process is underway for the following positions for 2012-13: Early Childhood, Grade 0 and Grade 4 teachers for Elementary and English/Drama Teacher for Upper School. A contract for the English position in the upper school has been accepted. Biographies on teachers will be communicated to the school community as soon as all positions have been filled. ● Teachers who are not returning have accepted teaching and/or administrative positions in Qatar, Egypt, and Czech Republic. ● Parents have received the communication (email) regarding the school fees for 2012-13 and the restructuring for 3 and 4 year olds in the Early Learning Center. ● Admission materials have been updated. ● Scholarship Program will be launched on April 1st. ● Parents continue to play an active part in our school community. The Spring Gala Committee has finalized the date of April 21, 2012 and venue at the Stary Hotel for our major ISK fundraising event. Detailed information will be emailed to our community the week of February 13th. ● A member of our parent community, Mr. Tomasz Smolarski, organized a presentation from Mr. Paweł Ciećko, Director of the Government Environmental Protection Agency for Małopolska on air quality for this area. A proposal to use the monitoring equipment to measure air quality on our campus will be submitted.

Semester Reports for 3 year old to grade 12 were received by students (paper copy) on Wednesday, February 8th. ● ISK Winter Ski Camp in Cortina d’Ampezzo for 22 students and 4 adults scheduled during the ISK Semester Break. ● Finance Committee has requested a plan for addressing the ‘bottleneck’ with small classrooms impact on teacher/student ratios. Overseas Schools had suggested ISK consult with a school architect and will assist with this project. As ISK moves forward with development of a strategic plan, this information will be crucial. ● Implementation of International Baccalaureate Program: IB Steering Committee Organized for each of the subject areas (6) offered plus Director of Admissions; IB Coordinator duties will be added to the Curriculum Coordinator’s job description (Lou Panetta); IB Coordinator and Director registered for required workshop in Brussels on March 2nd; IB information session given to PTA at last general meeting. ● Social Studies Curriculum Committee continues revision of Elementary Social ● Studies to bridge this with new Middle School Social Studies Curriculum. ● The cooperation with ASW is great, the partner school is very welcoming, ISK teachers travel to Warsaw for consultations and training.

FINANCIAL COMMITTEE REPORT TO THE BOARD Jorg von Weiler spoke of the necessity to present new contracts to students every year, preferably by April for reenrollment. ●

The school’s accounting processes have been outsourced to a professional accounting firm slightly earlier than expected. In addition to the previous agreement, another 10% discount for service has been negotiated by Piotr Buczkowicz.

PTA REPORT TO THE BOARD Ida Novotny spoke of the new system of accounting for PTA’s cash spending. She spoke about PTA-supported and co-organized events. Parental involvement in the PTA is significant, and the money with which the PTA is assisting the school is well spent. The Director is very happy with the support from parents.

ISK TEACHER REPORT TO THE BOARD ● ISK Teachers have entered 2012 with various tasks such as administration of Semester Exams, writing Semester Reports, and preparation for CEESA events ● The Teachers' Meeting in February touched upon teachers’ contracts in general and what they include for some of the staff members, namely benefits such as COLA, flights, health insurance, housing, school fees.

This prompted further discussion and questions, which were addressed in an open discussion with all staff during one of our weekly staff meetings. It has been stressed that those benefits should not become a divisive issue, as atmosphere of unity amongst staff here is valued by all. Teachers understand that in order to stay competitive, ISK needs to offer competitive packages for prospective candidates, which should include not only foreign hires, but local candidates as well. ● ·Teachers welcome the smoothing out of the contracts and anomalies, and the move towards greater transparency, although it has been difficult for some. All understand the need for such change and hope this situation will be avoided in the future. Discussion with the Director points to the need for all contractual agreements to be in writing. ● It was noted that the new contracts do not include the 50/50 currency option, which has been suggested, and would eliminate many of the financial issues the teachers currently have. This should be confirmed before the contracts come into force on July 1 2012. ● Teachers are also aware of, and welcome. the fact that Ms Heard is planning to review pay scale details regarding local and foreign earned qualifications. ● Ms Heard has updated the staff with reference to IB application deadlines, PD training and who is going to be trained & in which area.

MARKETING The Administration is preparing new school brochures for 2012/2013 (samples were shown to the Board).

Spring fundraising ventures are scheduled to support purchases for the library, playground equipment, etc.

Piotr Buczkowicz will investigate the cost of renting the Sports Center to parents for use on weekends.

OPEN FORUM Lisa and Paul Lucas thanked the Board for all support the teachers were getting in difficult times. They plan to return to ISK after they complete their assignment in Qatar.

The meeting adjourned at 6:30p.m.