December - Explore Knowledge Academy

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Approved 2/18/2010
A regular meeting of the Explore Knowledge Academy Charter School Board of Trustees was held on
Thursday, December 17th, 2009 at 4801 S. Sandhill Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89121.
President Ben Childs calls the meeting to order at 4:17 p.m. Mr. Childs then leads the pledge of allegiance a
moment of silence.
Roll Call and adoption of agenda: a quorum was established with the following board members present: Ben
Childs, Ron Pipkins, Debbie Jackson, Cindy DellaValle, Shari DeBartolo, and Terri Keener. Shari DeBartolo is
present telephonically. Constance Ewing is absent.
Shari Debartolo moves to adopt the agenda. Debbie Jackson seconds the motion. Ben Childs calls for
discussion. Mr. Childs calls for a vote. The vote is unanimous. The motion passes.
Approval of minutes from November 19, 2009 board meeting: Debbie Jackson moves to adopt the motion with
the following changes: misspelled names corrected; on page 3 part B, remove the part stating Mr. Houston does
not agree to fund raise; on page 6 part G, Susan Stewart states the budgeted amount for a space planner is
$2500; on page 8 part J, the limit on the credit cards is $10,000 per card; on page 5 Ms. DellaValle concludes
that there are significant savings available and the verb “to be” should be changed. Terri Keener seconds the
motion. Mr. Childs calls for discussion. Mr. Childs calls for a vote. The vote is unanimous. The motion passes.
Complaint made by Mr. Price: Clark Price brings a complaint to the board regarding a change to his salary and a
change to his insurance benefits provider. Mr. Childs makes a motion to pay Mr. Price $52,500. Mr. Pipkins
seconds the motion. Mr. Childs calls for discussion. After some discussion, Mr. Childs calls for a vote on the
motion to pay Mr. Price $52,500 per year. Ms. Jackson and Mr. Pipkins vote aye. Ms. Keener, Ms. DellaValle,
and Ms. DeBartolo vote no. The motion does not pass. Ms. Keener moves that Mr. Price be paid the same
salary he received last year. Ms. DellaValle seconds the motion. Ms. Keener clarifies that the motion is to pay
Mr. Price his teacher salary plus a stipend totaling $55,000. Mr. Childs calls for discussion. Mr. Child calls for a
vote. Ms. Jackson and Mr. Pipkins vote no. Ms. Keener, Ms. DellaValle, Ms. DeBartolo, and Mr. Childs vote yes.
The motion passes.
Discuss and approve coaching stipends: Mr. Childs moves that there be given $1100 per coach per sport for a
total of $4400. Ms. Keener seconds the motion. Mr. Childs calls for discussion. Mr. Childs calls for a vote. The
vote is unanimous. The motion passes.
Complaint made by Leanne Hall and Patrick Quinn: A joint complaint is brought to the board made by Leanne
Hall and Patrick Quinn. Mr. Quinn explains that they are asking for two things: the second half of the stipend,
which for Mr. Quinn is $1400, and the restoration of their position on the teacher pay scale, which for him and
Leanne is A5. After some discussion, Mr. Childs makes a motion to approve half the stipend and half the pay
scale increase. Mr. Pipkins seconds the motion. Mr. Childs calls for discussion. Mr. Childs amends his motion to
increase the teachers’ step on the salary scale and not receive any stipend. Mr. Childs asks for a second for the
new motion. No second is received. Ms. Jackson makes a motion to give the full stipend and pay scale

