Manhattan Beach Education Foundation
Board of Directors - Regular Meeting
November 9, 2004 at 7:30 p.m.
MBUSD Office, 325 S. Peck Avenue, Manhattan Beach

Present:

Directors (22/30): Edie Babbe, Vanessa Benya, Webster Burns, Wendy Carson, Brian Currey, Mike Dunitz, Michelle Erickson, Linda Figel, Nancy Hersman, Craig Kline, Carolyn Leserman, Diane Levitt, Anne McLaughlin, John Oshiro, Greg Rosen, Ellen Rosenberg, Jeff Thaler, Ida VanderPoorte, Susan Warshaw, Rich Weiss, Tati Wennekamp, Pam Yarbrough.

MBUSD Trustees Representative: Amy Howorth

MBUSD Representatives: Gwen Gross, Steve McMahon

Business Partnerships: Sherry Kramer

MBEF Staff: Debbie Bowen

Guests: Marika Bergsund, Tammy Choy, Ken Martello, Cindy McMahon, Margo Thole, Kathy Tibone, Francisco Uribe

Presiding: Carolyn Leserman, President

Recording: Anne McLaughlin, Secretary

Handouts: Agenda, Minutes, Financial Report

Recognition and Check Presentation:
Ms. Sherry Kramer introduced Mr. Francisco Uribe, of Verizon, who presented a $5,000 grant award to the Foundation.

President’s Notes:
Ms. Leserman stated that the Annual Report had been sent to the printer. She said that she would be requesting articles from MBEF chairpersons for the next edition of School Notes.
Ms. Leserman attended the California Education Foundation Convention and stated that all foundations are focused on fundraising, in light of cuts to education.

Minutes:
Upon motion duly made and seconded, the minutes of the meeting of October 12, 2004 were unanimously approved as presented.

Financial Report:
Ms. Ida VanderPoorte presented financial statements for the four months ended October 31, 2004. She stated that the 2003 tax return and the audit report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004 had been completed.
Ms. VanderPoorte said that Mr. Rich Weiss had prepared a draft of an Investment Policy Statement that is being evaluated by Investment Committee members.

Business Education Partnership Report:
Ms. Sherry Kramer announced various business promotions benefiting MBEF.
She inquired about board support for an event at the Comedy and Magic Club, and the board agreed to move forward. Ms. Kramer distributed a “Back-to-School Concert at the Club” survey. This survey seeks to obtain information for the Manhattan Country Club regarding a concert to benefit MBEF.

Superintendent’s Report:
Dr. Gross announced that the District had received $1.2 million in funding from the State of California for MCHS modernization. She stated that the letter to parents regarding the importance of daily attendance had generated revenues for the District.

She noted several upcoming performances at the high school and middle school.

Dr. Gross expressed sympathy at the loss of Mira Costa student, Mike Hammond, and parent, Ronald Margolis, and described actions taken at Mira Costa to provide support for students during this difficult time.

She noted that the District’s Medical Advisory Committee would be examining drug issues impacting our students.

Mr. Steve McMahon distributed a document entitled “Student Residence and Implications of Policies Limiting Out of District Transfers.” Mr. McMahon reviewed enrollment by zip code at MBMS and MCHS and discussed enrollment projections for MCHS.

MBUSD Board of Trustees’ Report:
Ms. Amy Howorth said that the Board of Trustees would convene a study session on Mira Costa High School on November 17 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Annual Appeal:
Ms. Linda Figel distributed a report showing the status of the Annual Appeal, and a discussion ensued. Ms. Diane Levitt thanked PTAs for their support of MBEF. Ms. Tammy Choy distributed a flyer that will be displayed at Pennekamp’s Richstone Feast; the flyer describes the elementary school programs funded through grants from MBEF.

Grants Committee:
Mr. Webb Burns stated that a $6,200 directed donation had been received for computer equipment for La Vista, Mira Costa’s student newspaper.

Board Structure and Responsibility Discussion:
Ms. Carolyn Leserman described MBEF’s recent growth and its expanded role in fundraising. She discussed the need to restructure the board to recruit additional talent and to increase the active participation of board members. She suggested that MBEF strategically determine the work to be done and form a search committee to find individuals with the expertise to fill certain roles. She stated that Class Two Directors must serve on committees.

Ms. Leserman stated that some foundations have hired professional fundraisers. Ms. Figel and Ms. Benya expressed support for this idea due to the magnitude of MBEF’s fundraising and the need for consistency.

Various board members discussed the need to recruit talent outside of the board and to obtain financial support from a greater percentage of the population. Mr. Thaler, Ms. Leserman, and Ms. VanderPoorte discussed the need to fundraise directly for the Endowment.

Ms. Leserman suggested the formation of a committee to address the issues raised, and Ms. Babbe volunteered to serve. Ms. Levitt suggested the need for three committees: investments/finance, communications, and fundraising.

Ms. Warshaw said that many people in the community do not identify with or understand the Foundation, and Ms. Figel suggested that Foundation meetings be held at different schools each month in order to increase visibility.

Ms. Leserman asked that board members consider these issues, and she tabled discussion until a later date.

New Business/Old Business:
Ms. Leserman said that Ms. Abby Waddell, PTA President at Meadows Elementary School, asked that Ms. Cindy McMahon replace her as the MBEF director representing the Meadows PTA. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the board voted to accept the resignation of Ms. Abby Waddell and to elect Ms. Cindy McMahon as a Class One Director.

Meeting Adjourned: 8:51 p.m.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, December 14, 2004, 7:30 p.m. at the District Office, 325 S. Peck Avenue