/Board_Minutes_2012-01-17

Trustees OPEN Meeting INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF KRAKOW 5:30p.m. January 17, 2012

Present: Chairman Allen Greenberg, Anne Braghetta, Max Dudhia, John Lynch, Joerg von Weiler, Allen Haberberg, Elysa Sicard Ex Officio: Mamie Heard, Piotr Buczkowicz, Malgorzata Gonet-Mroczka, Erik Lutley, Brett Elkei, and Barbara Kotarba (note taker) Absent: Barbara Myrczek, Eric van der Steen.

Visitors: PTA President Magda Figas Brzeska, Teacher Representative Katarzyna Kuzniar The Chairman welcomed new Board member Mr. Max Dudhia.

The Chairman motioned to accept the agenda as written. Motion passed.

The Chairman and the Board read for the first time the new by-laws of the Board regarding Board elections. The by-laws will be read at the next meeting for the second time and will then be accepted as binding.

The Chairman motioned to accept December Board minutes as written, Motion passed.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT TO THE BOARD -

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ISK welcomed back faculty, staff and a total of 169 returning students.

Prior to the holidays was a time of celebration and building of ISK community spirit.

Students in grades 1-12 performed the Winternationals, “Around the World 80 Days” on Friday night, December 16th, to a large, supportive audience of over 300 parents, alumni, and special guests—a nice dedication of our new Sports Field House facility. PTA President organized parents to host the Food Festival following the performance.

Additionally, the Early Years teachers and students hosted parents for our Winter Festival, a time for parent and student participation in centers with activities for arts and crafts, with food and fun for all.

December newsletter, ISK Voice, has featured these events and many more. Special recognition to contributors for another outstanding ISK publication.

A focus for the next few months will be on marketing ISK. Committees formed include: Spring Gala (fundraising), Scholarship, and Publications.

Director has reviewed all teacher contracts aligning with the current ISK Teacher Salary Pay Scale. Contracts were revisited at individual sessions with teachers.

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With Board approval to proceed with the implementation of IB Diploma Program, International Baccalaureate Organization was approached regarding the time line for authorization for ISK. The tentative date for authorization is August 2013. An IB Steering Committee has been formed and will publish the timeline for implementation for IB Diploma Program for the next Board meeting. The present grade 9 at ISK will be the first to enter the IB Program.

Semester Final Exams: Students and teachers are busy with exam review and exam week with preparation of semester reports going to go home at the end of the semester.

University Application Process: Assisted by grade level leader, Mr. Kozak, Grade 12 students have submitted applications to USA, Canada, UK, and Poland.

Student Activities organized by Athletic Director and ASA Coordinator: February 2 – 4 Math Counts in Vilnius, February 8 – 12 Middle School Choir in Warsaw February 9 – 12 ISK hosting the High School Knowledge Bowl, ISK Winter Ski Camp in Cortina d’ Ampezzo for 22 students and 4 adults, Basketball League: Organized several basketball games for Elementary and Middle School students.

Staffing for 2012-13, Letters of Intent to Renew Contract were issued on Monday, January 9th. The following positions have been posted on school website: Kindergarten, Early Years, English.

New lockers have been installed in the Middle School Commons Area.

Teachers completed revision of standards for all subject areas and grade level and alignment with report cards. Curriculum Coordinator is in process of reviewing all curriculum maps.

Updated Early Years report cards completed.

Social Studies Curriculum Committee is revising Elementary Social Studies bridging this with new Middle School Social Studies Curriculum.

FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT TO THE BOARD Joerg von Weiler spoke of the FC’s work on restructuring financial management at ISK and outsourcing of accounting. Three accounting offers were collected. The FC recommended one offer from the company which was most competitive pricewise and also offered to work on the same accounting software that the school presently uses. In the long run, the school’s payroll may also be done by the same firm. Outsourcing of accounting is a better option than hiring another person. It is also beneficial to have a third party control the bookkeeping.

Joerg von Weiler made a motion to hire an outsourcing firm recommended by the FC, Chairman Greenberg supported the motion; all were in favor; motion passed.

The Board agreed that the firm will be hired as soon as possible, and will receive free-of-charge one month a “getting acquainted period” in February during which the new firm will come up to speed on the school’s accounting situation. Starting March 1st they will begin with fully paid services.

PTA REPORT TO THE BOARD Ms. Brzeska Figas, the new PTA President, introduced herself to the Board and spoke of new way of running the PTA. PTA responsibilities will now be spread among a steering committee

of parents assisting the President at all times. At present, the committee is developing a policy manual. The PTA also came up with an idea to have a welcome committee for inquiring parents.

The PTA will try to do more organization of social activities for the school community. The Director thanked the PTA for purchasing mugs and cutlery for the school. The PTA President asked if any help is needed in helping reorganizing the school kitchen.

Referring to the next year’s Board schedule, the Chairman made a motion to move the Board session from Tuesday May 14, 2013 to Monday May 13, 2013. Motion passed.

(The date was previously agreed by Board members upon e-mail).

The meeting adjourned at 18:15 January 17, 2012 MOTIONS Description of the Motion’s subject To outsource accounting to a recommended firm To move Board session from May 14, 2013 to May 13, 2013

Approved or Motion not seconded Approved Approved