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restoration to Mr. Quinn, Ms. Hall, Mr. Webster, Ms. Gustafson, and Mr. Takemoto. Ms. DeBartolo seconds the
motion. Mr. Childs calls for discussion. Mr. Childs calls for a vote. The vote is unanimous and the motion
passes.
Ms. Debartolo is disconnected and Ms. Jackson leaves, but a quorum remains.
Administration report: Mr. Houston reports that the first edition of this year’s student newsletter was
published and there will be a barbecue for the students at Whitney Mesa the next day. Mr. Houston reports
that the EKA foundation has been formed, it has members, the foundation’s articles have been filed, the
foundation has received its EIN number, and the next step is forming the 501(c)(3). Mr. Houston reports that
the leadership meeting at Sahara will be rescheduled for January and the agenda will remain the same. Mr.
Houston reports that John passed his high school proficiency exam, and another student had a 130 point turnaround
from last year’s exam.
Financial report: Ms. Stewart explains that she will be doing 1099’s in January for the vendors that need them.
Ms. Stewart will be starting some federal reports due in February. Ms. Stewart reports she will soon be meeting
to plan the budget for the 2010-1011 school year.
Student reports: A student reports on spirit week, food and fun snow day, culture day was moved to January
29 th , EKA pageant, Prom, fundraiser possibilities, UNLV basketball game, and varsity quiz bowl.
Advisors reports: Ms. Smith reports on her class winter celebrations. Ms. Gustafson reports on the schools
work associated with the Happy Factory making wooden toys. Brenda Dulie reports on the winter celebrations
held at the Lutheran church.
PTSA report: Casandra Burger reports on purchasing books from the scholastic warehouse, monthly skate night
scheduled on January 20 th 2010, and the gingerbread workshop.
Charter review: Mr. Pipkins asks Ms. Stewart to explain the school’s liability insurance. Ms. Stewart explains
that the school is required to have liability insurance to cover board members and employees and that they are
in the process of getting an explanation of the policy. Mr. Pipkins explains that a board member is considered
an employer and that information about employees is confidential. Mr. Pipkins states that the board should not
be involved in micro-management but should be limited to policy making.
Nevada School Board Conference report: Mr. Childs reports on his attendance at the Nevada School Board
Conference.
Public comments on agenda items: Erin Fletcher thanks the board for their emphasis on team building and asks
the board about arts and facilities planning.
Jim Grimyser reads a prepared statement commenting on the state of affairs at EKA. Mr. Grimyser comments
on the positive aspects of EKA. Mr. Grimyser expresses his opinion that this school cannot stand divided as it is,
that the operating styles, vision, and treatment of staff, etc., of the current Executive Director and the site

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coordinator are opposite and will not allow the school to survive. Mr. Grimyser exhorts the board to choose
soon between the two persons.
Schranda Collier asks what course of action is to happen when a board member is behaving in the manner
rumored as mentioned by Mr. Pipkins. Mr. Pipkins reiterates his concern that board members act appropriately
and keep confidential matters confidential, keeping the school free of legal encumbrances.
Mr. Price reports on the Fresh and Easy fundraiser.
Ms. DellaValle comments on the need for cohesiveness in the school. Mr. Houston explains that the reason
neither of teachers at Whitney Mesa were moved is because of the disruptions it would cause. Ms. Collier
comments on the disruptions.
Response to public comments: Ms. Stewart responds to Mr. Grimyser. Ms. Stewart comments on the current
Executive Director. Ms. Stewart further comments that she believes the school is in fact progressing along the
right lines and hopes everyone can learn to work together.
Update on vendor contracts: Mr. Houston explains he spoke with Knighton Janitorial concerning complaints
made about their service. Mr. Houston suggests a porter service during the afternoons may help.
Facilities update: Mr. Houston provides updates on a facility on Sunset road that he and Ms. DellaValle are
looking at. Mr. Houston reports that he and Ms. Stewart will meet with the YMCA about a possibility of leasing a
building from them. Mr. Houston gives report about meeting with a woman from North Las Vegas concerning
available properties in North Las Vegas. Ms. DellaValle reports on buildings located on Mountain Vista that offer
possibilities. Ms. DellaValle states the need to form a committee to make decisions on the issue of finding a
facility for the school. Discussion is held on various properties and facilities and methods of acquiring those
facilities. Mr. Houston comments that he would like to move the entire school at one time. Ms. DellaValle
mentions the existence of a CCSD real estate department and possible connections with that department.
Calendar review: Mr. Houston reports on an Ed Visions staff development plan scheduled for January 19 th and
20 th costing $2500 and needing board approval. Discussion is held on the merits of the Ed Visions program. Mr.
Childs moves to approve the $2500 cost for Ed Visions training scheduled for January 19 th and 20 th . Cindy
DellaValle seconds the motion. Mr. Childs calls for discussion. Mr. Childs calls for a vote. The vote is unanimous.
The motion passes. The next board meeting is scheduled for January 21 st at 4pm.
Purchasing policy amendment: Ms. Stewart states that this agenda item was added to allow for review and
future action.
Adjournment: Mr. Childs moves to adjourn. Cindy DellaValle seconds the motion. Mr. Childs calls for a vote.
The vote is unanimous. The motion passes. The meeting adjourns at 7:57 pm.